Development leaving Maryland high and dry

Water supply has been an issue for many in Charles County Maryland for almost 25 years, however, as a result of the Governor's Advisory Report, i.e. Wolman Report, issued in May 2004 and the MGS Report issued in June 2005, i.e. Drummond Report, it is finally attracting the attention of local government officials and the media. There is an insatiable appetite for development in Charles County and unfortunately, the water supply is secondary in planning and zoning regulations and decisions. Developers have the clout and capital to ensure that their projects are approved regardless of the water supply; all they have to do is threaten a lawsuit. A few years ago, a downzoning initiative was defeated which would have changed the current zoning in the rural/agricultural areas from one dwelling unit per 3 acres to one dwelling unit per 10 or 20 acres.Ås a result the agricultural areas are becoming "pock-marked" with 3 acre "Estates" and of course, all have individual private wells. As this form of development continues, the water supply issue will become even more important. According to Maryland Department of Planning Secretary Audrey Scott, the 1:3 zoning in Charles Çounty is the worst in the State of Maryland. Obviously, it needs to be changed, otherwise development will continue to proliferate and the water supply will be affected accordingly.

I agree that Charles County will be hit hard by all this. We need to make some changes with our elected officials and get some new people elected as county commissioners. The same holds true for the La Plata town council. All of them need to be replaced.

CHERYL THOMAS wrote:

Water supply has been an issue for many in Charles County Maryland for almost 25 years, however, as a result of the Governor's Advisory Report, i.e. Wolman Report, issued in May 2004 and the MGS Report issued in June 2005, i.e. Drummond Report, it is finally attracting the attention of local government officials and the media. There is an insatiable appetite for development in Charles County and unfortunately, the water supply is secondary in planning and zoning regulations and decisions. Developers have the clout and capital to ensure that their projects are approved regardless of the water supply; all they have to do is threaten a lawsuit. A few years ago, a downzoning initiative was defeated which would have changed the current zoning in the rural/agricultural areas from one dwelling unit per 3 acres to one dwelling unit per 10 or 20 acres.Ås a result the agricultural areas are becoming "pock-marked" with 3 acre "Estates" and of course, all have individual private wells. As this form of development continues, the water supply issue will become even more important. According to Maryland Department of Planning Secretary Audrey Scott, the 1:3 zoning in Charles Çounty is the worst in the State of Maryland. Obviously, it needs to be changed, otherwise development will continue to proliferate and the water supply will be affected accordingly.

Recently the Charles County Commissioners agreed to rezone land north of La Plata thus clearing the way for Fasion to request a La Plata Town Council vote on annexation to build a 75-acre shopping and business complex a Rosewick Road.
Many residents are not in favor of annexation because water, sewer, traffic and many other problems that would come with massive annexation.
According to news reports and the Maryland Municipal League (MML) web site - The MML is in favor of annexation and is aggressively fighting a new state bill that would limit a town’s authority to annex land for development. MML continues to push and encourages its members to fight against any effort to restrict a town’s ability and authority to annex.
This doesn’t seem fair and presents a conflict of interest for a number of reasons.
First and according to the MML web site http://www.mdmunicipal.org/documents/bulletin... several members of the La Plata Town government are active members of the MML. Councilman Vic Newman serves on the MML Convention Planning Committee, Councilman Wayne Winkler serves on the MML Communications Committee and La Plata Town manager Doug Miller is on the MML Legislative Committee.
In addition it is believed that La Plata taxpayers foot the bill for a variety of MML expenses that pay the way for town employees and elected officials to attend MML functions and conventions in places like Ocean City. Hotel lodging, meals, transportation paid from the town’s budget.
If this is indeed correct then it appears to be a conflict of interest? Should taxpayers support a voluntary, nonprofit, nonpartisan association controlled and maintained by city and town governments such as the MML who are fighting to support annexation? In other word we the taxpayer are paying to fight FOR ANNEXATION.
Many of the town council members have spoke out in support of annexation. Are they obligated to support their organization the MML? Why would they continue to serve with an organization that is trying to force our town to be annexed?
Why don’t La Plata town officials speak out against the MML if they honestly believe that annexation for the Rosewick Project is not the desire of the majority of the voters and taxpayers in the community?

Where do they get the water from now? Because it tastes extremely gross, at least in College Park...
Lake Michigan water is where its at.