‘No’ to apartments

The City of Waldorf will not be pursuing a 32-unit apartment project. More than a fourth of the city’s residents, nearly 100, gathered for a 7 p.m. public hearing at the Waldorf Community Center Monday night to discuss the possibility of expanded housing, specifically, a 32-unit apartment project at the “old football field.”

Mayor Rob Wilkening opened the hearing, encouraged public comment, and did his best to dispel rumors that the proposed project would draw “low income” tenants prone to illicit activity. 

“We want to hear from you,” Wilkening reiterated numerous times. “We want your input and we really do appreciate you coming here.”

The meeting, intended to have an exploratory tone, was addressed by more than a dozen residents, some directly from a podium, and many speaking from their seats.  

Howard Cordes, a former Waldorf councilman, lives across the street from the “old football field,” and was the first to speak.

“Everyone here, all my neighbors, they moved here and stayed here because Waldorf is a quiet, friendly town. I don’t want it to build up. I want it to stay a quiet town… This 32-unit apartment complex would bring people from all over the place. They’re not going to be Waldorf friendly.” 

Scott Kelling spoke next: “I actually came for the free apple cider,” Kelling joked. “I’m a little disappointed about that.” 

Despite the intense tone of the meeting, the discussion was respectful.

“I agree with the previous speaker on some of his concerns,” Kelling continued. “I just moved here last June with my family, who is here tonight. My immediate family has lived here since 1886. They paid taxes and benefited greatly from services provided by the city. I returned after 35 years away to invest and put life into an old house– to reconnect with the community. It's been joyful. We’re very pleased.”

In those 35 years, Kelling worked in the career field of public parks and recreation. “Taking the long view, I believe sacrificing the city’s only open space for an apartment unit is a very bad idea.

“The town doesn’t have many features to offer and none to spare,” Kelling continued. “We should maintain the public assets that we have. I feel like taking that space away is another step toward surrendering our kids’ future to the video screen.”

Charlie Barnes was the only Waldorf resident who, publicly, shared positive elements about the proposed construction. 

“New families would make a big difference in supporting our business community,” Barnes pleaded. “I drew up a design for a restaurant on the corner, but we just don’t have enough here… Right now there’s nowhere for families to go.

“An apartment project is not a bad idea to boost our little town and let business survive and prosper and grow. Maybe we make new friends? Not all the people who come in are going to be enemies of the town.”

Barnes conceded that he would miss the open field if it were built over. “I don’t know the answer, but that’s my two cents.” 

The Ewald family has lived in Waldorf for 136 years. A member of the family spoke. 

“A big complex like this causes a culture shift. It’s gonna kill the culture we have here in Waldorf.

“Let’s vote no.”

The fire chief spoke, as did several others about the logistics, or rather, the challenge a large new structure would pose for emergency services. He stated that more residents would mean more strain on local fire and ambulance resources. In addition, the football field serves as an emergency landing pad for Mayo Clinic in the event of an airlift. The long list of “cons” continued for about an hour, with one individual in the crowd adding an “amen” after nearly every point made. 

“I think we’ve established we don’t want anything at the football field,” Mayor Wilkening summarized. “This is what we wanted, to hear from [the citizens of Waldorf].

“It’s up to the people,” Wilkening concluded. “I don’t run this town. We’re just trying to foster a wonderful community.”

Wilkening said after the meeting that he wants what the people of Waldorf want. 

The council, namely the mayor, will look for further possible options to increase housing in Waldorf in a way Waldorf residents will be comfortable with. Wilkening didn’t provide a timeline, but several residents offered alternate suggestions, including constructing a smaller unit somewhere else in town or increasing the number of single- or double-family residences. Purchased homes, it was argued, represent a genuine “investment” in the community as opposed to tenants renting an apartment unit. 

No official action was taken as this was an “exploratory” meeting to gauge interest. 

“I’m really grateful so many people came to discuss the issues,” Councilperson Melissa Sorbo told the Pioneer. “We really value their input, especially in the early phases rather than afterwards when things might be too late.” 

The public hearing concluded at 8:15 p.m.