Residents Take Mays Chapel School Opposition To County Council

Opponents of a proposed school in Mays Chapel took their fight to the Baltimore County Council Tuesday.

A handful of opponents attended a work session less than a day after scores testified against construction of the proposed elementary schoool at Mays Chapel Park. 

Alan Zuckerberg, an attorney representing a group opposing the school construction, said a majority of the residents are senior citizens who live in the area.

"No one told these people that the future use of the property was for a school," said Zuckerberg.

The county is expected to vote Tuesday on a resolution that will allow the county to swap a 10-acre parcel of wooded land in Mays Chapel for an adjoining 10-acre parcel that is currently home to ball fields. The wooded property is slated to become the home of a proposed 700-seat elementary school.

The two parcels were purchased from the Keelty Homes nearly 30 years ago. The original reason for buying the land was for the construction of a school, according to Amy Grossi, an assistant county attorney.

Eric Rockel, president of the Greater Timonium Community Council, questioned the validity of the appraisals on the two properties and said he believes the county failed to follow it's own regulations by not obtaining two independent appraisals on the land valued in excess of $25,000.

Residents argue that at least 95 percent of the students will be bussed into the neighborhood to attend the school.

County officials say the school is needed to alleviate overcrowding at elementary schools along the York Road corridor.

"What's the alternative?" Carol Mills asked the council. "Build additions to selected school, which need more room. Children can stay in their neighborhoods, save taxpayers money and you can save the park."

The council vote next week will not be the last word on the project.

The county Board of Education will still need to approve the swap. The project will also need approval of the state Department of Natural Resources because the county used Program Open Space money to purchase its portion of the property.

Rockel asked the council to delay their vote until the state has made a decision on whether it will agree to lift those restrictions.