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Summerfield project: Spotsy did not look at the big picture

Summerfield project: Spotsy did not look at the big picture

Date published: 10/5/2009

Summerfield project: Spotsy did not look at the big picture

As a concerned resident, I attended the Spotsylvania County Planning Commission hearing Sept. 16 to address the Summerfield project (rezoning farmland on the Spotsylvania County-Fredericksburg city line to allow for 127 houses and townhomes to be built instead of the currently zoned 22 houses) ["Family finds itself on other side of development fence," Sept. 20].

Many local residents voiced concerns about the density of the development, increased traffic, and burdens on the county infrastructure.

The economic impact study determined that the project would remain a drain on county infrastructure until the median single-family home price is $458,000; optimistically, that will be at least five years away.

Therefore, until then residents will bear the tax burden of educating students, handling fire and rescue emergencies, and dealing with the inevitable traffic impact of adding 1,500 cars a day to that congested area of U.S. 1.

Instead of focusing on these critical economic issues, the Planning Commission members asked about landscaping, and gave every indication that they were more concerned with the interests of one resident over those of the county.

The vote was unanimous to approve the rezoning, and one had to wonder if the commission had made its decision before the meeting occurred.

If during a time of budget shortfalls and an overstock of housing our county officials are choosing the profit for one resident over the potential costs to our community, then an explanation is due.

The rezoning and development of the Summerfield subdivision will now be passed to the Board of Supervisors for final approval.

Please inform yourself on whether your local supervisor plans to approve this unnecessary development, and then remember you can use your vote in November to express your views to him.

Kelly Tivnan

Spotsylvania



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Date published: 10/5/2009


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Louisiana? (posted by SilentBob , Oct. 6, 2009 12:09 pm)   
So taking Biltzburgh's logic to an equally well thought out conclusion: those that are still homeless in the wake of Katrina should blame builders? I did not get the impression from Ms. Tivnan's letter that she was against economic growth. I think she's against growth, such as Summerfield, that appears unable to support itself.

If you don't like economic growth, move to Louisiana (posted by blitzburgh , Oct. 5, 2009 8:02 am)   
If you live in a house, thank a Builder

Kelly, Welcome to Spotsy (posted by MrWonderful , Oct. 5, 2009 7:28 am)   
You must be a newcomer. It's alway been like this. Our supervisors work for the developers. The planning commission is composed of real estate agents who drum up business for themselves. Nothing ever changes here.

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