[RP TownTalk] Character Counts

[Andrew Farrington]

Is it too late to save that gorgeous old house?  I'm very into your ideas 
and grateful for them, but I don't know if we actually have any options in 
the matter.  Do we?

Andrew Farrington

On Wed, 15 Mar 2006 johnferg27 at aol.com wrote:

> I first learned of the benefit of an M-U-TC zone in the Fall of 2000 
> when the threat of demolition of a major portion of the Route One 
> corridor old buildings first loomed to be replaced with an Eckerd Drug 
> Store.  I tried to get the designation of the zone on a fast-track 
> through County Councilmember Hendershot's office.  He did not choose to 
> move it along and, as you all know only too well, the buildings were 
> torn down and you've been forced to tolerate a mess at that property 
> since then. It appears you will eventually have a bank there AND it is 
> because of the M-U-TC that you are able to place certain demands on the 
> table in the way that bank is placed and designed.
>
> At no time did I ever understand that the M-U-TC zone was intended to 
> expand and increase development within its boundaries.  It's intent was 
> explained to me then (and I have no reason to believe it has changed) 
> that it gave the local government a stronger voice in keeping rehab and 
> new development and in-fill development in keeping with what the local 
> residents and government felt were compatible with the existing 
> development.
>
> The proposed development at Dumm's Corner will remove a significant 
> measure of the existing character of the town -- I'm not suggesting that 
> character is Georgetown or Alexandria chic -- however, it is unique as a 
> five (or four) story apartment building will not be.  The present 
> boarding house is a circa 1910 home -- would it not add to the town's 
> character if it became a B & B with a dining room on the ground floor 
> that would cater to guests and the public at large (just one 
> possibility).  Such a use could play off having the railroad crossing 
> there.  The former Credit Union is a circa 1930s-40s building and was 
> occupied by the Ben Dyer Survey operation for decades.  It can't be held 
> up as an example of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, but it is unique 
> (art moderne) and could be developed into a store or restaurant wherein 
> you would play off that characteristic.
>
> The foreward to the M-U-TC legislation states:  "The intent of the zone 
> [M-U-TC] is to provide more design flexibility, while promoting more 
> compatible development for older communities"  -- I do not read anything 
> therein that calls for more intensive land use.
>