Statement by Jim Brown, President of Sugarloaf Citizens Association on
Issues Affecting the Agriculture Reserve
Thursday, November 17, 2005
2005 before the
My name is Jim Brown. I am President of the Sugarloaf Citizens Association testifying on Sand Mounds, Mega Institutions and Illegal Child Lots.
Throughout Sugarloaf's 30 year history of fighting to preserve the Agriculture Reserve, we have intervened in hundreds of instances where it was clear an effort was being made to undermine the original Master Plan.
As Council President Perez was quoted as saying in Monday's
SAND MOUNDS
Just as the approval to build golf courses in the Ag Reserve ended up in a moratorium by the Council, the proliferation of the use of sand mounds is alarming , clearly out of hand and demonstrates yet another area not being properly managed by County government. We support pending Council Bill 38-05 calling for a temporary moratorium on sand mound permits.
Sand Mounds are entirely appropriate for use when existing septics fail, and for legitimate tot lots, but clearly, the recent approval of sand mounds for an entire subdivision of homes such as the Stoney Springs development is a serious abuse of the original intent.
We agree that the rights of individual land owners must be a high priority, especially legitimate farmers who may need to utilize sand mound technology for a legitimate tot lot, or a home owner who has a failed septic.
We also feel that individuals who have already received approval for their sand mounds should be grandfathered in Council bill 38-05.
TOT LOTS
Legitimate use of tot lots preserves family farming, but widespread abuse of tot lots is growing. The County must strictly enforce rules governing tot lots and new rules are needed to assure legitimacy.
MEGA INSTITUTIONS
Regarding the issue of Mega institutions we feel strongly that sewer and water extensions into the RDT will further undermine the Master Plan and open the door to other development once this infrastructure is established. Multi use septics should not be allowed and an 8% impervious cap must be imposed.
We also oppose suggestions there should be a ZTA allowing large institutional type overnight camps in the Ag Reserve thereby allowing yet another non-agricultural use.
In conclusion, we urge the Planning Board to understand the threat all of these issues pose for the future of the Ag Reserve and move aggressively to stop these abuses and adhere to the original vision that established this incredible asset for our region.