Responsibility Links

Frederick County

Frederick County Planning Commission

Eastalco Citizens Advisory Board

Eastalco

Major Contributors to our Situation:

• Eastalco: At the top of the list is Eastalco for putting the shareholders interests above those of the community - even though that's the job of a public company. EastAlco has definitely been community friendly and has made significant contributions in the past to the Adamstown community and for that we thank them.  But I feel that the placement of a power plant on their property is not in the best interests of our community.

• Frederick County Planning Commission:  Why has the planning commission not been proactive and changed the zoning for this land away from General Industrial to at least Light Industrial, or better yet some form commercial zoning.  They are busy approving massive residential development all around this property, and should considering the impact that GI will have on the community as that they are changing.  Either stop all development within a few miles of this area, or change the uses for the land.

• Frederick County Board of County Commissioners:  Why has the BOCC not been proactive and changed the zoning for this land away from General Industrial to at least Light Industrial, or better yet some form commercial zoning (where they could put a swimming pool).  They are busy approving massive residential development all around this property, and should considering the impact that GI will have on the community as that they are changing.  Either stop all development within a few miles of this area, or change the uses for the land.

• Area Residents:  After the successful fight to fend of the last power plant in this general area, residents of the area should have realized that the GI Zoning of the Eastalco site was a cause for great concern.  While Eastalco currently uses all of that land as a buffer around their facility, any other uses of that land - such as a power plant or other high impact heavy industry -would be incompatible with everything that makes Adamstown the great community it is.

Questions, Answers and Comments

Opinion -- the Eastalco plant is an integral part of the Adamstown community and:

• The county should re-zone the property to something with less of a potential impact to the surrounding community, and grandfather in the plant and any expansions that they may require to directly support their operations. New uses, new owners would be subject to the new zoning. That would reduce the potential for the introduction of any high impact industries so close to the school and the surrounding community.

Question:  Is it possible to mandate the construction of a 100 foot high earthen barrier with grass and trees around a GI site as part of the permitting process.  This would help shield it from view and contribute to the 'rolling hills' feel of the area.

Comment -- This will undoubtedly upset some people:  The people who worked on the Adamstown Regional Plan, both government and local advisory committees should have realized that the potential existed for this, and re-zoned the area at that time.  Unfortunately, I don't think that we have any recourse at this time except wait until it is time to update the Adamstown regional plan - by which time it will probably be too late.

Mitigation: To help mitigate potential issues I recommend the following:

• The county should find a way to re-zone the property to something with less of a potential impact to the surrounding community, and grandfather in the plant and any expansions that they may require to directly support their operations. New uses, new owners would be subject to the new zoning. That would reduce the potential for the introduction of any high impact industries so close to the school and the surrounding community.

Disclaimer:  This page is being developed and presented by a citizen of Adamstown, and the opinions represented here do not necessarily reflect the views of anyone beyond that individual.  Information is expected to be posted here from a variety of sources and a variety of links with differing opinions.  This site is intended to facilitate the free flow of information outside of those normal channels being provided by parties directly involved in any of the actions that are discussed.