Yesterday's decision by the Wicomico / Salisbury Planning and Zoning Commission to allow the proposed "Orchard" development move forward as student housing was neither unexpected nor wrong. The commissioners had little choice in granting the developers the go-ahead. Who then is to blame for a promised development for seniors being turned into a student apartment complex?
The blame lies squarely on the Salisbury Council members (Gary Comegys, Mike Dunn, Lynn Cathcart and Shanie Shields) who approved the annexation and rezoning of the property. When this property was annexed and re-zoned some members of the public accused the developers of planning to put student housing on this site. Councilmen Dunn and Comegys lectured those in attendance that this surely would not happen. The developers were "locals" and their reputation was "above reproach". These gentlemen could be counted on to keep their word.
Mr. Comegys told the public that the planning commission would see to it that this project was held to the plan. When it was pointed out the new zoning would allow any multi-family housing, Mr. Comegys just shook his head and responded again that these developers were men of honor. We now know differently. The developers and their attorney claimed that they would stick to their plan. Of course the real estate climate has changed since then. Never expect a developer to keep his word if the market changes.
Personally, I don't care what they build there. What does concern me is that citizens were deceived. They were deceived by Messrs. Comegys and Dunn. They were deceived by Mrs. Cathcart, who now appears to be planning a political comeback (possibly as an opponent to Councilwoman Debbie Campbell in 2009). Mrs. Shields just does what she's told, so we won't accuse her of anything.
A sadly amusing footnote to this debacle was the decision of Councilman Comegys (now a member of the planning commission) to slither out of town rather than perform his duty on the Planning Commission. Of course this was after Mr. Comegys attempted to make political hay out of his past deceit by claiming to be opposed to the new project, when he knew that there was nothing that could be done.
Mr. Comegys now claims that the council has "learned from their mistakes" and that the new annexation policy will take care of this in the future. Of course we are already seeing cracks in the facade of this supposed cure.
Technorati Tags: Salisbury, Wicomico, politics, salisburypolitics, wicomicopolitics, development
The blame lies squarely on the Salisbury Council members (Gary Comegys, Mike Dunn, Lynn Cathcart and Shanie Shields) who approved the annexation and rezoning of the property. When this property was annexed and re-zoned some members of the public accused the developers of planning to put student housing on this site. Councilmen Dunn and Comegys lectured those in attendance that this surely would not happen. The developers were "locals" and their reputation was "above reproach". These gentlemen could be counted on to keep their word.
Mr. Comegys told the public that the planning commission would see to it that this project was held to the plan. When it was pointed out the new zoning would allow any multi-family housing, Mr. Comegys just shook his head and responded again that these developers were men of honor. We now know differently. The developers and their attorney claimed that they would stick to their plan. Of course the real estate climate has changed since then. Never expect a developer to keep his word if the market changes.
Personally, I don't care what they build there. What does concern me is that citizens were deceived. They were deceived by Messrs. Comegys and Dunn. They were deceived by Mrs. Cathcart, who now appears to be planning a political comeback (possibly as an opponent to Councilwoman Debbie Campbell in 2009). Mrs. Shields just does what she's told, so we won't accuse her of anything.
A sadly amusing footnote to this debacle was the decision of Councilman Comegys (now a member of the planning commission) to slither out of town rather than perform his duty on the Planning Commission. Of course this was after Mr. Comegys attempted to make political hay out of his past deceit by claiming to be opposed to the new project, when he knew that there was nothing that could be done.
Mr. Comegys now claims that the council has "learned from their mistakes" and that the new annexation policy will take care of this in the future. Of course we are already seeing cracks in the facade of this supposed cure.
Technorati Tags: Salisbury, Wicomico, politics, salisburypolitics, wicomicopolitics, development
13 comments:
Cato:
You're part right/part wrong.
Yesterday's episode was appropriate -- the damage was done when the property was annexed and rezoned (2005), and that's when the P&Z Commission blew it -- should have never recommended to the Council as it did on those matters. Much of our zoning mess can be laid squarely at the feet of the Commission, its director and the octogenarian (it appears) chairwoman-for-life. Having elected officials as members doe not help, and hurts a lot (Barko's no vote yesterday, for example).
The old Sal. Mall saga is another case in point and there are many, many others.
That's not to excuse Comegys and the former Dream Teamers -- Dunn & Cathcart -- who have really sold the City down the drain with their absurd rezoning, annexation and "TIF's".
It was amazing that Cathcart actually attended the P&Z meeting yesterday, but she apparently got cold feet (or perhaps it was heated words from some of the nearby homeowners) and bailed out without addressing the Council.
I can recall during the Hearne annexation she told those Bennett students that they were whiners because that school has always been "that way" (overcrowded).
No matter how beneficial the "new" project concept will be, it should be called the "Bait & Switch Student Housing Complex".
Had the "Dream Team" adopted the limits that Councilwoman Campbell suggested, then it would make little or no difference whether it will be for students or for active adult "empty-nesters".
And can you imagine how much more time Comegys could be away from his State job if he had backed O'Malley rather than Doug Duncan in the democrat primary.
Yes, what's up with Cathcart anyway: she's acting like a de facto member of the City Council. A few weeks ago, when a citizen asked questions about annexation, Cathcart took it upon herself to direct the citizen outside where she took it upon herself to explain the situation. I thought she told us she wanted to spend more time with the grandbabies--she should do that and leave the City alone.
Rumor is that Cathcart has been retained by Barrie as a "handler" for Louise Smith. Not confirmed, however.
What goes around, comes around, as the youngsters say. Guess we got exactly what we expected and fought against unsuccessfully with the flying monkeys of the last city council. This switch will certainly bight someone on the ***
sometime in the future and I sure hope its not the poor neighbors of this property.
A. Goetz
Rumor has it Cathcart is going to run for city council again to try to unseat Debbie Campbell. Fat chance of that happening. Cathcart made it clear working on the council was to stressful and she wanted to spend more time with her grandchildren. Besides she couldn't take the heat the blogs put on all of their shenanigans.
Lynn take my advice, its free. STAY HOME with your grandbabies and husband. The city has had its fill of your type of politics.
Cathcart is often seen at meetings and leaning over the table talking to Smith. So much for spending time with the grandbabies.
Maybe her husband is the one who will try for Campbell's seat. Either would be a loss.
People are praying that it's goodnight Irene for the Mayor and Shields in the next election. And that Campbell holds her seat.
It'll be amazing if she still wants it. The citizens need to finish licking the gaping wound Smith gave them and stand by their gals on that council.
Nothing worse than encouraging good people to run, then not being there for them after they get in.
To those of you who have stood by them, kudos. To others, you need to get back in the game or good people won't run and this will all have been for nothing.
You're on your way. Don't give up. Never give up.
we thought the Cathcart's were moving.
No?
Dang pot stirrers & troublemakers.
"Outraged" is correct in blaming the Planning Commission -- it is responsible for the poorly planned development that prevails in Salisbury and much of Wicomico County.
In fact, the Commission is a rubber stamp for developers (with some minor things, like the wall for the Orchard student housing) so that the elected officials can then say that the Commission approved or recommended something so it must be OK.
You should retch every time Comegys or anyone else says that the Commission is a public safeguard against bad development -- just look at what's happened here and is continuing evey day.
Why doesn't the college build it's own student housing? If they don't have enough property, surely some can be found, somewhere. It seems to me this project could be a good idea if properly handled.& I can appreciate why the nieghbors object. Certainly DENSITY is a big factor & should have been incorporated in the planning. But, apparently it wasn't. What to do about that? More closing the barn door after the livestock are out... How very typical!
If an 8 feet wall would keep students from destroying our private property on a regular basis, I'd build one. But, we can't...we live in the city! The limits are 4 feet along a street & must conform in "style". Whatever that means. How will this developement get around that promise? Besides, 8 feet isn't enough...only 2 feet higher than most of these guys. Believe me, NO ONE wants these BRATS next door in any large number.
Ms. Campbell is right about the "language" in the city's proposed resolutions & subsequent adoption of same. It really needs to be "tightened". One might think Mr. city solicitor would be of some assistance in this regard!
NOT!
I'm not ashamed to say I'll be glad when some of those hoodlums move away from me.
Last Anonymous:
You must be kidding about the City attorney serving to protect the public interest; that's not what he gets paid to do (or does in order to keep Barrie Tilghman happy, which is par for that course).
The college can't do housing, even if it wanted to (which it doesn't) because the state won't provide funding -- it's so convenient to let the kiddies devastate the city and make the landlords rich, too.
"it's so convenient to let the kiddies devastate the city and make the landlords rich, too."
bummer:
This why the students voted for that buffoon comegys & not Mr. Spies?
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