[RP TownTalk] if you support mixed use development of Cafritz property...

[Dwight Holmes]

Audrey, I have no knowledge about the background of that claim - but
it's certainly true now that Silver Spring has a very successful
farmers market right there on Ellsworth, practically in the shadow of
Whole Foods.

On Wed, Aug 10, 2011 at 11:46 AM, Audrey Bragg <abragg7393 at aol.com> wrote:
> Before I support anything, I like to get all the information about the
> project as I can. I think it's called due diligence. I like the Whole Foods
> store and I do shop at the one in Silver Spring, especially in the winter.
> But it is only a Store, just like any of the other "designer" stores -
> Wegman's, Harris Tweeter, etc.
> I read a remark on the Patch and I don't know if it is factual and would
> like to hear some input on this. Someone said that when Whole Foods opened
> in Silver Spring, they required that the Farmer's Market close down. I would
> much rather have the RP Farmer's Market over any store. You can buy products
> at Whole Foods, but they cannot offer the products, camaraderie,
> socialization, fun and community spirit of the Farmer's Market. I, for one,
> would like a guaranty that our Farmer's Market will not be closed or dragged
> off to some dark corner in town. As I said, I just read the remark and I
> have no idea of the truth to it or not, but I sure would like to know before
> making any support/non support decisions.
> Audrey Bragg
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sarah Wayland <sarah.wayland at gmail.com>
> To: TownTalk <towntalk at riverdale-park.org>
> Sent: Tue, Aug 9, 2011 11:22 am
> Subject: [RP TownTalk] if you support mixed use development of Cafritz
> property...
>
>
> I know that there are lots of varied opinions about whether the
> proposed Cafritz development in Riverdale Park is appropriate;
> this message is for those  who support the proposal for changing
> the zoning from single family residential to mixed-use.
>
> A resident of our neighboring community of College Park is organizing
> people who are in support of the proposed Whole Foods Market
> development on the Cafritz property in Riverdale Park. If you support
> this development, she is collecting signatures for a letter (text
> included below) to be sent to the elected officials for the
> communities bordering the proposed development.
>
> If you would like to sign her letter, please send your name and street
> address to her at <cynthia.a.finley at gmail.com>.
>
> ----
> The text below will be sent in a letter to the Riverdale Park Mayor
> and Town Council, the College Park Mayor and City Council, the
> University Park Mayor and Town Council, and the Prince George?s County
> Council and County Executive. If you would like to have your name
> added to the letter, or if you have any questions about the letter,
> please send an email to Cynthia at cynthia.a.finley at gmail.com.
>
> ----
>
> As residents of Riverdale Park, University Park, the Calvert Hills
> neighborhood of College Park, and surrounding areas, we understand
> that the owners of the Cafritz property, located on the east side of
> Route 1 in Riverdale Park, are requesting a zoning change from single
> family homes to mixed use development. This zoning change would
> accommodate development of a retail center, which would include a
> Whole Foods market, and new residential units. We recommend that the
> Town of Riverdale Park, the Town of University Park, and the City of
> College Park support this rezoning request and that the Prince
> George?s County Council approve the zoning request.
>
> We believe that a Whole Foods market and the associated development of
> the Cafritz property would be a valuable asset to our community. A
> Whole Foods market would provide a shopping opportunity that is unique
> for our community, which currently lacks a full-service specialty
> grocery store. This development would provide important tax revenue
> and jobs while also making our area more attractive to families. Whole
> Foods has been a catalyst for community redevelopment in many areas,
> including at its P Street NW location in Washington, D.C. and in
> Silver Spring. A Whole Foods at the Cafritz property would complement
> the existing and proposed redevelopment projects in our area, such as
> the Hyattsville EYA Arts District and the East Campus project.
>
> We urge our local elected officials and citizens to work with the
> Cafritz development team to find creative solutions to the potential
> issues involved with development of the property. These issues ? which
> may include increases in traffic congestion and stormwater runoff ?
> are not unique to the Cafritz property. They will be issues for any
> development along Route 1 and they have been dealt with successfully
> in many other locations throughout the country. Traffic signal and
> lane modifications can be used to mitigate traffic congestion. Green
> infrastructure solutions, such as vegetated swales and green roofs,
> can be used to retain stormwater on site. In addition, the amount and
> location of parking spaces and green spaces in the development can be
> negotiated with the development team.
>
> Since the Cafritz development team has not presented a detailed plan
> for the residential portion of the site, we ask that the County only
> allow this portion of development to proceed after all of the impacts
> are fully considered. Dense residential development in the vicinity of
> transit hubs, such as the College Park Metro station, is more
> environmentally sustainable than the current zoning for single family
> homes. However, the density may also necessitate an alternate
> vehicular access point to the Cafritz property. The increase in public
> school enrollment will depend on the type and number of housing units,
> and this impact will also need to be evaluated. These are issues that
> can be addressed with proper cooperation between the community and the
> developers.
>
> We appreciate your consideration of these comments. Again, we urge
> support and approval of the rezoning of the Cafritz property to a
> mixed use designation, along with continued involvement to ensure that
> the development proceeds responsibly and realizes its potential as an
> asset to our community.
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Sarah Wayland
> sarah.wayland at gmail.com
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