Remember all the back and forth over the past few years about Bethel AME Church’s plans to build a megachurch in the northwest county? The large Baltimore city based congregation had first proposed in the 1990s purchasing land in Owings Mills or Granite to construct a 3,000-seat sanctuary, banquet hall, health club and gymnasium. Ultimately, the historic church bought 258 acres of rural land off Old Court Road in Granite to the chagrin of the local residents.
Community members opposed the church’s expansion, concerned about the traffic it would bring, and lamented the development of the treasured forested green space.
Years later, the issue has closure. At its Oct. 20, 2014 meeting, the Baltimore County Council unanimously approved the county’s $3 million purchase to acquire the land from Bethel and use it for passive recreational uses. Reportedly, the appraised value in the past year was under $2 million, but county officials, community leaders and residents praised the deal.
County Executive Kevin Kamenetz said in a statement, ‘“From an environmental perspective, this parcel is particularly beneficial to preserve as open space due to its large size and varied terrain featuring steep slopes, forest and streams.”
Councilman Kenneth Oliver, whose District 4 includes the area, agreed that preserving the land from development is good for all parties. “It was a win-win situation for the county, community, particularly the Patapsco Granite Community Association, and for the church.”
The county will apply for $1.9 million in reimbursements in state funding from the Maryland Program Open Space. After settlement on the property, the county will seek community input regarding options for passive recreation.
Bethel opened a church location on Red Run Boulevard in Owings Mills.