The Planning Commission Kobayashi Maru Test
The Planning Commission struggles with a no win situation, but comes up with a solution that is none of the above.… Read More The Planning Commission Kobayashi Maru Test
Category: Urbanism
On Paint and Historic Preservation
The heat is increasing in the dispute between the City of Annapolis Historic Preservation Commission and property owners/artists in the”Arts District” (inner West Street). Good background can be found in articles in The Capital here, here and here. I am certainly not against historic preservation and it has been good for the city, but when… Read More On Paint and Historic Preservation
New Annapolis Library: Is It Good Urbanism?
When The Capital published an article about the new Annapolis library design – you can see the site plan and initial renders here: http://www.aacpl.net/new-annapolis – my initial reaction and comment on The Capital site was the snarky “Call the architecture police!”. In our West Annapolis Civic Association neighborhood Facebook group I ditched the snark and made… Read More New Annapolis Library: Is It Good Urbanism?
Why I Ride A Bike
A shorter version also appeared as an Op Ed column in The Capital on May 11, 2016. Let me get this out of the way: I am a bike guy. I love bikes, all kinds – transportation bikes, off road bikes, racing bikes and classic bikes. But that’s not why I ride a bike for… Read More Why I Ride A Bike
Does West Street Need a Taco Bell?
In July of 2014 The Capital published an article about a possible land swap between the City and a property owner in exchange for some land to reconfigure the Chinquapin/West/Admiral intersections. One aspect of that was the possible addition of a Taco Bell drive-thru restaurant at the site of the old Whiskey. I wrote about that… Read More Does West Street Need a Taco Bell?
Statement on R-33-14 Vehicular Access to and Internal Roadways within Certain Property adjacent to Aris T. Allen Boulevard
A very interesting Planning Commission meeting last night (4/15/2015). The agenda item of interest to me was R-33-14, allowing access to a new development via the “highway” portion of Aris T. Allen Boulevard. This is a multifaceted issue dealing with prior annexation agreements from over ten years ago, transportation, development patterns and the wishes of… Read More Statement on R-33-14 Vehicular Access to and Internal Roadways within Certain Property adjacent to Aris T. Allen Boulevard
Traditional Street Grids are the Answer For Future Growth In Annapolis
One of the most acknowledged problems in the Annapolis area is our congested “corridors” because they provide the only way in and out of various areas in the City and surrounding parts of the County. If there is a closure, mayhem ensues. In addition, these roads – really STROADS now – are terrible for everyone: drivers,… Read More Traditional Street Grids are the Answer For Future Growth In Annapolis
Strong Towns Challenge: Walk to the Grocery Store
I live in the Annapolis Maryland the historic capital of the state, one of two incorporated areas in Anne Arundel County. The historic city proper is about 40,000 people, a very small town compared to the neighboring Baltimore and Washington DC, which is essentially infilling into a single mega metropolis. Through a series of good… Read More Strong Towns Challenge: Walk to the Grocery Store
Guest Column: Thoughts on outer West Street development
Appearing in The Capital, July 28, 2014 While the Chinquapin Round Road, West Street, Admiral Drive intersection needs to be reconfigured for sure, what I am worried about is the drive-through restaurant development discussed in a recent article. This kind of auto-centric development will continue to reinforce the “highway” nature of outer West Street. This… Read More Guest Column: Thoughts on outer West Street development
Guest Column: Annapolis should join the Regional Transportation Agency
Appearing in The Capital, March 21, 2014 By BILL NEVEL AND ALEX PLINE Both Annapolis and Anne Arundel County are at a crossroads for improving transit in their respective areas with the proposed Regional Transportation Agency. A regional transit system would put this area on comparable footing with scores of major urban areas in the… Read More Guest Column: Annapolis should join the Regional Transportation Agency
Team Pline 