Residents opposing a Frederick Road development want their voices heard, but aren?t keen on huddling outside on a cold, dark evening for an upcoming community meeting with developers.
“I think it?s very inconsiderate,” said Nelly Barrett, who lives across the street from the proposed Centennial Gardens in Ellicott City.
A meeting is planned for next week at the 2.5-acre site, where a 59-unit affordable housing development is planned.
County law requires developers to hold pre-submission meetings before formally submitting development plans to the county.
Meetings must be held between 6 and 8 p.m. on a weekday or during the day on a Saturday and within a few miles of the proposed development.
Meetings are often held on site, and several residents are concerned about braving the weather for next week?s meeting.
At a November meeting on Waterloo Road, many residents complained about standing in the cold after walking down a rocky embankment to the site.
“It?s definitely done so people will not come,” said Mary Rogers, who lives on Oaklea Court.
However, Developer Donald Reuwer Jr., of Land Design and Development Inc., said a vacant house on the lot will be available and heated for the Centennial Gardens meeting.
Developers also are trying to secure another indoor location, such as senior center, but they are bound by the county?s distance limits, Reuwer said.
Late Wednesday afternoon, county officials had secured the Banneker Room in the county?s George Howard Building, said county spokeswoman Victoria Goodman.
She said they will let residents know of the change “as soon as possible.”
Developers also are holding a meeting the night before at Waverly Gardens, where residents could see a development similar to the proposed Centennial Gardens.
Reuwer said he hopes residents will attend that meeting.
The meetings are intended “to have an open as possible process for the government to the community,” Goodman said.
“If there are changes that need to be made, this administration will look at that.”
