We Make It News
Audio & video reports in Charles County, Maryland
Posted 5/16/11
Is there a pre-determined outcome for Charles County's comprehensive plan update?
A May 12th "visioning" meeting in Newburg left some residents wondering whether they'll truly have an effect on the updated comprehensive plan. Concerns remain about whether Charles County's consultant, Environmental Resources Management (ERM), is guiding the process toward a specific end and if development projects that are already in the "pipeline" will inevitably move the county toward a direction that will result in very little change.
While many citizens say there's a growing dialogue between the public and county government, they fear that preserving Charles County's rural character and environment won't be possible.
Concepts such as rural villages and environmental recovery zones -- which provide for major density increases -- are proof that some in county government aren't getting the public's message that we need change and our natural resources need widespread protection.
Russ Talcott, La Plata: The county government is starting to listen to the public, but they have a ways to go.
WATCH/LISTEN TO MORE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MAY 12th "VISIONING" MEETING IN NEWBURG
WATCH a video of Ben Sussman, Environmental Resources Management: The state of Maryland wants the southern and eastern part of Charles County preserved, but the citizens don't have to agree.
WATCH a video of Debra Z. Murphey, Port Tobacco: Will the county eventually move toward not grandfathering development approvals for years out?
WATCH a video of Debra Z. Murphey, Port Tobacco: Developers have had years of direct access to county government to get what they want.
WATCH a video of Tom Parbuoni, Port Tobacco: Thinks Charles County has been poorly planned.
WATCH a video of Bonnie Bick, Sierra Club: Subsidizing growth in the forests doesn't make sense.
WATCH a video of Maury Tobin, Editor of WeMakeItNews.com: Skepticism of rural villages is because of Charles County's long record of planning failures.
LISTEN to Debra Z. Murphey, Port Tobacco: We're talking about something that we want for the future.
Clive Graham, Environmental Resources Management: Responds to a question about why the Port Tobacco Environmental Recovery Zone is listed as a vision in ERM's presentation.
LISTEN TO AUDIO FROM THE PORT TOBACCO RIVER CONSERVANCY'S
MAY 17, 2011 MEETING
The PTRC discussed the proposed Environmental Recovery Zone that is currently under consideration by the Planning Commission
