I find myself sitting in the auditorium of the Queen Annes County High School once again. Visions of the previous FASTC meetings enter my mind as I look around at the crowd forming. We are all here to once again let “government” know how “We the people feel”.
As I listen to people speak their peace, I find out that a panel of approximately 13 citizens was established called the Citizens Advisory Committee to come up with recommendations to the Comprehensive Plan over 10 months ago. Picturing these individuals giving up their time and energy on a monthly then weekly basis during the holidays, through the devastating snow storms, not to mention the countless family functions and events they must have had to put on hold all to do what could help this county, fills my heart with appreciation and admiration. Unfortunately, this feeling was short-lived as it was replaced with disbelief and anger as I learned that at least some of their recommendations were being dismissed entirely or diluted beyond recognition. They are as follows:
1. No more major subdivision development on Kent Island until transportation issues are resolved and until affects of rising water levels are understood.
2. No more major subdivision development permitted in AG zoned land. (The visioning report identified “loss of farmland” and “rural sprawl” as a primary county threat or weakness.)
3. Direct Growth to Existing Population Centers / Towns, where there is infrastructure to support growth.
4. No New Business Parks or Commercial Centers until existing commercial areas are built out.
5. Establish policies that protect streams, waterways, forests and sensitive areas from development by establishing a county wide Priority Preservation Area.
You can see that they are more than reasonable. So I am curious as to the reasons the Planning and Zoning Board did not accept them. I did not hear from one individual who was in favor in accepting the Draft Comprehensive Plan in totem the whole night. I was even told by a Board Member that they would listen to what we had to say but it did not mean that they would do anything.
Individuals representing the Economic Development Committee and Business Queen Annes all spoke in regards to looking out for the county’s FISCAL health, but there is so much more to considered. For example, if we look at the proposal to develop 1,600 more lots on Southern Kent Island and run 8 miles of sewer pipe to this area of the county, we will be encountering several issues that just the first recommendation above addresses. It would DOUBLE the population of that area alone. Having only one way on and one way off the island presents a major traffic issue even now and the water table must be studied further before adding more to the population. School over-crowding as well as the further burden put on emergency services and road repair if population increases are two more issues. So many tout that it would be better for the county to develop this area as it will bring in tax revenue, but have they calculated the cost involved and how much more the county will have to shell out per person or per family. Has anyone asked themselves, how will this impact people financially? Fiscal health deals with individuals as well as businesses. To the many who live there now and are on a fixed income, how will they be able to afford the additional expense of a sewer bill that they were against to begin with? Someone needs to ask “Is this project worth it if the POSSIBILITY of improving the county hurts the people – even if there is just a slight chance or we are talking about a minority of people?
Yes, a county needs to be flexible to grow; however, it should be done intelligently. Reason, research and foresight MUST be a huge part of the equation. Let’s learn from the metropolises that used to be like us what NOT to do and be an example to others of how to grow responsibly.
In closing, I love what candidate for QA Commissioner, Dave Dunmyer said….he stated that he is neither Pro-Growth nor Anti-Growth but is Pro-Queen Annes County.Let’s make/keep Queen Annes County the envy of the nation.
Sherry Adam
Ruthsburg