The following leaders have approved of the terms for withdrawal of objections to the project should the City adopt all the developer’s commitments as part of any approval of the project. Click here to read the commitment letter. Note: this list will be updated as new names are added.

Parris Glendening, former Governor and father of Smart Growth

Gerald Winegrad, former State Senator, President of Concerned Citizens for Proper Land Use

Alderman Rob Savidge

Jesse L. Iliff, South, West & Rhode RIVERKEEPER

Fred Kelly, Executive Director The Severn Riverkeeper Program

Earl Bradley, Anne Arundel Sierra Club Chair

Anastasia Hopkinson and Ray Sullivan, Annapolis Neck Peninsula Federation

Elvia Thompson, President & Co-founder Annapolis Green

Barbara Johnson, former President of Anne Arundel Bird Club and the Maryland Ornithological Society

John Frece, Former Director of the EPA and Maryland Smart Growth Programs

Chuck Ferrar, former County Councilman 6^th District, Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits Owner

Barbara Maxwell, former County Councilwoman 6^th District

Amy Clements, leader of the Spa Creek Conservancy

Russell Stevenson, founder of Chesapeake Legal Alliance

Ann Fligsten, founder of the Growth Action Network

Beth Garraway, PhD, former Board Member, LCV & President Emerita, MD Independent Colleges and Universities

Jim Urban, noted urban forestry expert

Jane McWilliams, Annapolis historian and author of the latest history of Annapolis

Marcia Verploegen Lewis, former LCV Board member

J. Kent McNew, business owner and conservationist

Fred (Rick) Kissel, former Annapolis Environmental Commission member

David Prosten, former Anne Arundel Sierra Club Chair & Vice President, Concerned Citizens for Proper Land Use

Nancy Plaxico, Treasurer, Concerned Citizens for Proper Land Use

Greg Walker, Attorney with significant expertise in local traffic issues

Angela Carpita, Science Teacher, Broadneck High School, 2^nd Generation Annapolitan

Liz Vanden Heuvel, Co-Chair, Greater Annapolis Interfaith Network

Here is but one of the commentaries we have received, this from former Maryland Governor Parris Glendening (1995-2003). He established the nation’s first state-wide, incentive driven Smart Growth program for which he received Harvard’s Innovation in Government Award and was named Public Official of the Year by Governing Magazine. For the last 20 years Governor Glendening served as the President of the Smart Growth Leadership Institute leading national efforts as an environmental advocate for Smart Growth, sustainability, alternate energy, transit, and to fight climate change. He is a City of Annapolis resident, living on the Annapolis Neck Peninsula: 

Gerald,

Thank you for the summary of the great progress with the Crystal Spring Development. Please accept the following as a statement of support for the mutually agreed upon changes.

“I am aware of the commitments made by National Lutheran and agreed upon by Concerned Citizens for Proper Land Use expertly chaired by former Senator Gerald Winegrad.  As a member of that organization since 2013, I fully support withdrawing all objections to the proposed senior-only development if the commitments are met in City approval of the project. 

This is a remarkable success where traffic flows may be improved, forest conservation no net loss goals are achieved, stormwater management is exceptional, and through easements and deed restrictions all land outside the development footprint will be protected from development with few minor exceptions.  The 124 acres of forest there now will be permanently protected with forest replanted. 

I commend Gerald and all other who have achieved this outcome that achieves some important Smart Growth goals.”

Parris