A Surprising Pick for the Planning Board

An appointee to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission for Prince George's attracted a bit of attention as the County Council confirmed appointees to various county agencies at its Tuesday meeting.

By a 9 to 0 vote, the council voted to add longtime civic activist Sarah A. Cavitt to the commission, which reviews development projects, makes recommendations to the council and is considered the gateway to development in the county.

Cavitt is a familiar face to anyone involved with development issues in the county. As president of the Indian Head Highway Action Council, she has been a longtime historic preservationist and environmentalist and at times has found herself on opposite sides of the man who appointed her.

"I have known Ms. Cavitt now for probably 12 or 14 years," County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) told the council. He laughed and added, "She's opposed me on a number of issues."

Cavitt was a proponent of recent adequate facility rules that resulted in a year-long virtual moratorium on development in some parts of the county. Johnson suggested Cavitt would bring "balance" to the board.

Cavitt pledged to be objective and fair. "I can only assure you that I consider every project on its merits and for its potential benefit to the county and its citizens," she told the council.

The council also approved the reappointment of Sylvester J. Vaughns Sr. to the commission.