Jerome Foskey, President, Crosswinds Property Owners Association
Do you have any comments regarding ZA-001918-2021?
On behalf of the Crosswinds Property Owners Association we are writing to express our strong opposition to the proposed development of 201 Marshland Road as proposed and amended. The proposed development does nothing to enhance the quality of life, improve or protect the marshlands, nor help solve the critical housing shortage for service and support workers on the island. Affordable housing - There is no major shortage of housing for affluent area residents, yet as a community we struggle with affordable housing for our hospitality and service workers. This proposed development does nothing to remotely address that issue but only adds to others. Where are the hospitality and service workers to support these new residents to reside? Traffic - Marshland Road is a relatively narrow road that continues to see increasing traffic flow. 200+ added vehicles will certainly represent a further increase in traffic issues on Marshland. It is also fed by Spanish Wells Road which exhibits many of the same issues. At present traffic backups are common due to school buses, multiple and narrow side streets, a number of gated communities, larger restaurant properties (Old Oyster Factory, Fish Camp, Up The Creek) and recreational locations (Broad Creek Marina, Zip Line, and go cart track). Without the establishment of clearer traffic enhancements including turn lanes this problem will continue to grow and present future safety issues. Marsh Environment - Interjecting another 164 homes on a relatively narrow marsh frontage represents a potential major impact to Broad Creek which has suffered from poor water quality and is slowly beginning to recover. In their earlier submission the developer indicated that no motorized watercraft will be permitted at the two existing docks. Among their original stated targeted resident profile were young professionals whose age demographics are the prime users of personal watercraft. While not necessarily launched from those community docks such watercraft traffic will be evident. Additional wave action, petroleum products in the marsh, and activity do nothing to ensure the continued health of our beautiful marshlands. Noise - The targeted resident profile is affluent seniors and young professionals. Our marshfront community already contends with loud music emanating from Shelter Cove when we have an onshore breeze. Adding 164+ residents next door will certainly not diminish that noise level but only contribute to its increase and regularity. Reference Developments - The Gardner Avenue project along with the Water Walk development are being used as reference views for this development. Gardner has no marsh frontage and is replacing the prior school commercial property that already existed. Water Walk is built on existing commercial property as part of Shelter Cove. The Marshland project adds to the skyline clutter along Broad Creek and adjoining neighborhoods while providing nothing view worthy but more concrete. In summary, the proposed development only enriches the pockets of a few and contributes little to the issues confronting our island home.
Open Town Hall HHI is not a certified voting system or ballot box. As with any public comment process, participation in Open Town Hall HHI is voluntary. The comments in this record are not necessarily representative of the whole population, nor do they reflect the opinions of any government agency or elected officials.
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Jerome Foskey, President, Crosswinds Property Owners AssociationDo you have any comments regarding ZA-001918-2021?
On behalf of the Crosswinds Property Owners Association we are writing to express our strong opposition to the proposed development of 201 Marshland Road as proposed and amended. The proposed development does nothing to enhance the quality of life, improve or protect the marshlands, nor help solve the critical housing shortage for service and support workers on the island. Affordable housing - There is no major shortage of housing for affluent area residents, yet as a community we struggle with affordable housing for our hospitality and service workers. This proposed development does nothing to remotely address that issue but only adds to others. Where are the hospitality and service workers to support these new residents to reside? Traffic - Marshland Road is a relatively narrow road that continues to see increasing traffic flow. 200+ added vehicles will certainly represent a further increase in traffic issues on Marshland. It is also fed by Spanish Wells Road which exhibits many of the same issues. At present traffic backups are common due to school buses, multiple and narrow side streets, a number of gated communities, larger restaurant properties (Old Oyster Factory, Fish Camp, Up The Creek) and recreational locations (Broad Creek Marina, Zip Line, and go cart track). Without the establishment of clearer traffic enhancements including turn lanes this problem will continue to grow and present future safety issues. Marsh Environment - Interjecting another 164 homes on a relatively narrow marsh frontage represents a potential major impact to Broad Creek which has suffered from poor water quality and is slowly beginning to recover. In their earlier submission the developer indicated that no motorized watercraft will be permitted at the two existing docks. Among their original stated targeted resident profile were young professionals whose age demographics are the prime users of personal watercraft. While not necessarily launched from those community docks such watercraft traffic will be evident. Additional wave action, petroleum products in the marsh, and activity do nothing to ensure the continued health of our beautiful marshlands. Noise - The targeted resident profile is affluent seniors and young professionals. Our marshfront community already contends with loud music emanating from Shelter Cove when we have an onshore breeze. Adding 164+ residents next door will certainly not diminish that noise level but only contribute to its increase and regularity. Reference Developments - The Gardner Avenue project along with the Water Walk development are being used as reference views for this development. Gardner has no marsh frontage and is replacing the prior school commercial property that already existed. Water Walk is built on existing commercial property as part of Shelter Cove. The Marshland project adds to the skyline clutter along Broad Creek and adjoining neighborhoods while providing nothing view worthy but more concrete. In summary, the proposed development only enriches the pockets of a few and contributes little to the issues confronting our island home.