Greenway Farm Residents Threaten Legal Action Over Access Road Crisis

UPDATE: Residents of Greenway Farm in Havre de Grace are preparing to take legal action against the city, demanding immediate attention to a critical emergency access road that has been non-functional for over 20 years. With a train line running under the only access road and a propane supply facility nearby, residents fear a disaster could leave them trapped.

“If either of them has a mishap, we would be stranded in our neighborhood with no way to get out,” stated resident Robert Gibson. The lack of a safe exit poses a serious risk to the community of over 480 homes, built since the land was annexed in 2004.

Residents have voiced their concerns at town meetings and through numerous emails, yet frustration is mounting. Courtney Bridges, a long-term resident, expressed her discontent: “I am tired of the games being played in Havre de Grace. I just want to live in a safe neighborhood and we shouldn’t have to fight for that.”

When the development was approved, city officials mandated that no occupancy permits be issued until a final emergency access road was established. However, two decades later, the current emergency exit remains a makeshift dirt path, obstructed by a padlocked chain-link fence.

City officials claim that the existing emergency access road meets legal requirements based on a 2004 agreement with developers. Senior aide to the mayor Adam Rybczynski stated that the road can be a “crusher run” surface during ongoing development. This has done little to assuage residents’ fears.

In response to community concerns, the city announced plans for a new emergency access road, funded by developers, which will link Greenway Farm to an upcoming 20-acre expansion of the neighboring Bulle Rock community. However, a timeline for completion remains uncertain, raising doubts among residents.

“Our request is that the emergency access roadway be paved immediately and until such time, any new homes being built in the Greenway Farm community cease construction regardless of their status,” Bridges emphasized. “This is a hill I am willing to die on for my community’s safety.”

The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated, as the absence of a reliable escape route poses a grave risk to the lives of residents. The community is rallying together, urging city officials to prioritize their safety and act swiftly.

As this story develops, Greenway Farm residents continue to advocate for immediate action. The outcry for a safe emergency access road highlights the pressing need for accountability and transparency from local authorities.

Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding situation.

Have a news tip? Contact Matt Hubbard at [email protected], 443-651-0101 or @mthubb on X.