Development case sends clear message to city
Recently, several plaintiffs won a landmark case against a developer in Anne Arundel County. After 18 years of contention, a judge ruled that the City of Annapolis’ Planning Commission had violated the city’s own rules by using the developer’s words to justify the approval of a massive development on Forest Drive, an already cluttered main artery.
The decision was significant because (a) citizens don’t usually win against developers; and (b) it pointed out the hypocrisy and suspected collusion of a city authority charged with protecting the public interest that simply rubberstamped the opinion of a biased commercial entity instead of doing its own due diligence. Sadly, past history shows that time and again the city has granted variances and approved projects mostly just based on some well-heeled developer’s “say so.”
Judge Mark Crooks’ decision was a specific rendering on the application for Provident Point. But it also highlighted a practice going on for years and allowed to persevere because of bureaucratic bullying, citizen disenfranchisement after years of city malfeasance and the expense of taking the city to court. His verdict is now a big red warning to the city to do better and follow its own rules in the future.
In this particular case, I and several other opponents were denied opportunities to speak during public hearings (or cut off ), treated disparagingly by planning commissioners and had to watch as the developer and lawyer were disproportionately given hours to present their case while residents and other interested parties were mostly consigned to the sidelines. The local paper published article after article authored by the developer’s shill attacking opponents for their viewpoints. It seemed like “the fix” was in.
Meanwhile Forest Drive, a road many people use daily, gets more clogged. The bay and the environment suffer more with every development approved. And the city dodges important considerations like workforce and affordable housing for everyone by approving luxury senior residences and consigning all other undesirable development on its fringe with the county.
Annapolis might celebrate Alex Haley down at the dock but it seems like it’s not going to let Black folks live in the historic district. The city has had numerous opportunities to create more inclusive and affordable housing in and around downtown Annapolis and just let them pass by. Why?
All those actions result in the worst hodgepodge of a diversity and zoning imbalance you can imagine. Exactly the kind of imbalance the whole idea of zoning regulations is supposed to prevent. As a result, Annapolis’ outer limits are ringed with strip malls, super luxury homes for rich people next to Section 8 and “affordable housing” complexes, both out of sight and out of mind.
Because the city boundary is the only place willing to let that mishmash occur, the last vestiges of our natural maritime environment must pay the cost and disappear.
If you care about the environment or equity in housing for all people EVERYWHERE, please help us fight for both. Your voice is important. A county judge has just reminded the city it must listen to it and make impartial decisions, and not operate as an echo chamber for the applicant. It’s also time to remind the mayor and the city council that Annapolitians care about the environment too.