Lake House Condos OK stands despite questions

HUNTING VALLEYIn response to resident complaints, Village Council reluctantly revisited its last zoning decision -- including swimming pool approval -- on the Lake House Condos cluster homes.

But council decided it could not reverse earlier decisions even as it agreed that some complaints were valid.

Two neighbors, Brian Coughlin and John Miller, wrote the Planning and Zoning Commission July 7 voicing their unhappiness with the cluster home project.

They asked for a review of approval from both P&Z and council to allow the pool.

The neighbors said they understood that condo residents would be senior citizens or empty nesters, but a family with four children will move in and have access to the pool. They expect it will be noisy.

Coughlin, who said he was a new resident, also told council that Lake House structures are 30 percent larger than neighboring homes.

The condos are owned by Marotta Companies, 37300 Fairmount Blvd. here. Its president and owner is Charlie Marotta, the village's clerk of council.

The condos are owned by Marotta Companies, 37300 Fairmount Blvd. here. Its president and owner is Charlie Marotta, the village's clerk of council.

P&Z voted to bring the issue back before council for settlement Clerk of council

Council heard from owner Marotta's legal representative Thomas Lee, who said council had approved all plans and "the time for appeals is over."

Lee also said complaints about families with children is unconstitutional because they are a "protected class" by federal law.

Marotta said the project sits on 35 acres and has met all codes and laws, including the "spirit of the law." He also said the family involved is a "very good" family and should not be turned away in an era when declining portfolios limit other offers.

"Why not work with it to find a way?" he said....