Heritage Society Appeals Decision on North Patuxent Townhomes

The Odenton Heritage Society has appealed a decision by the county to allow the development of townhouses on North Patuxent Road, arguing that the project violates provisions of the master plan for the neighborhood. 

The heritage society said the project from Elm Street Development would not fit the character of the neighborhood, and called the county's decision a "travesty."

"We feel betrayed that the County would reject, ignore, and contradict its own stated guidelines on preserving Odenton's Historic District, so glowingly touted as a valuable and important resource in the Odenton Town Center Master Plan," the OHS said in a statement. 

Elm Street has proposed building about 50 townhomes near the corner of Becknel Avenue and North Patuxent Road. The Odenton Town Center Plan Oversight Committee recommended that the county reject the plan, but the office of Planning and Zoning has the final say.  

The heritage society voiced concerns that townhomes would not be in keeping with the rest of the neighborhood, which is largely comprised of single-family homes. It pointed to provisions of the Odenton Town Center Master Plan referencing the preservation of the town's historic district.

Supporters of the Elm Street project, however, said the master plan calls for higher density of development closer to the MARC station. Elm Street has said it can build the townhomes with designs that are in keeping with the rest of the neighborhood, and plans to preserve historic single-family homes on the site. 

The Greater Odenton Improvement Association will hold a meeting Wednesday to discuss the heritage society's objections. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company Hall. 

See also: 

• Committee Opposes Plans for Homes on North Patuxent
• Analysis: Heritage Society and North Patuxent
• History Becomes Hot Issue in Town Planning