2.26.2017 HCA General Meeting

18 people in attendance

Meeting Recap/Highlights

Erin led meeting.

Recap of Calvert 2040 Workshops:

• Defined Town Center per 2040 documents.
  • As long as Dunkirk doesn’t put in sewers they will be limited
  • Prince Frederick – Citizens came up with a charrette but commissioners changed zoning to allow box stores.
• Conversation about what was said at 2040 meetings thus far by Planning leaders.
• Conversation about planning commission and who was hired to help w/planning.
• Conversation about traffic
  • Route 4/231 is busiest intersection according to MD State Highway
  • 3 lanes from north of Stoakley Rd to just south of Prince Frederick
• Commissioners are developing despite names (town center, village, hamlet, etc.)
• We should possibly be more aggressive with zoning in those areas, defining what is and what is not allowed.
• Individual Master Plans will no longer exist. Everything will go under the Comprehensive Plan.
• There was a study done about money leaving the county – home improvement & furniture were the two biggest sources of money leaving the county.
  • Why can we not improve what is already here or put new businesses into existing buildings instead of building new structures?
  • We need more activities for all ages instead of just buying stuff.
• Nothing for kids to do in the county.
• Small businesses give back to the community vs big business getting county tax breaks and money flowing out of the county.
• What can we do in Huntingtown and/or as Huntingtown?
  • Pay attention to what is going on
  • Go to 2040 Workshops
  • Come up with what an acceptable village is and float the idea to others
• Is there a way we could argue against more development because of evacuation?
  • Power Plant
  • Dominion
  • Evacuation is not an unlikely situation.
• So what would Huntingtown characteristic village look like?
  • No water/sewer
• How would this affect Fire/EMS?
  • 1 Commissioner trying to fire all volunteers and start taxes for all paid Fire/EMS
• If we get a say on designation, we then have to pay attention to zoning ordinances set up.
• Would changing from Minor Town Center to Village keep the same borders or would they change?
• What would zoning and taxes be with a Village vs Minor Town Center?
  • What happens to the revenue stream?
• We need a variety of privately owned businesses instead of corporations.
• Sidewalks are challenging to add because there is no room.
• How tall do we allow buildings?
  • Can’t use HVFD as an excuse to limit stories.
  • Some houses have 3 floors, which is also something to consider.
• Village definition in 2040 plan doesn’t define “residential.”
• How can we get more Huntingtown people involved with planning?
  • Sign at Convenience Center
  • HOAs
  • Newspapers – Calvert Recorder
  • Word of mouth
  • Flyers up at churches/food pantries
• Calvert Coalition for Smart Growth
  • Can ask them questions about 2040 information
  • Privately funded & donations
• Community needs to convey importance of attendance
• Letters to the editor are big – Commissioners hate those.
• Legal case against county commissioners does slow box store going in
  • Commissioners are using an outside attorney, but using the county budget to pay them.
• Ask deeper definitions and intentions on “village” and bring that back to group to discuss.
• Post 2040 Workshop dates on HuntingtownCitizensAssociation.com

Important Dates

3/27 – Calvert 2040 Workshop – Fostering Community