P.O. Box 142 — Sykesville, MD 21784

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Reprint from Gazette

September 12, 2005

Please join the Freedom Area Citizens' Council tonight at 7:30 pm in the Eldersburg Library when we welcome area residents who have recently organized themselves as Carrolltowne United together with selected representatives from our county government. Carrolltowne United is collectively opposed to Security Development's proposed 20-acre, 254-unit townhouse apartment complex. The group is headed by Cheryle Franceschi and meets bi-weekly on Wednesday nights in the Eldersburg Library at 7 p.m.

As many are aware, Carroll Circuit Judge Michael Galloway ruled July 30th that Security Development's decade old plan for the apartment project required approval by the County Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) or its members would be jailed for contempt of court. Not surprisingly, the PZC quickly voted to approve the development (3 to 1). Judge Galloway later rejected the county's request for a stay during the appeal.

The Carroll County Commissioners, joined by members of the PZC immediately filed an appeal of Judge Galloway's decision to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. The Appeals court granted a temporary stay on Aug. 29th, while they determine if they will hear the case. If so, they may grant further injunctive relief in the form of a permanent stay order to prevent development of the Security site, until the case is decided.

Carroll County Attorney, Kim Millender, will be reviewing the legal status of the case and the objectives of the County's case to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. Director of Planning, Steve Horn may also be on hand to answer resident's questions concerning the project as proposed.

The Security Development project fails to meet Adequate Facilities Ordinances and other development tests, as specified by the county. Specifically, the project has no water allocation, would additionally burden the already overcrowded local schools and would also have a detrimental impact on traffic congestion in that area. FACC is on record as opposing this development for the same reasons that both the PZC and BZA (Board of Zoning Appeals) rejected the project. FACC is further disappointed that through Judge Galloway, Security Development is seeking a legal remedy in an attempt to bypass development guidelines for which every other project in the county is governed.

We hope you will come out to show your support for the citizens of this community who have banded together to oppose this project for all the right reasons. More information may be found at www.freedomareacitizens.org.