Revitalization Committee Plans Response to PHED

At its meeting Wednesday night, the Kensington Revitalization Committee agreed to fight for the inclusion of a list of public benefits in the town's zoning text amendment

The town had previously submitted an amendment requiring such public benefits as tree canopies, way-finding and vegetated roofs to be required for commercial-residential zones.

However, in July, the county's Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee recommended those be deleted, which would force the town to negotiate for those amenities with individual developers, said Councilmember Mackie Barch, co-chairman of the Revitalization Committee.

"Everything we've wanted has kind of fallen by the wayside," Barch said.

In response, the committee plans to send a letter to the PHED, explaining why the public benefits were included and why they ought to stay.

Furthermore, members of the committee agreed to ask the Town Council to pass a resolution saying the town is against any planning proposal that doesn't include the removed public benefits.

Mayor Peter Fosselman, who also chairs the committee, said the town needs to fight for these benefits if it wants to preserve its character throughout the revitalization process.

"I think the sector plan is going to be a phenomenal thing when it's done, but I'm worried about the details between now and completion," he said.

The committee will convene again Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the . At that meeting, they'll finalize their letter and recommendations to prepare for the PHED Committee's Sept. 19 meeting.