Politics & Government

Residents Protest Whalen Development

Members of the Kendwood Garden Condo Association and nearby communities held signs outside of a county office building.

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 building 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.

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Linda Stroh, a resident of Stafford Drive, said traffic and the size of the development are her concerns. With the proposed building, 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.

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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?" she said. "He does have the right to develop there but at this extent?"

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.

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