Update: No Ruling in Belward-Hopkins Hearing

Update, 5:00 p.m.: A Montgomery County circuit court judge did not rule on John Hopkins University's motion to dismiss a breach of donor intent lawsuit filed by the heirs to the former owners of Belward Farm.

Judge Katherine D. Savage told representatives from Hopkins and Belward that she would take the matter "under advisement" and would issue a ruling as soon as possible.

The judge insisted both sides focus on the specific language of the deed and contract between Belward and JHU, focusing on proving whether or not there are any ambiguities in either document.

Check back with North Potomac-Darnestown Patch tomorrow for the full story.

Original Post, 7 a.m.:The 1:30 p.m. hearing of Johns Hopkins University's motion to dismiss a lawsuit from the heirs of Belward Farm's former owner could be the first step in a long legal process, or the last step in getting the university's plans approved.

Tim Newell, the nephew of former Belward owner Elizabeth Banks, is the lead plaintiff in a breach of donor intent lawsuit against JHU. The university hopes a judge will throw out the lawsuit today in court.

On Jan. 13, North Potomac-Darnestown Patch reported locals were displeased with Hopkins' plans for Belward Farm. Patch blogger Donna Baron -- founder of Scale-It-Back.com -- recently spoke with Tim Newell and other community members about Elizabeth Banks' intentions for her farm.

Heading into this afternoon's hearing, JHU spokeswoman Robin Ferrier told The Washington Post, "We’re very confident our approach is consistent with our obligations, [and] also with [Montgomery County’s] strategy for the future."

However, the Newell family attorney says the university made clear its intentions for the property by having it rezoned for development, combined with the preliminary plan it submitted to the county in 1997, according to The Washington Post's report.

The university agreed in 1989 to use the property only for academic purposes and called for a low-rise academic campus no larger than 1.4 million square feet of gross floor area.

According to Washington Examiner columnist Barbara Hollingsworth, "There's simply no 'good faith' way to replace the college campus in the contract with a 4.7 million-square-foot commercial office park Hopkins will not even occupy."

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Editor's Note: Check back with North Potomac-Darnestown Patch later today for a full update on the hearing. Be sure to 'Like' us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for information during the hearing.