Development Updates
Changes in the form of development and re-development continue to occur around the boundaries of the Village of River Hill. Updates are provided below:
Erickson Living Continuing Care Retirement Community
On March 4 at 6 p.m. the Zoning Board will begin to hear the case (ZB-1118M) to amend the zoning of 62.116 acres located off MD 108 at 12170 Clarksville Pike. The change in zoning from Rural Conservation-Density Exchange Option (RC-DEO) and Business-General (B-2) to a Community Enhancement Floating Zoning–Mixed (CEF-M) zone for the Erickson at Limestone Valley Continuing Care Retirement Community is needed for the project to move forward. This hearing is expected to continue beyond March 4 and the following dates have been set aside: March 11 at 6 p.m., March 18 at 4 p.m., and March 25 at 6 p.m. Although the association continues to have concerns about the safety of the retirement community’s entrance on MD 108, the River Hill Community Association’s Board of Directors voted on February 10 to submit testimony in support of the petition. The association’s written testimony will be posted on this site following submittal.
River Hill Square
Construction of the River Hill Square retail project on the site of the former River Hill Garden Center is well underway and a summer opening is anticipated. In February, the Howard County Board of Appeals Hearing Examiner granted River Hill Square, LLC a variance (BA 19-022V) to reduce the required structure and use setback from a residential district from 30’ to 0’ to accommodate an 8-foot solid fence. The Garden Center will no longer have a presence on site. In addition to having a U.S. Post Office and a State Employees Credit Union (SECU branch), businesses coming to the center are expected to include a coffee shop, a burger place, an ice cream store, and a hair care business. Prior to completion of the Sheppard Lane re-alignment, a stormwater management facility must be constructed on the east side of Sheppard Lane. This facility will drain under the intersection and outfall into the existing stream valley on the Limestone Valley Farm property. The developer estimates Sheppard Lane will need to be closed for 2 weeks to complete the roadwork.
Robinson Overlook
The Site Development Plan for Robinson Overlook, the 48-unit apartment complex with a low, moderate, and mixed income structure located at 7410 Grace Drive (SDP- 19-055 & PB 449), was reviewed and approved by the Howard County Planning Board (5-0) in January. The Department of Planning and Zoning has granted allocations for 43 housing units in 2021. Signature approval of the site development plan original occurred in February. The developer may now apply for building permits.
Cedar Creek Development
The Site Development Plans for the first phase of this residential project were signed and approved in early January 2020: SDP-19-022 – for model homes consisting of five single-family attached homes and 2 single family detached homes; and SDP19 057 for 122 units. Phase 1 construction has begun with tree removal, grading, and the installation of perimeter sediment control fencing. Utilities and the limit of disturbance for the pathway connection at Quiet Night Ride have been marked. Temporary stormwater control measures will be created onsite followed by the installation of utilities and road construction. Plans for the environmental trail and bridge connecting this development to the Robinson Nature Center (SDP-19-025), are currently under review by the County.