South Baltimore residents, chaffing at what they claim are "hardball" tactics by a Florida developer, are vowing to fight a two-towered Ritz-Carlton hotel planned near Federal Hill if the proposed project exceeds the existing 71-foot height limitation.

Developer Neil Fisher said yesterday in response to the residents' declarations that he isn't optimistic that the $85 million project will proceed, but intends to "give it one more shot" to fashion a compromise.

"I have tried to be reasonable and compromising from the beginning," Fisher said in response to a Tuesday evening meeting of the Federal Hill Neighborhood Association (FHNA) and other neighborhood groups. "I've cut the building down 100 rooms. In some ways, I feel that no matter what I give, it won't be enough. I'm astounded it's gotten to this point."

Fisher said he intended to withdraw the project on hearing of the meeting, but held off at the request of state Sen. George W. Della Jr., a Democrat whose district includes the site known as the Propeller Yard where the Ritz-Carlton would be built.

The opposition of the community association, which just weeks ago had embraced the idea of a luxury hotel on the site of the former Bethlehem Steel Corp. shipyard, stems from design changes that could nearly double the height of the project and partially obstruct views of the water from Federal Hill.

"I think it's disrespectful of the hill," said David Marshall, president of the FHNA. "I think a Ritz-Carlton would be a tremendous asset to the city, if they could find a way to accommodate the hill. There's a height limit and we want to see that honored." About 70 residents who gathered to discuss the proposed hotel agreed unanimously through a show of hands.

Marshall and others object to Fisher's plan to exceed the 71-foot height restriction that has been in place for the site adjacent to the Rusty Scupper restaurant since 1975. A vacant six-story building roughly that height occupies the site.

Although the height limit can be revoked by the city's Board of Estimates, the Schmoke administration has been reluctant to alter the agreement without residents' approval.

"If the first thing we see when we look at the hill are one or two towers, then I think we've been robbed," said Dick Leitch, a former FHNA president.

Fisher -- who has said community support is critical to the project's success -- said the design changes to the proposed 250-room hotel are the result of residents' suggestions.

Fisher instructed his architects to alter the proposal of three buildings connected by glass to a design featuring two buildings or a single tower. They would probably be eight to 12 stories high.

Fisher said the alternative designs came after meetings with community leaders, who expressed concerns that the mass of the three-building complex also would block waterfront views.

He recently told community leaders that the three-building concept was "off the table," because each design change by architects Michael Graves & Associates was costly. Fisher said he has spent $60,000 on plans.

Marshall contends that Fisher told him he planned to move ahead regardless of community support, and dared the group or Marshall to file litigation to prevent the hotel. But Fisher denied making the statement. "I'm not interested in buying a lawsuit," he said.

Some residents said the community should be cautious before slamming the door on the proposed hotel.

"I don't want a tower on that site; I don't think it would be appropriate," said Chris Rosenthal, another FHNA past president. "But we are faced with certain risks regarding that site. Few would say that a Ritz-Carlton is a bad thing. We could end up with a building that completely blocks our views. I think we all need to see exactly what is being proposed."

City Councilwoman Lois A. Garey, whose district includes Federal Hill, said she intends to seek a meeting with M. J. "Jay" Brodie, head of the city's economic development agency, about the residents' concerns. In the end, she, too, cautioned residents to keep an open mind.

"I intend to make it clear to him that affecting the views from Federal Hill is not negotiable," Garey said, to a round of applause. "But I think we should give Mr. Brodie and Mr. Fisher a chance to come here and make things right and show us the plans before we blow them up."

Pub Date: 3/18/99