Village at Waugh Chapel South?

Read in the paper yesterday a story about what is happening with the long awaited Village at Waugh Chapel South.

Here is the link:
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/top/2010/03/15-10/Residents-split-on-shopping-center-plan.html

Basically, because of the economic downturn and the frozen conditions of the lending market, Greenberg Gibbons (who brought us the Village at Waugh Chapel and then sold it this year) is asking for assistance from the county to pull this next deal off.

Here is some text from the above story:

The nationwide recession has frozen credit markets, forcing Greenberg Gibbons to turn from its normal private investment partners to public financing for the first time.

If approved by the council, the TIF deal would allow the county to issue nearly $16 million worth of bonds on the private market to pay for road, traffic and other infrastructure needs, including the capping and sealing of a fly-ash landfill at the site.

The county would sell the bonds on behalf of the company, and the county would not be responsible for the debt. Greenberg Gibbons would basically receive lower property tax bills to free up cash to repay the bonds. The remaining portion would then go to the county as tax revenue.

The Greater Crofton Council voted to not support moving forward with this "deal." Some have suggested it is because the proposed Wegman's store is non-union. But I don't think so.

There are many small businesses in our area that could use a big tax break. There are many buildings already built in this area that have no tenants. Why do we need this new center that will add to more traffic? Why can't our local small businesses get these kinds of deals?

Yes, the new area will bring jobs (and a Wegman's) but at what expense to our way of life?