I am writing to ask your support for the “Reset Lakeside” initiative.
I am a 68 year-old resident of Talbot County, a taxpayer, and a business owner. In the 4th quarter of life, I do not expect to see this community built-out in my lifetime. Instead, I reasonably foresee a future landscape similar to Waterford Estates and Heron Point on either-side of Hudson Road outside Cambridge; with empty lots, stubbed-up sewer pipes, tattered for sale banners fraying in the wind, and giant milkweeds, In other words, a monument to greed, avarice, poor planning, and ineffective local government. I feel a responsibility to future generations to ask you to “open your eyes”.
I am also a keen observer of the culture of Talbot County – especially Post World War II when generations of affluent and highly accomplished urban refugees landed on our shores to escape the crime, congestion, and overcrowding of the Baltimore-Washington metroplex. Their generosity and community spirit resulted in Memorial Hospital, a world-class YMCA, Hog Neck Community Center and Golf Course, Talbot Hospice, Habitat For Humanity Choptank, Talbot Mentors, Talbot Pro Bono, the Talbot County Free Library to name just a few of our vibrant third sector organizations. This is why we have been referred to as the “Hamptons of the Mid-Atlantic”. This infrastructure benefits all the citizens of Talbot County. Do you think this culture will continue to flourish in an era of suburban -scale development, overcrowded schools, polluted creeks., limited health care, and traffic congestion? Why are we in such a determined rush to “kill the goose that laid the golden egg”? Is it possible that affluent in-migrants will start to look for a new rural destination? I can tell you from first-hand experience, that Lakeside has not been subjected to anywhere near the same scrutiny, public comment, and off -site mitigation as Easton Village on Tred Avon – a development in which I had a hand. Why ?
Lakeside is out of character with Talbot County and, in scope, out of all market context, beyond the scope of development in adjacent high-growth counties (Hovnanian in QA?), even beyond the scope of development in Anne Arundel (think Glen Burnie). Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties.
I urge you to take another look. Lakeside as currently proposed is a mistake of epic proportions. Why do you want to be the Council remembered by History as the rubber-stamp for bad planning practice, bad environmental consciousness, and greed?
Hugh Smith
Easton
Easton
Reed Fawell 3 says
I agree with Mr. Hugh Smith.
Talbot County is a world class community. One that combines a unique mix of preserved living American history intertwined with a highly fragile ecosystem – a natural wonder of land, marsh, and tide waters- that has jump-started, fueled, defined and enriched the history our nation for generations over 400 years.
How can we allow ourselves now to be the generation that is responsible for jump-starting the destruction of this precious and irreplaceable gift with a Class D grade 1950s’ style Levittown tract subdivision?
How can we begin the destruction of Talbot County by acting in such a careless and thoughtless manner? Particularly when solutions can be found, ones that are easy to see elsewhere, and that now are well within our grasp, if only we have the foresight, wisdom, will and courage, to step up to the challenge?
It is unimaginable the irrevocable harm we now may well do. Are we really going to do this?
Ellen Sheridan Walsh says
I wholeheartedly mirror your sentiments Mr. Smith. History will remember what the Council does regarding Lakeside. All we tax-paying citizens ask is that they do the RIGHT thing-rescind Resolution 281. All the reasons are clear. Do the RIGHT thing!
Thomas Malone says
Right on!
Ellen Sheridan Walsh says
I wholeheartedly agree with you, Mr. Smith. History will be the final judge on the Council’s action/inaction on Lakeside. Let’s hope their conscience leads them to simply recind Resolution 281 and comply with all State and County Regulations. The citizens of Talbot County deserve a fair shake.
Rich Wagner says
Hugh Smith is right on the mark about Lakeside. Reset it!
Rich Wagner, Oxford
Bob Wenneson says
Well put Mr. Smith. And to think that this project, with its large scope and planned-community, total-package flavor, is exactly what so many of the “come heres” were fleeing when they migrated across the bridge to this area. Is truly a mystery why there would be resistance by the new County Council to giving the project a full airing. One council member has deep and long standing ties to the local construction industry, but it’s hard to understand what could be motivating the other counsel members to resist getting behind the Reset initiative.
Carol Voyles says
Failing to either discuss impact upon county schools, roads and services or honor our comprehensive plan’s requirement to provide state of the art wastewater treatment to new development, in this case up to 120 homes for approximately a year and a half, our last council is responsible for where we stand now.
Lakeside’s current permit limits development to 400 homes – as opposed to the 1,500 homes with a total of 2,500 residential units proposed. With more development experience on the council now and county oversight over wastewater matters, we can certainly hope to move in a positive direction.
Wayne Johnson says
The County Council has Refused Numerous Proposals And Requests from THE LAKESIDE DEVELOPERS . BUT they refuse to comply with the Council . This Past Saturday someone called for a Rally at RISE UP at 2:00 pm ? IT’S A HORRIBLE DEAL !
Bishop Joel Marcus Johnson says
Thank you, Hugh. The very location of Lakeside belies its need for a manufactured lake in place of Talbot County’s true jewels, the Chesapeake Bay and the Choptank River. New home buyers will pay premium prices for residences not because they will be better than elsewhere, but because the developers will price them “because we can.” If the developers really want to do something dramatic, they should investigate Caroline County, which is an easier move for new buyers escaping the metroplex.
Douglas firth says
Well said Hugh!
Brad Hopkins says
Couldn’t have said it better. Kudos to Hugh for putting to words the truth that most everyone I know either says or thinks. Wake up Talbot Council. Wake up!
Kathy Hostetter says
I totally agree with Mr. Smith!
Unfortunately, the news of last night’s County Council meeting was another blow in that the council refused to introduce new legislation or “Reset Lakeside.”
The council members and the MDE, in my opinion, are failing to represent the majority of the residents of the Eastern Shore on this matter and it is sad that as Mr. Smith described ” a mistake of epic proportions” could be decided by a small group of individuals.