Published: November 30, 2007 11:59 am      

Zoning hearing postponed

CUMBERLAND - The Allegany County commissioners decided on Thursday to postpone a public hearing for the LaVale Region Plan until January.

The meeting had been set for 1 p.m. on Dec. 6. Planning Coordinator Phil Hager said he recommended the county commissioners reschedule the hearing to allow the Planning and Zoning Commission to consider a recent request for an amendment to the plan.

The Planning Commission will hold its own public hearing on the matter at 7 p.m. Dec. 19.

At the Planning and Zoning Commission's Nov. 5 meeting, a handful of residents identifying themselves as the Garden City Homeowners Association asked that their 58-home subdivision be designated low-density residential development instead of medium-density. The planning commissioners were concerned the group didn't speak for the majority of the homeowners.

Nearly half of the Garden City neighborhood attended the Nov. 19 meeting. A spokesman for the group claimed to have a petition signed by all 58 property owners requesting low-density residential development.

At that point, Hager said, all parties agreed the group should petition the county commissioners at the Dec. 6 hearing and recommend an amendment to the plan before the plan is adopted.

A number of local groups - including the League of Women Voters of Allegany County, Citizens for Smart Growth in Allegany County and the Allegany County Forestry Board - expressed concern over changes made to the plan Oct. 17, the same night the Planning Commission recommended the plan and forwarded it to the county commissioners for consideration.

Since then, County Commissioner Jim Stakem said the Times-News had been a forum for "anti-growth" people to protest the LaVale Region Plan and, by extension, the proposed 4,300-unit Terrapin Run subdivision in Green Ridge.

During the public comment period, Judy Lipski, president of the League of Women Voters of Allegany County, asked the commissioners to consider holding an evening meeting. She said some people can't take off work for an afternoon public hearing and more people would be able to attend an evening session.

Stakem said he didn't like the Planning Commission "being accused of conducting business behind closed doors." He said the volunteer group has held "more public meetings than ever before in the county's history."

Commissioner Dale Lewis said there hasn't been a single meeting behind closed doors.

"The public's been allowed to come," Lewis said. "It's not like the public hasn't had any input in this. They've had a lot of input."

Stakem invited Hager and members of the Planning Commission to attend the county's regular meeting at 11 a.m. Dec. 6. There, Stakem said he plans to address those accusations.

"We've taken testimony from hundreds of residents in the last two years," Hager said, referring to county staff and planning commissioners.

He added that Planning Commission President Bill Davis even affords those who have not registered to speak an opportunity to do so before adjourning each meeting or work session.

More than 20 public meetings have been held regarding the LaVale Region Plan, Hager said. While Stakem said he wouldn't say no to honoring Lipski's request, he also commented further.

"We're trying to do this right. We're never going to satisfy everybody. That's evident."

Stakem questioned whether Lipski spoke for herself or for an organization that claims to represent more than four dozen area residents. Lipski said everything presented on letterhead has been discussed and voted on by the board.

"The League of Women Voters is taking on an activist role I've never seen before," Stakem said. "I'm concerned at what seems to be developing in recent times."

County Attorney William Rudd noted that LaVale residents don't seem to be the ones complaining.

"I think that's speaking a lot," Rudd said.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.