Submitted by Steve Darroch and Terri Marshall of the Arnold Conservation Team

Plans are underway for developers to build more than 450 homes in Arnold in the coming months. These homes will be in addition to the new homes already flooding the local real estate market.  

The number of new home signs up and down Ritchie Highway is already astounding. This proposed development is seriously threatening our way of life here on the Broadneck Peninsula by taxing an already overwhelmed infrastructure.  

Our local roads, electrical, sewer and stormwater management systems are already in desperate need of repair and upgrading before this influx of new homes and traffic. In addition, this construction would eliminate many of our green spaces, displace our local wildlife into residential areas and eliminate their food supply as well as threaten our beloved Chesapeake Bay with significant additional runoff.  

Developers are here solely for profit, placing as many homes as possible on lots to maximize their return on investment and will leave once their damage to our area is done. One developer is even putting a small addition on Broadneck High School to open our already overcrowded school system and enable themselves to build here.  

A group of concerned citizens has formed the Arnold Conservation Team (ACT) which is working to halt this rampant overdevelopment of our area and to preserve our wonderful way of life by advocating responsible growth. Please visit www.arnoldconservationteam.com to learn more. On the site, you will find additional information about the proposed development, its issues and impacts on the area, a sample letter and contacts list as well as updates and upcoming meeting notices. Please be sure to sign the online petition opposing this overdevelopment which will be presented to the Anne Arundel County Council.

For questions about these efforts, email arnold10@verizon.net.