Planners recommend rezoning 10 acres

June 07, 2000

The Washington County Planning Commission is recommending rezoning 10 acres on Downsville Pike next to the former Moose lodge from residential multifamily to highway interchange .

The Planning Commission made the recommendation during its meeting Monday night, Planning Director Robert Arch said. The recommendation goes next to the Washington County Commissioners, Arch said.

About 20 local residents had petitioned against the rezoning. But Clyde Bartles, president of the homeowners association for Town Oak Village, which is adjacent to the property, supports the rezoning.

The vacant land is on the southeast side of Downsville Pike near its intersection with Halfway Boulevard, north of Interstate 70, adjacent to the north side of Interstate 70.

The request was made by 632 Joint Venture, a Maryland general partnership. Highway rezoning allows commercial and industrial development but not residential development.

The same rezoning request was made in March 1998. At that time the County Commissioners voted down the request 4-0, at the urging of 30 residents.

Attorney William Wantz, representing the company, has noted that the county rezoned the adjacent former Moose Club property from agricultural to highway interchange 1 in 1997.

Joint Venture also owns the former Moose lodge property. Rezoning supporters say the character of the neighborhood has changed substantially, with one change being the opening of ramps leading to and from Interchange 70.

- Scott Butki

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