But he and others had questions on housing, about which GGP has shared few details.
"We wanted to bring a plan forward that could fully be designed," said Gregory F. Hamm, GGP's regional vice president and Columbia general manager. "Residential [development] will clearly be part of the plan. Places are generally better that don't go dark at night. We want residential in as many parts of downtown as make sense."
The idea is to create a place that will grow over time and will attract the diversity -- including age diversity -- that groups studying downtown have decided is critical, he said.
"In June, we'll get into more detail, by neighborhoods, of where we think the density should go," Hamm said. "I think the community wants certainty, and they want to know where limitations are, and that's what we'll address."
When the developer submits the plan to the county this summer, it is expected to include a request for zoning changes to allow new residential development. The developer does not plan to exceed the 5,500 residential units discussed in the county plan.
Residents also raised concerns about an artist's rendering that depicts an overpass that traverses the end of Lake Kittamaqundi.
Hamm said the pictured location was just a beginning point for conversation. Although he originally didn't think the site was ideal, further study indicated that it might have the least environmental impact there, he said.
Bowers said proposed buildings around Symphony Woods could be "tree buildings" within the woods, so that they could be discovered as people walk. "We can nest them into existing trees, and plant trees around them," he said.
june.arney@baltsun.com
GGP meetings
General Growth Properties Inc. will conduct a community discussion series in all villages to gather comments and ideas from the community on the master plan. Those dates are:
Monday: Long Reach, noon-2 p.m., Stonehouse
Monday: River Hill, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Claret Hall
Monday: Harper's Choice, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Kahler Hall
Tuesday: Kings Contrivance, noon-2 p.m., Amherst House
Thursday: Dorsey's Search, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Linden Hall
May 17: Wilde Lake, 10 a.m.-noon, Slayton House
May 19: Owen Brown, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Community Center
May 20: Hickory Ridge, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Hawthorn Center
May 21: Oakland Mills, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., The Other Barn
May 22: Town Center, 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Oakland Manor
