FIRST STRIKE

 

LEONARDTOWN --- The room was once again overfilling and seating and TV viewing arrangement was made in the corridor of the Governmental Center for the meeting.

But unlike the past, St. Mary's citizens are no longer alone in their fight against developer plans undermining their future, the first meeting of the Planning Commission after the elections showed. Not only that even, some developers and their steadfast side kicks seem to have changed their plans already.

A move to charge citizens, many of them seniors, to benefit developers appears destined to fail.

Extremely important developments were witnessed at the Planning Commission on Monday evening.

Legendary waterman, environmental educator and newly elected commissioner president Jack Russell was present during a crucial part of the meeting that was initially planned to okay developers financed change in the water and sewer category at Mohawk Drive in the Charlotte Hall Town Center.

Since 1987, the residents have dug wells and are getting the water from the Patapsco aquifer, but the proposed unwanted water connection would cost $20,000 for every single lot owner, the commission heard. 

Russell assured residents their interests would first.

Though Land Use and Growth Management Director Denis Canavan was present in the building, he chose to keep away from the public glare. Canavan instead was watching the proceedings on a television inside the Public Information Office, across from Room 14 at the Governmental Center.

It wasn't clear why Metropolitan Commission director Steven King, who mostly talks about the respect for the environment, was keen to serve the interests of mushrooming of growth at Pueblo Estates and North Indian Creek Estates "as well as anticipated additional residential development in the area" in Canavan style. 

In an unprecedented move, even a major developer and his surveyor echoed the residents sentiments  by speaking against changing the service category. "I am against the change in service category," local developer Israel Swarey told the meeting.

Earlier, one of the developers favorite side kicks Jerry Nokleby of Nokleby Surveying Inc. also surprised the participants by speaking against the change in the development district, perhaps the first time in his surveying career he has done so.

With Canavan hidden in the PIO office, Senior Planner Jeffrey Jackman was left to his own devices and at one point conceded, "I stand corrected."

Speaking on behalf of the residents, Dale Burch said many of the folks on Mohawk Drive are older citizens and are either retired or very close to retirement, and are or soon to be, on fixed incomes.

"A $5000 investment that each of us made as directed by the county would be capped and utterly useless," Burch said.

He added, "We would then be charged for the same exact water which we were providing

In a letter addressed to Canavan on August 4, King requested a category change as soon as possible. "Please be advised that should the Board of County Commissioners decide to amend the CWSP to enable this project to proceed, our Board of Directors has already authorized Commission forces to construct the project."

King's office study named "Mohawak Drive Public Water Main Extension: Feasibility Analysis" said a total of 117 additional houses could be constructed  on the entire length of the Mohawk Drive, against the wishes of the majority of owners. "When combined with the 35 existing houses, the project area has a maximum development potential of 152 houses."

Interestingly, the water connection that is being thrust upon the resident without their wish would mean they have to pay thousands of dollars more even when they do not plan to subdivide their properties.

Chester Frederick Jr., administrator for the department of engineering, could not provide satisfactory answers as to how the formula would be worked out on the exact costs for residents.

Burch said the unwanted water service was likely to cost each lot owner $18,060 minimum.