Councilman Marks calls for Perry Hall development task force

By Kayla Hunt
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer

Baltimore County Councilman David Marks, R-5^th District, announced last week that he will be forming a community-based task force to address development concerns in Perry Hall.

Members of the task force will come from the Perry Hall Improvement Association and other neighboring associations in the area. Marks is asking for names from those groups.

Jack Amrhein, the president of the Perry Hall Improvement Association, called the task force “an excellent idea.” He said he appreciated that Marks was reaching out to the community. He said in some council districts, the individual council member has a great deal of control over development and can push for projects that constituents do not support.  

“A task force shows transparency and allows the community to have their say for what is put in their community,” Amrhein said. “It brings in the opinions of all the stakeholders.”

The task force idea comes as the Southern Land Company of Baltimore is proposing to build four-story condominiums behind The Shops at Perry Hall at the corner of Honeygo Boulevard and Belair Road, a commercial development with a Wawa, Steak ‘n Shake and Valvoline automobile service center.

“Perry Hall has been a designated growth area for 40 years, and the last remaining area is being developed,” Marks said. “Traffic and school overcrowding are issues, but now we are dealing with the deterioration that comes from an older neighborhood.”

Marks has openly opposed the development of condominiums at this intersection. A shopping center was approved prior to Mark’s election as councilman. The Southern Land Company wants to enact a change and allow for senior housing.

Marks said he is in favor of more senior housing in the northeastern Baltimore County area, where a significant percentage of the population are seniors. However, he said he does not support the construction of four-story condominiums at this location.

Amrhein said that the community wants a way for older residents to stay in the community. He said the neighborhood wants traditional style, single-story ranch homes, similar to older Perry Hall.

“As far as Honeygo and Belair Road, it is desired by the community to have no more residential [and] buildings shielded by natural buffers,” Amrhein said. “That intersection is the ‘gateway’ to Perry Hall coming from the Gunpowder, and should have a subtle approach, not a bright, glaring shopping center with duplicate services.”

Marks said he expects the task force to make recommendations on building height, traffic and aesthetics.

The task force is expected to be assembled within the coming weeks, Marks said.