“We cannot think about this property as an independent project - we must take into consideration the whole picture - developments coming down the pipeline AND those recently passed.”
I would like to start my remarks by noting that by making a decision this evening, prior to the decision of the pending litigation, the City of Bowie is taking premature action. The only appropriate course of action is to wait to hear the decision of the court.
According to PG2035, and the council's testimony this evening, town centers are to have 10-16 units per acre. At almost 14 units per acre, this is at the upper end of the units per acre allowance - and is far too dense to be appropriate for this area.
One of my biggest concerns about this project is traffic. Traffic on nearby Belair Drive, which links up to Melford, averages 8,454 daily trips - while Bowie City Traffic Guidelines is 5,190 daily trips. Belair Drive is already almost 40 percent over Bowie City guidelines. With an average of 2 cars per unit, the addition of 1,793 units will bring an additional three and a half thousand daily trips onto the surrounding roads. 3,500 trips ONLY takes into account the residential traffic - businesses will add countless more cars.
Bowie City Council Code discourages the use of private no roads and streets to serve new developments. This point, as well as the increase in traffic and the pressure that places on the single point of entry needs to be taken into account before moving forward with the preliminary plan.
Though some surrounding streets may be within the "technical" traffic limits - we have to think about the reality of the situation and what this increase in traffic will inflict on Bowie residents. The traffic in this area is becoming unbearable. What we are looking at is implementing "traffic calming measures" - AKA placing speed bumps onto Belair Drive - punishing current Bowie residents in order to alleviate St. John's'. problems.
We cannot think about this property as an independent project - we must take into consideration the whole picture - developments coming down the pipeline AND those recently passed.
As council for St. John's stated - we are here to discuss the streets, natural elements, what current exists on the property, and how this relates to what is proposed in the preliminary plan of subdivision. As such, preserving the integrity of the Melford House, the surrounding property and the Duckett and Hardesty Family Cemetery should be of utmost concern to the city council this evening.
For those of you who have not walked this property for the last 15 years, as I have, the Melford House is a historic plantation house located on the property. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings - and is of great significance to the history of Bowie and the United States of America. In the front of Melford House sits a circle drive. If you stand on the front steps of the home and look to 9 o'clock - currently you will see a tree lined drive that leads from the home, up to the family cemetery. It is where Judge Allen Bowie Duckett - a Maryland and United States federal judge - who was nominated to the United States Circuit Court by President Thomas Jefferson - is buried. He lived in that home, when his 6 year old granddaughter, Sally, passed away - he walked that tree lined drive to the cemetery to bury her.
Judge Allen Bowie Duckett continued to serve the residents of Prince George's County till his death in 1806, his casket taken down that tree lined drive from his home - the Melford House - to the cemetery - his final resting place.
Simply put - the Preliminary Plan of Subdivision, as submitted this evening, is NOT sympathetic to the historic nature of the property. Judge Allen Bowie Duckett served the Prince George's County community throughout his life. Now this plan wants to turn part of his front yard into a parking lot. The beautiful view from his final resting place will now look out to a high rise building, apartments and a parking lot.
We must serve Judge Duckett's memory well, we must serve the community that exists in Bowie. This plan benefits no one in Bowie and allowing Saint John's Property to proceed with the plan as submitted is ill-advised.