Owners of Savage Mill moved a step closer last night to converting a historic house into a country inn, small catering facility and showplace for decorators' furniture and wares.

After a brief hearing, the Howard County Planning Board approved a request by Savage Mill Manor LLC, a partnership that includes the owners of Savage Mill.

The partnership plans to convert the huge, mid-Victorian mill manager's house into an inn and a catering hall for wedding receptions and meetings for up to 60 people.

Savage Mill is a former cloth mill in Savage that has been converted into an artists' and antiques center.

The board also approved expansion plans for Bethel Christian Academy, a private school at Savage-Guilford Road and Baltimore Street. School officials want to increase enrollment from 256 elementary and middle school students to 365.

As an inn, the mill manager's house -- now used as a residence -- would have as many as three guest rooms.

The house has ground-floor rooms with high ceilings, plaster-work wreaths around the chandeliers, black marble fireplaces and tall windows.

Plans for the second and third floors -- with a grand staircase winding through the floors -- include offering tenants at Savage Mill the opportunity to display their wares.

New parking areas, an expanded veranda and some handicapped-accessible parking and restrooms will be added.

The county Board of Appeals will hold a hearing on the request by Bethel Christian Academy on Sept. 15 and Savage Mill Manor on Oct. 27.

Pub Date: 9/10/98