Development Proposed For Bel Air Auto Auction Site

BEL AIR, MD — Developers are proposing a project for the former site of the Bel Air Auto Auction that includes both commercial and residential elements. There will be a community input meeting where people can ask questions and see the plans on Oct. 2 at the Abingdon library.

Morris & Ritchie Associates submitted the proposal to the Harford County Department of Planning and Zoning.

The plans call for the following on the 45-acre site:

• 131 villas
• 100 senior living residences
• 5,500-square-foot convenience store with fuel station
• 12,000-square-foot retail/restaurant space
• 21,000-square-foot retail/restaurant over a 21,000-square-foot office space

See the plans.

The community would cater to those 55 years and up, according to Alan Cohen, principal of Cohen Siegel Investors, the Rockville-based acquisition and development firm that The Aegis reports has contracted with property owner BSC America to purchase the site. There is a "huge market" for baby boomers, Cohen told the newspaper, and the planned senior housing would provide "extremely good quality at reasonable rates."

Developers say the site will be accessed via US 1.

The community input meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2, at the Abingdon branch of the Harford County Public Library, 2510 Tollgate Road, Abingdon, MD 21009. It is a required part of the development process through which residents and project leaders can dialogue about the proposal.

SEE ALSO: Bel Air Auto Auction Opens In New Location