SPEAKOUT

The Baltimore Sun

LAST WEEK'S ISSUE: -- Although Wal-Mart has abandoned plans to build on a prime 20-acre parcel fronting Route 3 South in Crofton, the property owner and developer hasn't given up hopes of bringing in a big-box retailer.

William D. Berkshire has pressed ahead on seeking key state approvals to build on the forested land within the 121,000-square-foot Wal-Mart footprint, while talking with several suitors about a variety of projects.

Berkshire said this month that he is interested in pursuing a "mixed-use" project with shops, homes and offices. He declined to rule out any plans and said no decision was imminent.

"We are trying to get the right plan, the right plan for the company and the best we can do for the area," Berkshire said.

What would you like to see Berkshire build on this property?

Site would be ideal for school, athletics

For years I have heard discussion of how overcrowded Crofton schools are and that it needs its own high school. Why not build a high school? There is enough land to build athletic facilities that would be needed.

Using the land for this purpose would truly bring the community together.

Krista Swetz Crofton

Why not a hotel on Wal-Mart site?

First choice would be to have the land preserved as a park or have a county aquatic center. Since neither of those is likely to happen, we need a nice hotel - but on the former Wal-Mart site (west side of Route 3), not right at the entrance to Crofton, as Mr. Berkshire seems to be proposing again.

Evelyn Harris Crofton

Hotel would have the least impact

I would ideally like to see no development take place on the Route 3 property. Otherwise, I would prefer a hotel and restaurant to a shopping center with many storefronts.

Further, it is very important that Route 3 traffic be impacted as little as possible. Do not add any new access lanes to the property, but bring traffic in through the existing light (with improvements) at Cronson Boulevard.

I would like a solution that has minimal traffic, visual, and environmental impact.

Aaron Gray Crofton

Let's keep it green with park, path

I have lived in Crofton and surrounding areas for 29 years, and like all residents am overjoyed that Wal-Mart will not be coming, since it's not needed.

William Berkshire still wants to develop that land, which I am totally opposed to because it's a wetlands back there and the infrastructure is not good for development. What I would like to see back there is a park where people can lunch perhaps (those who work around the area there) ... put picnic tables, have a bike/dog path for residents. Keep it green back there.

Route 3 is much too overdeveloped with retail. Any more is insanity.

All Berkshire cares about is fattening his wallet. He's lived in Crofton for decades, like me, but will most likely leave the area eventually but only after he's left his overdeveloped, crowded retail mark here.

R.J. Darrow Gambrills

Preserve land as forest, wetlands

I would like to see the land remain as it is. Possibly, it could be sold to the county as parkland. The wetlands on the site need to be preserved for the health of the Patuxent River. Too much green space in this area is being lost to development.

Robert E. Smith Crofton

Keep big boxes out of Crofton

If he is going to build on it, let it be for a mixed use: residential, shops and a park. NO BOX STORES.

Bill Easton Annapolis

Stop development from devouring area

The traffic on Route 3 is already terrible, and there is land being developed farther north on Route 3 near the Village at Waugh Chapel shopping center. I can only imagine what traffic will be then.

I would like to see at least some part of Crofton remain undeveloped; otherwise we will eventually be looking at one big cinder block. One of the reasons I moved to Crofton nine years was the lack of development.

Nancie Allen Crofton

'Mixed-use' plan is supportable

Mr. Berkshire certainly has the right to develop his property along Route 3 to its maximum potential. However, as there are environmental and traffic issues associated with changes he is seeking for this site, any modifications to the current zoning use should be thoroughly evaluated and publicized prior to any approvals being granted by the county and state authorities and allow for community input.

As the community has already voiced its disapproval of a big-box retailer being brought in to occupy this site, Mr. Berkshire's new interest in pursuing a "mixed-use" project of retail, shops and homes represents a use that I believe a majority of the community could support.

Charles See Crofton

Undeveloped land should be preserved

I would like to see the Berkshire property on Route 3 across from Crofton remain undeveloped and used as a natural area for our community - perhaps a walking trail with identifying markers for the wildlife and flowers along the way or maybe just kept as a conservation area.

The county has purchased other parcels of land to be kept as green spaces and this is a pretty piece of land along the streams that form the Little Patuxent River. We have enough commercial development around Crofton and in a few years we will be very happy that we preserved something.

Pam McGhee Crofton

410-451-4529

Site would be ideal for retiree complex

I envision an age 55-plus condo building and a mixture of medical, other offices and small stores. This area would be connected closer to the rest of Crofton by a walkway that bridges Route 3 and a shuttle that runs regularly to the local grocery stores, the library, etc.

This would provide a great area to live for retired locals who are looking to downsize and remain part of the Crofton community. This plan would also help local businesses thrive by increasing accessibility.

J. Schneider Crofton

Nature and health take precedence

I would love to see the area that Berkshire owns made into a park, bike path, place to go bird watching. Crofton needs that space for the kids and we need to preserve the wetlands, nature and all the animals in that area. It's God's land, which is a precious gift to us we need to protect.

If there has to be stores, maybe it can be a farmers' market or a Whole Foods/natural food store, something along the lines of community, health and nature.

Rosa Perez Crofton

The area needs senior housing

I would like to see active-adult housing and restaurants for the seniors and the rest of our community. There are a lot of seniors looking for active-adult communities in Anne Arundel County.

Laura Redmond Crofton

We don't need more stores in this area

Either build Crofton High School, a nice hotel or a movie theater on the site. Or don't build anything at all. We don't need any more retail stores or restaurants in this area.

Edward Chalgren Crofton

Recreation is best for West County site

The property should be rezoned open space and be turned into a recreational opportunity. A connection to the trail system in the area would be beneficial. This would most likely require working with the city of Bowie and Prince George's County.

I am under the impression that a lot of this site is in the floodplain, and this area should be planted with trees in a buffer around the stream, and the rest of the site should be designed as a park for West County residents.

Even an indoor recreational facility would be highly used, as there is no such building in this area of the county.

Kate Fritz Gambrills

Let's use the land for organic farming

If the Crofton community could acquire the land through rental or purchase, then it could be divided into plots for rent and on which people from Crofton could grow food and vegetables organically for home use.

It might be necessary to do a preliminary survey to find out how many people would be interested in renting plots.

If the virtues of organic food were publicized and people were offered the opportunity to grow their food and vegetables, perhaps many would wish to do so. I know I would.

Paul Surlis Crofton

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