The Army and Anne Arundel County cleared another hurdle to turning 200 acres of Fort Meade land into a community for senior citizens yesterday when the land was rezoned.
In an 11-page decision, Administrative Hearing Officer Robert C. Wilcox granted the request to zone the land R-5, which would allow more dense development than its previous R-1 designation. A so-called adult service community is permitted in R-5.
The Army wants to give the land, east of Route 175 and roughly bisected by Reece Road, to a developer. In return, the developer, who has not been selected, would build military housing elsewhere on the base worth the appraised value of the 200-acre parcel.
The innovative land-for-housing deal would provide homes for military personnel at a time when federal money to build base housing, such as the $26 million construction program completed at Fort Meade last year, has dried up.
Anne Arundel County Office of Human Services will help select a developer or developers for the senior community, which will have nearly 1,000 apartments, assisted-living units, "quadriplex" andpatio housing and townhouses for residents age 55 and older.
The Army Corps of Engineers is appraising the 200 acres, Fort Meade spokesman Don McClow said.
The 250 dilapidated brick townhouses and apartments on the portion south of Reece Road will most likely be demolished by the developer, Wilcox said.
While the county does not have jurisdiction over the use of federal property, the Army agreed last fall to abide by the zoning process on the 200 acres.
Pub Date: 1/23/97
