The town council has officially voted to halt the proposed developments and rescind prior approvals. This outcome confirms that our concerns regarding transparency and fiscal responsibility were valid. I am grateful for the dedication shown by those who stayed informed and held our local representatives accountable throughout this process.
October 14, 2012
Final supporters
The citizens of Centreville, Maryland request that any further support of, concessions to or approval of the proposed low-income apartment projects at Spring Street and near the Acme by the County Commissioners, Town Planning Commission and/or Town Council be halted. We also request that any prior approvals and/or concessions be rescinded as we believe proper procedures were not followed. We cite the following reasons why these proposed developments should not be supported:
- The proposed project is not workforce housing, by the County's own definition, but rather low-income apartments that will allow the use of Section-8 vouchers.
- Centreville already provides the largest share of low income housing in Queen Anne’s County;
- The model for concentrated low income housing is a proven failure that is being abandoned by other jurisdictions in favor of dispersed low-income housing.
- The cost of services from the Town for the development (police, emergency services, water/sewer improvements, etc.) outweigh any potential tax revenue to be gained. This will cause higher taxes for the remaining residents to pay for the increased services required.
- The concessions granted or to be granted will also lead to higher taxes for the remaining residents to make up the lost tax or fee revenue.
- Events surrounding the Spring Street project constitute a substantial change from what was initially proposed that we believe is inconsistent with the surrounding neighborhood. This includes a change in use from senior housing to townhomes and condominiums to low income housing as well as the change in zoning from R2 to R3, which creates much higher densities of housing units than currently exists in surrounding neighborhoods.
We feel that such a change in our residential neighborhood is not appropriate. Such a substantial change in the character of our neighborhood warranted a thorough discussion with the community by the County Commissioners, Town Council and Town Planning Commission. However, since citizens are not allowed to ask questions at meetings and air concerns when presentations by developers are made to the Planning Commission, this Petition should serve to alert our elected officials regarding our intent.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
September 30, 2012
Reached 100 supporters
May 7, 2011
6 Comments
KEEP CENTREVILLE SMALL.
Centreville is a small town not a city. They need to stop trying to force everything into these tiny lots near the Acme.
Totally agree. We have done our part already while other areas of the county do nothing. Why are we always the dumping ground?
This will just ruin the feel of the neighborhood. Fix the roads and schools first before adding more people we cant support.
Enough is enough. My property taxes are already way too high and I don't want to pay for more services we don't have the room for.
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The town council has officially voted to halt the proposed developments and rescind prior approvals. This outcome confirms that our concerns regarding transparency and fiscal responsibility were valid. I am grateful for the dedication shown by those who stayed informed and held our local representatives accountable throughout this process.
October 14, 2012
Final supporters
The citizens of Centreville, Maryland request that any further support of, concessions to or approval of the proposed low-income apartment projects at Spring Street and near the Acme by the County Commissioners, Town Planning Commission and/or Town Council be halted. We also request that any prior approvals and/or concessions be rescinded as we believe proper procedures were not followed. We cite the following reasons why these proposed developments should not be supported:
- The proposed project is not workforce housing, by the County's own definition, but rather low-income apartments that will allow the use of Section-8 vouchers.
- Centreville already provides the largest share of low income housing in Queen Anne’s County;
- The model for concentrated low income housing is a proven failure that is being abandoned by other jurisdictions in favor of dispersed low-income housing.
- The cost of services from the Town for the development (police, emergency services, water/sewer improvements, etc.) outweigh any potential tax revenue to be gained. This will cause higher taxes for the remaining residents to pay for the increased services required.
- The concessions granted or to be granted will also lead to higher taxes for the remaining residents to make up the lost tax or fee revenue.
- Events surrounding the Spring Street project constitute a substantial change from what was initially proposed that we believe is inconsistent with the surrounding neighborhood. This includes a change in use from senior housing to townhomes and condominiums to low income housing as well as the change in zoning from R2 to R3, which creates much higher densities of housing units than currently exists in surrounding neighborhoods.
We feel that such a change in our residential neighborhood is not appropriate. Such a substantial change in the character of our neighborhood warranted a thorough discussion with the community by the County Commissioners, Town Council and Town Planning Commission. However, since citizens are not allowed to ask questions at meetings and air concerns when presentations by developers are made to the Planning Commission, this Petition should serve to alert our elected officials regarding our intent.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
September 30, 2012
Reached 100 supporters
May 7, 2011
6 Comments
Have you seen traffic on 213 lately? This area is way too crowded for these big apartment buildings. Stop before it gets worse.
KEEP CENTREVILLE SMALL.
Centreville is a small town not a city. They need to stop trying to force everything into these tiny lots near the Acme.
Totally agree. We have done our part already while other areas of the county do nothing. Why are we always the dumping ground?
This will just ruin the feel of the neighborhood. Fix the roads and schools first before adding more people we cant support.
Enough is enough. My property taxes are already way too high and I don't want to pay for more services we don't have the room for.
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Have you seen traffic on 213 lately? This area is way too crowded for these big apartment buildings. Stop before it gets worse.