press


Concerns growing about manor property
Residents fear housing at Belmont center site

Sandy Alexander, Baltimore Sun Staff
Originally published November 5, 2004

As the Howard Community College Education Foundation moves closer to purchasing the Belmont Conference Center in Elkridge, community concerns about the future of the site are growing.

Fears that houses will be built on part of the secluded land surrounding the 18th-century manor house were fueled when the County Council chairman, at the request of County Executive James N. Robey, introduced a bill that would allow the college to build senior housing. The bill, which was withdrawn by the time the council met this week, called for a change in the county's adequate public facilities ordinance to allow senior housing that is part of "the creation of a public college facility, which would not be viable if the development is delayed."

"The executive introduced [the bill] as a possibility for helping the college with Belmont," said county spokeswoman Victoria Goodman. "It was very preliminary, and since that time other options may be available."

HCC President Mary Ellen Duncan said the college is considering several ways to make the property profitable without public funding.

The school plans to continue running Belmont as a conference center, have continuing education classes at the site and use the facilities for hospitality management classes.

In addition, school leaders have had conversations with developers, the county school system and the Department of Recreation and Parks, and they have examined "live and learn" projects that other schools have used to combine senior housing and education programs.

"We are trying to keep all the doors open at this point because no decision has been made," Duncan said.

She added, "We are fortunate that the county is trying to help us work through the options."

The 82-acre property, which has been owned for 20 years by the American Chemical Society, includes a manor house, a barn and about 30 acres that are protected by easements held by the Maryland Historic Trust. Another 40 acres and a 13-acre outparcel are not protected from being subdivided.

The college would like to build a new entrance road connected to Landing Road, which would alleviate traffic congestion at the current entrance, the one-lane Belmont Woods Road. The county executive has discussed the road project with college leaders but has not made a decision, Goodman said.

Duncan said the college plans to meet with neighbors of the property to discuss options for the site after the sale is completed this month.

But Elkridge residents are anxious to be involved in the planning.

"Our concern is that there are lot of rumors floating, and [the bill] is the first public, tangible evidence of what's going on," said Cathy Hudson, a community activist from Elkridge.

Belmont "is a treasure of Howard County," she said. "This is the remaining open space in Elkridge ... and it is loved. It's not to be taken lightly."