Sandy
Spring Ashton Rural Preservation Consortium
The
SSARPC (PreserveAshton.net) supports development in Ashton that conforms
to our Master Plan. We are pro-Master Plan; not anti-development.
UPDATE
SSARPC ~
PreserveAshton.net has been working hard on a daily basis. We wish
to thank our neighbors and fellow community members who have participated
in the following activities and welcome newcomers who would like to get
involved!
SSARPC – Committees
The
Design
Committee is
researching unique village center success stories built in historic/rural
setting where the developers and communities have worked together to
create outstanding commercial spaces. The group is looking at
several smart growth, cutting edge concepts that retain local character
such as: Traditional Neighborhood Developments as well as The
Framework For Planning In the Future – Revitalizing Centers, Reshaping
Boulevards and Creating great Public Spaces which is discussed on the
Montgomery County Park and Planning Commission web site.
The
Community Outreach
Committee has
been meeting with area HOA's, neighbors and friends. SSARPC
supports wholeheartedly and looks forward to participating in the
charrette offered by Delegate Herman Taylor. See
www.PreserveAshton.net
for the SSARPC response letter.
Lawn signs are going up all over town to "Downsize Ashton Mall." Please let us know if you would like to post one on your lawn.
The Environmental Committee has been meeting with county and state officials to analyze the environmental impact on the storm water management and wetlands. Environmental Committee members attended the disappointing community meeting on the environment held by the developer on Thursday, April 6, 2006.
The Fundraising Committee wishes to thank everyone that has come forth with financial support enabling SSARPC to access legal/planning expert advice and communicate with the formative Ashton Meeting Place legal team. Thus far these efforts have been an overwhelming success. All community members are asked to contribute who wish to have a connected community village center rather than a highway intersection with an oversized shopping mall.
Support has come in all shapes and sizes. One community member has donated 100 jars of homemade preserves! v PRESERVE ASHTON PRESERVESv are available at the Cricket Book Shop or leave an email message on the PreserveAshton.net web site.
A group of area musicians has come forward and offered to do a benefit concert. Look for details in the near future.
The Traffic Committee has meet with the SHA team lead by David Philips and expressed concerns that the present plan would segregate rather than join the four corners of the village center that make up the Ashton crossroads. Improving traffic flow and safety are primary concerns while retaining and rejuvenating the rural character of Sandy Spring and Ashton. The SHA encouraged a meeting with our state delegates and county council representatives to look into various alternatives.
The Advisory Committee communicates regularly with our lawyer, Dave Brown, of Knopf and Brown law offices on Master Plan and zoning issues. He is a consensus builder and is familiar with the Ashton Meeting Place legal team lead by Jody Kline of Miller, Miller and Canby.
SSARPC members have attended all meetings held by Ashton Meeting Place concerning traffic, retail and environmental concerns.
The AMP developer will be resubmitting his plan to Park and Planning in the next few weeks. As soon as the plan is submitted, you will be given detailed explanation of the changes if any have been made and how this affects our position on its compliance with the Master Plan and Zoning.
The SSARPC grows each day and we would welcome your participation on any of the above committees as well as the steering committee. Please contact the web site: PreserveAshton.net
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Date: Fri, 14 Apr 2006 23:08:51 -0400
From: Sandy Spring-Ashton Rural Preservation Consortium
<SSARPC@SSARPC.org>
Subject: SSARPC Update
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