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A Statement of
Purpose
The Greater Highland Crossroads Association
(GHCA) was formed in March 2002. Its
founding was spurred largely by
increasing development pressures in our area, and it continues to
represent Highland
and rural
portions of Fulton
and Clarksville
on issues affecting our quality of life. Over the last two years GHCA
has
celebrated and highlighted the historic nature of our 250-year-old
community.
The initial
focus of
the GHCA was the development on the Northwest Corner of Routes 216 and
108 in
the heart of Highland. The
developers of this project are now
members of GHCA, and participated in the drafting of the voluntary
design
guidelines adopted by the Association. GHCA
has also
been active on issues involving traffic, public safety,
water quality, zoning and planning, historic designation and other
matters
deemed significant by the Membership. At the request of the
Association, the MD
SHA conducted traffic studies and has implemented significant changes
including
crosswalks, signaling and signage to promote safer conditions in the
Crossroads
area.
In recent years
our
efforts have become focused on preserving and promoting the stated
purposes of
the Rural Residential zoning designation (RR). We have identified the
increased
use of the Rural Residential/ Density Exchange Option (RR/DEO),
and the outmoded list of permitted
“Conditional Uses” as a threat to the rural nature
of our community. GHCA is in
favor of removing this option from the RR/DEO
zone in which we live because it is in direct conflict with the stated
purpose
of the RR zone: “to allow low density residential development
within a rural
environment.” Additionally we propose amending the
conditional use process and
eliminating many of the current conditional uses. To this end GHCA
continues to
meet with Council Members and the County Executive
on this and
other issues affecting greater Highland
such as stricter zoning enforcement, and preserving a safe, adequate
ground
water supply.
Members of the
GHCA
are not opposed to development; however, they want to see it evolve in
a way
that compliments the quality of life in Highland
– not compromises it. Development
pressures in our area are becoming increasingly burdensome and
seriously jeopardize
the character of our “still countrified” area of Howard County.
Your
participation
and membership is actively encouraged and appreciated.
As
neighbors, we can only help each other if
we get to know each other. This is the principle reason GHCA has
assumed the
role of organizer for Highland Day to promote a greater sense of
community
among all the residents and the businesses that serve us.
The GHCA meets
as
necessary on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00
at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church at Route 216 and Hall Shop Road. Meetings
are limited to one hour to encourage
the widest possible attendance, with check in at 6:50.
Our newsletter
is
published monthly; please leave your e-mail address at our booth on
Highland
Day so you
will be kept up-to-date on
local matters and advised of meetings. Or you may e-mail Dan
O’Leary at danielol@aol.com.
The Officers and
the
Board value and appreciate your continued support.
Dan
O’Leary, President
Liz
Davis, Second Vice President
Mike
Fennessy, Treasurer
Sherrie
Zabriskie, Secretary
Charlotte
Williams, Highland Day Chair
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