Let's talk about "what's fair ball"
The State Exceeded Its Bounds, Firm Says
Md. Planners Advise Against Rezoning
Officials from one of the region's largest construction-materials firms are crying foul after state planners intervened in a Charles County zoning dispute.
[...]
Chaney spokesman Steve Tripp said company officials were blindsided when they found out about the letter on a blog produced by opponents of the proposed rezoning. He said Chaney executives are upset that the state Planning Department involved itself in a county zoning issue over which state planners have no jurisdiction.
[...]
Tripp said he considers the state letter the latest effort to pressure the elected commissioners into voting against the Planning Commission's recommendation to approve the rezoning. Because the county commissioners did not request a state analysis, he said, the state Planning Department should not have volunteered an opinion.
"This is just one more threat against the commissioners, and I don't think that's fair ball," Tripp said.
Comments by Pauleen Brewer: Is it "fair ball" to tie land donations to CSM and the Red Cross to the rezoning request? (Especially when the land does NOT need to be rezoned to allow for a facility for these non-profits) Is it "fair ball" for Chaney to think his "dreams" are more important than the 2,000+ residents of Hughesville, just because he's Chaney? Is it "fair ball" for Chaney to expect the commissioners to rezone this parcel after Hughesville Residents spent a year creating a Hughesville Revitalization Plan, have it approved by the commissioners, only to have it ruined by "his dream"? Is it "fair ball" for Chaney to threaten to remove his business from Charles County if he doesn't get his way? I feel Chaney thinks he has the commissioners in a chokehold because they want his land to build a road...he's also tried to sweeten the pot with his offer of a donation to CSM and the Red Cross. If these things have always been his dream, why hasn't he fulfilled them before now? Perhaps, they are just a ploy in the latest effort to pressure the elected commissions into voting for the rezoning?
An excellent point was made on the Delusional Duck thread on this article:
"The Maryland Department of Planning has no zoning authority," Tripp said. "They did not have any right to comment on this."
The Charles County Planning Commission has no zoning authority, either. They must not have any right to comment on this, too.
Reply to this
I understand the plight of Hughesville residents, but it seems its just a very small percentage that is interested in your cause. 30 or 300, still does not represent the thousands of people living in Hughesville. I'm just curious, where are they at? They aren't responding to your comments, the County's nor Chaney's. and looking at your blog sight here, nobody has a comment for your rhetoric?... may I suggest finding a happy medium for everyone to be satisfied. I heard one hughesville resident state..."hey why don't they (chaney) use the property to help the community by opening a solar energy plant or something... ummm... doesn't that require heavy industrial zoning?... research a little more and see all that industrial zoning may offer in the long run... open wide Hughesville, you have to share the responsiblity of the county as well for its future success. Its funny because of all those homes that was built where you all live now, there was opposition for that as well. We are moving forward, Charles County that is, whether you agree or not.
Reply to this
Deva, it's pretty obvious what your intentions are here, but I'll respond to your comments anyway. First of all, I can tell you that the amount of people opposed to the rezoning is NOT a very small percentage. Maybe you should come to Hughesville and check this out.
This morning I called over to the Planning Department to see if I could get copies of the letters in regard to the Chaney rezoning that had been received since the public hearing and July 9th. I was told there were hundreds...hmmm...doesn't sound like a small percentage to me.
I believe that it's the responsibility of every citizen to be informed and engaged in civic and political life. My point being is that Hughesville residents do share that responsibility. I, as well as other Hughesville residents, served on the Advisory Committee for the Hughesville Revitalization Plan. Hundreds of Hughesville residents came out and gave input when public meetings were held in regard to the Plan. They do care about its future success. They support the Revitalization Plan!!
Finally, in regard to your statement, "We are moving forward, Charles County that is, whether you agree or not" makes it sound like you own/run the county. Perhaps you know something we don’t….
Reply to this
This blog is relatively new and past experience shows that they take time for people to start to post. However, my stats show there are plenty of readers, not to mention the atta-girl emails I receive in response to the posts. The Hughesville Revitalization Plan was developed with the county, paid consultants, and a citizens' advisory committee. It was approved unanimously by the county commissioners. If any responsibilities were left out, it wouldn't have been approved.
Reply to this
Oh, I almost forgot! I've lived in Hughesville for 44 years - I don't recall any opposition of homes...actually, mine was built in 1970. This must have been before my time.
Reply to this
Deva, you can say what you like, think what you like, try to put a different spin on this if you'd like - but, there is no disputing the inappropriateness of this rezoning...call Maryland Department of Planning if you'd like to argue that point.
Reply to this
No, people haven't seemed to comment here, but, they certainly tear it up over at Delusional Duck!!!
Reply to this
...the Chaney rezoning issue that is!
Reply to this
Deva said
"hey why don't they (chaney) use the property to help the community by opening a solar energy plant or something... ummm... doesn't that require heavy industrial zoning?."
So does gravel washing plants, aggregate plants, cement plants, machine repair shops, welding shops, bulk storage of petroleum and their byproducts, warehouses, operations involving manufacturing, processing, assembly, transportation and storage of heavy industrial materials and or equipment.
Move forward, yes. But use sound planning principles.
Reply to this
Deva - are you by chance a Chaney employee?
You say Charles Çounty is moving forward, well - how so?
My family has lived in Charles Çounty since 1934, and I can say unequivocally, the County has never been WORSE than it is now.
I'm thrilled that the MDP is finally stepping up to the plate which is what it should do in situations such as this. For too long, the developers and their ilk have gotten their way, no questions asked.
Chaney's proposal is at odds with the Comprehensive Plan, the Hughesville Revitalization Plan and the State's Smart Growth Initiative. This is FACT - PLUS regardless of Çhaney's contention that it will not use groundwater for the gravel washing plant what about periods of drought?
In my opinion, groundwater will definitely be required during periods of drought. The aquifers are already under a tremendous amount of stress, and the thousands of gallons of groundwater this operation will use on a daily basis, could adversely affect private wells in the Hughesville area. If so, I would advise the residents to learn how to monitor the static water level of their wells, and IF the level drops after Chaney were to begin it's gravel washing operation, it could be reported to the Maryland Department of the Environment which would probably require Chaney provide "an alternative source of water to the affected user".
Also, I feel compelled to ask - WHY doesn't Chaney locate this gravel washing operation on its property near the landfill which is already zoned Heavy Industrial?
In my opinion, I think Chaney is more concerned about future development in Hughesville rather than just this particular gravel washing facility.
Reply to this
According to the Maryland Department of Planning website:
The Department provides technical assistance, local program review and planning design services for Maryland's counties and municipalities.
Thus the Maryland Department of Planning is well within its legal “right” to comment on any land use decision being considered by any county in the State.
Furthermore, Chaney spokesman, Steve Tripp says that the Maryland Department of Planning has no zoning authority; however, neither do local Planning Commissions. Local Planning Commissions are “advisory” and the comments by the Maryland Department of Planning are also “advisory” thus, Mr. Tripp’s statement that the state does not have the right to comment is inaccurate.
In addition, Ms. Audrey Scott, who now serves as the general manager of land development for Chaney Enterprises, was the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Planning in the Ehrlich Administration and is fully aware of the advisory capacity of the Maryland Department of Planning.
As stated in the Maryland Department of Planning letter to the Charles County Commissioners, the Chaney Enterprises rezoning proposal is
“inconsistent with the County’s Comprehensive Plan and the State’s Smart Growth principals”.
If the Commissioners are unwilling to abide by the Comprehensive Plan and the State’s Smart Growth principals in this instance, it will set a disturbing precedent for future rezoning requests.
Reply to this
In 2006 our family moved from Waldorf (of 43 years) to Lake Jameson. We had NO idea we would move into the beginning of what we moved out of!
We also have a well that I am VERY concerned about in drought conditions. In the past few years, SEVERAL residents have already had to replace their dry wells in Hughesville, including my daughter.
As far as 30 or 300 people, does it really matter? Are you not concerned about the "30" people, that LIVE in Hugesville, that have built their (custom) homes in good faith that Charles County will protect them from being literally over ran by heavy equipment? The recent overturn of the dump truck on the bypass circles should be enough to prove a point that danger is on it's way if the massive amount of trucks from Chaney take over our new roadway,- the bypass that is supposed to eliminate traffic back ups. The thought of five lanes of traffic is a nightmare, not a dream.
I can tell you that I am speaking for the majority of everyone in Lake Jameson. I have not found one person in Lake Jameson that wants to rezone Hughesville.
Reply to this
And Deva...
Any trustworthy SEO, SERP, content manager, web designer etc... will tell you the common quantifier in determining the quality measure of traffic to any blog, website, webpage, online content, etc... is not necessarily the number of comments one receives or the visits, hits or page views.
The measure of value for the writer in deciding whether content is accepted and read is in the steady increase over time in unique visits.
The writer/webmaster/hoster can then correlate and aggregate the data to determine success or failure and make changes.
Content is not always the problem with online obscurity. Tags, backlinks, platform, headers are all part of the equation. Original, relevant content should be a priority.
Reply to this
Deva (Cheryl) Ingram-Williams, I'm just curious...what's your stake in this issue?
Reply to this
Hmmm - I see she hasn't responded yet to Pauleen's question. Obviously, she's one of Chaney's "cheerleaders".
Reply to this