An Open Letter to the Charles County Planning Commission

I emphatically oppose the Chaney application for rezoning to Heavy Industrial from Agricultural Conservative and I implore our Planning Commission to deny the application. Every one of us in Hughesville continues to work hard for our investment. This is where we raise our kids, tend to our homes and produce our goods. It's so painfully obvious to me this location is inappropriate for a Heavy Industrial operation. I am most concerned with peripheral development around the Village of Hughesville. It's reasonable to surmise once one parcel goes Heavy Industrial, a precedent is set and other applications and approvals will soon follow.

According to the 2003 Maryland State Highway Administration Traffic Volume Map, there were of an average of 14,725 daily trips in that approximate location. I suspect the relocation of an operation requiring a rezoning to Heavy Industrial from Agricultural Conservative will only exacerbate an already over-utilized two-lane road with truck traffic. I also think other routes in the area will be affected. Route 381, Route 5, Route 2, Route 4, Dr. Bowen Road, Poplar Hill Road, Oliver Shop Road and Bryantown Road will probably see increased truck traffic if the application to rezone is approved.

We have a revitalization plan and rezoning an Agricultural Conservative parcel to Heavy Industrial for a sand and gravel operation is not a desire of the community or the vision of the plan. I certainly understand Chaney's desire to relocate to Hughesville, the location to distribute/receive product to/from the rest of Southern Maryland is ideal for any business.

The Village Revitalization Plan was designed to accommodate anticipated growth, village core revitalization, economic development and physical enhancement while preserving the village center character of Hughesville. How does a large, Heavy Industrial operation fit in the Hughesville Village Revitalization Plan? Clearly, it doesn't. I don't think it's visually desirable and I am unable to connect the direct economic benefit to Hughesville and its citizens.

Hughesville is at a cross-road and I think Chaney Enterprises is too. I think Chaney has an opportunity to diversifying their business. Obviously, sand and gravel are in limited supply in Charles County. So what's next for Chaney? Why not consider planting a vineyard at the Hughesville site? There has been tremendous local interest and State level support in the wine grape production throughout the Southern Maryland region. The agricultural use may fit the needs of revitalizing the Village of Hughesville and certainly would fit the broad agrarian characteristics of the surrounding area.

Maryland Cooperative Extension coordinated a workshop earlier this year that covered a broad overview of commercial vineyard development. From pre-plant planning and into the third year including economics, marketing information, variety, clone and rootstock choices, site selection and preparation, pre-plant decisions, equipment and supply requirements, the basics of ordering, planting, and tending the vines through the third year of growth, as well as best practices for training, canopy management, and pest management. That was the first of a two-part series. Why not take advantage of their experience and expertise?

I have no idea if the soil will support wine grapes, if Chaney is motivated or if there's any community support for a commercial Vineyard. But with a parcel as large as this one and given its location, I think there's an excellent opportunity here. Not only is it an excellent opportunity to diversify a mature County business, but an excellent opportunity to help revive a once thriving Village and preserve the surrounding community's quality of life.

Chaney Vineyards. What do you think?

Craig Barrett
Hughesville, MD