Ms Gourley: Agreed development in Fred Co is not inevitable, But development can only be thwarted at a very high cost. Located as we are on the edge of a growing 6 million population metro area our land is worth far more in housing and other urban uses than it is in agriculture. So the economic incentives for development are very strong. We've always had development here and every government plan ever adopted -- whether City or County or metro area or state -- provides for population growth and the accompanying development. Plans may attempt to shape development, channel it into certain areas, impose fees... whatever, but every longterm plan endorsed by elected representatives accommodates population growth and development. Why? Because there are major benefits from development: a larger number of people to work with, to serve us, to befriend, to lead, to engage in hobbies, sports etc. More development means more jobs, more services, more competition, greater choice etc. If government becomes hostile to development we lose those benefits. Housing becomes more expensive, and development pressures are transferred to neighboring counties. We become more a drive-through county. If living here becomes more expensive as development is thwarted by government then we will become more a county for the rich. Others will have trouble affording to stay. So, I say, we're best off accepting and supporting development, while focussing on ways to allow it to be better quality and better value for people.

As a member of the Affordable Housing Council, I'm not sure why the writer felt compelled to mention us. Advocating for additional commercial development is not part of our mission and the council, to my knowledge, has not stated an opinion on this issue. We advocate for all citizens to have safe, stable and affordable housing. Most Frederick County citizens believe in that. I’m not sure what the complaint is for the writer. Government worked the way it is supposed to work. Who cares what the editorial writer of this paper thinks. He will not sway anyone. I have not heard the quote she attributed to our one and only developer on the council, and I cannot find it in any recent minutes. But, if he said it, he is right -- growth is inevitable. We can only hope to manage it as wisely as possible. And that is in the hands of our elected representatives where it should be.

We hear from many sources that "growth is inevitable".

Certainly when looking backwards there has been a lot of ugly, soul deadening, residential sprawl in FredCo. No question about that -- but as they say in the financial world, "Past performance is no guarantee of future results."

The county council and executive could, and should, enact a moratorium on all future growth, at least for the time being. We are clearly "over our skis'' at this point, with obscene school overcrowding; horribly congested roads; and an overall lower quality of life.

Absent a moratorium, the county really should establish impact fees that cover *ALL* expenses from development -- now, and into the future. Doing so is the right, ethical, thing to do, and might have the same effect as a moratorium. There is absolutely no reason why existing residents, who do not want further destruction of the county, should be forced (under penalty of law) to pay expenses that should be borne by the developers. None.

Finally, large employers who are eyeing this area (and other impacted urban areas) should be encouraged to follow the example set by the many highly successful corporations that have chosen to locate in rural/semi-rural areas of America. They enjoy: cheaper land; less expensive housing; lower taxes; and fewer regulations. Sure, some businesses must be based in major cities, but many do not have to be.

Eliminate (or reduce) the employers and we reduce the pressure to pave the entire county.

Julia is wrong about one thing. Development IS inevitable. We live in the suburbs of a large and growing city. Our population is increasing. We have a culture of wanting to be spread out rather than congregating in cities like many other cultures. More development will be required.

Great letter. Thank you Julia.

people against these data centers always talk about how much energy they use. Do they use more than say what would be required by a development of 100 or more houses which is happening in the county? More water? More traffic?