We the undersigned, residents of Joppatowne, are petitioning our elected representatives and department heads to help in preventing the loss of one of our beloved community facilities and the only green space in the center of our neighborhood.

As explanation for our following request we state: committee * Mariner Point Swim Club, previously the Joppatowne Swim and Tennis Club( herein after The Pool), has closed and the property is currently under contract to be sold to a large Church that has NO roots or nexus with the Joppatowne or its residents.
*The Pool was part of the original development and was used by the community for numerous recreational purposes, swim and water safety lessons, as well as Arts and Crafts Shows and other community functions. It was often cited as a selling feature to potential buyers. The Pool helps maintain property values and helps maintain the County tax base.
* The parcel exists on approximately 4.5 acres, most of which, except for the pools and decking, is lawn and permeable parking area. While not immediately adjacent to the waterways, the area is in close proximity to the canals, which were just recently dredged. The parcel is in the Critical Bay Area. Run off from the new proposed use, with multiple structures and paved parking will be detrimental to the environment and the continued use of the waterways.
* Joppatowne is a unique community.. This community has always been a family oriented community. Children that grew up here marry, and often return to raise their own families in this very special community. We are a water oriented community. This pending sale, coupled with the sale of Knight Divers Swim Pools has left the community without a place to obtain swim lessons and water safety instructions for their young children. We have no senior facility and no indoor recreation center.

Therefore: We are asking The Honorable David Craig, our County Executive, to do everything in his power to help the citizens of Joppatowne maintain this recreational facility and green area by any means possible, by direct acquisition, or lease by the County, and to expedite the process in any and all ways possible.
We are also asking The Honorable, Billie Bonaface, President of the County Council, and each of The Honorable Council Member to do everything in their power to help the citizens of Joppatowne maintain this recreational facility and green area by any means possible, by direct acquisition, or lease by the County, and to expedite the process in any and all ways possible.
We are asking for the Legal Department to seek an Injunction to stop the sale because there will be irreparable harm to the residents and the waterways if the sale is completed without looking at the environmental impact to the waterways with this change of use.
We are asking Parks and Recreation: * To immediately look at adding the acquisition of the Pool to the County's recreational facilities, by lease or direct acquisition: * To consider joining with the Department of Aging to create a multi-purpose facility for seniors with a community recreation center at that site: * To please do everything to expedite this project.
We are asking the Planning Advisory Board to expedite the acquisition of the Pool. We understand there is a process for creating such capital projects and there are procedures for the possible reallocation of capital funds and emergency procedures.
We are asking the Department of Planning and Zoning to look into the intended use of the potential buyer and to determine if such use is consistent with all Master Plans and to clearly set forth the constraints of building in the Critical Bay Area.
We are asking the Department of Licenses and Permits to deny all requests for permits regarding buildings, water and sewage, and road paving until there is a full hearing on the impact to the community and the waterways. In the alternative, we're asking The Department of Economic Development to seek a buyer or investor that would maintain or improve the current facility as a community recreation center.
Please help us to maintain this very important facility as a community recreation center.

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