Rules About Crowded Schools Fuel the Graying of Arundel

Since he moved in with his fiancee last year, Ostrom has not been able to sell his house. Now, real estate agents have started talking about an impending glut in the market.

"Yes, there's an aging population of baby boomers we can sell to," said Bill Lambros, a real estate agent. "But they can only absorb so much."

Some county leaders see other consequences down the road. For years, Anne Arundel schools have complained of being underfunded because of staunchly tax-averse county residents. With an increase in seniors who don't have children in school, it might become even more difficult to argue for higher taxes and increased funding, parents and school advocates say.

Compounding the problem are the impact fees normally levied on new homes to help schools alleviate crowding. Developers of age-restricted homes don't have to pay such fees because in theory their buyers have no effect on schools.

But some, such as Anne Arundel County Council member Edward R. Reilly (R-Crofton), say that logic is flawed. As older residents move from regular homes into age-restricted ones, Reilly argues, they are replaced by younger families who add students to schools.

Developers readily admit that their arguments to eliminate school-based restrictions are motivated in part by profit. Residential projects open to all ages generally attract more buyers and higher prices. But even slow-growth advocates agree that a continued boom in senior housing could pose a problem.

In recent years, Howard has encountered similar circumstances. Four years ago, 15 of its 37 elementary school districts were closed to new projects, and developers with age-restricted projects were allowed to jump to the head of the line. Shortly after, the pace of construction of housing for seniors grew to almost one of every three new homes.

By building schools and doing extensive redistricting, Howard now expects that none of its school districts will be considered closed because of overcrowding next year.

In Anne Arundel, however, school officials have largely avoided redistricting, which inevitably sparks controversy and angers parents. But with budget constrictions looming and many schools full, Anne Arundel's school board recently launched its largest redistricting effort in a decade.

The county also will have to contend with the impending base realignment and closure process at Fort Meade, which is expected to add as many as 1,700 more students. Meanwhile, a state-mandated change from half- to full-day kindergarten already has many elementary schools struggling.

Developers have argued for replacing the school capacity rule with a pay-and-go system similar to the one in Prince George's, where companies pay hefty surcharges to build near overcrowded schools.

"Something has to be done," said County Council member Jamie Benoit (D-Odenton), "but I don't think the council would entertain changing how we calculate school capacity. It's sort of a third rail in Anne Arundel politics."

Reilly said he wants to raise impact fees and use such funds to help areas with the most crowded schools. County Executive John R. Leopold (R), who has also talked about adjusting impact fees, said he plans to tackle the housing issue as the county revises the general development plan, a document that guides all growth in the county.

"Sooner or later, it's something we're going to have to address," said council member C. Edward Middlebrooks (R-Glen Burnie). "It's like seeing storm clouds gathering on the horizon. You look at them and you know something coming."