Concerns Raised with Gilbert Road Annexation Approval

The Aberdeen Planning and Zoning Commission approved annexation for 830 Gilbert Road, LLC at a meeting on Tuesday. 

Committee member Karen Heavey voted against the annexation and Nancy Kosko abstained.

“I have been vocal over the years of the city and county master plan. I do not agree with the city’s master plan,” said Heavey. “Although, legally annexation is allowed, one has to consider our responsibility to the people,  not just of Aberdeen, but of Harford County. These people are our neighbors.”

During public comment, citizens said issues like traffic congestion and over crowding would become worse. Chuck Doty, a spokesperson for the volunteer organization Aberdeen Communities Together, said the group does not support the annexation.

“Us older citizens have found annexations have decreased our quality of life as well as increased the cost of services provided by the city,” said Doty, who has lived in Aberdeen for 30 years.

The approximate 38 acres of land on Gilbert Road will be used to construct single-family homes.

“There’s a lot of commercial building going on in the city of Aberdeen, and citizens often walk into my store and say ‘Why don’t we have more retail?’ Why aren’t there more restaurants?’ ” said commission member Lance Hersh. "These businesses, they won't come without rooftops."