Developer Presents Plans for Townhouse Community at York, Fila

Tom Obrecht, chairman of Obrecht Properties, a regional commercial real estate developer based in Timonium, attended a Wednesday night Sparks-Glencoe Community Planning Council meeting to discuss plans for a townhouse community at York Road and Fila Way.

Obrecht said the 80-unit community would feature townhomes starting at around $400,000 with two to three bedrooms. He added that the property was already zoned, and the company wanted to build a residential development instead of commercial because it believes that would be more favorable to the community.

"It's the right thing for the site," Obrecht said.

Members of the planning council, however, raised several concerns about the possible development, which Obrecht said would not be built for at least several years.

Among the complaints were fears that the project's success could lead to further development in the area, either by Obrecht or others who own property there, an increase of students in that are already at or over capacity, and traffic congestion. The last point was hotly debated as with traffic. And, plans for another residential development at could further add to the problem.

A few council members also expressed concerns that at $400,000 a townhouse, the development could become a transient community where residents wouldn't develop roots or care to stay long-term. An argument was made that if there were only 40 units for $800,000, potential residents would make more of an investment in the community.