An unusual 20-year binding agreement between a northern Baltimore County community association and a center that trains disabled workers has led to tentative approval of the center's expansion plans.
County Zoning Commissioner Lawrence E. Schmidt indicated at hearing last week that the agreement between the Maryland Line Area Association and Penn Mar Organization Inc. had persuaded him to grant Penn Mar's request for a special zoning exception.
His decision is unofficial until he issues a written order this month.
Penn Mar requested an amendment to a special zoning exception granted in 1987 that permitted the company to operate at York and Freeland roads on 6.3 acres zoned for rural conservation.
The company intends to expand the center from 13,000 square feet to 32,000 square feet.
Michael F. Shriver, chief executive officer of the nonprofit Penn Mar organization, said the expansion is needed to meet the increase in the number of developmentally disabled workers the company trains.
Penn Mar does subcontracting work for area businesses such as McCormick & Co. Inc. and Black & Decker Corp. The trainees do finishing work for the companies in Maryland Line.
Besides not asking for any further expansion for 20 years, Penn Mar also agreed to limit truck traffic to certain hours and not to seek increases in water usage. It would limit the number of clients training at the facility to 75.
Mr. Schmidt said such agreements are uncommon but he sees them occasionally.
"If these types of agreements between parties in a case are relevant to the development process, I usually will incorporate them into any approval I grant," Mr. Schmidt said.
Both sides were pleased with the outcome.
"We're glad to get this kind of agreement with Penn Mar," said Dr. Richard W. McQuaid, president of the community association. "It saves both sides a lot in attorney fees."
Maryland Line Area Association is spearheading a move to have the village near the Pennsylvania line designated a historic district. In the past, the association has tried to negotiate with developers to preserve the rural character of the area but wound up taking several business and residential projects to court, Dr. McQuaid said.
He said the Penn Mar agreement was a "pleasant departure" from the past and attributed it to the company's willingness to negotiate in a meaningful manner.
Mr. Shriver said he also didn't want a protracted fight.
"From several community meetings, we found what their concerns were, and we suggested that an agreement could be worked out in return for the community's support," he said.
Mr. Shriver said the process was frustrating at times, but "Penn ++ Mar is very comfortable with the results."