We, the undersigned residents, property owners, taxpayers, and supporters of Worcester County, respectfully urge the Worcester County Commissioners to deny Rezoning Case No. 453, which seeks to rezone approximately 14.72 acres along Racetrack Road from R-2 Suburban Residential to R-3 Multi-Family Residential.

If approved, this rezoning would allow the construction of an 87-unit townhouse development immediately adjacent to established single-family neighborhoods and mature forest and wetlands. While we recognize that Worcester County must plan for future housing needs, growth should be responsible, transparent, and compatible with existing communities—not driven by requests to substantially increase development density after property has already been purchased.

The developer acquired this property knowing it was zoned R-2. Granting a higher-density zoning designation after the fact would undermine the integrity of the County's planning process and create uncertainty for homeowners who relied on existing zoning when making one of the largest investments of their lives.

This proposal would allow significantly greater residential density immediately adjacent to established single-family neighborhoods and valuable forestland. The impacts extend far beyond this property.

We are concerned about:

• Increased traffic and public safety risks along the already congested Racetrack Road corridor.
• Additional strain on aging water, sewer, and drainage infrastructure.
• Greater stormwater runoff and flooding caused by replacing mature forest with buildings, roads, and parking areas.
• Loss of wildlife habitat, mature trees, and the natural buffer that protects neighboring homes.
• Increased demand for police, fire, EMS, and other public services.
• Additional strain on Worcester County Public Schools through increased student enrollment, placing greater demands on classroom capacity, teachers, transportation, and school resources.
• Higher long-term costs that could ultimately fall on existing taxpayers and homeowners.

There are appropriate locations for higher-density housing, but this property—bordering established residential communities and mature forest—is not one of them.

We ask the Worcester County Commissioners to place the interests of residents, taxpayers, and future generations first by denying Rezoning Case No. 453, preserving the existing R-2 zoning designation, and ensuring that any future development reflects responsible planning, adequate infrastructure, environmental protection, and meaningful public input.

If you believe zoning decisions should prioritize transparency, fiscal responsibility, environmental stewardship, and the long-term character of Worcester County and the Eastern Shore, please sign this petition and share it with your neighbors.