Dense development would worsen health of Chesapeake Bay

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

In a paid advertisement in the March 5 Enterprise, developer Guy Curley urges us and other residents of the 20619 ZIP code to "say no" to a change in St. Mary's County's comprehensive land-use plan. He objects to setting a minimum of 2-acre lots in certain areas inside the Critical Area (within 1,000 feet of the Chesapeake Bay or its tributaries) that are currently targeted for more intense development.

Mr. Curley is currently proposing to build 54 tiny "cottage" homes clustered on lots averaging one-sixth of an acre in size, all of them inside the Critical Area. The Maryland Critical Area Commission formally objected to his proposal a year ago and called for a reduction in his proposed density. The St. Mary's County Planning Commission has recommended disapproval of the change in water and sewer classification that Mr. Curley needs to proceed with his project.

If this is what Mr. Curley calls responsible development, then we disagree. We believe it threatens to worsen the already worrisome silting and turbidity in Mill Cove, Mill Creek and especially Sam Abell Cove. The proposed zoning change that Mr. Curley complains of is designed to foreclose any future potential for just this sort of development in the county's most environmentally sensitive areas. We urge the commissioners to move forward, and we also invite all St. Mary's County citizens to support the commissioners' efforts to protect the Chesapeake Bay.

Tim and Susan Floyd,

Gary and Bonnie Gateau,

Chris Gateau,

Charlie and Jane Nestor,

Eileen O'Hara, M.E. Smith,

William and Alice Wagoner,

Kellie Gofus,

Pat and Sherrie Hovatter,

Karin Dennison, Sam Thompson, Kathy Gordon,

Peter and Arline Mesmer,

Martin and Jo Stuble,

David Emerick,

Ron and Connie Olsen,

John and Ann Bauer, Trish Brow, Paul Dibenetto,

Paul and Carleen Downs,

Chuck and Alex Head,

Suzy Henderson,

Brooks and Beverly Jackson,

Christina MacIntyre,

Nicole Spadavecchia,

Francesco Spadavecchia,

John I. Tifford,

Leo and Norma VanBellen,

Ken and Maria Berry, Wilford Berry, Larry and Lynn Howard,

Dick and Carolyn Huff,

John and Kelly Petz,

Henry and Susan Recla,

Mary Jane Riggs,

Greg and Debbie Shields,

Robert H. and Barbara S. Volland, Robert and Iris Willey,

Paul and Betty Manchak,

Chip and Linda Dudderar,

Rob and Amy Hisel,

Oliver and Catherine Kangas,

Tim and Bonnie Smith,

Anthony Cullison,

Joseph and Margaret Cullison, Eddie and Emilie Lewis,

Margaret Medlin, David Holden

The writers are residents of Ann Lane, Cove Manor Road, Deer Crossing Lane, Deer Pond Lane, Joy Point Lane, Mill Cove Harbor Road, Mill Cove Road, Myrtle Point Road, Swanfall Way and Sypher Road.