Council Approves $7,000 Tax Break for Glen Burnie Apartments

A tax break was approved for an apartment complex in Glen Burnie set to open next year, .

Marley Meadows, a proposed 36-unit apartment complex at 7790 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., will offer units with monthly rent ranging from $380-$1,200.

The council voted in favor of a $7,000 annual payment-in-lieu-of-tax (PILOT) agreement for the development on Monday.

District 2 Councilman John Grasso of Glen Burnie has since he learned of it in August. He said he fears that low-income housing will breed crime in his district.

“We’re going to move Glen Burnie into the ghettos,” Grasso said.

But Conifer Realty, the New York-based developer for the site, already received council approval last month. Monday’s meeting was the last chance for Grasso to launch an offensive move against the development.

Grasso said low-income housing should be distributed evenly throughout the county, not grouped in north county. He suggested that Marley Meadows be built in Crownsville instead.

Crownsville is home to District 4 Councilman Jamie Benoit, who became one of the voices in support of Marley Meadows throughout the council’s deliberations on it. He and Grasso bickered for weeks over the matter. Their debate mostly hinges on whether low-income housing truly draws crime to an area. 

Despite Grasso’s arguments, the motion for the tax break passed by a 4-3 vote, with Grasso, District 3 Councilman Derek Fink and District 5 Councilman Dick Ladd dissenting.

Marley Meadows is on track to be completed by the end of 2012.