Lathbury said DNR has made exceptions for tracts with extraordinary recreational, historical or cultural value. It's unusual to have a chance to preserve a large waterfront tract in an urbanized area, she said, so the state might be willing to help if the county takes the lead on the North Point deal.
Community and conservation leaders had mixed feelings about the potential deal.
"I'm very conflicted on this," said Dru Schmidt-Perkins, executive director of 1000 Friends of Maryland, a statewide group dedicated to preserving open land while promoting more compact, walkable communities.
"We have a limited amount of money for land preservation," Schmidt-Perkins said, adding that she supported the state's targeting of the most ecologically valuable tracts. "But ... you have to take what's available when it comes up, and you can't always evaluate it against what might come up."
The deal has drawn the support of Baltimore County's elected officials. County Councilman John A. Olszewski Sr., who represents the area, said he and members of the county's legislative delegation have written Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin urging the state to help buy the land. Olszewski, among those who have received contributions from Sapperstein, said he favors sparing the land from development because some residents are worried about increased traffic on the peninsula.
The county needs state help because it doesn't have enough money to buy the farm, said Robert Barrett, chief of recreation and parks. He would not say how much open-space money the county has.
Sapperstein has sold parkland to the county before, at a premium price. Two years ago, the County Council approved paying him $900,000 - 17 percent above the highest appraised value - for 20 acres next to Sparrows Point High School.
The developer said if he sells the farm tract, it would be for less than its appraised value - though he would not say what that might be. Harry Wujek Jr., president of the North Point Peninsula Community Coordinating Council, said residents want more ballfields and recreational facilities, rather than an expansion of the rustic state park. Wujek said he's told the developer he'd just as soon see him build the homes, and he's called on the state to make sure the amenities promised by the developer still are provided if the government buys it.
Sapperstein said he's still willing to restore the house, which is on the county's landmarks list, and build the boat ramp out of the proceeds of the sale. "If it does work, it's a win-win for everybody."
