A Howard County developer has appealed a rezoning decision in Carroll County Circuit Court, and neighbors of the proposed development have vowed to follow suit.
"It is important that we not walk away," said Barry Marsh, president of the Linton Springs Civic Association, a neighborhood group, which has battled against rezoning of the Belt Farm property near Linton and Liberty roads for nearly two years.
"This community is resolved to see that Belt Farm is developed responsibly," Mr. Marsh said.
Carroll Developers of Ellicott City was unsuccessful in its efforts to double the proposed number of homes planned for the 205-acre property north of Liberty Road.
The developer originally planned about 100 homes on 3-acre lots, in accordance with the county master plan.
"We spent thousands processing our plans for homes with private water and sewer and were two-thirds of the way there," said Jack Cooper of Carroll Developers. "Then, the county stopped us."
In 1992, the county moved the property into its five-year public water and sewer plan and required the developer to hook any new houses into the system and extend lines west of Linton Road to a planned new elementary school.
Mr. Cooper claims that requirement added $2.5 million to his costs. He reworked his plans and asked the county Planning and Zoning Commission to allow more houses on 1-acre lots.
Mr. Marsh said the developer has "inflated his numbers to say he is facing hardships. He knows he can make a profit with the present zoning, but the profit is not enough. It won't be at our expense."
The departing county commissioners denied the petition in December. Mr. Cooper said the political climate affected the decision.
"Last year was not good timing for a rezoning petition," Mr. Cooper said. "Carroll County is experiencing growing pains, and we are caught up in them."
Mr. Cooper said the zoning he requested is more appropriate for public water and sewer, and he has filed an appeal of the county decision.
"If they have filed a petition, we want to be party to the court review," Mr. Marsh said. "We are getting tired, but not angry. If we had lost, we also would have gone to court."
The community organization met last week to plan its strategy. Members voted to retain Michelle Ostrander, an attorney who worked with the group in the fight against the original petition.
Mr. Marsh also called for donations to "fill a war chest" for attorney's fees.
"Everyone voted unanimously to continue this fight," Mr. Marsh said. "It was heartening because we have donations without touching our treasury."