A letter from a neighbor. My response is posted below:

Hello Seth,

I am cautiously optimistic after reading the 7/25 Gazette article about the Council's decision to delay the vote on rezoning the Art School property. I'm not sure, however, how to interpret or respond to Council President Marilyn J. Praisner's comments about the restrictions on the topics that can be addressed in the next meeting on this issue. In particular, she indicated that the only topics that can be considered in the rezoning decision were stormwater management issues, sewage capacity, possible park space, master plan conformance and traffic. She apparently has ruled out bringing the Legacy Open Space program into the discussion.

Do these restrictions put us at a disadvantage? How do they affect our chances of getting a park or of, at least, blocking the townhouse development from happening? The Gazette article implied that if the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission designates the property as part of the Legacy Open Space program, then its status under that program can be used to accomplish our goals. If this is so, then what can we do to expedite the Planning Commission's decision on this issue before the next meeting? Is it appropriate to ask Jeff Waldstreicher for his
suggestions on how to proceed here?

Thanks for all your efforts.

Rob