Did I read the article on the plan for a retail/professional center correctly?
The developer has asked the city to submit a letter to the county asking that the property zoning be changed to allow the shopping center to be built! But the builder has not committed to build the center and in the letter the City is not bound to annex the property, nor approve the building if the zoning change is approved.
If the builder has not committed to build, nor has the City committed to annexation and approval of the building, WHY is the City going to bat for the builder.
The worst case result is the zoning gets changed and the builder walks away and we get another flea market antique center.
Why doesn't the build go to the county and commit to building if the City annexes the acreage and commits to extending water and sewer service. The zoning change should be conditional on both those events.
I for one don't like either proposed center but would rather see the one on the south side of I70. Again, my reason is it would not add traffic going to Hagerstown from I70 and not impact with any new hospital traffic coming off I70. (I know Mr. Mayor will claim I am raising fears again but I believe my concerns are solid.)
Full Version: Is the City a lackey for a developer?
I think he's trying to figure out if the county is going to allow the rezoning or not.
If the city annexes the property and rezones it, the county can say no to the rezoning which would mean the property would have to keep the current zoning for five more years at which time the city would be free to zone it as they see fit.
If the city annexes the property and rezones it, the county can say no to the rezoning which would mean the property would have to keep the current zoning for five more years at which time the city would be free to zone it as they see fit.
QUOTE (Udmas @ Jun 4 2008, 07:58 PM) 
I think he's trying to figure out if the county is going to allow the rezoning or not.
If the city annexes the property and rezones it, the county can say no to the rezoning which would mean the property would have to keep the current zoning for five more years at which time the city would be free to zone it as they see fit.
If the city annexes the property and rezones it, the county can say no to the rezoning which would mean the property would have to keep the current zoning for five more years at which time the city would be free to zone it as they see fit.
Why can't the rezoning be conditional?
QUOTE
In a 3-1 poll, the council agreed to send a letter to the Washington County Commissioners to determine whether the commissioners would support rezoning the land to allow commercial and professional office use. The commissioners' approval could open the door for a shopping center if the city decides to annex the property in the future.
It seems to me all they are doing is asking them if they would support the rezoning.
QUOTE
Councilman Martin E. Brubaker pointed out a section of a draft of the letter that said, "No one should infer from this request that the city has 1) decided to annex the property; 2) decided upon specific zoning classification(s) for the property; or 3) decided upon any specific development plans for the property."
The letter doesn't seem to be committing the city to anything so I don't see what the big deal is.
Doesn't this belong in another thread? Just askeing? Home fom $ draft at the Suns Staduim. 6th inning 
QUOTE (Hagerman @ Jun 4 2008, 07:48 PM)
Why doesn't the build go to the county and commit to building if the City annexes the acreage and commits to extending water and sewer service. The zoning change should be conditional on both those events.
Not to worry, they've got all of those things worked out. It's just that those are the deals they make in private behind closed doors in violation of the open meetings act.
Okay so I'm joking around a little. Kind of...
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