First Round Listening Session - January 30, 2018
Regionalism and Regional Planning ♦ Concerns Over Previous Mandates ♦ Mapping Support and Data ♦ Economic Development ♦ Youth ♦ Infrastructure ♦ Community Engagement and Volunteerism ♦ Transportation ♦ Environment ♦ Community ♦ Funding ♦ Neighboring Jurisdictions ♦ Communication ♦ What the County is Missing ♦ State Agencies ♦ Technical Assistance ♦ Planning ♦ General
The comments below represent the statements or points of view of one or more individuals who participated in the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) “A Better Maryland” Development Plan Listening Sessions. These comments do not represent any official position or policy of MDP or any other State agency, nor do they represent any official position or policy of any local jurisdiction or local planning agency.
Regionalism and Regional Planning
County will be updating its Comprehensive plan (March 2018) stressing agriculture as the preferred land use, supporting tourism, and expansion of local employers where appropriate
Kent County and Queen Anne’s County have historically disagreed on the Chester River Bridge project; however it is now believed that Queen Anne’s County is not against the project
Kent County does not want a Bay Bridge crossing coming through Kent County
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Concerns Over Previous Mandates
County needs micro changes, nothing big, things are going well. County will send list of small projects that could have a big impact.
One Maryland doesn’t work, need to recognize uniqueness of different areas of the State. Support local maritime uses, support agriculture, support work against sprawl.
More de-regulation and flexibility to maximize economic development of existing marinas
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Mapping Support and Data
Better economic data on agriculture and agricultural data needs to be provided in order to demonstrate the economic strength and positive impact of agriculture and supporting industries. Limited available date doesn’t paint a complete picture of the County’s economy
The equivalent of the Tourism Impact Report, but for agriculture, hasn’t been completed since 2008. An updated one is needed
Input drives decisions
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Demographics
Chestertown’s growth is level. Today, the population of Kent County is similar to what it was in 1812
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Economic Development
Agriculture is the number one economic driver in the County, it is the primary resource and industry. (Reiterated many times by participants)
The Dixon Valve development and expansion is a great example of the kind of economic development the County is looking for
State grants came through the Town of Chestertown
Effective Town and County partnership, with significant assistance from the Maryland Department of Planning Regional Planner
Kent is a small County, but it appreciated the attention from the State that this project received
County has targeted areas for growth and development and resisted change to agriculture areas
Need to embrace technology – solar and wind projects in the right locations
County will mostly see incremental small growth in local businesses vs. some large employer coming into the County
Agriculture, scenic rural landscapes and historic heritage are the County’s greatest assets
Getting types of jobs appropriate for County is critical. Large high-density employers will not come to the County need to support local and small businesses
Schools and hospital are anchors of community and need to be grown and supported. Hospital is in danger of closing, all births are in hospitals outside of County
Business investment is tied to jobs and schools
There is a lot of interest in the new Chestertown marina and in the Dixon Valve project, but also for preserving rural land
Biggest employers are the hospital, Dixon Valve, and Washington College
Even incremental improvements make a big difference in Kent County
Potential for equestrian industry and major facility
Marina industry is very important
Need a little flexibility with environmental regulations, especially because they have preserved much ag land
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Youth
Biggest export is children due to lack of jobs. County is aging because children don’t stay
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Infrastructure
Internet service critical. County has invested $6m of its own money into internet.
Need better cell phone coverage
Smart Growth policies to direct growth to Towns, hurt the County, don’t hold us back from allowing low density residential development in rural areas
Doesn’t work in smaller less dense counties
County doesn’t have a population density that makes water and sewer infrastructure projects efficient, sensible, and affordable
Challenged in meeting its Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements
Attracting small business to expand need help with infrastructure
County supports fixing local rail where it supports agriculture and also converting rails to trails where possible
Support Chester River Blvd. By-pass and new Chester River bridge. By-pass will not hurt Chestertown as the town is a destination and pass through traffic hurts the City. The Chester River Blvd. is the County’s highest transportation priority
Challenge is a lack of infrastructure buildout to support economic development projects such as Dixon Valve
There is no population growth to plan for, so infrastructure falls behind
Concern about the biggest wind turbines over 500 feet in height
Working on a smart city plan
Bury phone lines in in Downtown Chestertown Historic District. Would require significant state agency assistance
Chestertown water and sewer lines need to be replaced
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Community Engagement and Volunteerism
The Kent County Conservation and Preservation Alliance is prominent
Well educated and organized
Completely oppose a bay bridge crossing
Kent County is very good at saying “No”
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Transportation
Kent County and Queen Anne’s County have historically disagreed on the Chester River Blvd. project however it is believed that Queen Anne’s County is no longer against the project
Kent County does not want a Bay Bridge crossing coming through County
Concerned about Bill that would overturn existing law that five of nine Eastern Shore Counties need to approve any toll road. This was mentioned a few times
Concerned with increase traffic from Middletown, DE by-pass
Active railbed in Kent County is currently updating. Southern States is putting in new rail spurs
Transportation drives land use
Desire for Chestertown Bypass
Chester River Bridge is strained
Too much traffic in the National Landmark Historic District
Public safety issue. EMS services disrupted with bridge closure
Would be positive for economic development
Queen Anne’s County no longer opposes the bypass
If designed correctly, and the County holds firm on land use, then the negative affect on downtown businesses could be avoided
Chestertown is a destination, not a pass through. People come there on purpose
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Environment
County has unique maritime and land environment, including bald eagles, and vibrant arts and culture
People value Kent’s natural resources
Would be detrimental for the State to overly streamline regulations and development processes
Must balance needs
Sustainable growth planned along the northern 301 corridor, need help with infrastructure to encourage local business to grow and expand. Wetlands and sewer issues are constraints
Could be a vital asset for the County and raise local income levels
Need help with environmental regulations WIP, TMDL. Secretary Grumbles has been a big help to the County
Sometimes, where appropriate faster more streamlined permitting should be used
Rural land should not be defined as open land, it is being actively used
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Community
County has good planning, good town planning, strong rural preservation, good place to live and work
Vibrant arts and cultural community
Most residents are very happy with the County. “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”
Chestertown is converting railbeds to trails
Presents a problem because the trail passes through ag land. Farmers are hesitant about this and the potential for incompatible farming practices (ie. spraying)
Town wants to extend the trails to Worton, where schools are located
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Funding
Need funding for small local development projects
Help with retaining hospital
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Neighboring Jurisdictions
Continue interjurisdictional cooperation with PFA’s, Septic Tiers, PPA’s etc.
More collaboration with feasibility and impact studies, such as, the Queen Anne’s County Northern 301 Traffic Study. The state could help jurisdictions work together on these
Need for Middletown Bypass impact study
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Communication
Want to be informed of process for, progress of, and all decisions made regarding the Bay Bridge crossing
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What the County is Missing
Upgrade schools
Improve hospital and hospital services
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State Agencies
Chestertown Marina and Dixon Valve good examples of State agencies working together to solve issues
Better collaboration within and among State agencies
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Technical Assistance
MDP can help with technical studies such as the 301 corridor. Bringing groups together, being more inclusive and having a regional approach
Designing infrastructure
Create State Navigator positions to help local government staff and residents get to right agency for help or assistance
Like circuit riders, develop local plans and studies
Facilitate collaboration between Counties and towns – roads, economic development etc.
Help get teachers and doctors to come to County
With the hospital
Currently all meetings of the hospital board are in Easton and decisions are Easton centric
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Planning
Chestertown is proud of its comprehensive plan
The public mobilized for it and for other planning issues
Anticipating a plan update next year
Kent County just completed its comprehensive plan update (March 2018)
Stressed importance of agriculture and large contiguous tracts of land
Prosperity of agriculture is very important to the County and supports its tourism industry
Want sustainable growth
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General
Kent County is a destination
People drive through Cecil County (I-95) and Queen Anne’s County (To Ocean City) but they come to Kent County for a specific purpose
County embraces technology
First to take on solar farms, which pay for their own wastewater infrastructure operations
Assets
Agriculture and Ag Preservation
History
Cultural Resources
Support for Waterman culture
Environment
Heritage and Historic Resources
Bay Resources
Domestic Food Production
Aquaculture
Challenges
Potential Bay Bridge Crossing (Mentioned 10 + times)
Preservation
Jobs
Balance
Healthcare. Hospital needs to remain open
Diversity in representation
Flight of youth and young families
Need safe bike path to Worton
Infrastructure
Funding for new restaurants and a commercial kitchen
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