Catonsville Residents Protest Whalen Development in Towson
Members of the Kendwood Garden Condo Association and nearby communities held signs outside of a county office building.
Photos
Catonsville residents continued their fight against the proposed Southwest Physicians Pavilion on Kenwood Avenue by protesting outside a Baltimore County office building in Towson Thursday morning.
Roughly 10 residents of the Kenwood Gardens condominiums and nearby roads held up signs outside on West Chesapeake Avenue. The seven-story medical buidling is being developed by Whalen Properties.
Many of the residents also filled a hearing room for a hearing officer's hearing as part of the Planned Unit Development process that began at 10 a.m.
Linda Stroh, a resident of Stafford Drive, said traffic and the size of the development are her concerns. With the proposed buildng, the sound barrier to Interstate 695 could be removed.
"We'll be looking at cars from 695," said Stroh, who added that turning from Kenwood Avenue onto Wilkens Avenue was already difficult before the building has been constructed.
While the land has been zoned commercial for years, residents have also petitioned to have the zoning on the two acres changed.
Gail Dawson, vice president of the Kenwood Gardens condo association, said the scale of the development does not fit with the land and surrounding community.
"They could've put residences there or small buildings, but a seven-story building? He does have the right to develop there but at this extent," she said.
Councilman Tom Quirk put forth the legislation for the development to go through the PUD process, which allows the developer more flexibility while still making room for community input.
Late last week, The Baltimore Sun reported that eight Baltimore County agencies had their records subpoenaed by the Office of the State Prosecutor.
Residents referred to that investigation Thursday as a reason to slow down or halt the development process.
See also:
Sun: State Investigating Catonsville Development
Promenot Video Takes Aim at Quirk, Other Elected Officials
Live Blog Recap: Kenwood Medical Building PUD Meeting
Joe
9:02 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
Why does Whalen NEVER build these things where HE lives? He is why developers have a bad name.
F. Michael Blair
10:38 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
Speaking of Mr. Whalen and his developments, I was looking on the Baltimore County Liquor Board web site and came across a section that shows the number of liquor licenses, by district - "POPULATION ESTIMATES FOR JANUARY 1, 2012 LICENSE COUNT OF FEBRUARY 9, 2012 BY ELECTION DISTRICT". A footnote to this spread sheet reads: "DISTRICT 1 CLASS B INCLUDES B(PC) PROMENADE CATONSVILLE." It's interesting to me that the Promenade has not been approved, but there is already a class B liquor license allocated.
Joe
10:46 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
Whalen now owns THREE licenses for that site. At the expense of places already in business and desiring a license in downtown Catonsville. How does he get so many at one time if they are inactive?
Paul Dongarra
11:28 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
Whalen has more money & organization because its his business. This project has been given 19 variances. instead of being 750 ft. away from a residential community 60-70 ft. will do. Whalen asks for extreme manipulations and Quirk delivers them. Both say this building isn't much different than what could be built there without the PUD or these variances. Its a lie. Quirk's says he's not taken money from Whalen or his business? He's taken money from Whalen's daughter, employees, and even Whalen's personal fitness instructor. $10,000 from these close contacts of Mr. Whalen's in just one year. As for finding a compromise, that's the job of the councilperson not the citizens. Quirk never even went to one of community meeting. The community picked up that Whalen was trying to sneak in a large restaurant. Why didn't Quirk or the county pick up on that? I'm not sure what's worse an elected official playing stupid or just not doing their job. At the hearing yesterday, all the county officials lined behind the developer to say they support this project. Last time I checked, the taxpayers pay their salaries. It was clear for who they are working. I pray that the special prosecutor will serve up a plate of justice to the people of Baltimore County and the good people of Kenwood Gardens and greater Catonsville.