The Office of Sixth District Delegate Ric Metzgar sent over the following information about the facts on the future of the Fort Howard property.
Delegate Ric Metzgar (R-6) called a press conference because he wanted to clarify and put to rest any rumors about the sale of the Fort Howard Veterans Administration Hospital which is still owned by the Veterans Administration. The press conference was held outside the entrance to the former VA Hospital.
State Senator Johnny Ray Salling (R-6) and Mr. Rod McMillion, Member of the Baltimore County School Board, were also in attendance.
In 2024, Baltimore County Councilman Todd Crandell with the approval of the Baltimore County Council downsized the zoning of the Fort Howard Hospital property to RC 20 to address the community concerns about traffic noise and congestion, school overcrowding, water and sewage usage, Critical Area Legislation, etc. to prevent any large-scale development of the
property.
As you may know, Fort Howard was where the British landed during the Attack on Baltimore and the Battle of North Point during the War of 1812 one day before the Bombardment of Fort McHenry. The property is of historical significance and listed on the Maryland Historical Trust Inventory.
Delegate Metzgar shared the Myth Vs Fact which was researched by Councilman Todd Crandell’s Office along with websites about House Bill 538 which was passed minutes before the end of the 2024 Session of the Maryland General Assembly Sine Die.
Myth: HB 538 “bypasses” or overrides local zoning.
Fact: HB 538 does not repeal or override zoning classifications. It only requires limited flexibility for very specific “qualified projects” and all normal local review processes still apply.
Myth: HB 538 automatically allows development at Fort Howard.
Fact: Fort Howard is only listed because it meets broad criteria for former federal military sites. There is no active proposal, approval, or state directive to develop it.
Myth: HB 538 forces the county to approve any project a developer proposes.
Fact: Projects must still apply through the county’s development process. The state has no role in determining whether a project is qualified or approved.
Myth: Developers can ignore zoning rules under HB 538.
Fact: Zoning still applies. Only density may increase if a project meets strict criteria. All other
zoning standards remain unless they amount to a very narrow “de facto denial”
Myth: HB 538 allows projects in RC20 or protected conservation areas.
Fact: HB 538 explicitly prohibits its density bonuses on agricultural or conservation land. RC20
(resource conservation) added in 2024 actually protects Fort Howard from HB 538 density increases.
Myth: HB 538 was written to push a specific project at Fort Howard.
Fact: Nothing in the bill, fiscal note, or FAQ references any planned development there. The state list includes multiple former state and federal sites for informational purposes only.
Myth: HB 538 reduces public input.
Fact: The bill only limits required public hearings to prevent project delays statewide-but jurisdictions may still hold voluntary informational meetings with the community.
Myth: HB 538 guarantees a developer’s density bonus.
Fact: A project must meet affordability mandates, include a 40-year deed restriction, and pass
environmental/health reviews before any density flexibility applies.
Fort Howard Veterans Hospital and later the walk-in clinic were in operation from the 1940s to 2000s. It is designated Superfund Site by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which means there is toxic waste on the site. This means nothing can be built on site until these items are cleaned up and removed from the site.
Lead: Commonly found in old pipes and paint.
Arsenic: May be present due to historical use of pesticides.
Mercury: Possible contamination from medical waste disposal.
Cadmium: Could be present from batteries and industrial activities.
Chromium: Often found in older construction materials and paints.
Zinc: May be present from corrosion of Galvanized materials.
Here is a list of developers who over the years have tried to lease from the Veterans Administration and develop the property but have been unable to do so. Previous Developers Interested in Developing Ft. Howard Hospital Site include:
- John Infanito-partnered with VA in 2006 for a “Bayside at Fort Howard” project for veterans but
did not move forward. - Timothy Munshell (Fort Howard Development, LLC) took over the lease after Infanito proposed
a high density, 1,000 plus unit project but faced issues with site security, arson, and financial challenges. - Armando Cignarale (Cignal Corp) announced in 2016 that he acquired the majority interest in the lease held by Munshell’s Group.
The property is still owned by the Veterans Administration. Delegate Metzgar has spoken with the current developer who is interested in developing the property. The Developer has told the Delegate that he wants to work with the community to have something everyone can enjoy.
For reasons which Delegate Metzgar outlined, Fort Howard VA Hospital is not being developed for any large-scale development. The three men took questions from the media and Delegate Metzgar Thanked everyone for their attendance.