Converting Oella Mill perfect Smart Growth
Gov. Parris N. Glendening writes enthusiastically about Smart Growth ("Build on success of Smart Growth," Opinion * Commentary, Nov. 20) while in another article the Baltimore County Board of Zoning Appeals approves the conversion of the Oella Mill into apartments ("Panel approves conversion of Oella Mill into apartments," Nov. 20). There is a connection.
Nowhere is there a better opportunity to demonstrate Smart Growth than in historic Oella, the quaint, early 19th century mill village across the Patapsco River from Ellicott City.
Cluster and in-fill housing predominate, making use of existing infrastructure. And the old brick textile mill that dominates the village center, with its architectural integrity badly eroded. An out-of-state corporation, skilled in transforming historic buildings, is willing to spend $28 million to buy and restore the mill and turn it into loft apartments.
The project has passed through the labyrinth of government agencies and earned the approval of the zoning commissioner after an extensive public hearing and expert testimony. A strong majority of the property owners and residents of the former mill community also approve, though this majority does not hold for the Greater Oella area.
The naysayers talk about traffic and parking, but basically they are concerned about people. They don't want more people living in the area.
Many opponents are relative newcomers who were attracted by the restoration that has occurred in the community but want all change to stop at the point they arrived.
Their concerns about traffic overlook the fact that the proposed upscale apartments will generate less traffic than any other possible uses, such as the commercial or office facilities that some protestors prefer. Nor do they have any appreciation of the past traffic, and the countless trucks, when the wool mill operated.
The failure of the conversion plan because of continuing hostility could mean the introduction of incompatible uses allowed under the current zoning and could lead to the further deterioration of the mill.
The proposed renovation and significant landscaping improvements will, as the directors of several county agencies have noted, add to the charm, character and economic vitality of Oella's renaissance. This is too important a project to be lost.
It should be strongly supported by Smart Growth advocates, historic preservationists and those interested in the vitality of our old communities and the heritage they embrace.
Charles L. Wagandt
Oella
Pupil asks Ehrlich to help education
I am an 11-year-old boy in Howard County. Our school does not have up-to-date science books and the teacher has to give us information from her notes for better information.
Everyone agrees that our country must have a very good science education for students.
My parents pay a lot of taxes and some of this should benefit us in school - at least we should have better school books.
If our new governor wants to really help the state in the long run, he should take a careful look at education, and not just cut expenses everywhere.
Brent Galloway
Ellicott City
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