February 16, 2023
Our Voices Were Heard!
Before the holiday season, Arundel Rivers Federation submitted comments calling upon the County to reject the Glebe Heights conceptual development plan. We want to thank the 650+ individuals who signed on to support these comments. Our voices were heard! The Office of Planning and Zoning has withheld approval of the Sketch Plan and agreed with several of the comments we outlined in our comment letter.
Specifically related to our environmental concerns, the Office of Planning and Zoning noted that:
- the plan did not adequately address stormwater treatment or protection of a currently degraded headwater stream of the South River;
- the proposed forest clearing will remove or fragment some of the largest, undeveloped forest located within a priority forest retention area – this will require a waiver (modification) of current law that the applicant has yet to apply for and receive;
- critical root zones of large (specimen) trees on site were not adequately mapped or protected; and
- there is a record of an endangered species in close proximity to the project site that has the potential to be impacted by the proposed plan.
In addition to approval from the Office of Planning and Zoning being withheld in regards to environmental concerns, approval from multiple other agencies was also withheld with concerns related to planning, landscaping, utilities, and transportation and traffic impacts.
The applicant has the ability to resubmit a plan that addresses the outlined concerns by early April. Arundel Rivers Federation will continue to monitor this effort closely and advocate for the protection of this environmentally sensitive land within the South River watershed.
Thank you!
Read the complete Sketch Plan review and comments.