Big box store still a possibility for Route 3

Owner hasn't 'ruled anybody in or out'

By RYAN JUSTIN FOX Staff Writer

Published 09/28/09

Some Crofton residents said they are furious after hearing a site on Route 3 once targeted for a massive Wal-Mart could become a home for a big box store after all.

Bill Berkshire, owner and developer of a 20-acre tract on the west side of Route 3 near the Prince George's County line, revealed that an Ikea or a Home Depot could be built on the site, according to residents and community leaders who attended a permit hearing last week before the Maryland Department of Environment in Baltimore County.

Even Wal-Mart is still not completely off the table, according to sources following the development.

Residents' outcry over the land stems from efforts between Berkshire and Wal-Mart executives to build a 121,473-square-foot Supercenter store on the site.

Residents are appealing the state environmental permit Berkshire's company, 1691 Limited Partnership, was granted to build a commercial site on wetlands.

"This project doesn't comply with the permit issued," said attorney Macy Nelson, who is representing about 20 neighboring residents appealing the permit. "There is a lot at stake with the environment for us."

Berkshire and his company have been trying to develop that plot of land for nearly 20 years. Other past plans included a casino, a conference center and a hotel. But Berkshire remains coy about which companies he is currently negotiating with for the site.

"We want to complete this (permit) process first before we do anything," Berskhire said. "We haven't ruled anybody in or out."

Berkshire declined to name potential suitors for the site when asked by The Capital, but Nelson said Berkshire said during the hearing that "all the big players" are possibilities for the site.

Residents who attended the meeting said Berkshire mentioned a Home Depot or Ikea as possible tenants for the land.

Berkshire's company and the Crofton Civic Association set guidelines for the scale of the development and environmental preservation in a 1988 agreement.

Earlier this year, the state Department of Environment issued a permit that allowed Berkshire to build a commercial center as long as it replaces any wetlands it paves over.

"The only thing we care about is the county doing their due diligence with zoning," said civic association President Steve Grimaud.

Grimaud testified in support of the development during the hearings and said the development would benefit the community as long as it complies with the agreement.

"We want to be as gentle as possible with the site," Berkshire said of the land, which is adjacent to the Little Patuxent River. "We live here, too, you know."

Berkshire, a prominent developer and resident in the Crofton area, convinced Wal-Mart executives to withdraw their original application with the county two years ago after residents protested the store, citing its potential impact on traffic and the environment.

He said his company has committed to preserving more than 80 acres of wetlands, including a stormwater retention pond called Lake Louise.

As recently as July, Berkshire said plans for the site were scaled down to possibly a mixed-use retail center or a strip mall with multiple tenants.

"There are 135 different uses allowed under the zoning for the site," Berkshire said. "We have quite a few options."

Residents said they preferred to see the land untouched, while Berkshire said he hopes to develop the site as soon as possible.

Hearings for the appeal concluded Thursday. Officials said they expect a final verdict on the permit in the next few weeks.

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Berkshire - 2009-10-05 18:43:23

Berkshire should donate the land to crofton, especially the Walden area for a youth center to aid the troubled youth in that area,.

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Fred Shubbie - , - Karma: Terrible

crofton development - 2009-10-05 17:10:45

Congratulations Mr Berkshire! I am sure that half the people that oppose your proposed development and dreams would do the same thing, especially if they paid taxes on the property for over 20 years.
Your concerns for Crofton, and the people that live in it have gone unnoticed and we are in support of your future plans.
Thank you for financial support of our wounded soldiers, the Crofton Police Department and our lacrosse team when they had no place to play. Thank you for Uncle Nicky's which is sorely missed and we hope in your plans to REOPEN. Thank you for your donations and support of all Crofton and we are glad to have you as a resident, businessman and friend.

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D. Camus - Crofton, MD - Karma: Neutral

Jean R. - 2009-09-28 11:55:14

And a Lowes and Wal-mart. Also a BJs by the Baysox. Isn't there a new Wal-Mart, K-mart and Lowes also about 10 minutes north.

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Jason E. - Centreville, MD - Karma: Neutral

Jean - 2009-09-28 11:52:50

I am not sure I believe Mr. Berkshire 100%. I wonder how much truth he has told the interest Home Depot has in this site. The writer even wrote that he has been coy about the subject. Of course Mr. Berkshire wants to see something built on this land. It will make him money. He wants to big a boxstore on this land and the bigger chains are the only ones with the money to do that in this economy.

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Rick M. - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent