Senior Housing Unit Planned for Baltimore Highlands

Plans for a 90-unit senior housing development to be built on Oak Road near l will be discussed at 7 p.m., tonight, Feb. 2 during a community-input meeting at the .

The Greens at English Consul, to be built on four acres, would include apartments for people 62 years and older of modest means, community space, and walking paths, according to Chickie Grayson, president of Enterprise Homes.

, where the meeting will be held, is at 2822 Florida Ave.

A timetable for the development depends on financing and other issues, but if the Planned Unit Development (PUD) process moves smoothly the project could begin within 18 months, Grayson said.

Enterprise Homes is a for-profit unit of Enterprise Community Partners, founded in 1982 by developer James Rouse to finance and develop affordable housing. According to Grayson, the company has built more than 1,300 units of senior housing in the Mid-Atlantic region.

"They have a proven track record of quality projects," said Baltimore County Councilman Tom Quirk.

Some community community response has been positive.

"There doesn't seem to be any negaive feedback from the community," said Moses Rodriguez, president of the Baltimore Highlands Community Association.

"I've only heard positive feedback from the community," Quirk said.

Developers must offer public benefits as part of the PUD process, which Quirk said may proceed after he receives input from the community and reports from county agencies.

Aside from footpaths and community spaces, among the public benefits of the project being discussed is allowing a vacant house on the property to be burned by English Counsul Volunteer Fire Department as a training exercise.

The purpose of the Feb. 2 meeting is for the community to provide input and discuss the public benefits that may arise from the development.

Grayson said that Baltimore Highlands lacks sufficient senior housing and is an ideal community for a development.

"It's a great neighborhood," she said. "It's a place where time has stood still."

Quirk cited the proposal as an example of the private development that is being attracted into southwest Baltimore County.

"I'm looking forward to making this happen," he said. "I think they're going to be a wonderful addition to the Baltimore Highlands community."