Commissioners weigh Ridenour Way mitigation, cost and feasibility as Nells Acres builds out

County staff presented updated maps and a progress report on Nells Acres and the planned Ridenour Way parallel route, prompting extended discussion among commissioners, planning staff, and public‑works representatives about cost, feasibility, emergency access and how to coordinate mitigation with the Maryland State Highway Administration.

Staff showed aerials and master-plan lines for two planned parallel streets (the southern alignment identified as Ridenour Way and a northern alignment identified as Dickinson) and said those lines date to master-plan work going back to 1977. Staff said the Nells Acres developer agreed to produce engineering drawings and provide roughly $220,000 toward design for a Ridenour connection; planning staff tied additional building permits beyond an initial 50 to progress on those plans so the county could ensure mitigation occurred.

The project’s history drew scrutiny. Commissioners noted approvals…