Dog & Pony Show - Act II
Officials mull rezoning impact
As we continue this saga, three of our five county commissioners oooh and aaahh over Chaney's small gravel washing plant in St. Mary's County. They seem to be refusing to look at the big picture. If this rezoning request is approved, the 150 acres in Hughesville may be the largest single tract of heavy industrial zoned land in the state of Maryland. Chaney is suggesting that IF (5% chance more than a dozen years from now) he moves his gravel washing operation to Hughesville, it would only occupy approx. 8 acres. Add to the that, the 10-15 acres for CSM and the Red Cross (incredibly small space to build these two structures) and that leaves approx. 125 acres that no one seems to be addressing. The oohs and aahs over the relatively small space the potential gravel washing plant would occupy would seem to be a diversion. The remaining 125 acres will be sold. Even with the "proffer" offered to the county, after the official close of the public record - which would seem an illegal move by Chaney and require another public hearing process - considered, we are talking about a HUGE impact on a rural village. Heavy industrial zoning in a rural area, especially of this magnitude, is absolutely absurd.
Let's end this show. It's an insult to our intelligence and a waste of our time. The commissioners approved the Hughesville Revitalization Plan. The reasonable and intelligent thing to do is devote our resources to realizing that plan instead of humoring or entertaining the wants, desires, and personal dreams of a developer. Commissioners - PUT THE COMMUNITY FIRST!!!!
Seems to me that the Commissioners are looking for a way to "justify" approval of the Hughesville operation by pointing to this one in St. Mary's.
Just watch and see them come back with GLOWING reports as to how efficient and "clean" it is and how it will enhance the Hughesville community. You can bet on it!
In my opinion, the ONLY vision this group has for Charles County as a whole is to develop it as much as possible and as soon as possible.
Then of course, there's the campaign coffers which Chaney will help fill up!!!!
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I wonder what the "official" explanation is for attending this show & tell?
As if they haven't seen a gravel washing operation before!!
Goodness gracious, there's one at the corner of Rosewick Road and Washington Avenue...about 2 miles from the Commissioner's offices.
These Commissioners are so OBVIOUS with what their intentions really are...
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This issue reminds me of the words from the following song: When I was a little boy (when I was just a boy)And the Devil would call my name (when I was just a boy)I'd say "Now who do, (who-oo)Who do you think you're fooling?"
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I've been told by individuals inside the commissioners' wing that it is common knowledge that "Hughesville gets nothing" because of the stadium issue...
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“Graves was impressed by the fact that the operation does not use potable water from aquifers — ‘‘fossil” water — to wash the gravel, but instead uses surface groundwater, drawn from a nearby pond.”
Now what if the pond isn’t a spring fed pond but is instead just to collect runoff?
For this pond idea to work, the pond must be spring fed, otherwise there just won’t be enough water!
What happens during a drought and there’s little or no water in the pond? Then where would the water come from?
Have the Commissioners even thought of asking these questions?
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Check this comment out. So, will Hughesville get a fair decision from the commissioners?
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I'd like the commissioners to explain to me why they toured a Chaney owned gravel washing plant in St. Mary's County - what relevance does that site have to this rezoning request? Chaney has stated there is a 5% chance he'll move his operation to Hughesville over a dozen years from now. 5% chance? But, rezone 150 acres to Heavy Industrial now? Chaney said he would sell most of that. So, how was this tour justifiable? And, if anything, how about a tour of the Waldorf Chaney site? Chaney, himself, admitted that site is not up to par...so, how does that give us any confidence? This whole rezoning request doesn't pass the smell test.
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I passed by the gravel washing plant at Washington Ave. and Rosewick Road the other day on my way home from my doctor in Waldorf - WHAT A DISGUSTING MESS!!
I don't think Chaney owns this one, but regardless, they're all the same - dirty, noisy and brightly lit at night. I don't know about this one, but some have been known to operate 24/7!
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