All ACLT members and supporters are urged to participate in the upcoming Prince Frederick meeting this Thursday, February 25th. Citizen participation is critical to our watersheds and the future of Prince Frederick. Click here to see options for viewing and/or participating in the workshop.
How Much Should We Grow?
- The consultants are laying out planning concepts that would result in anywhere from 6,220 new households to 13,870 new households, before conducting an environmental assessment or addressing traffic capacity issues on MD 2/4 or MD 231.
- Even the smallest increase (Concept A) would add another 6,000+ vehicles during rush hour traffic. The Calvert County Transportation Plan says that capacity issues are to be addressed at town center planning phase. We haven’t seen any real solutions to traffic congestion, and they are showing expansions of 130% to 413% over the current household count of 2,705.
- Any of these options could force gridlock in the town center, according to a State Highway Administration report, and it could force the county to help pay for a by-pass of Prince Frederick. Such a by-pass would have a tremendous impact on Parkers Creek and Hunting Creek.
As to the environment, we have these questions for the consultants:
- Parkers Creek has been called the “Most pristine watershed on the western shore of Maryland” and almost half of Prince Frederick drains into it. The other half of Prince Frederick drains into Hunting Creeks. As of the last fish survey by the Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR), Hunting Creek had the greatest diversity of fish species among the streams surveyed in the lower Patuxent River Watershed. Has there been an environmental assessment? If so, what is being done to protect these precious waterways?
- Sullivan’s Branch is a headwater stream to Parkers Creek with a large wetland and a significant amount of 25% slopes. Maryland DNR has determined that it provides $280,000 per year in ecosystem services. Yet the consultant’s proposals show up to 14 housing units per acre along Sullivan’s Branch. Why? How will those ecosystem services be replaced and this invaluable stream and surround area be protected?
- Is the consultant doing a cost benefit analysis to inform the citizens as to whether or not the proposed concepts will improve or deteriorate quality of life for Calvert residents and the environment?
Citizen Input Thus Far
This PARK Analysis (Preserved, Added, Removed and Kept Out) summarizes citizens’ comments submitted at the workshop held in November. Click image to enlarge.
For a more detailed analysis of the workshop comments, click here.
Consultants' Proposed Concepts
The three concepts proposed by the consultants are below. Click to enlarge each image. Do they follow the citizens’ comments and suggestions? For a detailed explanation of the three concepts (as presented to the Planning Commission in January), click here.
The Future is in Our Hands
What happens in the Prince Frederick Town Center affects us all – from traffic congestion to adverse impacts on the environment. Please get involved by watching and/or participating in the workshop this Thursday. Click here for more details.
