Lutherville Station is the most obvious TOD site in the county that promises to bring new state and local tax revenue to fund critical priorities and help address the state’s housing shortage.
August 19, 2024
The developers behind the proposed Lutherville Station recently submitted an amended application to Baltimore County for a recommendation of a Transit Oriented Development designation.
The proposed development would include 560 apartments, which is 110 more than what was previously proposed, a mix of retail and office space, restaurants and gathering space.
“Lutherville Station is a once in a generation opportunity for Baltimore County,” said Lutherville Station developer, Mark Renbaum. “Given its location, Lutherville Station is the most obvious TOD site in the county that promises to bring new state and local tax revenue to fund critical priorities and help address the state’s housing shortage.”
Currently, a County spokesperson said they are reviewing the amended application. While the developers do not currently have the proper zoning for the proposed project, a new state law could change that.
The Housing Expansion and Affordability Act, which was signed by Governor Wes Moore earlier this year, will go into effect on January 1, 2025. With the aim of creating more affordable housing, it in part, "removes local government barriers to the construction of affordable housing and promotes increased density where appropriate." The bill allows for some of those increased densities near rail stations, which Lutherville Station is near.
According to the developers, the Housing Expansion and Affordability Act would allow for more than 1,300 housing units at the site, hundreds of apartments more than what is currently being proposed.
While supporters of the project have said it will benefit the community and economy and be a positive way to redevelop the space, others in the community disagree.
"We told him previously that the number in the original application was too high, so what does he do, he raises it to an even higher level," said Eric Rockel, the Vice President of the Greater Timonium Community Council. "That was very disappointing."
Rockel, along with others in the community, said they have concerns the large residential development could impact schools, roads and the community. Issues the developer has disputed.
"We have had discussions with Mr. Renbaum, but ultimately in the course of any time we have a discussion, we make the point where he has got to bring the number of units down," Rockel said. "Its was clearly evidence that he is not listening very closely."
This amended application is the first step in the process, there will be additional meetings and discussions related to this project in the future.
Read the article on Fox45.
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