Panel Critical of Proposed Cold Spring Development

The layout of a proposed transit-oriented development across from the Cold Spring light rail station was criticized by members of a city review panel.

The Urban Design and Architectural Review Panel held a preliminary meeting on Thursday with project developer Landex Corp., about the proposed mixed-use development, which would include 250 market rate apartments and 30,000 square feet of retail west of Interstate 83 and just south of West Cold Spring Lane. 

During the meeting panel members were critical of the projects orientation, which would place a parking garage, where residents would be able to park and ride the light rail, at the furthest point in the development away from the Cold Spring station.

"The connection to the light rail station is bad," panel member Gary Bowden said. "I’m not even going to say 'not good.' It’s bad."

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Panel members also criticized the project because they said the development was being dictated by a small amount of retail that wouldn’t be home to any kind of "destination" shopping.

"I think the misfit is the role of retail in the development in this plan, and it’s only 30,000 feet," Bowden said.

Judy Siegel, chairwoman of developer Landex Corp., defended the retail portion of the development comparing it to retail areas near light rail stops at Mt. Washington and Woodberry. She also told the panel the distance between the light rail and the retail would be "one New York City avenue block."

To which Bowden replied: “This isn’t New York City.”

Siegel said they are also still working with BGE to find a solution regarding a substation the utility compnay wants to build on land next to the proposed development. During a meeting with the Roland Park Civic League in June, Siegel of the substation and its possible impact the projects aesthetics and marketability.