Neighbors drop tent battle against school

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Neighbors of the Towson-area Baltimore Lutheran School have agreed to drop pending litigation against a giant tent on school property, ending a nearly yearlong feud that included personal jabs, protests and two arrests.

Residents along Towson’s Concordia Drive said this week that they have agreed to dismantle the Web site used to criticize the five-story canopy, withdraw a zoning appeal and abandon nuisance and property-value lawsuits. In return, school administrators have agreed to install a fence and cypress trees to shield the tent, used to house athletic fields.

“We’re confident we’ve entered into a new era of goodwill,” said Doug DesMarais, president of the Chatterleigh Community Association. “Both sides have been committed to finding a mutually acceptable resolution.”

DesMarais emphasized the association is still “fine-tuning” the agreement, which must be approved by Baltimore County’s law department. The contract ends a battle that landed two men in handcuffs: A photographer was arrested during a protest in August and a football spectator was arrested after he was ticketed for illegal parking in October.

County Councilman Vince Gardina, D-District 5, found himself squashing rumors he helped secure permits for the tent. Gardina, who began teaching at Baltimore Lutheran in August, said the county approved the canopy as a “minor commercial structure” in 2004 — allowing the school to bypass community input. Residents complained the school rents the tent out — clogging streets with illegally parked cars and students urinating.

School officials, who agreed not to install lights on the field for 15 years and are limiting the days and hours of games, did not return calls by press time.

Residents were encouraged, but said they will remain proactive.

“We thought it was just a horrible intrusion on our neighborhood. ...,” said resident George Ward. “All things considered, we’re very satisfied. ...”

jmalarkey@baltimoreexaminer.com

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