Outside Affairs

Historic District Tax Credits

There are changes proposed to the Tax Credits available for work on your home. In addition to the Federal Historic District credit, Jim Smith has proposed legislation that would also give County Credit. As of this writing, that legislation has not been voted on by the County Council. Please check the Stoneleigh web site for additional information (stoneleigh21212.org).

Recap of GTCCA Issues For 2006

  • Towson Circle III development of mixed-use project to include 600-bed residential housing for Towson University. GTCCA led opposition of development that resulted in an RFP being issued. No contract was awarded and there will be no student housing at the site.
  • Dulaney Valley Apartment Redevelopment There will be 900 units built on the site. The existing apartment buildings will be razed and 4 and 5 story buildings will be constructed. There will be a combination of condos and apartments. Numbers of each will be determined by market influences. These will be a high-end development and prices have not yet been published.
  • Rodgers Forge Apartments The apartments will be redeveloped into condos. The conversion will begin early in 2006. Prices will start in the $220,000 range for 2 bedroom units and in the upper 2’s for 3 bedroom units. There will be some renovation to the outside of the building, but they will look much like they look now.
  • Country Club of Maryland Development The Club plans to build homes on the 16 acres commonly called “Stoneleigh Woods”. This is the property on the East side of Sherwood Road just North of Maxalea Nursery. The CC of MD called the first meeting early last spring to inform the community of its intentions. Current zoning would accommodate 56 semi-detached homes and this is what was proposed. Idlewylde/Loch Hill has vehemently opposed the development, citing school over-crowding and traffic concerns. CC of MD has offered to make this an Active Adult (over 55) community. This would reduce the impact on schools and traffic. A bill proposed by Councilman Vince Gardina, to affect a moratorium on building for one year failed to pass. However, the Council has approved the formation of a committee to develop a Community Development Plan for Idlewylde, which would have the development as its primary issue.

Traffic

  • York Road Streetscape has been completed. I think it looks great. Let’s all support the merchants that suffered through the construction.
  • Stop Sign I was asked to look into having the intersection of Stoneleigh/Greenleigh and Copeleigh made a four way stop. Many of the neighbors near that intersection as well as parents walking their children to school signed a petition. I wrote to Steve Webber Chief of Traffic Engineering for Baltimore County asking for the 4-way stop and sent him the petition. I received a response denying the request. He claims that the current signs are adequate and that the intersections are safe. There have been some additional signs installed indicating children and crosswalks. Thanks to Sheri Buttarazzi for getting the petition signed.

Home Prices

  • The average house price in 2005 was $546,819 up 12% from 2004. The increase for 5 years is 86%.