Thursday, May 15, 2008

Let's Slow Down a Bit On Wilde Lake Center

The rumor of Wilde Lake Village Center's demise is greatly exaggerated. In recent stories, reporters have ignored the many established, popular businesses and services that cater to local residents and attract patrons from the larger community. David's Natural Market, Great Clips, the Tokyo Cafe, Today's Catch Seafood Market and Pizza Boli's are among my favorite destinations.

A local branch of the Columbia Bank provides convenient, personal service. Slayton House has civic, recreational and educational programs and exhibits the work of talented local artists.

Kimco, the owner of a large part of the commercial center, has a proposal to make drastic changes to the Village Center. Buildings would be demolished to make room for housing. Commercial tenants would be displaced, and their livelihood would be in jeopardy. The 20th-century, auto-centric chic development that is proposed would be less likely to serve the community than the New Urbanism model that promotes less dependence on the car for getting around.

County Executive Ken Ulman is proposing zoning changes that support Kimco's plans. Wilde Lake could then secede from Columbia and not be restricted by the original vision of a planned community.

Urge Ulman and Wilde Lake County Council representative Mary Kay Sigaty to reconsider the plan for the proposed zoning changes.

Joyce Baer

Columbia