Some Fallston residents are upset about a developer's plans to subdivide a lot at Laurel Brook and Old Fallston roads and reconfigure another 10-acre lot.
The property, known as the lands of Rachel Tobin, stretches across most of the northwest corner of that intersection, but about eight residents at a Harford County Development Advisory Committee meeting Wednesday said the property is too wet to support any development.
The site would include a stormwater management area.
The Harford County Health Department has not approved the entire project yet because some of the soil testing had unsatisfactory results and more testing is required.
Joe Kidd, of Old Fallston Road, said he has lived across from the intersection for almost 70 years and does not believe the site is desirable because of how wet it is.
"I am certainly not opposed to any new houses in Fallston,…but I think any new houses have to be done in a responsible way and I think anyone who lives in Fallston knows that the soil conditions in Fallston are not conducive to good percolation," he said. "I think because of that, the desirability of a drain field across from Old Fallston and Laurel Brook would completely add to the wetness in the area, and it's something Fallston doesn't need."
Kidd also said observations "tell you a different story" from the official percolation test.
Moe Davenport, DAC chairman, replied the health department has not approved the whole project, and county officials recognize they have to do testing during the wettest season of the year.
Jonathan Streett, also of Old Fallston Road, said he has lived there since 1986 and recalled children ice-skating in the field.
"That's usually a pretty good indication you have some water there," Streett said.
He showed the committee some photos of the field that showed substantial water.
Streett said he is likewise not against development, but "you have got a piece of property under water."
Kimber Allan Matzinger-Vought, of Old Fallston Road and managing editor of The Aegis, said he believes the rural residential zoning was created specifically for that property, and a developer who wanted to build on the site in the past ultimately changed his mind.
"I don't know why anyone would build a house on the corner," he said. "How does that make sense from an engineering standpoint? …That's crazy."
He said he thinks others in the neighborhood are wondering if the development would open up other lots that shouldn't be developed.
Mitch Ensor, of Bay State Land Services Inc., said the land uses well and septic, and was zoned rural residential in 1989.
He said the site has a historic dwelling that would be preserved, but a barn would be razed, and each of the new lots would access Old Fallston Road.