CB-56-2005 vs. CB-89-2004
Poised to preempt CB-89-2004 is CB-56-2005. I have been calling Council members to protest this travesty, and will put our collective outrage in writing tomorrow so that it will become part of the record on this matter. In doing, so we will join the Greater Accokeek Civic Association (GACA), CCCSD, and several other civic associations. For more on why we are so angry about CB-56, click here.
Our action plan includes several components:
1. Inundate the Council with letters/emails/faxes/calls in support of CB-89-2004 over CB-56-2005.
* Form letters will be posted this weekend so that you can copy and send them (modified or not, as you like)
* You can also use the information in them as talking points if you call
* Urge everyone you can think of to make contact, and don't forget that couples count as two votes, not one
* Please feel free to email us a copy of a letter you've sent to be posted on our website.
2. Encourage other civic groups to go on the record in favor of CB-89-2004 over CB-56-2005
3. Get more media coverage
* Write letters to the editor (Post, Times, and Gazette)
* Email reporters at these and other news organizations to suggest stories
* Please contact Kelly ([email protected]) if you need help fact-checking, editing, etc.
4. Table at local grocery stores to get signatures on petitions to preserve CB-89-2004 instead of passing CB-26-2005, and encourage people to attend the July 26 hearing on this matter
So far we have one person each scheduled to table at
* Mannokeek Giant on July 9 from 10:00 - 1:00
* Ft. Washington Safeway on July 9 from 9:00 - 12:00
* Mannokeek Giant on July 10 from 9:00 - 12:00
* Bryan's Road Safeway on July 10 from 9:00 - 12:00
* Members of CCCSD will also be tabling at grocery stores in Clinton on these dates.
We would like to have at least one more person for each of the times listed above. If you can help out, or can cover at another time, please contact Kelly ([email protected]) immediately.
Tablers will be provided with the following:
* Copies of CB-56-2005 and CB-89-2004
* Talking points about how the county is changing criteria for adequate coverage, knowingly endangering us
* Letters and petitions to sign
* Flyers for the July 26 hearing
* A visual aid
* Contact information
* Lists of pending developments in the area and Person of Record Forms
Bland Bills
At the June 15 County Council hearing, in the face of much opposition over her submission of CB-51-53, Ms. Bland withdrew CB-51-2005 and CB-52-2005 until September. We have decided to table our attack on them for now, as a lot can happen before September, and many other battles need our immediate attention.
Bland declined to withdraw CB-53. Here is a message about that from Randy Phoebus of CCCSD:
I wanted to share with you a template that can be used to go on record in opposition to CB-53-2005 before the public hearing which is scheduled for July 26, 2005.
I am including the email addresses of each of the Council Members if you would like to write to them. The template could be used with a few adjustments to send an email to the Council members instead of faxing, emailing, or mailing to the Clerk of the Council. Tell your neighbors and share this email with them if they have concerns. All of the above options would not be inappropriate in the 4 weeks leading up to the hearing in July.
Synopsis:
On June 7, 2005, Marilynn Bland introduced the above named bill to give special consideration to the Developer who intends to develop not only the 942 units that will be a Senior Living Community adjacent to Mary Catherine Estates but an additional 1100+ units proposed for east of Windbrook and also immediately across Piscataway Road at the intersection of Windbrook Drive and Piscataway Road.
By introducing this bill as a text amendment, the interests and concerns of the residents of the existing community are completely bypassed as is the Special Exception process. This allows the Council Representative of District 9 (and those members of the Council who vote to approve) to make the decision for the residents as to the immediate approval of the project. Many residents of our neighborhoods feel that, with the 800% increase in density and the change of use from the present zoning and the undeniable changes in the character of the community that the projects will cause, the community should have a part in the process as the normal review and Special Exception process allows.
CB-53-2005 bypasses the Special Exception process that had already begun with the assignment of the number SE-4528 for the Senior living community now being called Bevard North.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information or questions.
Regards,
Randy Pheobus-- Concerned Citizens of Clinton for Sustainable Development
The steering committee voted unanimously to support the efforts of (CCCSD) to stop this bill from being passed for two reasons. First, it sets a bad precedent of circumventing public participation in the planning process. Second, Clinton is not far off, and inappropriate development there certainly affects us in Accokeek.
CCCSD is also lobbying council members, and looking into legal action. The Steering Committee committed to calling and writing letters to council members, as well as letters to the editors (the Post, Times, and Gazette), and to speaking against this bill at the hearing on July 26. We hope that many of you will do the same. I am sending letters on behalf of Sprawled-Out Accokeek, but hope that you will all send letters as individuals as well.