Informational Meeting on Seagram's Cleanup Plan

An informational meeting about the draft Response Action Plan for the former Seagram's distillery property will be held at 6:30 p.m. July 17 at the North Point Library, 1716 Merritt Blvd.

The Response Action Plan is the Sollers Point Road property owner's response to environmental issues found on the property and spells out what the owner intends to do about those issues, according to Barbara Brown, a geologist and project manager of the Maryland Department of the Environment's Voluntary Cleanup Program.

"Most people are concerned about what's going to happen on the property in the future and we know there are zoning issues there," Brown said Monday. "But we have nothing to do with zoning; we're more focused on environmental issues."

Property owner John Vontran, who has proposed a mixed-use development for the land, has requested a zoning change from the land's current DR-1 rating, which allows one house per acre, to office and residential use.

That zoning request is currently under consideration by the Baltimore County Council as part of its quadrennial Comprehensive Zoning Map Process.

While the Response Action Plan meeting is not a public hearing, Brown said MDE officials are interested in hearing what residents have to say about the cleanup plan.

"We're encouraged by the response we've received so far," she said. "We expect a lively meeting."

From MDE:

Anyone wishing to request more information or make comments regarding the proposed RAP must do so in writing. Comments or requests should be submitted to the attention of the Voluntary Cleanup Program project manager, Barbara Brown, at the Maryland Department of the Environment, 1800 Washington Blvd., Suite 625, Baltimore, Maryland 21230; telephone 410-537-3493.

All comments and requests must be received by the department in writing no later than July 28.