WMCA Minutes 5-16-2009 (cont.)
3. Write new Historic Commission guidelines with the Board
We need to introduce predictability with the new guidelines. Predictability is critical in this issue. We need to have a set of approved drawings and examples available for property owners to see when they have questions on improvements to their properties. We also need to be fair to working families who live in the historic district.
Questions from the audience:
Questions from the audience:
1. Annexation Concerns vs. Internal Concerns: Where do you place your priority in terms of annexations or internal concerns that need to be solved such as the Golden Mile:
Jason Judd’s Response: The mayor needs to direct how growth will occur over the next several years. We need to insist that we are following our vision of growth. The city needs to provide for targeted development with incentives first as a priority as annexation plans continue. The mayor also needs to stand up for schools in the city. Frederick High needs remodeling improvements similar to the Frederick Middle School. We need to have a mayor who will support the schools in need in the city. The mayor needs to organize educational partnerships with city students that involve scholarships that will encourage employment within the city.
Randy McClement’s Response: You have to have growth, but you need to control growth. We need to look within the city first before annexation development, but we cannot ignore expansion because we need an increased tax base. We should encourage interior development first. If it is not good for the city, we must turn down annexation growth plans. I am not happy with the county trying to dictate to the city about annexations that have been on the plans for years. We need to place more More
Randy McClement’s Response: You have to have growth, but you need to control growth. We need to look within the city first before annexation development, but we cannot ignore expansion because we need an increased tax base. We should encourage interior development first. If it is not good for the city, we must turn down annexation growth plans. I am not happy with the county trying to dictate to the city about annexations that have been on the plans for years. We need to place more More