East Towson, founded in the 1850s by formerly enslaved people from the Ridgely Estate, remains one of the area’s oldest historic communities, now facing new development pressures. 

Construction at East Towson’s Red Maple Place has been halted after the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) found the site in violation of state permits. 

Residents say the development threatens the neighborhood’s last forest and wetlands, which they have fought to protect for nearly a decade.

“East Towson, a historically African-American community, has consistently borne a disproportionate burden from the development of Towson as a town center and from the expansion of local government and amenities,” said State Sen. Mary L. Washington (D-Md.-43). “Since the 1960s, most affordable housing, highway and transit projects have been placed in East Towson. These projects have demolished single-family homes, separated community centers from residential areas with multilane roads, destroyed old-growth trees and recreational green spaces and eliminated a Negro League Baseball field to construct a BGE substation.”

“All these changes have primarily benefited expanding housing and commercial developments, often at the expense of East Towson’s residents,” she added.

A community-annotated development map identifies a proposed project area in East Towson that would reduce a required 100-foot forest buffer to 25 feet. Residents warn the project will exacerbate downstream flooding by removing tree cover and compacting soil that now absorbs stormwater runoff. (Photo courtesy of State Sen. Mary L. Washington (D-Md.-43))

Residents have already begun experiencing the effects of the site clearing, which started on Feb. 16.

“Since the clearing began, it rained a lot and the drainage, standing water or sediment runoff is still visible,” said Martha Levene, an East Towson resident. 

Michele Yendall, a resident of nearby Harris Hill, discussed what she witnessed.

“I’m particularly concerned about the support wall of our West Parking lot with dumpsters,” she said. “Baltimore County was happy to have us be a condo and identify McManus Way as a private road. That means they have zero obligation for anything on our property.”

Yendall said she worries the wall and parking lot could fail from tree and earth removal, yet for nearly 32 years hundreds of residents and cars have caused no issues until Red Maple’s construction began.

Residents say they were not properly notified of the construction. 

“There were no public notices as required by law prior to construction,” Yendall said. “The area was not fenced off until the start date.”

MDE’s report documents violations including beginning site clearing without required state stormwater permits, no Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan on site, no inspections conducted or recorded, and no required public permit notice.

The Red Maple Place construction site continues to concern East Towson residents, who say they are worried about environmental damage and threats to the neighborhood’s remaining wetlands. (Photo courtesy of State Sen. Mary L. Washington (D-Md.-43))

“In my professional life, I became aware of the fragility of our environmental ecosystem and its negative impacts on Baltimore area communities, especially those that are lower income and predominantly African American,” said Washington.

She emphasized that managing stormwater runoff and pollution is essential to protecting the Chesapeake Bay, local streams, and drinking water.

Washington explained her involvement after redistricting brought East Towson into her district in 2022. One of her earliest meetings regarding Red Maple was that summer with State Del. Catherine M. Forbes (D-Md.-43B), Baltimore County Council Chair Michael “Mike” Ertel, and Nancy Goldring, president of the Northeast Towson Improvement Association.

Washington said she has received responses from state agencies including MDE and the Department of Natural Resources but was surprised by Baltimore County agencies’ lack of response on variances granted to the developer. She added there appears to be a refusal to enforce local and state forest conservation and buffer ordinances before approving conceptual development plans in this environmentally sensitive area.

Residents expressed appreciation for Washington and MDE’s work. “In less time than our other representatives she heard our concerns on the environment and studied, investigated and took action. I’m hoping the atrocity can be stopped,” Yendall said.

Dana Johnson, president and CEO of Homes for America, responded to requests for comment on this matter.

“The development was approved by every County department and proceeded upon receipt of our MDE stormwater permit,” said Johnson. “As soon as we were advised that there was an additional permit required, we immediately complied.”

“Homes for America does not believe that affordable housing divides communities or ‘destroys the neighborhood’ as our opponents have said,” Johnson continued. “We believe that affordable housing builds community by providing quality housing options that are affordable to the community’s essential workers, seniors and persons with disabilities.”

Washington urges those throughout the state who care about the community to call the Baltimore County Executive’s Office, Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability and Baltimore County Office of Administrative Hearings to demand environmental accountability.

Tashi McQueen is AFRO Staff Writer
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