Letter from Mr. Joseph Woods about Benson's Corner

The following is a copy of the email Mr. Woods sent me in response to my concerns about the proposed new development at Benson Corners (a.k.a.  the proposed low-income housing development in Fallston, MD).

Fri 9/7/2018 8:52 PM

Woods, Joseph <jmwoods@harfordcountymd.gov>
Re: Proposed Section 8 Housing Development in Fallston

Hello Ms. Valenta,

 Thank you for sending me an email about this. I’m trying to get more people involved and informed on this issue. If this moves forward there will be public hearings and public input which we will need people to come out for. So far only 5 people have contacted my office. Also the developer has not made any application with the County to start this project yet. So maybe people are waiting until then.

I am opposed to this project and any project like it in the area. This property was zoned in 1957 and has been in the development envelope since the 80s. The developer applied for and was awarded a state program for medium income tax credits. I was told today by State Housing that the average income to qualify for one of the 56 units would be around $65,000 per year. This is a State program, it is not under the authority of county government. The County Executive and I wrote letters to the state opposing the Benson's Corner project and outlining our concerns back in July. I also pointed out the public safety issues with this project and that this location does not meet the requirements of the state program they applied for. Today I called Governor Hogan’s office and told them how wrong this is and I asked for them to reevaluate it.

I’m asking everyone concerned to call Ken Holt, the Secretary of the Maryland Dept. of Housing & Community Development at 301-429-7452 to make a complaint and demand they rethink this development. When I have more information I will send it out to everyone.

Thanks again,

Joe 

 

Sent from my iPad

On Sep 6, 2018, at 12:53, Barbara Valenta <bvalenta2@outlook.com> wrote:

I am against this proposed development .  I moved to Harford County 43 years ago to get away from crime, burglary, drugs and the lawlessness that comes with low income housing.  Fallston is an upscale community and it should stay that way.  There is enough encroachment to this area without this added burden.  We already have a problem with illegal drugs in our public schools.  We don’t need to exacerbate this problem additional crime.

This is just my opinion, but I am a voter and have only missed one primary election since I became eligible to vote at age 18.

Barbara Gullion Valenta