[RP TownTalk] Traffic Concerns

[Andrew Farrington]

"No solutions until the Town Center is occupied."

This is a paradox.  I don't think we're going to see the Town Center 
occupied until others take actions that make it worth Jemal's while (in 
his calculus) to get it occupied.  The condo/retail development is exactly 
the kind of thing we need, to get any action on the existent Town Center.

  -Andrew Farrington
4605 Queensbury Road

On Thu, 1 Feb 2007, Gerald King wrote:

> I'm confused.
>
> If, as Rob says "This rail road crossing is identified as one of the 10 
> most dangerous crossings in the state of Maryland (It has a high fatal 
> accident prediction factor, ref: http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/Content/803 
> ). We have been pretty lucky so far," why are the town, county, and 
> state governments considering authorizing variances to build high 
> density residences next to such a crossing?  Am I mistaken that this 
> rail line has been and is a major East Coast freight carrier and is vary 
> busy? The wonderful Mark train station is a true convenience to town 
> residents and would no doubt be attractive to buyers or renters of new 
> condominiums on the tracks. But what if our "luck" runs out?  What if 
> some of the increased number of children or elderly folks living in the 
> new condo's get hurt when two trains are passing or stalled on the 
> intersection? How long do you think we will have the wonderful Mark 
> train stop? Will the town have to foot the bill for building a wall 
> along the tracks (both sides) to protect our citizens?
>
> I agree something has to be done to improve the traffic problems at this 
> crossing, but high density housing, does not seem like a good solution. 
> But I'm sure the brilliant minds in UP and Annapolis will figure out how 
> to justify some variances. First they will do a study or two, and then 
> choose whatever is profitable. Perhaps Jamal can buy the useless train 
> station and use it for the attendant to the toll gate at the crossing. 
> Think of the profits of charging condo residents for getting to their 
> cars in the Town Center Parking lot. And the town can put in parking 
> meters to skim a few bucks from the train watchers who frequent the 
> area.
>
> Just a little rant. No solutions until the Town Center is occupied.
>
> Gerald King