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Post by Ellen on Jul 13, 2005 9:45:07 GMT -4
Am an out-of-towner that is very seriously interested in the Four Seasons Active Adult Community that is allegedly being built off Castle Marina Drive in Kent Island. Haven't been there since last year & am wondering what the progress of this project is. I know the 'locals' were not too happy about losing the cornfields to tons of houses & were doing legal battle. Anyone have any updates? Thanks for your help.
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Post by Alex on Jul 13, 2005 12:36:07 GMT -4
Still in the works, Could be years since one of the Comissioners is still fighting it. Nothing will be on the water or even have a water view ecept the club house. This is according to Hovnanian. If you want water front look at the Narrows. Can't get any better.
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Post by Rich on Jul 18, 2005 10:29:19 GMT -4
I think that the problem that the locals have with 4 Seasons is that it is being built on critical area land. It seems like QA County just rolled over and gave permission to K. Hovanian when enough money was thrown at them, and not because it benefitted the area. I personally don't like the idea of a mega-developer building up the area, but it is better than spot development and condos.
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Post by Rich on Aug 26, 2005 17:23:37 GMT -4
Not familiar with area What is Narrows?
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Post by Peter on Sept 2, 2005 15:29:12 GMT -4
Rich, The Narrows is the area between Kent Island (Chester) and Grasonville. It's where all of the hotels are, along with Red Eyes Dock Bar, Annies, Harris Crab House, Fisherman Inn, etc.
I'm mixed on the whole Hovnanian thing. They seem to build nice neighborhoods, but building on critical land is a really stupid thing to do. The plus side is that it's an over 55 area, so no stress on the schools and not too much commuter traffic. Also, not various spot developing and no section 8s. The bad side is that it will be a lot of strain on the VFD and older people tend to vote any needed improvements with the schools down. It seems odd that they would build an area like this in an area without a hospital.
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Post by Donna P on Sept 27, 2005 9:27:30 GMT -4
I don't understand why they aren't building this closer to Easton for many reasons. The land is cheaper, the access to a hospital is there, more shopping available, bigger VFD, etc. Placing this on Kent Island just seems stupid.
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Post by jp on Oct 1, 2005 13:53:59 GMT -4
There is actually a medical facility going in next to the new Kent Island VFD and a new grocery store is planned next store to the facility. So within walking are all the things needed to support the center. Us locals hate it but progress isa'comin...
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Post by Pam on Oct 4, 2005 13:38:13 GMT -4
I wasn't happy at first about K. Hovanian coming here, but it could be worse. The pluses are that it won't add to the crowding of the schools and commuter traffic. The minuses are that they are building on what was supposed to be protected land, and that it will place a strain on the VFD and other resources of that nature. It is a good idea to have a medical facility here overall. In the summer a trek to the hospital in an emergency on a beach traffic day could be really frightening.
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Post by Scott on Oct 27, 2005 10:14:23 GMT -4
Can anyone tell me if they have broken gound on the property yet? I heard that they were suposed to break ground by now?
Whats the latest on whats happening?
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Post by Bernadette on Nov 11, 2005 18:25:27 GMT -4
They were finally given the green light on the sewer allocation last Tuesday. After almost 8 years, Cassell, Smith and Cupani agreed while Koval and Ransom voted no again, and again and seem to think that they don't owe fudiciary responsibility to QAC residents. It will be a good thing in the long run for QAC. Possibly they will break ground in the spring- we will see
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Post by Scott on Nov 14, 2005 15:01:37 GMT -4
I recently (two weeks ago) drove to the area where they are schedualed to build. When I got to the property, I saw that there was some digging going on (on the right side of the access road) Plus there are alot of areas marked off with black fencing for future gigging.
I guess this digging is just for the water/sewer?
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Post by uvrays on Nov 16, 2005 14:00:08 GMT -4
Why do people continue to state that because it's an over 55 development that Four Seasons won't affect the school system? Empty nesters move into this development. What becomes of the house that they just sold? Those 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses? They get bought by families. I'm not saying that every resident of Four Seasons would come from the immediate area, but I'm sure that quite a few will. Now on to emergency services. Over 55. Don't you think elderly residents will require more ambulance calls? More people more cars. Where are the traffic upgrades?
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Post by Kerra on Nov 21, 2005 9:15:34 GMT -4
I just happened to talk to the sales dept. of Four Seasons, and I was amazed that 90% of the future residents of Four Seasons are retired, with spendable income and DO not come from QAC! So there you have it, we won't have the empty homes that some suspect. Let's don't look a gift horse in the mouth. In fact I was told four Seasons has a waiting list of thousands. Something is good about this...obviously. And what is wrong with kids anyway, we were all kids and we allhave to help give back to the next generations. Retired people do not drive statistically so the panic of traffic overcrowding is merely a myth. People moving into four seasons have health insurance which means they practice preventive care that ultimately cuts down on emergency care services.
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Post by uvrays on Nov 21, 2005 12:15:43 GMT -4
Kerra, do you live or will you be living around the Castle Marina area? Are the statistics you are quoting from Four Season's builder or are they from a reputable source? Or are they just heresay. This is NOT a gift horse. I have attended most of the hearings on Four Seasons. The majority of the attendees (Q.A. residents) at those meeting oppose this development. Of course the builder is going to paint a rosy picture.
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Post by Kerra on Nov 26, 2005 13:55:00 GMT -4
Yes, I have lived here for over 30 years and I too attended those meetings. At that time the people here got caught up in the swell of no development. Now, almost 4 years later thousands of people feel it is time to move on with Four Seasons. We have wasted more money fighting this development then what the former commissioners ever did. It is time to be fudicary responsible. It is inevittable that growth is going to take place. we don't want bad growth but we have to be realistic. I would not post heresay or even imply. So don't be so assuming. Realize that what you may have witnessed years ago at these meetings has defintely changed. This next election the residents (me included) will not let the scare tactics work of people trying to depict QAc as a next Glen Burnie. If you don't like it, we suggest you move to where people are becoming extinct. We like people, we are pro family, pro business and and we are once kids once. I never talked to a builder, just alot of people young and old.
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Post by uvrays on Dec 1, 2005 11:36:48 GMT -4
Don't try to paint me as anti family, anti business, anti kids or suggest I move. I am raising a family here and am concerned about overdevelopment. However, as residents we have the responsiblity and right to question ANY development thrust upon us. I agree with you about the wasted money fighting this development. Yes, it is time to move on. However, we don't need to give Four Seasons special treatment. I too have spoken with many residents and most want responsible growth as opposed to no growth. Informed people don't worry about "scare tactics". They look at all sides of the story before forming an opinion. I'm also looking forward to the next election. Finally, I didn't assume anything. I just asked you to provide some detail about the information you were providing.
One final note. Thanks for stating your opinion.
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Post by Stephanie on Dec 7, 2005 17:58:00 GMT -4
Kerra,
We agree with you. Growth has to be responsible and we do need to find places for our kids to come back from college, especially affordable housing. The latest conference hosted by the Eastern Shore Land Conservation brazenly suggested that people who can't afford to live here should just allow the government to take of them. HOw rude and down right scary!!
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Post by uvrays on Feb 15, 2006 10:27:25 GMT -4
JUDGE SAUSE ISSUES INJUNCTION AGAINST FOUR SEASONS, ORDERS IMMEDIATE HALT TO ALL WORK ON PROPOSED PROJECT February 10, 2006. -- The proposed 1350-unit Four Seasons development on Kent Island was dealt a major setback yesterday, when the Circuit Court ordered both the County and the developer K. Hovnanian not to take any further action to move the project forward. In a lawsuit brought by Kent Island resident Bob Foley and other neighbors of the project, the Court ruled that project must stop because no maps exist that accurately delineate the approval given by the County to Hovnanian in 2001 to develop in the critical area. The Court’s 28-pag! e opinion and judgment leave it up to the County whether to try now, four and one-half years later, to create accurate maps. If the County does try to create new maps, the Court’s ruling is that any such maps will have to be adopted by the current Commissioners in open, public sessions and then submitted to the Court for a hearing on whether the new maps in fact are an accurate depiction of what was approved in 2001. The Court sets a deadline of June 1 of this year for a determination by it with respect to any new maps. If none are adopted and submitted, or if it proves impossible to create accurate maps, then the injunction against Four Seasons will become permanent and the project will be effectively dead. The Court’s opinion contains harsh language concerning the County’s defense against the Foley lawsuit: “That the defendants persisted in their support of [inaccurate] . . . maps until after several proceedings, in and out of Court, reflects carelessness, if not bad faith. Private citizens who must expend large amounts of time and money and the judicial system should not be expected to forever indulge conduct which reveals nothing short of inattention to and misapplication of law, a wink at the requirements of the local critical area plan and demonstrated unwillingness or inability to employ the technical skills necessary to provide proper maps.” (Memorandum, page 20) The Foley lawsuit and other litigation against Four Seasons have been supported by the Queen Anne’s Conservation Association, a citizens’ group working since the 1970’s to promote stewardship of the County’s natural resources.
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Post by beantotherescue on Feb 17, 2006 17:47:45 GMT -4
The land they bought is where Benton Farm is...anyone making the connection with the other thread I started asking about info on the Benton family and farm.
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Post by native on Feb 19, 2006 3:22:42 GMT -4
I wish there was a way to stop all of this crap and when i say crap i really mean s**t from invading this beautiful historical island. I am so sick of seeing rich whining a** people from the other side of the bridge move their ignorant a**'s to this side of the shore and b**tch and complain like they know what they are talking about. Do they even know that this island was the first settlement in Maryland founded by John Smith in 1603 and that indian caves and cemetaries from 1700-1800 still exist (no i'm not talking about Stevensville cemetary just in case the recently arrived are reading). It just makes me want to throw up everytime i see, read, or hear about some new development or expensive a** business going up on the beaches and fields that this beautiful island is made up of. All of you that have recently moved over here from the western shore see this place as: "hmmmm well i've got a lot of money that i'm not really sure what to do with so i guess i'll move my spoiled rotten little family over on the eastern shore where it is still nice. Then i might as well invade all of the locals favorite places (restaurants, beaches, bars, sunsets, etc.) while wearing my corny expensive suit and act like i'm king s**t on turd island thinking that I'm actually impressing someone and build a freakin house right in the middle of an historic site so i can ruin the eastern shore just like the western shore." And then they feel all better. Oh yeah and the new LATIN MARKET going up across from Bakers Liquor is real nice also; can we say Montgomery County or how about Glen Burnie. I don't like it and never will because i am one of the few that actually appreciates this island for what it was and somewhat still is, not what it is becoming.
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Post by Paul M on Feb 19, 2006 12:17:09 GMT -4
Wow. It must really suck to be so closed minded, bitter and poor - Although I guess that you're closed minded because you're closed minded and poor. You're right, this IS such a beautiful place, but it's sad that you're so bitter and closed minded that you can't appreciate everything about the area. Don't worry, the hunting stores, K-Mart, Acme, and dive bars will still be here to serve you.
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Post by native on Feb 19, 2006 13:32:49 GMT -4
O.K. Paul M you must be from across the bridge. If you have lived here for longer than 10 years then my last statement is not addressing you. But if you are a local and have been here for more than 10 years than maybe you should move yourself across the bridge. But from the way you talk you seem very closed minded yourself thinking that everyone that lives on this island only cares about the hunting stores, K-mart, ACME, and dive bars. O.K. well that makes you stupid in my opinion. You probably don't even know your a** from a donut. Poor I am not, BUT I do not only care about how much money I have or how impressive I am to other people. In fact I could give two s**ts what you think of me. I don't even go into hunting stores, dislike K-Mart, and refuse to go into a lot of the bars on the Island anymore because of people like you who are loud and act like a freakin moron when you get a couple of drinks in you. And your ACME statement, what the hell is that, I guess your used to Whole Foods or something, of course I go to ACME you idiot its a grocery store. Anyway you must not be able to read very well or maybe your just slow because I believe my attention was pointing to the Glen Burnie style apartments and condos that are taking up all of the waterfront becasue some big Western shore contractor wants to make a buck. You know, it would probably be o.k. with me if people moved over here and renovated an old farm house or something but ripping down historic landmarks to build condos and strip malls so that closed minded people like yourself can move in, just pis**s me off. Oh yeah next time you reply try not to say closed minded so much because if thats all you've got your not worth my time. And let me specify about my statement on the Latin Market. I am not racist nor some stupid redneck like you probably believe but I used to work across the bridge in D.C., Montgomery County, and Virginia and i saw how it was over there. I feel this way because within the last year I have seen a Rockville style homicide on rt 552 that was between two latin americans and all of the Latin Markets in Rockville exist in Wheaton Plaza which cops wont even step foot in. I am not trying to discriminate against anyone, I just don't want to see something as quaint and historic as Kent Island become something as loud, busy, and dangerous as Wheaton Plaza. If you want something like that then don't move any closer than Annapolis. Thanks for your intelligent well written input, let me know when you have opened your mind.
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Post by Paul M on Feb 19, 2006 15:35:53 GMT -4
Actually, I have lived here for more than 10 years and I'm embarrassed that you think you "represent" Kent Island. But since you don't care what I think of you that shouldn't matter. If you're not going to the bars around here anymore because of "people like us" that's limiting yourself and allowing us to "win" and making your bitterness grow. BTW we bought an old existing house and would like to see Kent Island preserved, but when it comes to decrepit dwellings that are falling down or an eye sore something should be done. We love this area and want to see some pride on Kent Island. Downtown Stevensville is getting more services and higher end places. New stuff improves a place. I don't think Love Point Cafe or Swan Cove Spa or any other recent business makes Kent Island worse. I'm sorry that your experiences out in the world have soured you so much on experiencing new things and meeting new people. Your response to my post was very nasty. Please don't respond to me if you are going to be so hateful. Oh yeah, and use your spell check.
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Post by native on Feb 19, 2006 15:48:50 GMT -4
Hateful, like you calling me poor and telling me I can't spell. You are being completley hypocritical to your previous statements and twisting my words around. I'm sorry if this is the only response you know how to give. How about you don't respond to me unless you actually have some useful facts to bring to the table, not just using what I have already said.
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Post by Paul on Feb 19, 2006 16:23:53 GMT -4
Hateful like: (your words) "I am so sick of seeing rich whining a** people from the other side of the bridge move their ignorant a**'s to this side of the shore and b**tch and complain like they know what they are talking about" And "You probably don't even know your a** from a donut" And "because of people like you who are loud and act like a freakin moron when you get a couple of drinks in you" And "Anyway you must not be able to read very well or maybe your just slow" And "Thanks for your intelligent well written input, let me know when you have opened your mind" Sarcasm isn't intelligent or polite. Neither is profanity. I think this forum is more for the exchange of ideas. Yes, my first response was rude. I think I was reacting to your gross negativity (no, gross does not mean disgusting in this context, it means huge). And facts?! Like the facts you use: "the growth that I keep seeing like massive developments going up every other week". I don't know of any massive developments going up every other week. And "50 different housing developments". I'm not sure that there are 50. I understand that you're being facetious (that means you are exaggerating) to make a point, but if you're going to talk about facts in an argument, please do some research before you start spouting. Again, I'm sorry you've chosen to live your life being miserable. It's a shame. There's so much beauty in the world. Even with a Latin Market coming to town.
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