June 22^nd SSARPC meeting – A TRUE COMING TOGETHER

Last evening THE SANDY SPRING ASHTON RURAL PRESERVATION CONSORTIUM (SSARPC- PreserveAshton.net) welcomed over 190 members of the community for a frank and open presentation highlighted by one of many new visionary alternative designs possible for Ashton village. The audience was very receptive to Stu Sirota, the expert planner hired by SSARPC’s and his rural designs of a smaller scale village development which still offers the amenities needed by our growing community.  A large contingent of AMP developers, investors, and their friends came to the meeting armed with well-prepared, difficult questions that helped take the discussion to a deeper and more detailed level.  Since SSARPC's design and legal team had already taken into account the many points raised by these individuals, the design solution presented was both realistic and comprehensive. We are hopeful that this opportunity to get beyond initial "negotiations" will spur the investors and developers to think long and hard about redesigning and downsizing their plans to arrive at a win-win solution.

Stu Sirota, SSARPC’s also eloquently described the effects of widening the New Hampshire Ave and Route 108 into a highway.   It will not solve any traffic problems or improve safety in the long run-- it will just invite more congestion. This is where the citizens of the area can influence what kind of neighborhood we end up with.  Do you want Ashton village center to head the direction of so many nearby suburban communities-- six lanes of traffic with cars moving at higher speeds?  SSARPC stressed that they want to improve traffic flow and safety with efficient road design not expansion that will draw more congestion to our area.