Residents opposed to plans for a low-income housing development in Ellicott City are calling for an independent investigation into the Howard County Housing Commission.

"We certainly think it¹s a reasonable request, and based on the way the property on Frederick Road was purchased, we think it's a necessary thing," said John Lederer, head of neighborhood group Friends of Font Hill.

The group sent a letter to County Executive Ken Ulman last month requesting the review.

The commission owns the land on Frederick Road and has signed a memorandum of understanding with a developer to build Centennial Gardens, a 59-unit building on 2 1/2 acres.

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The commission signed the agreement in September, before developers held a pre-submission meeting with the community, which is required before developers submit plans to the county for approval and was held last month.

Residents have decried the project for months and questioned the relationship between developers and the commission.

Now the group wants a broader look at the commission's procurement practices.

In the letter, residents ask for the investigation "to restore confidence in the system of public projects, expenditures of public funds, and our elected and appointed public officials."

"It seems there should be more controls and less power given to that agency," Lederer said.

County spokeswoman Victoria Goodman said when newly appointed Housing and Community Development Director Stacy Spann takes the helm later this month, housing officials plan to sit down with the group and go over the request.

Spann and Deputy Director Thomas Carbo, who is now serving as acting chief, have pledged to review the county's current housing projects, including Centennial Gardens.

Council Member Calvin Ball, D-District 2, said he supports the assessment.

"My understanding is that everyone, all of the new council members and the new county executive, is very interested in ensuring that the public feel comfortable with their representation and that we move forward in a way that is transparent and open," he said.

smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com