Caves Valley and Mr. Kamenetz have shown that they simply don’t get it and, as you said, the trust has been broken and remains severely damaged. This is a game changer for Mr. Kamenetz’s hope for a gubernatorial race and any other politician who stands with him.

Obviously RacerX does not understand the legal process of following the PUD process. To use the term “flip flop” shows RacerX does not understand that after the developers attorneys shameful performance at the community input meeting which clearly showed their lack of willingness to work with the community the councilman had 90 days from the meeting to revoke the PUD Soley on the basis of lack of cooperation and lying about who wrongly cut down the trees. RacerX …your choice of words only reveal your are one of the developer’s and county executives friends. It is their mantra. The denial of who ordered the trees to be cut down should shut down this whole process since the developer and our county executive have an undeniable relationship that gives bias for the developer and places the community at a huge disadvantage.

I would also deeply appreciate such thoughtfulness by the Baltimore County Council on the Towson Gateway project, especially Councilwoman Vicki Almond, who is likely to run for county executive.

The concerning issues before the council set a number of alarming precedents for similar projects, and undermine well-planned community development elsewhere in council districts and across the county.

It is time to move on.

Quickly, here’s why:

1. While concerns about contracts and plans are understandable, the Caves Valley Partners purchase offer was not a binding contract, and remains reliant on the Planned Unit Development (PUD) process and community input.

As the Baltimore Sun editorial board and many others note, it is time to move on: The current circumventing of zoning restrictions; as well as dismissal of EPA environmental guidelines to prevent gas stations within 500 feet of schools; clear-cutting the county’s own forestry conservation laws and numerous mature, canopy trees; and an anti-pedestrian design that violates downtown Towson’s Master Plan, in the end, does not make sense.

Baltimore Sun editorial: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bs-ed-0703-royal-farms-20170629-story.html

2. Another developer has recently shown interest in bringing a financially productive longterm project for this site, vs. the planned $26,0000 or so a year in tax revenues. The current project is neither financially sound nor is a another large gas station and convenience store appropriate/quality development for downtown Towson, one of Baltimore County’s jewels.

3. There is national police-based evidence that 24-hour status is a primary contributor to crime at convenience stores, yet Caves Valley Partners, among its many refusals to meet community concerns–including failing to report an underground fuel storage tank while USTs have been cited elsewhere on county properties for benzene levels–insists that 24-hour operation is planned. These and other non-responsive actions violate the intent of legally binding Planned Unit Development protocols.

Much of this came to light after the PUD process began late last year. Therefore, there’s ample reason–along with the overwhelming community opposition—to adjust plans now.

If this project goes forward as is, we have to wonder why. What influence is at work? A mistaken move here will follow future county and state elections, as the Towson community and many others are too aware of the issues.

If our county executive digs in his heels, we know that it is not the community nor his constituents that he values, but, unfortunately, a particular cadre of campaign-funding developers–even over other business interests.

In the end, please remember this is not a standard commercial project. This is public land. An urgent and heartfelt request to our publicly elected leaders: Please do the right thing and approve Councilman David Marks’ well-researched resolution to pull out the gas station component of this project.

Let’s. Move. On.

It was a very smart move to listen to the people who have the votes. IMHO he’s not going to change his mind again. KK is staying quiet for a reason, not sure why Vicki Almond is so surprised. If she votes against Marks it will be career suicicide for her. She takes the public fall for KK who was heavily involved in starting this project and KK goes onto run for governor.