Sweden officials make decision
on Heritage Square rezoning

The vote to rezone 130 acres of land on Redman Road in the Town of Sweden was unanimous at the October 10 Sweden board meeting. Supervisor Buddy Lester abstained from the vote as he has since the beginning of the approval process.

McClean Development, LLC has been working with the town for the past year to obtain rezoning on the property in order to move ahead with plans to build a mix of single family homes, town homes and patio homes for seniors age 55 and older. The rezoning was necessary because of the mix of homes proposed in the Heritage Square project.

Town Councilman Rob Carges said town officials knew there was opposition to the project - as evidenced by the more than 100 people who attended a public hearing a year ago - but said, "There is always opposition when changes are proposed. I've heard that when Wegman's first wanted to move into the town, there was public outcry," he said. "We can't remain stagnant and not offer opportunities to those who want to come in and develop within our town."

Carges said the town only issued five new building permits in the past year. "If we want to live and stay here and to continue to provide the services taxpayers have become accustomed to, we have to look for controlled development," he said. "It's been close to 32 years since something this substantial has come to the town."

With the construction, which will take place over the span of 30 years within the Heritage Square development, Carges said upgrades will be made to the town park area.

Now that the board has made its decision, McClean will begin the process of gaining approval from the planning board.

October 15, 2006