It's arguably the last undeveloped quadrant of a major intersection in Harford County, though probably not much longer.

Even so, debate over what may be planned on the southwest corner of Route 152 and Route 1, in Fallston, was kindled yet again at Thursday night's annual meeting of the Greater Fallston Association.

Tentative plans for the corner include standard commercial fare: bank, supermarket, pharmacy, fast food.

Pete Gutwald, county director of planning and zoning, explained the recent decision to rezone 15.9 acres of the property from agricultural (AG) and residential (R2) to B3, or commercial business.

"There wasn't a lot of argument because it is considered to be within the development envelope of the county," Gutwald told the GFA audience.

Residents, however, have animatedly expressed their growing concern for the future of the land, particularly about its use, the impact on the area's traffic patterns and what its development means for the neighboring communities.

Steve Nolan is an engineer with CNA Engineers, Surveyors and Landscape Architects, the company in charge of constructing Aumar Village on that property. He presented a summary of the proposed use of the land.

According to CNA's current plans, Aumar Village will consist of a McDonald's and a 250-seat sit-down restaurant facing Route 1, a pharmacy on the corner, a bank on Route 152, and a grocery store and 7,000 feet of additional retail space.

Two entrances — one on Route 152 and another on Route 1 — will be created, both at the required distance of 750 feet from the intersection. There will also be a right-in, right-out lane created.

Nolan also assured residents that they have already established a well-regulated stormwater plan.

The development of Aumar Village is, however, still in its primary stages.

Nolan announced that a community input meeting has been scheduled to discuss the various proposals for the property.

The input meeting will be held at the Fallston Branch of the Harford County Public Library on Dec. 21 at 6:30 p.m. Residents are encouraged to attend with their questions and concerns prepared.

At the close of Thursday's meeting of the GFA, District 7 representative, Del. J.B. Jennings, quickly explained some of the proposed legislation affecting the Fallston area to be put forth by the Harford County legislative delegation in Annapolis during the 2010 Maryland General Assembly session. Included will be attempts to secure state funds for local road improvements.

Jennings emphasized two road projects in particular, both of which would improve ongoing traffic problems on Fallston roadways.

The first funding Jennings hopes will pass in Annapolis involves the repainting of the road at Route 152 and Old Fallston Road to allow for a safe left-hand turn lane. The project would not require any construction.

He explained that repainting that length of road would improve its safety, as that location has been the site of numerous accidents over the years.

Jennings said he is also working on a solution to relieve some of the daily bottlenecking along 152 north caused by rush hour traffic from I-95.

Jennings hopes to convince the State Highway Administration to create a second lane along Route 152 for about a 500-foot stretch near the intersection of Singer Road. The road would merge back into one lane after the traffic light, he said.

user comments (0)