Neighbors are upset about a plan by Bob Ward Companies to develop 27 townhouse lots on property off Van Bibber Road near the intersection of Routes 7 and 24 between Abingdon and Edgewood.
The proposed Ravens Woods development would be on a triangular spot bordered by Van Bibber Road, Route 7 and Route 24. The townhouse lots would sit along a U-shaped drive facing Van Bibber, backing up to My Three Sons restaurant at the 7 and 24 intersection.
"We have chosen to minimize our development, make it compact," Lou Schaffer, of Frederick Ward Associates, the project's engineer, told the Development Advisory Committee on Wednesday about the 6.5-acre development.
About a dozen people who live near the site told the committee the project would exacerbate flooding problems, make traffic in their neighborhood far worse and destroy the peaceful nature of a longtime single-family-home community.
"We are a community of small to medium ranch-style homes," Cathy Grossarth, who lives across Van Bibber Road from the site, said.
She said the project would make the "fiasco" on area roads even worse, adding she is "strongly opposed to this."
James Deangelis, who lives on nearby Shannon Road, said his property is "constantly wet" and the area has major problems with stormwater drainage.
He also said Edgewood Road is already overcrowded and getting out of the neighborhood between 7 and 10 a.m., or from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., is "nearly impossible."
Deangelis said if "there must be development," it should be single-family homes.
Beverly Webster, whose family has lived across from the property for more than 60 years, said she just built a home in the neighborhood herself and is very concerned about water run-off.
"This project does not fit the zoning code; it does not fit the community," she said. "This is an established single-family-home community, has been for 60-some years. There is no place for townhouses."
Steve Wampler, who has lived on Roth Road for 57 years, listed numerous environmental concerns with the site and said it takes him at least 10 to 15 minutes to get out of the neighborhood when he drives.
He asked Schaffer if the townhouses could be Section 8 rental housing. Schaffer replied he believes they would be market-rate.
Robert Holweck, land development director for Bob Ward Companies, clarified in a later email that the company plans to offer the homes for sale at prices starting in the mid-$200,000 range.
"These homes will be for sale to the general public at fair market value," Holweck said.
In reply to several residents' questions, DAC chairperson Moe Davenport explained a community input meeting on the project was not held because the project did not generate the minimum 250 vehicle trips required for such a meeting.
Nina Meckel, who said she was speaking on behalf of Lawrence and Joan Meckel, another pair of neighbors near the site, warned the project would create a burden from more people trying to drive away to work in the morning.
She pointed out the history of the neighborhood, including it being the home of the late George Van Bibber, who is notable for designing the Harford County seal.
"Keep the community consistent. Keep Van Bibber the way it is," she said, adding: "Why change the name to Ravens Woods?"
Meckel said the concept "destroys the heritage" of the area. She said the developer should build single-family homes instead, as that would "not destroy a long-standing neighborhood."
The county's parks and recreation department staff noted the plan for active open space on the project is not acceptable and must be revised, Davenport said, reading from a report.
The site plan proposes 0.34 acres of active open space, only slightly more than the 0.32 acres required. The land is zoned R2, for medium-density residential development.
Preparing the site would also mean removing all the invasive bamboo and replacing redbud trees with another species, Davenport said, explaining that the submitted landscape plan could not be approved and additional buffers must be provided.
Schaffer said the county's zoning code allows 29 townhouses on the site, two more than proposed. The developer would also include 17 off-street parking spaces in the development, in addition to two for each home, he said.