The brothers who own the old Montessori school site behind Rustic Hill Drive are thinking about putting in 38 single-family homes after struggling to find a new educational use for the property. Residents are concerned about traffic, loss of green space, and other impacts, so there’s more discussion coming up at a meeting on October 3.
Here are the highlights:
- The Byron brothers discussed the future of the former Montessori school site at a community meeting.
- They have maintained the property while seeking a new owner after their mother’s passing.
- Previous attempts to restart the Montessori program were unsuccessful.
- Discussions with Bowie State University for a long-term educational program were declined due to potential traffic concerns.
- The brothers are considering a development of 38 single-family homes on the 31-acre site.
- Residents expressed concerns about the development’s impact on local infrastructure, green space, and wildlife.
- Alternative suggestions from residents included a nature center or maintaining the property as green space.
- The city is exploring options but is unlikely to purchase the property.
- The most probable outcome is a reduced number of homes with a focus on tree conservation.
- A public hearing is scheduled for October 3 at City Hall to discuss the proposal further.
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Proposed Rustic Hill Drive Development
The owners of the former Montessori school site behind Rustic Hill Drive attended a community meeting this week to discuss the property's future.
Brothers David and William Byron took over the property from their mother who passed away shortly before the school closed. They have been maintaining the property while looking for a new owner.
For just over a year, the brothers were in talks with families previously associated with the school to try and restart the program, but couldn't make it work. Other Montessori programs were not interested in the property.
The brothers also had talks with Bowie State University about a longterm educational program that would support over 400 students. The brothers thought this number, roughly four times the previous student body, would generate too much traffic for local residents, and declined, though the option remains on the table.
After several years of exploring alternatives, the brothers are considering a 38 single-family home development on the 31 acre site. Their thinking is that a small subdivision would generate less day-to-day traffic than an operating school and would have a positive impact on city and county tax revenue.
About 45 residents attended the meeting and raised concerns about the development's impact on local schools, roads and water infrastructure, speeding on Rustic Hill Drive, the loss of green space and wildlife. Residents suggested alternative uses for the property, including a nature center, maintaining the property as green space, or holding out on finding a new educational owner.
The brothers indicated they weren't in a hurry, but are still paying considerable costs in taxes and maintenance while the property generates no revenue, and they can't continue indefinitely.
The city is following up with the brothers to continue to explore options. It's very unlikely the city would be in a position to purchase the property. Initial resident feedback about the Bowie State use was negative.
The most likely outcome will be a development with a reduction in the number of homes, a setback for residents along Rustic Hill Drive, and a plan that maximizes tree conservation. There may also be a version of the Bowie State plan that residents support.
The next meeting on the topic is October 3 at City Hall at 8pm and will include a public hearing. The proposal details can be found here and a recording of the community meeting can be viewed here.