A Baltimore County administrative law judge greenlighted an affordable housing project in East Towson after months of hearings, ensuring plans remain on track to build 56 apartments opposed by some community members and Baltimore-area environmental groups.
Community members said they will appeal the decision.
Planned by the Annapolis-based nonprofit Homes for America, Red Maple Place would build 50 affordable and 6 market rate apartments in the 400 block of E. Joppa Road, near Historic East Towson, one of the county’s oldest Black communities.
Much of the opposition to the plan is predicated on a long history of unwanted development in the neighborhood, founded by freed slaves in the 1850s. The historically Black area is poorer than others around the county seat.
During virtual hearings held over the last few months, Red Maple opponents cited the massive and unwanted power substation built in 1952 in the heart of the neighborhood that removed 8 homes, the construction of a Towson bypass through the enclave in the 1980s, and the razing of several homes to make way for Stanley Black and Decker’s parking lot on E. Joppa Road about two decades ago.
Read full article: Baltimore County judge clears Red Maple affordable housing development in East Towson – Baltimore Sun
