Why all the hate towards AYC, Harold? Is it NIMBYism, jealousy, fear or what? Your first charge is that AYC is selfish and doesn’t support the community. You admit that its prime directive is to serve its membership, but then you gripe about its tax-exempt status. My guess is that AYC has a special tax-exempt status because it is a non-profit organization. Are you against tax-exemption for all non-profits or just ones that abut your property? In any case, I bet AYC still pays plenty of taxes. AYC is one of Annapolis’ largest employers. As such it must pay a lot in employment taxes. Those employees, in turn, live in the community, pay taxes and contribute to the local economy (as all workers do). When the Eastport facility development is complete, it’s likely that AYC will employ even more people. AYC operates year-round. Yes, they likely have some seasonal jobs (like sailing instructors for the youth programs), but my understanding is the vast majority of employees work pretty much full-time. Speaking of youth programs, did you know that quite a few are open to the public? I didn’t, until recently. Taken together, AYC makes a direct contribution to the community that amounts to more than “pennies per month per member.” Then there is the indirect contribution to the community. Eastport has a lot of maritime-related businesses. AYC members have boats and those boats mean the local maritime industry has a ready source of customers. Are you against promote maritime businesses in Eastport? Attracting boaters and their families can’t be anything but a positive contribution to a city that identifies itself so closely with its history and culture as a seaport town.
So we are left with your real complaint: AYC wants to take away “our quality of life and lifestyle.” Baloney. This boils down your fears that AYC’s development of property it owns and has owned for a long time, will disrupt your status quo, your “wa.” No question that a year of construction will be disruptive. But after that, what will you have? You’ll have four fewer decrepit houses on Burnside replaced by a lot more trees, landscaping, and facility that attracts families and others interested in living healthy lifestyles (besides the pool, there will be a fitness center). Along the way, new storm water management and other environmentally friendly features get built in. Old healthy trees will be preserved and new trees and landscaping will be added. If I were a Burnside resident, I would expect that my property value would only go up after all these improvements. But don’t take my word for it. Check out all the requirements the city has placed on AYC to make sure the environment is protected and nearby residents are respected.
You remind us that Eastport is not a new community. AYC isn’t new to the community either. It’s origins date to the 1880s and it hasn’t lasted this long by “steamrolling” its neighbors. From what I read in the paper and from people I’ve talked with, the community has been informed and consulted all along the way as plans for AYC’s Eastport properties have progressed. This development isn’t the tragedy for the community that you make it out to be. In fact, I’d be surprised if AYC is at the top of the list of most residents’ concerns.If you’re really concerned about the Eastport community, why not direct your energies toward addressing the crime and violence that is happening in and around Eastport’s low-income housing?
eastport defined 
I appreciate your comments on Bait and Switch and on One is Bad, the Other is Worse. Please feel free to introduce yourself. Are you a spokesperson for the AYC?
Yes, I am interested and concerned about what goes on in my back yard. Wouldn’t you be? And yes, I do understand and accept the disruption that takes place during construction. As you noted, if the project is approved, this disruption may last a year or so. My concern is for after that: The operation’s substantial impact from maintaining and supporting and servicing of all the diverse proposed activities.
Also, and what should be important to our neighbors, is the cumulative impact of the projects proposed within a relatively small geographic area that have second and third order effects on a far greater area. That is why I have recommended a moratorium on all of these projects until they can be studied through the prism of the region’s ability to absorb that growth.
Not a spokesperson for AYC. Just an interested observer. As for introducing myself, I’d prefer to be judged on my thoughts rather than any label one might give me, so as long as you’re ok in allowing anonymous comments here, that suits me just fine.
Since it appears the city has just about completed the entitlement process for the AYC project, shall we discuss SAYC, Eastport Shopping Center, or other projects that are not as far along in the development process? Your call for a moratorium is a non-starter because the City provides a lengthy process to solicit community input, critique, and study. It’s up to community members whether they choose to participate or not.
Thank you for your follow-up comment. Our editorial process is for open discussion and our goal is to get as many people as possible involved. Since the results impact all of us, the long-term impact on the community as a whole involves 2nd and 3rd order effects of all of the projects proposed for Eastport, taken as a whole.
We have been addressing all projects proposed/approved for Eastport and wiil continue to do so, including the AYC.