Golf Course Could be Cut from Two Rivers Plans, Residents Concerned

Developers of an active adult community in the south of Odenton said they no longer plan to construct a golf course on the property, raising concerns among local residents that they are backing out of promises to keep the project age-restricted. 

Koch Homes has already started work on the large Two Rivers project, featuring more than 2,000 homes designed for people aged 55 and over. On Thursday, it formally sought a series of changes to the plan at administrative hearing in Annapolis. 

Attorneys for the developer said a golf course no longer makes financial sense, citing a change in the conditions of the housing market. They also sought to eliminate a required gated entranceway and long driveway onto the property.

Local residents said the requests for modifications were “red flags” that the developer would eventually seek to open up the project to people of all ages. Representatives from Koch Homes disputed those claims. 

“If they don’t build the golf course, we have concerns about what they would build there,” said Cathy Fleshman, who lives nearby on Meyers Station Road. “There will be more requests and more special exceptions. We really feel like we’re being deceived.”

Community Covenants an Issue

Under covenant agreements with the Forks of the Patuxent Improvement Association, the developers of Two Rivers are required to keep the project to people aged 55 and over. Koch Homes sought to have the age restriction lifted last September, but FOTPIA members voted them down.

The golf course was also included in community covenants as part of an amenities package to nearby residents, who would have been allowed to play on the course. But developers now say that a golf course at Two Rivers would prove economically unviable. 

“In today’s marketplace, it’s not sustainable,” said Koch attorney Harry Blumenthal. “The community can’t be inflicted with this kind of burden.”

Koch has now proposed turning the golf course land into a place for agriculture, walking trails and other open space. 

Concern over Public Input

Koch Homes has also sought a change to the development approval process for Two Rivers. Currently, the developer is required to go before the administrative hearing officer for any design changes, but it is now seeking to go directly to the Office of Planning and Zoning for any tweaks. The planning office has endorsed the change, citing standard practice, but FOTPIA members said the move would reduce their opportunity to comment publicly on the project. 

“They’re removing the public from the process,” said Diana Lane, who lives on Patuxent Road.
 
WB&A Trail Extension to Move Forward

Local residents did not object to a change in the design of a trail that will bisect the Two Rivers community. The trail would serve as an extension of the WB&A Trail, which currently stops just north of the development and picks up in Prince George’s County. The new extension would connect the two pieces; developers are expected to pick up the tab for most of the trail project, and agreements between Anne Arundel and Prince George’s County would fund the completion of the connection.
 
‘Proceeding the Way it Was Approved’ 

Attorneys for Koch Homes disputed the notion that they were requesting changes in order to eventually lift the age restriction on Two Rivers. “We haven’t asked to change the complexity or nature of what’s planned,” Blumenthal said.

Later in the meeting, he added, “We’re proceeding the way it was approved. Maybe we’ll come back to it in the future, but we’re not there today.”

County Administrative Hearing Officer Douglas Clark Holliman will issue a ruling on the requested modifications within 30 days. 

Do you think the request to stop plans for a golf course at Two Rivers is a precursor to other changes? Chime in below in the comments.