Construction of an additional 118 homes in the controversial Clarksburg Town Center development can go forward, the Montgomery County Planning Board ruled 3-0 Thursday.

The units include an additional seven single-family homes, 52 town

houses and 59 apartments in the planned community in the northwest part of the county, which is expected to eventually feature more than 1,300 units.

There have been numerous complaints about construction in the burgeoning communities springing up in Clarksburg. In 2006, a developer was fined after several homes were found to have been built in violation of county rules. Some were too close to roadways while others were too tall.

This story continues below
Advertisement

Discovery of the violations by community members in 2005 led to a public outcry, prompting allegations of incompetence and impropriety against contractors and the board. Since then, the board has seen new leadership and a new approach.

Board Chairman Royce Hanson, who was appointed last year, said the goal of the measures was to let the project move ahead.

Hanson said Thursday that all of the new construction will conform to county height and setback codes.

Other problems have also plagued development in Clarksburg. Most recently, residents have questioned the process by which the County Council gave preliminary approval to the creation of a special tax district for Clarksburg, which could mean additional taxes for residents.

The county’s Office of Legislative Oversight issued a report in September that says the council should re-evaluate its policies for establishing the special districts, though it found Clarksburg’s district was created legally.

Residents have said the special tax — as much as $2,000 a year — was designed to pay for infrastructure developers had already agreed to provide. A final decision on the special tax district is still pending.

A third amendment approved by the planning board Thursday would improve access to the development for emergency vehicles, board spokeswoman Valerie Berton said.

Proposals for the third phase of Clarksburg’s development, which will include retail shops, a library and a recreation center, are expected in March.

cmabeus@dcexaminer.com