I sense that the Eastern Shore, at least part of it, is waking up to the problem of reckless development. When I met new people last week and told them I lived in Oxford, they commented, “I guess you’re worried about the Poplar Hill Farm development.” I am. When I commented to another friend that I was taking the boat out later in the day, he asked, “Does the water seem worse this year?” It does.
These comments are not a scientific poll, but, when taken together with the Talbot Integrity Project “Fix Lakeside” signs and a continual stream of excellent letters to the editor and articles in The Spy expressing concern over development, I see progress. The chorus of voices saying “no” to developers is growing. That is good news. But will the voices get loud enough to reach the ears of county and town councils? That remains an open question.
Our waters—one of the assets that makes the Eastern Shore a wonderful place to live—are in trouble. The data meticulously collected by ShoreRivers, and other organizations indicates a direct connection between development and declining water quality. This means that every vote in favor of additional development, especially development anywhere near our rivers, is a vote to destroy our way of life and turn the Eastern Shore into something mediocre.
Dare I say it? Development is a dirty word. The dirt is bacteria, phosphorus, poor water clarity, chlorophyll a in the water and more. The “dirt” not only often makes it dangerous to swim in the water but threatens the Eastern Shore economy. Like crabs? Either start worrying about the health of our rivers or give Vietnamese crabmeat a try. Newsflash—the Chesapeake Bay fishery is destructible.
I understand why many of us are concerned about uncontrolled development. What I do not understand is why anyone would welcome and promote massive, character-changing “new towns” such as Lakeside and Poplar Hill Farm. The easy answer is that developers are out to make their bucks and won’t be around to address the repercussions (further deterioration of water quality, traffic congestion, overtaxed schools and health resources, more crime, and “development spurred by development,” meaning construction of more big box stores to meet shopping needs of new residents).
Is it only developers’ desires for profits behind the threats to the Eastern Shore? I think not. The problem is also delusional thinking—the belief that more people will somehow make the community stronger. If Easton or Chestertown were five times as large as they are now, for example, would the cultural offerings in both be greater than they are today? Good question. But when you answer it, ask yourself what the price will be for “moving into the 21st century.” People forget that growing communities frequently mean endless parades of road-widenings and additional trailers to “adjust” for overcrowded schools.
No compelling reasons justify growing the Eastern Shore in a manner that degrades our environment. Already fully developed areas of America have plenty of room to accommodate increases in the population. And re-development of these areas brings the added benefits of restoring economic vitality to cities and, by substituting for development in environmentally sensitive areas, improving the environment.
We also must remember climate change. Many of us live in areas where rising sea levels are, or should be, a major concern. Why should the government permit or encourage development in areas that are subject to elevated levels of risk from hurricanes, flooding, and other natural disasters? Better put, why stick our tongues out at mother nature?
When someone asks you what the “Fix Lakeside” signs mean, you can explain the complicated process for approving new sewer capacity, or you can simply say it means there should be no more development without comprehensive consideration of the impact on all aspects of our community and strict compliance with all approval protocols. You can also say elected officials stop destroying the Eastern Shore!
Disclosure: I am a signatory on the Fix Lakeside petition organized by the Talbot Integrity Project. If you haven’t read the petition and considered signing it, I encourage you to do so.
J.E. Dean is a retired attorney and public affairs consultant writing on politics, government, and other subjects.
Tom Timberman says
I imagine Kent County is the antithesis of what Mr. Dean is describing. Far from “Reckless Development”, the County has had minimal economic development in the 25 yeares my wife and I have lived here. However, there is a slight glimmer of possible progress. Last week the Kent Commissioners held a public meeting to discuss approving a proposal to raise the height limits on buildings in the 301 corridor by 15′ (designated for KC developmenbt) and approximately 58% of those who spoke supported it and 42% were opposed. However, The Commissioners have yet to vote. Tom Timberman
Deirdre LaMotte says
Why? So huge warehouses filled with robots doing
most of the work, and perhaps a scattering of minimum wage jobs for humans? You call that economic development in a soil rich part of the county?
Adding hundreds of acres of impervious building
will benefit, arguably one of the areas most precious resources: The Chester River, Sassafras and the Bay?
Of course not. This is wrong development from stem to stern. Period.
John Dean says
Thanks for sharing that information and for reading my piece.
Bill Anderson says
I sincerely believe that there is hope for Kent County and specifically, Chestertown. George Washington, on his final journey that brought him to and through Chestertown was asked for advice on how to best grow and preserve Chestertown. Being in somewhat of a hurry to reach Philadelphia, Washington advised that he would recommend doing nothing until he returmned with answers to the inquiry. As you look around you and observe, notice that his advice was accepted and followed. Nothing has changed.
Gren Whitman says
Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are already choked with nitrogen and phosphorous runoff from corn and soy fields and numerous industrial poultry “farms” on the Eastern Shore.
Additional residential and commercial developments will only add to this existing pollution.
John Dean says
I could not agree more. Thank you for reading the piece and weighing in on this important issue.
Don E. Itall says
The readers of this forum are the epitome of “I’ve got mine, so none for you”. I’ve got my little house on Water Street, or my farmette in Quaker Neck so let’s raise the drawbridge so that no one else has an opportunity to make a living here. Young people leave in droves as there’s no employment other than low paying/low skill level jobs in fast food shops (at least in those that haven’t closed their doors). Look at the school populations – KCHS at one time had nearly 1200 students, now it’s not much more than half that. Population in 1900 was 18,800; 2020, 19,000. Wow! Over 100 years and the population has risen by almost 100. I guess the ‘raise the drawbridge’ crowd has been pretty effective. I’ve lived here all my 70+ years and see a constant effort to maintain Kent (Can’t) County the way it’s been since the 40’s and 50’s. I suspect that about the same time I dry up and blow away, so, too, will Kent County.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Oh, feel better?
And you think young people are going to stay to work
in a warehouse? No, sorry, not with options as remote
working and decent start-ups. Many locals
come back with their own businesses. WAC grads too.
Please stop accusing people of “I have mine” when
we are not the ones attempting to ruin an area.
What do you want, former farmland made into
mega storage warehouse farms? Yawn. How
uncreative.
Stephen Schwarz says
The health of our rivers is important. But, I am not a scientist and it usually takes a scientist to articulate exactly what effect Lakeside and Poplar Hill will have on our rivers. But traffic congestion… now there’s an issue everyone can understand. Years ago (50?), the Easton Bypass was opened to allow residents of St. Michaels and Oxford a way to get to their communities without having to drive through the Town of Easton. It also became a way for ocean goers to get around the lights and congestion of Route 50. Fast forward to now and there is no time saving benefit to anyone to get on Route 322. The Bypass still keeps people out of the Town of Easton, but that is the only benefit. With the addition of the Poplar Hill development, you will definitely see one more traffic light on 322 and probably two. I feel pretty confident Lakeside will also be getting a traffic light so that it’s residents can safely get on Route 50 going in either direction. There was a saying, “Everything is 15 minutes away from Easton.” Now, it’s “Everything is a half an hour away from Easton.” With Lakeside and Poplar Hill… “Everything will be an hour away from Easton!” When is enough enough?