PATH Powerline, Finally a Chance for Public Input

The Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline, or PATH, is a massive powerline project covering at least 3 states terminating at the largest substation ever built, a proposed facility of 42 acres sited among 1,300 homes in Mt. Airy, MD. Despite the claims of the energy companies behind this proposal, independent government research shows that there is no dire need to increase power transmission rates in the region in the coming years. In fact, regional power use is projected to continue declining, as it has since 2008.

The Sugarloaf Conservancy has been working tirelessly to get answers from Allegheny Energy and its partners as the proposal moves through the State Public Service Commission in Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia. Allegheny has not been forthcoming with information. For instance, why Sugarloaf Mountain does not appear on the proposed Route Map. As anyone who loves the mountain knows, it should occupy the white space just north of the Montgomery County Line, right below the proposed power line route.  As anyone who has hiked to the top can tell you, this is one heck of an oversight.

Concerned local residents finally have the opportunity to be heard as the project comes before the Frederick County Planning Commission and Board of Appeals. These meetings will investigate the consistency of PATH with the FredCo comprehensive plan.

The Planning Commission meeting is September 15 at 7pm
The BOA hearing is September 29 from 1-5pm and September 30th from 7-11pm.

All meetings take place in Winchester Hall, 12 East Church Street in Frederick.

Testimony from concerned residents is very much needed at these meetings. Please visit Sugarloaf Conservancy to learn more.

A map of the proposed powerline. Notice that it cuts directly through Frederick County’s proposed Environmental and Natural Resource Reserve, An area set aside for protection because of its unique environmental and cultural resources.  It also cuts within a few miles of Sugarloaf, but you will just have to trust us on that as the PATH map does not indicate a mountain there.

Frederick Court decision regarding Global Mission Church

Frederick Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the Frederick County Planning Commission’s (FCPC)decision to deny GMC’s Water and Sewer (W+S) Plan Amendment. Full court decision here.

Why does this Matter?

This case affirms that GMC must work within the 5,000 gpd septic capacity. With the size of their buildings and congregation, this seems impossible without seriously scaling down their proposed footprint and programming, no such backtracking has happened in the 2+ years of hearings on this issue. With this decision it seems more likely than ever that the site plan will be denied.

 The court case challenging the FredCo Board of Appeals ruling is still pending, we can expect it to begin in earnest in September. The full Petition for Judicial Review of the BOA decision can be found here..

To read all past posts on the GMC issue, click here and scroll down.

Background

The court decision is from a case filed in Circuit Court by GMC way back in the fall of 2008, with amendments in February of 2009.

Most Churches that apply for permits to build in FredCo’s Ag zone are small enough that normal well and septic, allowing 5000 gallons/day, are enough to support the size of their congregation. The plans for the GMC property would need far more than 5000 gpd to accommodate the many thousands of congregants attending services, Church estimates went as high as 11,600 gpd! (see p. 14 of Court Decision)

To increase the available water and septic on their site above the 5,000 gpd cap, GMC applied for a “multi-use” system designation, requiring an amendment to the County Wide Water and Sewer Plan. In deciding whether such a system should be allowed, the FCPC took the following into account:

- The Frederick County Comprehensive Plan seeks to limit development west of 270, “for conservation and rural/Ag uses to protect Sugarloaf Mountain, the Bennett Creek Corridor and other Natural Resources in the area.” The Urbana region section of the Comp Plan also specifically seeks to limit development in stream valleys, particularly along Little Bennett Creek.

- A large increase in available water and septic means more density is possible on that site, meaning more people, more buildings and more traffic, in opposition to the Comp Plan guidelines.

- Access to this site is not ideal; a 300 ft bridge (think of a football field) would have to be built over Little Bennett Creek, again in opposition to the Comp Plan.

In other words, FCPC members looked at all the pertinent factors and denied the Church’s plan because it was inconsistent with a number of Master Plans. We believe they acted in a logical, responsible fashion.

GMC, however, brought suit claiming that none of the previously mentioned factors should have any bearing on the FCPC’s decision, that the FCPC should have only looked at the septic capacity guidelines.

The Court’s decision upheld the FCPC’s decision, noting that the FCPC was duty bound to consider both consistency with Comprehensive Plans and the impact of higher density on the surrounding areas.

To read all past posts on Global Mission Church, click here and scroll down.

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.

MCA In the News – Mega Church Near Sugarloaf

Medill News Service came to see the mega church site near Sugarloaf Mountain:

Click here for the story…

Global Mission Mega Church in the News

See links for news coverage both local and national in nature featuring the Global Mission Project:

The “Hubris” of Global Mission Church

See this powerful letter to the editor in this week’s Gazette! 

Despite all efforts to inform and assist Global Mission regarding land use restrictions, master plans that aim to protect both Montgomery and Frederick farmland and critical natural resources – and provide opportunity to seek another site to establish their mega facility…

Global Mission is pressing on with an appeal to the Frederick Co. Board of Zoning Appeals.

 

Frederick Co. Planning Board says “No” to Mega Church

Frederick News Post covers mega church denial. 

 Read More: 

Visit:  Stop The Mega Church site  for more on what you can do!

 

Global Mission Mega Church: Denied!

Frederick County Planning Board votes to deny Global Mission Church’s site plan application 6 to 1.  

Read More:

Global Mission Church Not Appropriate for Rural Community

See Gazette Op-Ed entry by Eleanor Kotler, Dickerson.

Sample Letters

Dear Honorable Commissioners,

I live in Frederick County on Sugarloaf Mountain Road near the site of the proposed Mega-Church.  I cannot understand why Frederick Co. would want to site a Mega-Church here.  In the past, Frederick County has done much to preserve this west side of 270 near Urbana to kept the area zoned agricultural.  I understood that this acreage was rezoned to be a cemetery.  I welcomed this idea of a cemetery here and was looking forward to the quiet neighbors that would not pollute our environment, crowd our schools or tie up our roads.  The proposal to build a Mega-Church, instead of a cemetery, near Sugarloaf Mountain must be stopped. It’s presence would destroy the integrity of the region in this pristine area which includes the an Agricultural Preserve and the Stronghold Park itself. 

·       The increased impervious surface from such a large parking lot so close to Little Bennett Creek (once know as a pristine trout stream) would pollute the Creek and eventually pollute the Chesapeake Bay.  The Bay is a Maryland State treasure that must be protected. 

·       The huge septic system could (or would) leak into our aquifer and pollute our only source of drinking water.

·       Route 270 is currently in a state of gridlock much of the time.  The increased traffic would only increase the length and number of traffic jams that always occur near Exit 22.  Currently most traffic reports  mention the traffic jams at the “270 weigh stations” – only a short distance away.  Frederick County residents don’t want to be stuck in any additional traffic jams.  Shouldn’t this Mega-Church be located closed to its parishioners?

·       Any 85’ structure would damage many pristine views of Sugarloaf Mountain.  

·       The Light Pollution would reduce the visibility of the night sky that the residents of this rural area treasure.

·       As tax exempt organization, Global Mission Church will add $0.00 in tax revenues to either Montgomery or Frederick counties to offset costs for services which will be demanded by property users.

It would vastly reduce the quality of life of those of us who already live there and reduce our land value. It is an inappropriate use of this land.

Please vote against it.

Thank you

Sincerely,

X

—

Dear Planning  Commissioner,

I am writing to ask you for a no=vote on the Global Mission Church proposal before you.

As a resident of the Agricultural Reserve in Montgomery County, I have a real appreciation for wise land use planning. We enjoy the benefits of living in a pastoral, agricultural landscape, which is possible because our county leaders decided 28  years ago to  concentrate new urban and commercial development near existing transit corridors.   

Daily we see the benefits of combining land use and transportation planning in Montgomery County.  There are wonderful new developments near the Metro, which allow residents throughout the county to enjoy biking, hiking, and apple-picking along the rustic roads that wind through the Agricultural Reserve.

I frequently hike Sugarloaf  Mountain with groups of people from the city, who remark on the beauty of the patchwork fields and forested areas, that are in view from the trails winding around Sugarloaf.  I tell them that this is a result of gifted county planners who have worked to preserve this refuge for future generations.  

I realize that you have a desire to accommodate new development in Frederick County.  Why not follow the land use plan that has protected our Agricultural Reserve in Montgomery County?  

 -This would allow the large 138,000 sq. ft. facility to be located near already developed transportation corridors.  
 -This would protect the watershed from the negative impact of a large multi-building facility, & its impervious surface.
 -This would direct the increased traffic flowing from the religious facility to existing infrastructure that can accommodate it.
 -This would allow Frederick County to provide the spiritual benefits to their residents, without damaging the surrounding Sugarloaf Mountain countryside. 

Sugarloaf is a National Natural Historic site.   Please don’t destroy the surrounding agricultural area with this massive development.

Thank You for your attention,

X

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