Delays in getting state and federal approvals for the Cross County Connector in Waldorf are having a ripple effect on development in several subdivisions. Charles County Director of Planning and Growth Management Chuck Beall told the commissioners Wednesday that the now expected completion of the road project is January 1, 2014 at the earliest. Because of that delay, Beall said he was not able to certify that Adequate Public Facilities (APF) are available for new development along the road,
The result of the decision is that building permits cannot be issued for homes in Kingsview, Highgrove, Brentwood, Linden Grove Section 1 and 2 and Brookwood Estates, Section 2. According to Crystal Hunt, county public information officer, “these subdivisions do not have adequate road facilities to accommodate new generated vehicle trips at this time.”
Because of a recent commissioner decision barring county staff from talking to press and requiring press to ask any questions only to the public information officer, the Baynet was unable to talk to Beall directly about the situation.
During Wednesday’s meeting, Commissioner President Candice Quinn Kelly expressed concern about the impact of the delay on property owners unable to build. In response to a question about what type of accommodation could be made, Hunt responded: “The Board of Commissioners is very concerned about whether the Zoning Officer’s determination will affect homeowners who may have purchased a lot to construct their family home. They requested the Zoning Officer keep them apprized as to whether any ultimate homeowner is suffering a unique hardship so they could consider legislative action to relieve the hardship.”
In response to a question about what could be done to assist homeowners, Hunt replied, “The Charles County Zoning Ordinance and the County Subdivision Regulations regulate new subdivisions with regard to adequate public facilities, including water and sewer service, roadway capacity, school capacity, and rural fire protection. In this instance, the applicant must satisfy the requirement of these regulating documents for adequate road facilities, in the absence of the Cross County Connector at this time.”
The Baynet asked the number of homes that might be affected. Hunt responded, “The Zoning Officer’s determination does not talk about, or address, homes.”
During the discussion Commissioner Ken Robinson expressed concern that development was allowed to continue up to this point when everyone knew there were regulatory hurdles ahead. Commissioner Bobby Rucci, however, said, “A lot of people have a lot of money invested in what is going on there.”
The controversial Cross County Connector has been supported by the business community and the commissioners, but opposed by some environmentalists concerned about the impact on Mattawoman Creek and that the road might spur development. The road is being held up by environmental reviews by both the Maryland Department of Environment and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
