Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

February 29, 2008 - The public may now view and download the full, final charrette book for the Chestertown Gateway Master Planning Project. To view the report, please click here.

Gateway Project Moves into Public Process

February 12, 2008 - Work continues on the Chestertown Gateway Master Plan Project and ESLC continues to marvel at the dedication and enthusiasm of the community. The draft master plan for the Hopewell and Peterson Farms--developed from a weeklong community charrette facilitated by Town Planning and Urban Design Collaborative (TPUDC)- made its debut in early January on the ESLC website with copies available in town and county offices. This plan includes a variety of architectural designs, development standards, a phasing concept, as well as detailed illustrations to better understand the look and feel of the development. Intentionally conceptual and flexible in nature, the initial draft from TPUDC provides the groundwork for the Chestertown community to continue the conversation about this property and the master plan. Read More.

ESLC Draft Chestertown Gateway Master Plan Draft Arrives
A draft master plan was recently received from Town Planning and Urban Design Collaborative (TPUDC), the consultant for the Chestertown Gateway Master Planning project. Receipt of this draft plan, attached and also available for download at www.eslc.org, kicks off the next part of the public process for the overall project. This is only a starting draft and does not connote any public decisions such as formal annexation-rather, this is just a next step in a process of shaping the plan. Last November's well-attended community charrette, which focused on the Hopewell and Peterson Farms, was prompted after a recent developer's request in 2006 to annex 600 acres for development of over 1,500 units. The charrette process was created by a partnership among ESLC, a private, nonprofit land conservation organization, Chestertown and Kent County. Read More

The following letter appeared in the November 15 edition of the Kent County News.
Thanks again to all you made the Chestertown Gateway Project Charrette such a success. Stay tuned for more updates as this project moves forward in the coming weeks

Dear Editor,
Thank you Chestertown for rolling up your sleeves and digging into the Gateway Charrette-a community process to create a master plan to guide the future uses and development of property on the edges of your town. Throughout the week, your energy did not wane-Washington College's Casey Forum was filled with over 120 at the opening Monday and closing Friday presentations, and, in between, the daytime was busy with focus meetings and drop-in visits and the evenings with workshops engaging nearly 70 each. Throughout, the coffee shop was also full of charrette-inspired conversation, as were the newspapers and our email inboxes. Read Full Story.

Chestertown Gateway Master Planning Project Charrette Planned for November 5-9
Public Meetings to be held at Washington College's Casey Academic Center

Queenstown, Maryland October 31, 2007 - Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) a private, nonprofit land conservation organization, Chestertown and Kent County have announced a series of public meetings (design charrette) on November 5-9 in Chestertown. Hosted by Town Planning and Urban Design Collaborative, LLC, the purpose of this charrette is to encourage open and meaningful dialogue in the form of intensive planning sessions. Local residents, designers, town, county and state officials as well as area-wide environmental organizations will come together to collaborate and share their vision with respect to Hopewell Farm and Peterson Farm, a nearly 500 acre property in Northern Chestertown. Read Full Story.

ESLC Partners with Chestertown, Kent County on Community-Based Vision for Smart Growth
Process will allow public to guide master plan for nearly 500 acres in northeastern part of town
Queenstown, Maryland, June 4, 2007 - Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) a private, nonprofit land conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of farmland and habitat and sound land use planning on the Eastern Shore announced today a formal partnership with Kent County and the town of Chestertown which aims to create a community visioning process for the use of nearly 500 acres in Northern Chestertown. Read More...