Hearing examiner reviews Categan Property’s plan for 27 age‑restricted units on Baltimore National Pike

An evidentiary hearing before the Howard County Hearing Examiner on August 26 examined Categan Property LLC’s conditional use application to build 27 age‑restricted adult housing units on Baltimore National Pike in Ellicott City. Attorney Christopher DeCarlo represented the petitioner and called civil engineer Sam Alomar, who testified about the project and the supporting plans.

Alomar said the petitioner proposes a mix of single, semi‑detached and attached units totaling 27 units. "The petitioner is proposing 27 age restricted adult housing units," he testified. He described the property as roughly 18 acres with a net acreage of about 11.67, and said the project would provide about 72% open space (roughly 12.5 acres), exceeding the 50% requirement.

The witness told the examiner the project will comply with Howard County bulk regulations, meet the 34‑foot height limit, and include stormwater management features such as micro‑bio retention ponds and possible dry wells to be detailed at the site development plan stage. DeCarlo proffered testimony from traffic engineer Cornelius that site access and surrounding roadways can accommodate the low trip generation expected from an age‑restricted development.

The Hearing Examiner accepted petitioner's Exhibits 1–4 into the record. The evidentiary hearing was concluded and the examiner said a decision and order will be issued shortly.