Waugh Chapel

When developer Robert DeStefano of the Sturbridge Development Co. sought a rezoning of 70 acres near Crofton to build a combination shopping center and community center, some residents were skeptical.They asked what would happen if Mr. DeStefano changed his mind about paying for the community center once the rezoning had been approved.And what would happen if the land was sold and the new owner didn't feel bound by Mr. DeStefano's promise to help the community.To reassure residents, Mr. DeStefano proposed changing the county zoning law to create a zoning category called a "community service center growth management district."

County planners and state officials voiced few complaints yesterday about revised plans for the 71-acre Village at Waugh Chapel in Gambrills.Two months ago, the county sent the developer back to the drawing board to make what they called the "glorified strip shopping center" more exceptional.Sturbridge Development Co. tried to do that by replacing a movie theater with a recreation complex, creating a main-street-style shopping area, clustering small buildings and adding more wide, landscaped walkways.

The Waugh Chapel Elementary School PTA is protesting the impending transfer of a teacher, saying the resulting shuffle of pupils and instructors will create larger classes in some cases and might disrupt the lives of more than 100 children at the Odenton school. The transfer is part of a plan to address the school's underenrollment by 76 pupils with the transfer of a third-grade teacher to a crowded school. The move would trigger a series of changes at Waugh Chapel, including combining some first- and second-graders into one class and increasing the size of the other classes in those two grades.

BY APPROVING the so-called "suburban community centers" legislation that will allow the development of the Village at Waugh Chapel near Crofton, the Anne Arundel County Council may have gotten slightly ahead of itself. In salvaging a worthy project, the council may have also cracked open a Pandora's Box on future land-use policy.In one version of the Greek legend, Pandora, the first mortal woman, opened a box out of curiosity and allowed all the human blessings -- except for hope -- to escape forever.

West County community leaders gave mixed reviews yesterday to a plan that mixes senior housing with shopping, a recreational facility, offices and restaurants.Several praised the Village at Waugh Chapel for bringing much-needed senior housing and services to their area and the developer for listening to the community. But the plan kills too many oaks, poplars and sycamore trees and destroys other natural elements of the 71-acre tract, observers and county planners noted during a hearing.Planned under new rulesProposed for the corner of Route 3 and Waugh Chapel Road near Crofton, the village would be the first "suburban community center" developed under legislation requiring community input,exceptional design and a mix of uses on a parcel.

The first day of school yesterday brought a contingent of concerned parents and their children to Waugh Chapel Elementary School in Odenton, intent on demonstrating the dangers youngsters face walking to class each morning.They pointed to a busy intersection students must cross and called for another stop sign to control increased trafficgoing through Odenton to avoid Route 3. They led the way up a trail that offers a shortcut from the intersection to the school and said they worry about the isolated path and a developer's plan to clear theland of trees and build homes.

The Waugh Chapel PTA will be working with Little Caesars to help the elementary school's students earn pizzas. From now through May 31, the Little Caesars in Crofton and Odenton will be handing out receipts when you pick up your food. Teachers will collect the receipts in their classrooms. Classes will get a free pizza for every $100 in receipts.*Waugh Chapel Elementary School asks you to keep handing in Giant and Metro receipts. The school is short about $148,000. The last day to turn in Giant receipts is March 17. The last day to turn in Metro receipts is March 31.*The West Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a business mixer with the Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 2 at the Center for Applied Technology-North, 800 Stevenson Road in Severn.

An Annapolis development company and county officials unveiled final plans yesterday for the county's first mixed-use subdivision, a $50 million project hailed as the future of shopping centers.The Village at Waugh Chapel will include senior housing, family restaurants, a Safeway supermarket, doctors' offices, parks, a sports center and other businesses within a 71-acre complex to be built along Route 3 and Waugh Chapel Road in Gambrills.Construction is to begin this fall."We believe it will be an example of how government and business can partner to make a better product," County Executive John G. Gary said yesterday at a luncheon in Annapolis.

The students, their families and the faculty of Waugh Chapel Elementary School are invited to a skating party from 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. on Saturday at Skate City II in Crofton.The cost is $2.50 a person; skate rental is $1.25. Door prizes will be awarded.For more information, call 301-621-9230.*Odenton Elementary School will be holding a fund-raising pizza sale until Monday. Pies can be picked up Jan. 26.The PTA will meet at 7 o'clock tonight in the cafeteria to discuss the pizza sale and complete the details.

Waugh Chapel Elementary School entered the "Maryland You Are Beautiful Contest" this year and winners were chosen from each grade.Thewinners from first and second grades were: Jack Kriger, Charles Burneson, Anthony Stapleton, Courtney Noles, Daniel Hartman, Peter Nguyenand Kyle Furnas.Third-grade winners included: Kathleen Lindsey, Stuart Cataleta, Kyle Tribett, Alexis Viera, Kevin Campbell and Edward Nowottnick.Fourth-grade winners: Christina Williams, Theresa Kempowski, James Fenton, Adam Weiger, Megan Centineo and Wayne Ramsey.