Big Development
in Morganza Rejected
By Sean Rice
ST. MARY'S TODAY

LEONARDTOWN (July 26, 2005) --- Just three months after the St. Mary's Commissioners, on a 3-2 vote, approved a water allocation which would allow a new large development in the rural preservation district, in Morganza, the Planning Commission turned down an approval request for 111 lots by developer Dean Beck.
Story developing....this action was taken at the Monday night meeting of the St. Mary's Planning Commission which was chaired by Vice-Chairman Joe St. Clair, who did his best to push through a vote in favor of the development. When St. Clair called for a motion to approve the intense development of the farm just north of the intersection of Rt. 242 and Rt. 5, no planning commissioner would make a motion and the matter died.   Attorneys for the developer told the Planning Commission that they had no choice but to approve the development.   County Attorney John Norris countered and told the Commission members that the decision was theirs to make, that is why they were appointed.
There were periods of lingering silences, seat shifting, hand wringing and nail biting among board members Monday night as they took a stand in the face of threatened lawsuits and twice voted to not to approve Grandview Haven plans.
Commission member Richard Thompson was most vocal in expressing his concerns about the increased traffic problems that would result from the hundreds of cars added to the Morganza Turner Road / Rt. 5 intersection.
"I go out and spend $3 million on a piece of property, I have to do my homework," Beck told the planning commission.
"I just don't think this is a place to start a new town area," Thompson said. "Sometimes things get a little over built. That intersection down there in the bottom of that hollow, it just scares me to death, it's probably the worst area between Leonardtown and where 5 meets Rt. 235".
Beck, after a barrage of lawyers and development agents told the commission that they have no choice but to approve, said, "Are you telling me that you are basing your decision on your opinion and not on the zoning ordinance?"
Agents for Beck professed the plan for 111 new homes would not cause increased traffic issues according to laws on the books, and the plan does not conflict with the rural preservation district (RPD) zoning --- which has a stated intention of preserving farmland in the rural areas.
"You're doing so against the recommendations of all of the experts and we don't believe you have the authority," said Beck attorney Chris Longmore.
Planning Commissioner Julie King stated that early on the development does not fit the intent of the RPD, and the transferable development rights program may not be used correctly.
"William Johnson, a farmer who farms across Rt. 5 from the proposed development, presented a list of reasons why the development should be rejected, or turned down.
Johnson's points included: the plan is opposite of the intent of the RPD, cars are already racing through the area over 50 mph in a 30 mph zone, and there is an upcoming shortage of school capacity in the area.
"It's not the answer to keep adding in developments and overcrowding the schools," said Johnson.
After Johnson presented his arguments the crowd in attendance burst into applause.
Another resident, who was among the 58 who signed a letter in opposition to the project, said she takes her life in her hands when turning left onto Morganza Turner Road, "...and a new traffic light will kill people."
Agents for Beck attempted to counter each point presented by the residents, saying the commission  must approve the plans because the law was followed, lots of money was spent and "hoops" were jumped through.
"We're in a very difficult position, but we have to move forward with the rules in place," said Vice Chairman Joe St. Clair to the audience. "We do not have the tools in our toolbox, we cannot circumvent what's in those ordinances."