Last night’s meeting with the owners/developers of Shady Mile’s proposed development was attended by County Commissioner Dan Raley. His comments, ahead of this morning’s vote can be viewed, unedited, in the video above.
One vocal concerned citizen was also at the meeting. He asked for The Bay Net not to include him in their video footage, or to quote him using his name. This resident had many concerns, including encroachment on the Base and the traffic flow that would result from a retail development under new zoning. Summers and Kabat were certain they could come up with a satisfactory solution to the traffic issues given time to work on them. Raley did not seem so sure, citing the measures that had to be taken to correct the traffic flow at First Colony, which is a center designed and developed by the same group.
The Next Summers company that owns and will develop the area says it would like more time for discussion with local residents. They say they invited communication with concerned citizens, but only two attended. Another community member told The Bay Net that they invited only two concerned residents to the meeting and told them to “bring their friends,” rather than holding an open meeting.
The company is currently zoned for residential use, and says it will develop to a similar density even if this morning’s vote does not go as they would like. The opponent of the rezoning present last night told the developers they would never fill the office space and condos they plan. “Admiral Massenburg told us to reduce by 20% [on Base],” he said. “And we’re reducing personnel by 20%. My department has reduced by 17% already.” Summers and Kabat argue that everything is cyclical and by the time the development would be ready they would be able to fill the space as residences and offices – suggesting offices below the condos, which after the 5th floor, they say, would have a 360 view, mostly of water.
The vote is scheduled on the Board of County Commissioner’s agenda for 9:30 a.m. this morning.