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<DIV>Ann</DIV>
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<DIV>Thanks for making this clear to our readers.</DIV>
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<DIV>Bruce<BR><BR><BR>-----Original Message----- <BR>From: johnferg27@aol.com <BR>Sent: Mar 15, 2006 9:45 PM <BR>To: TownTalk@riverdale-park.org <BR>Subject: [RP TownTalk] Character Counts <BR><BR></DIV><ZZZHTML><ZZZHEAD><ZZZMETA content="text/html; charset=US-ASCII" http-equiv="Content-Type" charset="US-ASCII"><ZZZMETA content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1400" name="GENERATOR"></ZZZHEAD><ZZZBODY style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff">
<DIV>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.</DIV>
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<DIV>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. </DIV>
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<DIV>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.</DIV>
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<DIV>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.</DIV>
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