Residents of the county's most densely populated area listened last night as officials discussed the latest growth plan for South Carroll covering transportation projects to ease congestion.

About two dozen people attended the meeting at Liberty High School in Eldersburg, though public comment was not allowed.

The Freedom Area Comprehensive Plan, a blueprint for growth in South Carroll, proposes 21 road projects, rezoning farmland to allow for construction of nearly 3,000 homes, and expanding the area's 30-year-old water treatment plant.

The majority of the projects would provide alternate routes from South Carroll's most populated areas to Route 32. Now, most motorists must use the increasingly congested Route 26 to reach Route 32.

"We need to give people an opportunity to get out to Route 32 in different ways," said county planning director Steven Horn.

The 11-chapter plan has been criticized by residents, who have raised concerns about congested roads, crowded schools and strained emergency services.

South Carroll includes Eldersburg and Sykesville and has a population of 28,000.

Members of the Freedom Area Citizens Council, a board that acts as liaison between residents and county officials, were among the most vocal critics of the plan. The council submitted a 17-page document detailing its opposition.

Development and school crowding were among the council's many concerns.

The plan envisions nearly 3,000 new homes and estimates a population of 40,000 by 2020. The rapid growth concerns residents dealing with crowded schools.

Nearly all the schools in South Carroll have portable classrooms. The area's fifth elementary opened in September over capacity. Liberty High School relies on about a dozen portables.

While another high school is planned, no elementary or middle schools will be considered for at least 12 years.

The meeting last night follows public workshops that drew more than 500 people, many of whom questioned whether the proposed road projects outlined in the plan would be funded.

The last growth plan for South Carroll, written 22 years ago, called for 20 connector and service roads to ease traffic on major thoroughfares. The improvements called for in the 1977 plan remain uncompleted.

Those who attended the workshops were not alone in their opposition to the plan. The county also received many letters, e-mails and petitions protesting the document.

Though the majority of the comments focused on roads and land-use changes, several critics questioned South Carroll's ability to provide water to a growing population.

Freedom supplies about 6,500 households with water drawn from Baltimore's Liberty Reservoir. The plan calls for increasing the daily allotment from 3 million to 5 million gallons. The county also expects to expand the area's treatment plant and build wells at Springfield Hospital Center.

Another work session of the county planning commission will be held before the commission takes a final vote on the plan. The document then would go to the county commissioners.

Pub Date: 3/24/99