There has been a lot happening on the Cafritz front recently. Those of us concerned about the Cafritz project need to stay informed AND let our elected officials know we still care. Now is the time to make your voice heard.<br>
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<br>This week all three affected towns--Riverdale Park, University Park, and College Park--will be taking positions on the Cafritz Preliminary Plan in advance of the Thursday, January 17 Planning Board hearing in Upper Marlboro. You may view the Planning Board agenda here: <a href="http://mncppc.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1106" target="_blank">http://mncppc.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1106</a>. </div>
<div class="gmail_quote"><br><b>M-NCPPC staff has recommended disapproval.</b> However, in the very recent past, the Planning Board has <i><b>overridden</b></i> the objections of individual towns. The Planning Board needs to hear from you, as do our elected officials. Let's not settle for a half-baked plan that gives the developers the leniency and latitude to do what they wish and disregard the conditions and covenants. (A summary of staff concerns is provided at the end of this email.)<br>
<br>Currently the towns appear to share several concerns regarding what can only be termed a haphazard preliminary plan. Many of the conditions required by the rezoning and in covenants with the towns have not been met. In addition, each town has a number of town-specific problems with the preliminary plan's current status. <br>
<br>The staff report is over 200 pages and was released very late. Procedurally, this is again a very flawed offering from the developer produced by a process that has been far from transparent. <b>Please let town and county officials know that this project remains very important to you and your community's future.<br>
</b><ol><li><b>Write to the mayor and your council representative to let them know you want the town to insist that the District Council's rezoning conditions be fully and completely met (contact info below). </b></li>
<li><b>Attend the town council meeting. </b></li><li><b>Write to the Planning Board by noon Wednesday to state your objections while insisting that all conditions be met </b><b><b>(contact info below)</b>. <br>
</b></li><b></b><li><b>Attend the Planning Board meeting. </b><a href="http://mncppc.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1106" target="_blank">http://mncppc.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1106</a> </li>
<li><b>URGENT: Be sure you are a Person of Record for the Preliminary Plan. Application # 4-12004 CAFRITZ PROPERTY </b><a href="http://www.pgplanning.org/Resources/Person_of_Record.htm" target="_blank">http://www.pgplanning.org/Resources/Person_of_Record.htm</a> This is VERY important.<b><br>
</b></li></ol><b>Town Meeting</b><br>Riverdale Park Tuesday, January 15 7:30 PM, Town Hall. Agenda: <a href="http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info/January%2015%202012%20Special%20Legislative%20agenda.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info/January%2015%202012%20Special%20Legislative%20agenda.pdf</a><br>
<br><b>Written Planning Board Testimony</b><br>You may also submit written testimony. Try to keep your testimony brief
and to the point: focus on the unmet conditions as well as that one
issue that has engaged you most. Write to Planning Board, Elizabeth M. Hewlett, Chair, <<a href="mailto:ehewlett@co.pg.md.us" target="_blank">ehewlett@co.pg.md.us</a>> and to <a href="mailto:info@ppd.mncppc.org" target="_blank">info@ppd.mncppc.org</a> <span></span>Please make sure that any written testimony is received before noon on Wednesday!<br>
<br><b>Attending the Planning Board Hearing</b><br>
There is limited street parking. Please try to carpool, arrive early,
bring quarters, and your cell phone chargers. It may be a long afternoon; the case is late on the agenda. Regardless, proceed and sign up to
testify (if you wish to do so) on the blue sheet at the
front of the room (check and make sure it's the right case number) and
sit down. <br>
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<b>Town Meeting Info</b><br><br><i><b>Tuesday 1/14, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall</b></i></div><div class="gmail_quote"><i><b>Riverdale Park Council Members & Mayor</b></i><br><ol>
<li>Jonathan Ebbeler <a href="mailto:jebbeler@riverdaleparkmd.gov" target="_blank">jebbeler@riverdaleparkmd.gov</a></li><li>Alan Thompson <a href="mailto:akthompson@riverdaleparkmd.gov" target="_blank">akthompson@riverdaleparkmd.gov</a></li>
<li>David Lingua <a href="mailto:djlingua@riverdaleparkmd.gov" target="_blank">djlingua@riverdaleparkmd.gov</a></li>
<li>Christopher Henry Cell: <a href="tel:301-910-9855" value="+13019109855" target="_blank">301-910-9855</a> Fax: <a href="tel:301-474-3246" value="+13014743246" target="_blank">301-474-3246</a></li><li>Raymond Rivas <a href="mailto:rrivas@riverdaleparkmd.gov" target="_blank">rrivas@riverdaleparkmd.gov</a></li>
<li>Alejandro Silva Cell: <a href="tel:301-801-3021" value="+13018013021" target="_blank">301-801-3021</a> </li></ol>Mayor Vernon Archer <a href="mailto:varcher@riverdaleparkmd.gov" target="_blank">varcher@riverdaleparkmd.gov</a></div>
<div class="gmail_quote"><br></div><div class="gmail_quote">NOTE the earlier starting time.<br>
<b><br></b></div><div class="gmail_quote"><b>Summary of </b><b>Planning Board Staff Concerns</b></div><div class="gmail_quote"><div class="gmail_quote">The rezoning of the Cafritz property contains 27 conditions. The Planning Board's Staff believe that six conditions have not been met (Conditions 10(b), 18, 19, and 25(b), 25(c), and 25(d)) because of the Cafritzes' failure to submit documentation that demonstrates that the woodland conservation threshold is to be met on-site to the fullest extent practicable per Condition 10(b); the failure to document a commitment to provied a private shuttle service per Condition 18 and participate in a circulator bus program per Condition 19; the failure to document the establishment of a funding mechanism for the construction of the CSX crossing per Condition 25(b); failure to submit an approval for the location of the CSX crossing from the affected landowner per Condition 25(c); and <b>failure to submit cost estimates for design, permitting, and construction of the CSX crossing per Condition 25(</b></div>
<div class="gmail_quote" style="font-weight:bold"><br></div><div class="gmail_quote" style="font-weight:bold">Thanks for considering this,</div><div class="gmail_quote" style="font-weight:bold">Kate and Joe Kelly</div><div class="gmail_quote" style="font-weight:bold">
Tuckerman Street</div></div><div class="gmail_quote"> </div><div class="gmail_quote"><br></div><div class="gmail_quote"><br>
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