I believe that this development in Frederick County is one of the best in this county. All the neighbors here are pleasant and it's enjoyable to be living here. It was my understanding that the properties that were part of this development were for building permanent residences only other than the main farm that surrounds the properties. There was never a time limit given for a home to be built and I do understand the plans of some take longer than others. Some do have gardens and other 'farm' style hobbies in addition to having a home on the land or plans to build one. In the few conversations that I've had with Mr. Zaev, I was under the impression that they were building a home there but were doing it all themselves and that was the purpose of the wood on their property, not for organic farming. We are all responsible to each other to maintain our property to the benefit of all who live here, from the payment of our taxes, to keeping our property clean and not affect another neighbor's values. I applaud Mr. Zaev for his intentions with his land but not to the detriment of our neighbors.
The property at issue is in our opinion a major, progressive degradation of what is otherwise a fine neighborhood with clean, well-maintained homes. It is impeding the quality of our lives and, likely, our property values.
We moved to our home about a year ago. Buying was a difficult decision because we were acutely aware of the eyesore on Loretto Drive (which is unavoidably in clear view from our house, as well as when we approach or leave our home). However, other neighbors had been told by the Zaevs—for years, it turned out—that the intended purpose of all the accumulated wood and other detritus was to build a home, so we decided to buy our property.
Over the year that we’ve lived here the situation has grown worse, with the accumulation of random vehicles and materials, and then about last March the appearance of the large, impossible-to-not-see RV on the property. We have observed this RV to be continuously used as a residence since then (fortunately, with occasional visits from Johnny Blue for presumed septic pumping services).
As further information, in addition to the County Code violations, the property is in violation of several of our Christo Rey Restrictive Covenants (please see supplied copy). While these may be outside the purview of County Code, it is noteworthy to recognize that, like the County Code articles, these neighborhood restrictions were in place at the time of the purchase of the property at issue. But the owners proceeded to disregard and violate them anyway. In our opinion this reflects a flagrant lack of concern for the well-being of their neighbors and the neighborhood.
We believe in compliance with the laws that govern the place we live. We do not believe there should be double standards that allow others-- to our detriment-- not to do so. Were we all to break these rules, we would be living in a trailer park inside a junk yard.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Steve Shoop and Cindy Burns
Stonewall MD
I believe that this development in Frederick County is one of the best in this county. All the neighbors here are pleasant and it's enjoyable to be living here. It was my understanding that the properties that were part of this development were for building permanent residences only other than the main farm that surrounds the properties. There was never a time limit given for a home to be built and I do understand the plans of some take longer than others. Some do have gardens and other 'farm' style hobbies in addition to having a home on the land or plans to build one. In the few conversations that I've had with Mr. Zaev, I was under the impression that they were building a home there but were doing it all themselves and that was the purpose of the wood on their property, not for organic farming. We are all responsible to each other to maintain our property to the benefit of all who live here, from the payment of our taxes, to keeping our property clean and not affect another neighbor's values. I applaud Mr. Zaev for his intentions with his land but not to the detriment of our neighbors.
The property at issue is in our opinion a major, progressive degradation of what is otherwise a fine neighborhood with clean, well-maintained homes. It is impeding the quality of our lives and, likely, our property values.
We moved to our home about a year ago. Buying was a difficult decision because we were acutely aware of the eyesore on Loretto Drive (which is unavoidably in clear view from our house, as well as when we approach or leave our home). However, other neighbors had been told by the Zaevs—for years, it turned out—that the intended purpose of all the accumulated wood and other detritus was to build a home, so we decided to buy our property.
Over the year that we’ve lived here the situation has grown worse, with the accumulation of random vehicles and materials, and then about last March the appearance of the large, impossible-to-not-see RV on the property. We have observed this RV to be continuously used as a residence since then (fortunately, with occasional visits from Johnny Blue for presumed septic pumping services).
As further information, in addition to the County Code violations, the property is in violation of several of our Christo Rey Restrictive Covenants (please see supplied copy). While these may be outside the purview of County Code, it is noteworthy to recognize that, like the County Code articles, these neighborhood restrictions were in place at the time of the purchase of the property at issue. But the owners proceeded to disregard and violate them anyway. In our opinion this reflects a flagrant lack of concern for the well-being of their neighbors and the neighborhood.
We believe in compliance with the laws that govern the place we live. We do not believe there should be double standards that allow others-- to our detriment-- not to do so. Were we all to break these rules, we would be living in a trailer park inside a junk yard.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Steve Shoop and Cindy Burns
Stonewall MD