The owners of the historic Doughoregan Manor have struck a deal that will permit a Catonsville-based retirement community developer to build on part of their 892-acre property in exchange for preserving the rest.

The 18th-century Doughoregan manor house and estate 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.

The agreement, signed Sept. 15, allows Erickson Retirement Communities to buy about 150 acres from owners Camilla and Philip D. Carroll and build up to 1,500 units in a retirement community campus, 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.

Representatives from Erickson could not be reached for comment. The Carrolls declined to disclose the value of the deal.

The plan to build on the property would preserve at least 665 acres; the family has agreed to donate 36 acres to the county for parkland, the release states. The Carrolls have announced no immediate plans to open the property to the public.

The 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 Carroll 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.

The county attempted to buy development rights on the land for $24 million in 2006, but the family ultimately decided it would not be enough money to ensure preservation of the estate. The county also would have to extend public water and sewer to the property for the retirement community.

-- Derek Simmonsen

Sewer work closes lanes in Ellicott City

Traffic on New Cut Road in Ellicott City has been reduced to one lane in parts as crews extend the sewer line, according to the county Department of Public Works.

Southbound traffic on New Cut Road near Hillsborough Road has shifted to the northbound lane; crews will direct traffic in the area. Construction takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week and the project is expected to be complete in late October.

The project will extend the sewer line to serve 23 lots in the Amber Meadows subdivision.

For questions about the project, contact Lisa Brightwell at 410-313-3440.

- Derek Simmonsen

Kittleman takes over as minority leader

State Sen. Allan H. Kittleman was unanimously selected this week as the new minority leader in the state Senate by the Maryland Senate Republican Caucus.

Kittleman, 49, of West Friendship, represents District 9 covering Howard and Carroll counties. He has been in the Senate since 2004 and began serving as minority whip last year.

Kittleman succeeds State Sen. David Brinkley in the position.

Kittleman will be replaced as minority whip by State Sen. Nancy Jacobs, who represents Cecil and Harford counties. Republicans control only 14 of the 47 seats in the Senate.

"Being in the whip position helped me better understand the qualities of a leader and how best to advocate the positions of my caucus," Kittleman said.

Being a Republican in the Democratic-controlled body is challenging, said Kittleman, who plans to make reducing government spending a major issue this session. The budget is the "800-pound gorilla in the room," he said.

"The Republican Caucus will continue to advocate for reduced spending," Kittleman said. "[Lawmakers] have to tighten our belts like anyone else."

Before becoming a state senator, Kittleman represented District 5 on the Howard County Council between 1998 and 2004.

- Derek Simmonsen

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