Commission recommends approval of Eldersburg Corporate Park subdivision; commissioners press for road connectivity and cemetery protections

Carroll County planning commissioners on April 21 recommended approval of a preliminary subdivision plan for the Eldersburg Corporate Park, an approximately 34.5‑acre industrial subdivision linked to a larger site development that includes multiple industrial buildings and road extensions.

Staff presented P24029 as a four‑lot subdivision tied to an associated site development (S23022) that would construct new county streets — an extension of Progress Way, a roundabout and a portion of Georgetown Boulevard — and seven multiuse industrial buildings. St. John Properties representatives described building prototypes (about 18‑foot clear heights) and said the plan anticipates primarily flex/contractor tenants rather than heavy distribution.

Tom Pan, executive vice president for St. John Properties, said the developer can accommodate up to about four parking spaces per 1,000 sq ft and that construction will include the road segments shown on the plan. The developer confirmed the small house on the property will be demolished as required by the industrial zoning, and that a separate parcel containing a cemetery will be left undisturbed with a 50‑foot buffer and on‑site visitor parking.

Commissioners repeatedly pressed for clarity on connectivity: whether the Progress Way/Georgetown connections shown will be built concurrently, whether gated access to the adjacent age‑restricted community would steer traffic onto Bennett Road, and how the broader road network would prevent increased traffic at known failing intersections. St. John representatives said the gated points would use fobs for community residents and that Bennett Road access will be open, while noting the developer is coordinating with county staff and right‑of‑way acquisitions for offsite connections.

Staff recommended approval subject to nine conditions; the commission moved and passed a recommendation for approval on a roll‑call vote of 6–0.

Why it matters: The subdivision lays out lot lines and roadway locations that will shape future industrial development and local traffic patterns in Eldersburg. Commissioners emphasized the need for the county and developer to coordinate to ensure the road connections that are shown on plans actually materialize and to protect the nearby cemetery and community circulation.

Next steps: The recommendation will forward to the Board of County Commissioners; the associated site development plan and final engineering reviews will address detailed traffic improvements, gate operations and construction timing.