WCBC

May 1st, 2012 by WCBC Radio

Just when it appeared the controversial Terrapin Run housing development project for eastern Allegany County was coming to an end- the primary developer says the project is back on, and will move forward with plans to construct more than 4,000 town houses. Last fall it was reported that the legal battle over the hotly disputed development may end, as County Attorney William Rudd said the developer was trying to sell the 935-acre site near the Green Ridge State Forest. The County commissioners have agreed to drop their lawsuit against the state departments of planning and environment to enable developer Terrapin Run LLC to sell off the property. The plan for thousands of new homes 25 miles east of Cumberland helped trigger a state law in 2009 that strengthened Maryland’s “smart growth” policies. Developer Michael Carnock tells WCBC News that some of the fiscal challenges have been addressed and he is now optimistic that the project- in its original form- can move ahead. Although there was some strong opposition to the plan when it was first presented several years ago, Carnock believes it will prove a tremendous benefit for the county…