Towson apartments won't crowd schools

May 9, 2008

I doubt that the hundreds of residential units planned for the core of Towson will do much to further overburden our already crowded school system ("In Towson, pleas for 5th school," May 4).

With the minimal parking Baltimore County requires for such development, I doubt many families will be interested in the apartments. And if the lack of parking doesn't keep families and professionals away, the area college students who are likely to fill the spaces probably will.

As Towson University and Goucher College continue to increase enrollments without adequate on-campus housing, residential units in the core of Towson will most likely turn out to be rentals.

Three years ago, developers of the Quarter apartments assured the community that their high-end units would be filled with empty-nesters who wouldn't mind the minimal parking accommodations.

But last week, The Sun reported that the first units to open this summer will be filled by Goucher students ("Goucher short of housing," April 28).

And if the existing lifestyle clashes between Towson residents and college students are any indication, prospective tenants hoping for a peaceful existence in Towson's core will be in for a rude awakening.

Corinne Becker

Towson

The writer is a member of the board of the Riderwood Hills Community Association.

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