[RP TownTalk] Wachovia and the Field of Rubble
lisagrob at verizon.net
lisagrob at verizon.net
Wed Jul 16 20:33:59 UTC 2008
Thanks for clarifying Alice.
On Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 4:05 PM, Alice Ewen Walker wrote:
I think there is a mistaken assumption that the Town is "making it hard
to build." The Town - under multiple administrations - has not been a
source of delay in this project and by having a zoning plan that
delineates what the community considers desirable, we are offering a
fast track option for developers who choose to meet the zoning
standards.
This particular project has had many twists and turns, but it has not
been in any way due to the Town placing undue burden, or delay, or
otherwise on this development. We waived the zoning standards, we
extended deadlines on contracts, we provided land rights - it is pretty
hard for me to see how the Town could have provided more. Over the last
8 years, the Town has repeatedly "given to get" in this situation.
The builder has encountered challenges to the project at different times
- Eckerd Corp went out of business, he had to find a new tenant, there
are some sewer and water challenges on the site, negotiating with a
church congregation is hard, and lots of others things --- none of which
have anything to do with the Town slowing down or speeding up the
development process.
- Alice
On Wed, Jul 16, 2008 at 8:15 AM, Heather Blanchard <
heather.blanchard at mac.com <mailto:heather.blanchard at mac.com> > wrote:
Appreciate all the kind words. I agree with both of you as well, why
would businesses want to develop in Riverdale Park when we make it
extremely difficult to build? But I would put forth that we make it
difficult because we don't know what we want, or, maybe, the better
thought here is that we aren't attracting the right development to our
town.
<mailto:heather.blanchard at mac.com>
I can't help but think that the end goal would be to restore the Rte. 1
corridor into a walkable community, similar to the approach
Hyattsville's downtown. There would be mixed use, incorporation of
community needs and consistent a esthetics . I don't think a drive
through bank really is a place where I want to walk a dog, ect.
<mailto:heather.blanchard at mac.com>
<mailto:heather.blanchard at mac.com>
I agree we have to give to get. I guess my point is that in the
"getting" we should be a little bit more specific. I bet if the
development was a small Trader Joes, set back from the street with a
commitment to work within the historical a esthetics , I don't think
the town would that developer such a hard time.
<mailto:heather.blanchard at mac.com>
<mailto:heather.blanchard at mac.com>
If you like Riverdale Park to be drive thru banks, McDonalds and other
"pad site" development in the middle of a historic district, then the
current direction is appropriate. <mailto:heather.blanchard at mac.com>
<mailto:heather.blanchard at mac.com>
But if you want something like what is happening down the street in
Hyattsville - like a new bike store, a planned Bus Boys and Poets, and a
Franklins type of restaurant, then maybe you might reconsider how we are
accepting whatever comes along. <mailto:heather.blanchard at mac.com>
<mailto:heather.blanchard at mac.com>
We need businesses. We just need to think about how allowing this type
of development will change the character of the community.
<mailto:heather.blanchard at mac.com>
<mailto:heather.blanchard at mac.com>
Heather <mailto:heather.blanchard at mac.com>
On Jul 16, 2008, at 6:39 AM, bruce.wernek at mindspring.com
<mailto:bruce.wernek at mindspring.com> wrote:
<mailto:bruce.wernek at mindspring.com>
I would also like to add that the litany of requirements imposed upon
Caputo by the Town/tenant has to be translated into building permits,
right of ways (sewer), road improvements at the Rt 1 intersection,
architectural drawings, tenant leases, tenant rights of refusals, build
to suit tenant, build to suit Town, construction contracts, endless
legal fees, new churches being built (to replace the one thats adjacent
to the property, building maintenance on the existing church (to be
demolished), appeasement of town residents, etc, etc, etc.
Imagine owning a property which you want to develop but you can't
because of the previous reasons. At the same time it's eating a hole in
your pocket not to mention all of the complaints from Town residents.
If you want something to happen stop complaining and give the guy a hand
or we will have another "Jey's Auto" on our hands for the reasons that
Dwight articulated.
Bruce
-----Original Message-----
From: Cranky old Coot < lking at knob.com <mailto:lking at knob.com> >
Sent: Jul 16, 2008 6:36 AM
To: TownTalk < towntalk at riverdale-park.org
<mailto:towntalk at riverdale-park.org> >
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Wachovia and the Field of Rubble
As Alan said the history of the agreement for what would be done with
this peace of _private_ property at Rt 1/410 is long and filled with
emotion. Players have come and gone some have changed from one official
position to an other.
... why can't we -- as a community -- tell him what we want to see
there?
And we wonder why development has been so slow to come to Riverdale
Park? If this were your house (not your neighbor's house) would you
feel the same? First, 'we as a community', want to discuss whether your
house will be historically correct; anything from provincial to Federal
to Victorian (before the mansion to after) - what you can afford is not
part of this discussion. Even after you decide on a design that is
historically correct let's discuss it.
Now that "we" have approved what "your" house will be, let us discuss
historically correct lead-base paint. Now the color. Now when that is
decided, lets go back and require "your" house be multi-family - "we"
don't care how reclusive you are. Oh and by the way "we" think your
front door should be on the other side.
"We" also have views on your landscaping, where your driveway should be,
the number of parking spaces.
Do you still want to build "your" house in Riverdale? Or will you find
it easer to build somewhere else? I'm really sorry if you already own
the property in town. Now that Riverdale has tipped its hand it will be
hard to find someone else to sell the property to or build on it.
==
I'm sure I have overlooked something (Ok the lead paint may be a
stretch) but all these topics were part of the council's discussion. In
many cases a topic was addressed by both M-C-TC and then again by the
council. Time at council meetings was spent discussing where the
planters should be and what should be in them; Council members spent
time counting parking spaces and the pros and cons of where the front
door should be.
The council (I think, maybe it was M-U-TC) required the bank building be
a multi use building. How many thriller books/movies do you know of
where the basic story line involved tunneling from an office/building
into the neighboring bank? Just lately I have seen a NCIS and Sherlock
Holmes episodes with this plot element. Logic not withstanding Riverdale
may have the only suburban bank with a building tent.
Why are we letting developers just offer up development that isn't
right for the area? ESPECIALLY, since that piece of property is one of
the most valuable and visible that this town has.
I question the view that the development 'isn't right for the area.'
Established businesses don't survive, spending money expanding into an
area that 'isn't right'. Their criteria may be different than your, but
I will bet before they spend millions of dollars they have spend lots of
time, and money, making sure the location is right.
If there is any redress on this development, it would be great to
know. Maybe we need to rethink how a development like this can get
through the council with a, "well...okay..."
A review of the council meetings would indicate that is not what
happened. But then if more people attended council working and
legislative sessions maybe ...
Just think about Hyattsville - they stuck to their guns and are
experiencing PLANNED, gradual, steady and hopefully sustainable
development. There might be lesson's learned from our sister
communities as we go down the road of development.
There may also be a lesson in that the development STOPS at the
Riverdale Park line. You can tell where Riverdale starts. Just look for
the defunk gas station.
The good news is there is an established process, developed with lots of
public input, for controlling the growth of Riverdale Park.
The bad news is there is an established process... I am a newcomer to
Riverdale (~1995) and have seen more businesses leave/close than open.
There is Rt 1/410 - Right we now have McDs. How about town center? Ask
the Dunn's. On the up side there is the Farmer's Market however.
COC
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--
Alice Ewen Walker
Councilwoman, Ward 1
Town of Riverdale Park
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