BLOG: Just say "NO" to the CVS on SW Corner of Joppa and Harford Roads!

I repeat Just say "NO" to the CVS on SW Corner of Joppa and Harford Roads!!!  Let your voice be heard!

Come to the CIA (Carney Improvement Association) meeting tonight at Carney Elementary School 3131 E. Joppa Road at 7 p.m. and express your opposition to the crazy proposal to negatively impact the already failing intersection at Joppa and Harford Roads.

Together we can keep the quality of life in Carney. 

Last evening the Planning Board Hearing for the 2012 CZMP (zoning issues) for District 5 (Councilman David Marks) was held at Perry Hall HS.  

I was very pleased to learn that the Office of Planning staff recommendation for CZMP issue 5-019 (to allow CVS to build on SW corner of Joppa and Harford Roads) is to keep the zoning residential. 

We are very hopeful that Councilman Marks will take the advice of the Office of Planning Staff and keep the zoning residential for the SW corner of Joppa and Harford Roads. 

If you oppose CZMP Issue 5-019 to upzone the property from residential to business to build a CVS on the SW corner of Joppa and Harford Roads, call Councilman David Marks at 410.887.3384 or email Councilman David Marks at council5@baltimorecountymd.gov .

We also received a copy of a letter that District 8 Delegate John Cluster sent to the Planning Board opposing CZMP 5-019 and urging them to keep residential zoning for the SW corner of Joppa and Harford Roads  instead of upzoning the land to business zoning to enable CVS to build on that corner.

Last night at the Planning Board CZMP Hearing, I was very fortunate to be joined by Carney residents Ray Weber, Jim Cousler and Gerry Gordon at Perry Hall HS last night.  I spoke in opposition to CZMP issue 5-019 and so did Mr. Weber.  Mr. Cousler brought 13 letters signed by Carney residents opposed to the upzoning to business for the property at the  SW corner of Joppa and Harford Roads. 

The only people who came to speak in favor of CZMP issue 5-019 were the Rosenberg Martin Greenberg LLC lawyer and representative for JC Barr, the developer who wants to build the CVS at the SW corner of Joppa and Harford Roads.  The rationale they gave for the zoning change is that all the other corners are commercial so the SW corner should be commercial too. 

Of course, they did not say that the intersection at Joppa and Harford Roads is failing and does not need additional distractions.  They also did not mention that CVS has a large store across from The Bowman Restaurant perfectly able to meet the needs of CVS customers with the addition of a drive thru window and maybe some remodeling. 

I know that refurbishing the CVS across from the Bowman Restaurant is a greener and cheaper alternative to a new building.  That is why the Board of Education did not rip down Parkville HS and build a new one because they could do major renovation at a cheaper price.

You can make a difference just show up tonight at 7 p.m. at Carney Elementary School and speak up!