CLARKSBURG, MD-Executives with Fairfax, VA-based Peterson Cos. say that if the City Council approves more stringent environmental regulations that govern its proposed development, it could be forced to walk away from the project.

Fairfax-based Peterson Cos. started planning for a mixed-use development for 98 acres in the Ten Mile Creek area of Clarksburg three years ago. However, the firm has yet to secure final approvals and now faces a vote by the City Council on a plan to limit the percentage of impervious surfaces at the project to 15%. The original plan for the Miles-Coppola land called for 49% of the project to have impervious (storm water producing) surfaces. The company later revised its plans down to a 36% threshold, according to the Washington Post.

The county planning board recommended last summer a 25% impervious surface limitation and later committees of the City Council agreed on a 15% limit, which the full Council is expected to vote on next week.

Taylor O. Chess, retail president for the Peterson Cos., says a 25% cap could still allow his firm to build a mix of housing. At 15% unless there is some renegotiation of the company's deal with landowners, he says, “We would walk away. At 15% there is not a viable way for us to develop a project there.” See story in the Washington Post.

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John Jordan

John Jordan is a veteran journalist with 36 years of print and digital media experience.