Owners of Doughoregan Manor reach deal with Erickson group
Plans will allow developer to build in exchange for preservation of land
By Derek Simmonsen
dsimmonsen@patuxent.com
Posted 9/17/08
The owners of the historic Doughoregan Manor have struck a deal that will allow a retirement community developer to build on some of their land in exchange for preserving the rest.
The agreement will allow Erickson Retirement Communities, a national company based in Catonsville, to buy about 150 acres from owners Camilla and Philip D. Carroll and build up to 1,500 units, according to a press release from the family. Erickson would have the option to purchase an additional 38 acres, which could support another 500 units.
The family declined to discuss the purchase price.
Representatives from Erickson could not be reached for comment.
The 18th-century manor house and estate, which sits on 892 acres in Ellicott City, has been in the Carroll family for nine generations and was once home to Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. It is the last private home of a signer of the Declaration to remain in the hands of his descendants.
“Since I’ve been elected, it’s been a number one priority for me,” said County Council Chairwoman Courtney Watson, whose district includes the property. “This is a national historic treasure and the largest undeveloped land in Howard County.”
The proposal would preserve at least 665 acres on the property, and the family has agreed to donate 36 acres to the county for parkland, the release states. The Carrolls have no immediate plans to open the property to the public.
“We’re delighted to have found a solution that brings more senior housing into the county, provides more ballparks for kids, and that has minimal impact on schools and roads,” said Camilla Carroll in a statement.
This particular deal has been in the works for more than a year after a 30-year historic easement on the property expired in May 2007.
The family has said through a spokesman that they want to preserve the property for future generations, but worried the cost of repairing buildings on the land and estate taxes upon the deaths of the owners would require the family to sell the property.
The estate’s current zoning would have allowed up to 192 single-family homes on one-acre lots, an option the family said it did not want to pursue.
A previous deal in 2006, in which the county would have bought development rights to the land from the Carrolls for $24 million, fell through after the family said it would not be enough money to ensure preservation of the estate.
Watson said the proposal will likely have to come in the form of a zoning regulation amendment, which she said she would submit if it is ready before the next amendment submittal period in February. The public would have an opportunity to comment on the plans as they move from the Planning Board to the County Council, she said.
The county also would have to extend public water and sewer to the property for the retirement community.
County Executive Kenneth Ulman has previously said he thinks preserving the manor could help act as a buffer to stop any further expansion of public utilities in the western part of the county.
Erickson currently has more than 21,000 people in its 21 facilities. Seven of the 10 largest retirement communities in the country are managed by the company, according to its Web site.
The agreement will allow Erickson Retirement Communities, a national company based in Catonsville, to buy about 150 acres from owners Camilla and Philip D. Carroll and build up to 1,500 units, according to a press release from the family. Erickson would have the option to purchase an additional 38 acres, which could support another 500 units.
The family declined to discuss the purchase price.
Representatives from Erickson could not be reached for comment.
The 18th-century manor house and estate, which sits on 892 acres in Ellicott City, has been in the Carroll family for nine generations and was once home to Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. It is the last private home of a signer of the Declaration to remain in the hands of his descendants.
“Since I’ve been elected, it’s been a number one priority for me,” said County Council Chairwoman Courtney Watson, whose district includes the property. “This is a national historic treasure and the largest undeveloped land in Howard County.”
The proposal would preserve at least 665 acres on the property, and the family has agreed to donate 36 acres to the county for parkland, the release states. The Carrolls have no immediate plans to open the property to the public.
“We’re delighted to have found a solution that brings more senior housing into the county, provides more ballparks for kids, and that has minimal impact on schools and roads,” said Camilla Carroll in a statement.
This particular deal has been in the works for more than a year after a 30-year historic easement on the property expired in May 2007.
The family has said through a spokesman that they want to preserve the property for future generations, but worried the cost of repairing buildings on the land and estate taxes upon the deaths of the owners would require the family to sell the property.
The estate’s current zoning would have allowed up to 192 single-family homes on one-acre lots, an option the family said it did not want to pursue.
A previous deal in 2006, in which the county would have bought development rights to the land from the Carrolls for $24 million, fell through after the family said it would not be enough money to ensure preservation of the estate.
Watson said the proposal will likely have to come in the form of a zoning regulation amendment, which she said she would submit if it is ready before the next amendment submittal period in February. The public would have an opportunity to comment on the plans as they move from the Planning Board to the County Council, she said.
The county also would have to extend public water and sewer to the property for the retirement community.
County Executive Kenneth Ulman has previously said he thinks preserving the manor could help act as a buffer to stop any further expansion of public utilities in the western part of the county.
Erickson currently has more than 21,000 people in its 21 facilities. Seven of the 10 largest retirement communities in the country are managed by the company, according to its Web site.
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