Global Mission Church Update
The saga continues as Global Mission Church (GMC) attempts to build a 135,000 sq ft mega church off rt 109 in the shadow of Sugarloaf Mountain with little regard for the rural community and its natural and historic resources. Take note: GMC is ultimately seeking a facility in excess of 200,000 sq. ft.!
On March 25th, the Frederick County Board of Appeals (BOA) voted 4-1 to send the decision on the GMC site plan back to the Planning Commission for further proceedings. Despite excellent testimony from residents and FC staff, and supported by a record demonstrating that GMC had ample opportunity to present and discuss their plan, the BOA wanted to give the church more time to meet with county staff to discuss the site plan.
MCA disagrees with the BOA’s decision because:
»The Church had already been granted customary and reasonable staff consultation time.
» Despite being told that the plan would exceed the septic capacity of 4,999 gallon per day, the church has failed to significantly change their plan in any way that would bring it into compliance.
»The Planning Commission voted to deny the GMC site plan because they were bound by law to do so. If the Health Department does not approve a septic system to be associated with a project, the Planning Commission is required to deny the site plan application.
The Frederick County Attorney’s office agrees with us on these points and is seeking to appeal the BOA decision in the Frederick Co. Circuit Court. In the BOA proceedings, County Attorney Wendy Kearney said that this was the most clear cut case for denial of an appeal that she has ever seen. And still, the BOA found in favor of the Church.
What’s Next?
The FC Attorney’s office Petition for Reconsideration is wending it’s way through the process, including a 30 day window for those who may file in opposition. We are monitoring the process closely and will update you when the court decides whether to take the appeal. We understand that parties may file friend of court statements, at appropriate time, in support of the County Attorney’s office. Please update us on any news you may have, including any activity at the proposed building site.
To read previous posts on GMC, click here and scroll down.
Practical Preservation: National Trust’s “Barn Again” Program!
The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Barn Again” program recognizes historic barns as working assests for sustainable farms and provides practical, up-to-date information and technical assistance to barn owners.
Site Offers Guidance for New Farmers!
Young farming families are growing in the Reserve!
Here’s a site that offers a fair amount of helpful information, including grant/funding opportunities. Check it out!
Understanding and Protecting Ag Reserve’s Groundwater!
 |
Map of Piedmont Aquifer
Montgomery County’s Ag/Openspace Reserve is, by design, wholly outside the WSSC service area. Reserve residents, farms and businesses rely on ground water from the federally protected Piedmont Sole Source Aquifer. Whether you reside, work or play in the Reserve, understanding the finite and fragile nature of this high quality resource is important. We can all work to protect it and continue to enjoy it’s high quality sustainably. See these links for more information.Top 10 ways to protect groundwater
US EPA Site
Poolesville Area Aquifer System
Montgomery County’s Special Protection Areas
USGA Water Science Center
Who’s Who of Source Water Protection
Calling all photographers! Deadline extended!
Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Reserve by capturing the beauty of its edge habitat: hedge and tree rows! MCA’s photo contast is open to all and provides a great opportunity to get out doors and use your talent!
Deadline extended due to demand: 9/1/2010
See here for details.
Reserve’s Schools: Time for a County policy!
MCA has been serving on the “Poolesville-Monocacy Roundtable“ which has finished a several month period of meeting and conferring to address Mr. Weast’s determination that Monocacy Elementary School be closed because, though at 86% capacity, it fell under a newish criteria that no school have less than 300 pupils. Moreover, Mr. Weast indicated that both Poolesville Elementary and John Poole Middle School could follow suit under his enrollment guidelines. Poolesville, Clarksburg, Northwest, Darnestown clusters, the Ag Reserve and others schools were represented during this collegial process. In the end, their was consensus (unanimous) that the BOE and the County should issue a policy that Montgomery County’s rural schools be afforded a special status due to the fact that they are wholly located in and serve community within the Ag Reserve, which is by design low in population. The group felt that it would be discriminatory to hold Reserve community schools to the same standards as those schools located in densely developed portions of the County. Such a policy would support the existing legislation, zoning and policies that seek to protect the Reserve and promote continued, and expanding, local farming. Mr. Weast’s notion that there is a problem was disputed. It seems, with this closure proposal, as if the Reserve, a nationally recognized model for farmland/openspace preservation, is being penalized for its success!
Follow the links for MCA’s Letter to the Montgomery County Board of Ed, and Position Paper written for the Monocacy Roundtable (both pdf).
Update: The 15th District Representatives have shown solidarity for this policy by sending this letter to the Board of Ed.
See groups list of options to address the issue.
Gazette Coverage and May 24th public meeting information.
Gaithersburg West: Now -Great Seneca Science Corridor
Great Seneca Science Corridor: Big name for big development. Developer lobbyist’s efforts have paid off and Council has passed the master plan with minor compromise to community. See following links for details:
http://www.scale-it-back.com/index.html
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/04/council-passes-gaithersburg-west-master.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/04/AR2010050402812.html?nav=emailpage
Protecting Pollinators: How you can help!
Photo by Hilary Schwab
Erin Auel is positively abuzz about what we can do to promote pollinators in our own landscapes. Her senior project for the Poolesville High School Global Ecology Program blends hands-on – creation of 2 pollinator gardens at the school- with research – a useful collection of resources for us to consult when planning for and planting our own gardens. Not only are these gardens beautiful and alive with flight and sound, they are practical for the health of our food system. Destruction of tree and hedgerows and loss of habitat due to development as well as growing dependence on landscape and agricultural chemicals has put great strain on the pollinator population.
So, take a look at these resources that we found…and let’s get growing!
Maryland’s Wild Acres Program
National Pollinator Week – June 21-27, 2010
Friends of Sligo Creek – Pollinator Page
Central Maryland Beekeepers Association
Selecting Plants for Pollinators
Wild Farm Alliance – promoting farming practices in harmony with nature
Poolesville: Going Green!
Poolesville’s Commissioners have approved alternative energy projects under certain conditions and have established a new farmer’s market in Whalen Commons this growing season. This is good news for area residents and such initiatives should be applauded.
It’s Unanimous: Francoise Carrier Planning Chair!
The County Council in 9-0 vote has chosen Francois Carrier as next Planning Chair. The is a critical decision that will affect communities undergoing master plan revision/review. Moreover, this comes at a time when the Planning Commission and its staff have been hit with budget and staffing cuts. Ms. Carrier will, from the beginning, find challenge in facing these challenges. By all accounts and appearances, she will meet these challenges ably. Read more.