Lavender Lot Sold to Developer
Revenue Authority green-lights $530,000 sale over community objections.
A half-acre parking lot some Parkville residents have said is key to economic revitalization was sold by the Baltimore County Revenue Authority to a developer.
The authority's board voted 2-1 this morning to sell the lot on Harford Road at Lavender Avenue to DMS Development for $530,000.
Two members, Chairman Donald Hutchinson and Bonnie Phipps, did not attend the meeting.
The vote on the sale came moments after one board member, Leslie Pittler, made a motion to lease the lot to community and business groups in the Harford Road corridor.
Pittler's motion failed for lack of a second. He voted against the subsequent motion to sell to the developer.
The authority currently leases other lots in the Arbutus area and had a similar agreement where for eight years it leased an underperforming Pikesville lot to a number of businesses and restaurants along Reisterstown Road.
Developers plan to build a Walgreens pharmacy on the property that is near Taylor Avenue.
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Eric Bromwell
10:35 am on Thursday, May 26, 2011
The Baltimore County Revenue Authority should prepare to be brought before the legislature with regard to the sale of this lot, as well as other actions taken by the Board. When government entities, or entities created by government cease to act in the best the interests of the community, action must be taken to hold those entities accountable. The Board was created by the legislature, so I believe they are accountable to the legislature, as we are representatives of the community which was 100% opposed to this sale.
The 8th District Delegation to the Maryland House of Delegates and Maryland Senate will be unified in our efforts to hold the Board accountable. The Baltimore County Revenue Authority has dealt a devastating blow to the small business community in Parkville, and action will be taken.
Delegate Eric Bromwell
Ruth Baisden
7:38 pm on Thursday, May 26, 2011
Behind you all the way!
johnny towson
11:07 am on Thursday, May 26, 2011
So now we know why Mr. Schlachman agreed to tear down the buildings on York Road. Quid pro quo? I hope your efforts are successful Mr. Bromwell. At $530,000 for the lot, the Rev Authority would have been better off leasing the site to Walgreen's themselves. Instead, the Rev. Authority loses, the County loses, the Community loses and DMS wins. The County Executive is quickly losing control. Who is Kevin Kamenetz and what, if anything, does he really stand for?
Ruth Baisden
7:37 pm on Thursday, May 26, 2011
DMS approached the Revenue Authority in an effort to purchase the public parking lot in August 2009. In December 2008, DMS contributed $4,000 to County Executive Jim Smith's campaign. DMS also contributed to County Executive Kevin Kamentz campaign. These are the only two local elected officials that did not stand up for the community on this important issue.
Jean
11:29 am on Thursday, May 26, 2011
Does this area really need another Walgreens? There is one right down the road and another being built at Belair and Silver Spring. Disappointing.
K Blue
12:42 pm on Thursday, May 26, 2011
Why weren't the other 2 Board members there to vote? This was a pretty big deal.
Neversure
4:52 pm on Thursday, May 26, 2011
K Blue: The stink was probably too strong for them to handle. Very shortsighted move. Bad for business, bad for the community.
MaryBeth Flowers
1:49 am on Friday, May 27, 2011
I question the reasoning & urgency to why our community needs yet Another Pharmacy. Are we that unhealthy?! In my opinion, Community Health Care is not another Chain Store: it begins w/a Healthy, Active lifestyle: Dining, Shopping, Meeting up w. friends to play Bingo & Shoot Pool>..But, all we seem to create in this community are more empty buildings & more angry residence & business owners who Desire & Strive for a Positive Change...We Want the Farmers Markets, the Outside Movie Nights, the Easy Parking spot>All in which can & should be provided by the Lavender Parking Lot...Oh! the Possibilities to keep the Harford Road corridor Grow are Endless, but instead, we get yet Another Slap in the Face! So disappointed...