GREATER SEVERNA PARK COUNCIL

Board of Directors Meeting

January 27, 2010

Minutes

 

The meeting was called to order by President Jerry Pesterfield at 7:35 pm at Woods Memorial Church.  A quorum was present.  Attending were: Steve Poland, Al. Johnston, Jerry Pesterfield, Michele Rose, Dan Nataf, Roy Higgs, and Kathy Michels.

 

Secretary’s Report: The December Board Minutes were discussed.  “Without objection, the minutes were approved as submitted” unanimously. 

 

The GPSC Election of Officers for 2010 was filed by the Nominating Committee for the record.  There were 47 ‘yes’ (46 via email and 1 verbal) votes and ‘0’ no votes for the nine candidates nominated for the 2010 Board of Directors.

 

Treasurer’s Report & Audit: Steve Poland submitted the Treasurer’s Report as of December 31, 2009 (copy filed for the record).  The Report was discussed, accepted and “approved without objection” unanimously. 

 

Account Balances (as of 12/31/2009):

BB&T checking                    = $  3,013.15

SmithBarney money market = $     271.09

SmithBarney (CDs(4)           = $25,000.00

 

Beautification Trust Fund balance (as of 12/31/2009):

Bank of Annapolis                = $  2,465.95

 

Dues deposited MTD            = $         0.00

Check outstanding MTD

#2162 Office Depot               = $       16.90

 

Audit Committee Chair Anne DeMajistre and her committee will work with Steve Poland to conduct the audit for GSPC 2009 books. John Norville will assist as needed.

 

Mr. Poland submitted a Community Membership Update (copy filed for the record).   Mr. Poland reported no 2010 dues yet received; 52 communities in good standing YTD 2010 with 11 communities in arrears for 2009 (7), 2008-09 (2), and 2007-2009 (2).

 

The GPSC Operating Budget Proposal for 2010 of $1,960.00 was discussed and approved without objection (copy filed for the record). The Board agreed to seek projects to support in 2010 within the budgeted line item of $250.00; and the Miscellaneous Expense line item will be reduced to increase the budgets for ‘domain registration’ from $29.95 to $95.00 and ‘printing/supplies’ from $150.00  to $300.00. 

 

Speakers Schedule for 2010: Jerry Pesterfield presented the speaker’s plan for 2010. The board discussed and approved the plan through September. Board members will provide additional recommendations for October through December.

 

Environmental Committee:  President Pesterfield discussed the role of the Environmental Committee.  The Board agreed that the willingness of Anne Jackson and Ed Krause to volunteer as Committee co-chairs to bring additional awareness and focus to environmental issues is a highly positive step. Mr. Pesterfield noted that both Ms. Jackson and Mr. Krause are graduates of the Watershed Stewards Academy of Anne Arundel County, and are well qualified to pull all projects together and report on them.

 

Note for the record: A copy has been filed of the email note sent by Mr. Pesterfield to the Committee Co-Chairs thanking them for their help and assistance on these issues, and confirmed that Board Member Al Johnston will continue to report on legislative and governmental issues that may affect the Severna Park area, and other board members will forward any environmental issues or information of interest for their review and handling.

 

GSPC Membership & Dues:  President Pesterfield will send the GPSC 2010 dues notice via email to all communities during the week of January 27th.  Upon recommendation by Michele Rose, it was agreed that the $10.00 newsletter fee will be stricken since mailing costs are no longer applicable with the electronic distribution of all notices.  2010 GPSC association dues will remain at $35.00 per year and are payable upon receipt.

 

Beautification Committee:  Mr. Pesterfield discussed funding projects in 2010 with the available $2,465 beautification funds.  Suggested that one approach may be to find small projects that enhance the GSP community, and requested a board member volunteer to manage the project. Michele Rose volunteered to provide oversight to the selection process of the future committee. Dan Nataf commented that it sounded like a grant project and requested that Michele first draft an outline of the application criteria. The first objective is to get the Board members approval of the criteria, and then move to the general membership to vote on projects selected for funding by inviting applicants to pitch their projects to the full membership. It was agreed that guidelines for applications must be carefully crafted so that it is clear that public areas not private communities or homeowner’s association space be considered for funding. The criteria and requirements for the beautification funding should clearly state the goal is to serve multi-communities within the Greater Severna Park Area, and funding should be provided to support schools, parks and traffic islands.

 

Zoning/Legislation:  A comprehensive list of the items discussed by Mr. Johnston is attached for the record (see Attachment 1).  He will continue to track and report on status of all items at the next board meeting.

 

General Development Plan:  Mr. Johnston presented Letter from Richard Falk, President, Generals Highway Council, outlining the rules, procedures, and February 15th deadline for residents to submit applications to change zoning designations of their properties now that the General Development Plan for the county’s future growth has been adopted and comprehensive re-zoning is underway.  It was agreed that a draft proposal would be written and shared with the Board prior to getting feedback from Cathy Vitale and then Board members can approve electronically by February 9th deadline, sign and submit to Al Johnston.

 

A discussion ensued on approaches to be proactive in seeking community support by talking to Broadneck counterparts to tell them that GPSC wants to join them at the February 2nd coop meeting and recommend that other community organizations support them.  The Severna Park Small Area Plan should be changed to R-2 from R-5 (R-5 requires sewer hook-up), the overlay zone has to have a plan for 2011 in the Comprehensive Zoning Plan or Smart Growth Plan.  If GPSC has Severna Park, Broadneck and General Highway support we can be consistently true with what is needed by down-zoning.  Too many people in River area and the only way to clean up and correct rivers are to change zoning density.

 

Education:  No report.

 

Police Relations:  No report.

 

Public Works:  No report

 

New Business: 

 

AAC email List: Mr. Pesterfield confirmed that no one can use GSPC names and addresses unless agreed to by Council.  He has discussed with Brenda Reiber the proprietary nature of our database and rights.

 

GSPCC:  Chamber of Commerce representative Chris Isem will come to our next GSPC meeting.  Trying to nurture a better relationship between GSPC and the Chamber.

 

Homestead Tax Credit Application: Michele Rose recommended that an email reminder be sent to the GSPC membership on the requirement to make a one-time application for the Homestead Tax Credit.  Mr. Pesterfield will send out the announcement (copy of the January 28th announcement was filed for the record).

 

Kinder Farm Park:  Michele Rose reported that all are invited to the ground breaking for the new Visitors’ Center at Kinder Farm Park to be held on February 3rd at 3:00 pm weather permitting. John Leopold will attend.  This is the final piece of the park and has been 10 years in development.

 

Correction for the record:  Correct date for Earth Day: April 22, 2010.

 

Old Business: 

 

Aspire Dinner (Association for Severna Park Improvement, Renewal and Enhancement):  

Mr. Pesterfield reminded board members of the February 5th deadline to submit dinner reservations to Maureen Carr-York (mcarr-york@att.net) so that she can plan the table seating for GSPC board members attending in honor of John Norville.  Dinner is scheduled for February 24, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm at the Chartwell Country Club.

 

Web Changes: Mr. Nataf will update the By-laws to change the 2007 date on document.

 

     Next Meetings:  General Meeting: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 – 7:30 pm – SP Library

                           Board Meeting:   Tuesday, February 23, 2010 – 7:30 pm – Woods Church

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 pm.

Very Respectfully Submitted,

Kathleen J. Michels, GPSC Secretary

February 3, 2010

 

Attachment (1)

 

GSPC Zoning/Legislation Agenda 1-27-10, Boldface=Discussion, Regular Typeface= Information Only

 

Legislation, Planning, Zoning and Capital Projects:

   Bill 7-10 Small Business District, 2-16-10, additional requirements, GSPC Resolution.

   Bill 5-10 Board of Appeals Rules 2-16-10, Changes by Board. GSPC proposed amendments Resolution.

  Growth Action Network, http://growthaction.net/#news,

       Joint Meeting with Planning and Zoning Officer, Larry Tom 2-2-10, Review of pending Article 16

       Stormwater, Article 17 Subdivision (adequate facilities) and Article 18 Zoning.

  Comprehensive Rezoning Process, Applications 12-1-09 through 2-12-10.  Application form now on  

   County Webpage.  GSPC will review all applications within the GSPC defined boundaries.  50+ estimate.

   (Art 15 Stormwater, Art 16 Permits (webpage), Art 17 Subdivision, Art 18 Zoning, revisions scheduled to be

    introduced in February. Draft Design Manual and Draft Article 16 & 17 now on County webpage)

 

Administrative Hearing Officer/Board of Appeals/MDE-Corps of Engineers-Zoning Complaints:

   Webpage for AHO:  http://www.aacounty.org/AdminHear/Calendar.cfm, Webpage for Board of Appeals:   

       http://www.aacounty.org/BdofAppeals/Calendar.cfm

   BA 51-06V (2006-152-V) 747 B & A Blvd, Special Exception-3 vehicle limit-10,000 lbs limit, (OSPIA).  

   Rhodes Conference Robin White Zoning Inspector 6-30-09.

   Hot Dog Trailer-Clement’s Hardware, Certificate of Use, setback from property line.

   2009-44-S KHI Deep Creek Villas 12-4-09 SE Asst Living, Bellerive Dr. (APC, BCC, Broadneck-watch)

         Special Exception Granted, 63 page Decision with conditions in the critical area. Appealed 1-4-10. 

         Board of Education 1-6-10 Offer-$2M for eight classrooms at Broadneck High School. Accepted  

         unanimously.

   2009-22-R Blanchfield-Gerst, 5-7-09, Jumpers Hole Rd, R5 to C2, AHO Granted 6-4-09   Covenants

   received.

          Ongoing discussions. Telcon with Ginger Reeves 1-8-10.

   BA 2-09A (2008-303-V) West Haven, 10-14-09.  280 Tolstoy Ln, path+parking (watch), Eight hearings, 56

   attendees.

           Notice of extension of time to prepare Opinion 12-16-09.

   BA 45-09A K. Faulkner, 11-17-09 Notice of Extension 1-14-10, 101 Ritchie H’way, AHO denied

   nonconforming,

          Oppose 9-29-09. Tenant Twin Enterprises source of complaint-large Cat Tractors.  .

   BA 47-09A B. Frantom, 11-18-09 Granted 1201 B & A Blvd, Arnold, nonconforming boat repair/storage

  & firewood.

          (APC, Severn View)  Covenants with Severn View for approval.

Board of Appeals Deliberations:

      BA 45-09A K. Faulkner, 12-3-09, Nonconforming Use Granted noting zoning violation, Decision

  Extended.

      1-21-10 No Severna Park cases.

  

Circuit Court Cases (Clerk of Court 222-1431):

  Case C-08-133214 (BA 76-06R, 20006-223R) Berrywood et al v Marketplace. 7-6-09, Request for $2,306.50 Costs

      Order under Rule 7-116.  Judgment issued 11-6-09.  Valley-Hi has made payment. 

  Case C-07124679 (BA 82-06A), R. Dreams, Inc (Beyerlein), 8351 Vet H'way, (Shipley's Retreat) Denied,

  appealed                                                                               

    8-9-07, 2-15-08 Remanded. Board of Appeals Board Denied, 12-18-08, Appealed 1-14-09 Procedures-New Case. 

  Case C-09137689 new # for C-07124679, Hearing 11-9-09.  Judge Silkworth-under advisement.  Letter.

       Board Rule Issue.

 

Court of Special Appeals Cases, Clerk 410 260-1450, Court of Appeals Clerk 410-260-1500.

  Case 60, 2009 Term, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Inc, et al, (Little Dobbins Island), dismissed by Board of

  Appeals-

     Lack of Standing. Multiple Parties (MRA, CAC) Briefing Cycle until approximately 1-20-10.    

 

  Case 2250 Sept Term 2007 Steve Curtis v. AA Cnty (Circuit Court Case C-07-120132, BA82-02A)

  Application for   

      C2 in R2 zone, Applicant argued County Council made a mistake for not affirmatively considering during

   rezoning,

     (Crain West). Zoning Enforcement cleared to enforce Consent Order, District Court schedule

   February or later per conference with Tim Kingston, Zoning Enforcement on 1-8-10.

 

Pre-submission Community Meetings Calendar at: http://www.aacounty.org/LandUse/CalendarPreSub.cfm

    Cattail Associates (St Martins Manor) 1-12-10, 19 SFD at 516 & 524 St. Martins Lane.  8 Page report-

    max density.

 

Sketch Plans/Subdivisions Approved:        http://www.aacounty.org/LandUse/SubActivity/index.cfm         

   Admirals Ridge, Sketch 1-13-10, 1395 Ritchie, Arnold. 42 Units, S2006-34, TM 39/313

 

Environmental Items of Note not covered above:

   Severn River Commission 1-7-10, DPW Water Operations Headquarters Expansion-East West Blvd.                 

   Severn River Association 1-19-10 7:00PM, Calvary Methodist Church, Annapolis, Techniques for local

   projects.

   Greater Severna Park Watershed Action Group 1-7-10, Earth Day 2010 Planning.

   MDP Planning Directors Workshop1-21-10 EPA TMDL program for the Chesapeake Bay.  

 

C:\gspc\agenda\zlagenda\zlagenda 1-27-10, Al Johnston 410 647-1380, j202gspc@comcast.net  

 

INFORMATION ON COMPREHENSIVE ZONING

 

Following adoption of the 2009 General Development Plan, the Office of Planning and Zoning will initiate a Comprehensive Zoning process. The application period for the 2010 Comprehensive Zoning will be held between December 1, 2009 and February 12, 2010. The Comprehensive Zoning Application and Instructions are now available on the County website.

 

“Policy:  Comprehensive zoning changes must demonstrate the following criteria: (2009 GDP Final Draft p115)

1)     The change in zoning will further one or more of the established goals and policies in the adopted GDP or Small Area Plan.

2)     The change is zoning will not be contrary to an establish goal or policy in the adopted GDP or Small Area Plan.

3)     The change in zoning will allow a land use that is compatible with the surrounding land uses, so as to promote the health, safety and welfare of present and future residents.”

 

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