The developer behind Silo Point, a $180 million waterfront condominium development in Baltimore City, is interested in buying a county-owned property at York Road and Bosley Avenue in Towson, according to a letter to Baltimore County Councilman David Marks.
Turner Development Group’s president, Patrick Turner, offered to purchase the former Baltimore County fire station property for $8.3 million plus $200,000 to cover county legal expenses following an unsolicited phone conversation, Marks said.
Towson-based Caves Valley Partners has an agreement with Baltimore County to buy the site for $8.3 million and redevelop the roughly six-acre property as a 24-hour Royal Farms gas station and two buildings of commercial retail, being branded as Towson Station.
The proposal has drawn community opposition throughout the development approval process, most recently at a community input meeting that drew more than 200 people against the project.
Read full article: New developer interested in buying proposed Royal Farms site in Towson – Baltimore Sun
A question on Baltimore County zoning mandates vs. signed contracts with developers:
If it is correct that Caves Valley’s contract must be honored, in spite of being signed ahead of due process, what purpose then do the County Council, existing zoning laws and processes have? Surely those who signed such a contract, or participated in the discussions that brought it forward, would recognize that the caveat that the contract hinges on approval by the elected officials in accordance with established mandates. Otherwise, any one with any kind of project can come to town and get a contract to do whatever he or she wishes. Ignoring or bypassing due process is doing the same to elected officials, residents, voters and law.
RE: It is a poor and disappointing position for business community representatives to favor Caves Valley over Turner or anyone else for that matter simply on the basis that “there’s already a contract.”
What’s wrong with competing proposals for the property, and giving weight to opposition by citizens & taxpayers of Towson? If there were 200 opponents of Royal Farms who attended the meeting, there’s likely 2000 or more who feel the same. Come on.
At least hear what Turner Development has to offer. And if you don’t know anything about them, visiting their web page and reviewing philosophies, credibility and project history would be a good place to start.