Neighbors and commissioners contest 3-story Carol Highlands self‑storage plan over traffic, height and runoff

A developer seeking to build a three‑story, internal self‑storage complex along Maryland Route 26 in the Freedom area presented a concept plan to the Carroll County Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 19, drawing hours of public comment and detailed review by county staff.

The plan, branded Carol Highlands Self Storage in county files, would sit on roughly 3.25 acres and feature about 30,000 square feet of enclosed storage space in a single three‑story building with approximately 650 units, a reduced parking count and a single access from Route 26. David Beecraft of the county’s Bureau of Development Review described the layout and the project’s recent changes from an earlier, five‑story proposal submitted in 2023.

Why it matters: Residents who live within walking distance told commissioners the project would change the character and safety of a residential area, add traffic onto a state highway that already has a history of accidents and raise flooding concerns. County staff said some technical issues — stormwater, forest conservation and sidewalk connections — have received concept approval but will require more detail at final review.

County staff and the developer emphasized changes from an earlier, taller design. Beecraft said the current plan reduces height and overall unit count from what was proposed two years ago and shows landscaping and building…