Harpers Ferry WV Besieged By New Development
Jefferson County Needs Responsible Growth Planning
Article by Walton Stowell, July 4, 2000
Published in 3 local news-papers
New developments of suburbs in Jefferson County, specifically the Harpers Ferry area, have disturbed many existing residents and generated much concern from various members of the community. The following are comments from five members of the established and evolving area (including myself) who wish to convey extreme caution.
Peter Dessauer / NPS Architect / Harpers Ferry: “New developments must take into account the proximity of basic services and availability of amenities. This area must plan for and design inter-sections of traffic in scale with increasing population and visitors; to avoid further congestion problems. Relative to the area's traffic conditions five years ago, there is already too much traffic on existing roads. 'Development is coming', but location of services is fundamental in order to feed the population.”
Allison Alsdorf / Concerned Citizen / Harpers Ferry: “It would behoove us to plan for green spaces and history before the fact. Developers say it won't cost us, but look at the numbers (roads in relation to capacity to bear traffic that development brings). Development affects quality of life. Even since 1992, our area has changed and built up dangerous congestion. Once you destroy resources, they are hard to retrieve. I don't see a lot of experienced planning around. We must consider the condition of our historic sites, and our existing school system. The National Park Service has upset people, but even the Hatfield's and McCoy's are coordinating efforts now. If we don't take the time to protect our historic and natural resources, they won't be here (but the smog will).”
Mike Mattingly / Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission / Charles Town area: “My primary concern is that residential development in the county needs to be preceded by economic development, because residential development doesn't pay for itself in tax revenue. The tax burden on residents will continue to increase, without sufficient economic support to supplement the tax base. Without the economic development, community services and infra-structure will continue to erode. County authorities need to concentrate on bringing economic development prior to allowing more residential development. In Jefferson County, old and new residents want to preserve the natural beauty and historic resources. Sprawl development threatens all of these things.”
Sharon Phenneger / American Farmland Trust / Bakerton: “We, as a national non-profit organization, work with counties, states, land trusts, and individuals to support sustainable farm-land. Pennsylvania and Maryland have already protected much of their farm-land with easements. We will work with any group we can. Farmers can protect their property with conservation easements if they donate or sell, their development rights. The Eastern Panhandle has a gift; a unique quality of life. If we don't act now, we won't have that same quality in five to ten years. Unless we have proper vision and planning, we won't be in control. Development is coming, but it is important to regulate how our land is developed.”
Walton Stowell Jr. / Apprentice Architect / Harpers Ferry: “I was born and raised in this area, and have grown proud of our Washington and Jeffersonian heritage; which is our farm-lands, rural mountainous beauty, and natural wilderness. In my travels for education and work, I have seen shopping centers and housing developments destroy the integrity of entire regions through-out the United States of America. This article includes statements I recorded from several others who care as I do about preservation. These opinions are meant to show that I am not alone in my conviction, and to convey the complexity of planning considerations for regional population growth and sustainable development. Farm-land from Harpers Ferry to Charles Town is now labeled 'Shopping Center Land' and will be a waste-land of 'Dan Ryan' row-housing. Our real-estate is being sold out, and despoiled by companies that do not care about us. Thousands of acres of beautiful farm-land and woods are threatened by a newer and bigger instant city of monotonous generic boxes. Huntfield development will be larger than its neighbor, the historic city of Charles Town. Stacks of polluting boxes, will fall upon paved dreams.
Are you (the reader) an active and concerned citizen, aware of your environment? Do you represent your enlightened self truly in public forum? Do you support education, preservation, and innovation for over-all well-being and responsible local livelihoods?? Some new and old environmental and preservation heroes have been making progress here as individuals who provide insight to our struggle, as defenders of democracy and our rural republic. In order to preserve our idealistic rights and liberties, we must act conservatively as agrarian stewards. Our country and county reflect us as people; we can be careful and considerate, or hasty and irresponsible.”
“Quality or Quantity: a choice you have to make... Long live Harpers Ferry!”
- Greg Graffin of Bad Religion (from their Against the Grain album 1990, and a personally signed quote)