Neighbors raise traffic and safety concerns as county reviews proposal for 24 villas and two homes at Rock Spring Manor

A developer proposing to subdivide Lot 46 of Forest Glen into housing for older adults faced detailed technical review and sustained neighborhood pushback at the Jan. 7 Harford County Development Advisory Committee meeting.

Wilson Deegan and Associates said the 5.95-acre R2-zoned parcel at the southeast corner of Wagner Way and Rock Spring Road would be resubdivided to create 24 villas plus two single-family lots intended as housing for residents aged 55 and older. The applicant said private roads (identified as “Monte’s Way” in plan drafts) would serve the new units and that the existing Wagner house would remain as an additional single‑family lot.

What reviewers said Planning staff told the applicant to submit a new version of the concept plan showing the recorded forest-retention area, accurate floodplain/floodway mapping and the 50-foot flood-protection setback from waters of the State; planners also reminded the applicant that specific open-space requirements for "housing for the elderly" under Harford County Zoning Code Section 267-82 must be met. DPW Engineering required a new series and clarified whether Monte’s Way would be public (road-and-storm-drain plans and a Public Works Agreement would be needed) or private (an access permit would suffice). DPW Engineering and Soil Conservation reiterated the need for SWM concept/site/final plans, grading permits and a 20-foot access easement for stormwater facilities. The Harford County Health Department extended concept approval but requested locations of public water and sewer lines once available and cautioned about demolition and dust controls during construction.

Resident concerns Multiple neighbors expressed concern about traffic and safety at Wagner Way and Rock Spring Road during weekday peak travel. John Melcher asked what would happen if the elderly-housing project failed or remained partly occupied; several residents said existing traffic queues and uncoordinated signal timing cause significant delays leaving the subdivision, and asked that State Highway either revisit signal timing, require a roundabout or collect traffic data before approval. Neighbors also asked whether Monte’s Way would be county‑maintained and whether proposed building counts and the number of single-family lots were correctly noted on the plan (the applicant agreed to correct discrepancies). Several speakers asked that state-highway access and any deceleration lane be reconsidered in light of local congestion patterns.

What’s next Planning staff told the applicant to submit a revised concept and then a preliminary plan that demonstrates compliance with Harford County design standards for special developments and with R2 "housing for the elderly" open-space requirements; DPW and SHA comments must be addressed before preliminary approval. Residents requested that State Highway perform a traffic survey and examine mitigation options before construction begins.