GREATER SEVERNA PARK COUNCIL
Minutes of the January 13, 2004 Meeting
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM by President John Strange
Welcome: John Strange announced that a quorum of at least twenty-nine (29) delegates were needed to conduct the primary order of business for the meeting, which was the election of officers and directors. (The records indicate that there were 31 delegates present>)
Secretary’s Report: The minutes were approved as submitted via mail and e-mail. Those interested in receiving the minutes by e-mail may sign-up at the entrance table or contact Michele Rose by e-mail at mrose@cablespeed.com.
Treasurer’s Report: Al Johnston, treasurer, reported a balance of $26,372.66 as of December 31, 2003. This includes $4322.44 in Beautification Trust Funds. The total is based on a previous balance of $26,466.58 with expenses of $96.63 for the month and income of $2.71 in interest to the trust funds. He noted that this is an interim report as a statement had not been received for the money market account prior to the meeting. A final report will be issued next month. Al also stated that the treasury has gained approximately $1500.00 as compared to last year. The treasurer’s report was approved as submitted.
President’s Report: John reported that 2004 dues are payable now. Several communities have already paid. The dues are $35.00 and may be paid to the GSPC at our post office address: P.O. Box 786, Severna Park, MD 21146 or may be paid at the next meeting.
Elections were held. There being no further nominations from the floor, the following officers and directors were elected by affirmation:
President – John Strange * Directors – Carroll Hicks *
Vice-President – Al Johnston John Norville *
Secretary –Michele Rose * Maureen Carr-York
Treasurer – Tom Decker Dan Nataf – ex-officio
· Denotes incumbent
Christy Truver, a senior Severna Park High School, was introduced as the student delegate for this year.
Zoning / Legislation: Al Johnston
A.Scott Mobley, President of the Annapolis Neck Peninsula Federation, gave a presentation regarding the
Advocates for Sensible Planning. This organization was formed to advocate for local communities to improve land use planning. He has found that plans are frequently far along in the process before the public is aware, that the government does not always follow the general development plans, and that communities often do not have the funds or volunteers to fight some of the developments. In order to change the dynamics, there is a need for a countywide organization to promote communities’ interests, a sort of chamber of communities. The Advocates were formed to promote friendly land use planning, counter the influence of developers, and share the burden among communities and volunteers. The group hopes to make communities proactive instead of reactive. They are a politically neutral, non-profit, 501c(3) organization that also hopes to have a structured volunteer support service. A web site is in the works. They would also like to use community TV to broadcast information regarding developments. In addition, they are plan to form a sister 501c(4) organization so that they may lobby as well. Membership is open to individuals for a fee of $30.00 per year. Mr. Mobley can be reached at 410-266-6351 or by e-mail at asmobley@cs.com.
Kevin Lusby, Director of Land Development for Kock Homes, Inc. presented information on a Shipley’s Crossing, a planned community for residents 55 and over which is proposed for 49 acres on Brightview Road, one mile east of Veteran’s Highway. Koch Homes is applying for a special exemption for a planned-unit development of 143 units, a mixture of townhomes and single-family homes. There would be 22 acres (zoned R5) north of Brightview with 80 townhomes and 27 acres (zoned R2)on the south side with 63 individual homes. The homes would be 2000-2500 square feet at a price of $350,000 to $ 400,000. The community would also include a clubhouse with exercise and meeting rooms, as well as a swimming pool. A public hearing on the special exemption will be held January 20th at 11 AM.. Since there is a common entrance, they have proposed a traffic circle on Brightview.
Al Johnston explained the history of the Sosnoski/ Clement Hardware zoning case and the GSPC’s position to support the administrative hearing officer’s opinion to return the parking lot area to C3 from R5 and leave the triangular area, bordering the North Severna Park Community pool, as R5. Emilie Sosnoski and Clement Hardware are taking the case to the Board of Appeals. A motion to reaffirm the GSPC’s position was approved by affirmation. Ric Neseth, North Severna Park, further explained the history of the property and his community’s position.
Primary elections are scheduled to be held March 2, 2004. Talks are underway with the GSPCC to hold a joint forum on Circuit Court judge candidates. They are planning to tape the event and show it on the public access channel. Dan Nataf has been proposed as the moderator of the event.
Al has also come across a piece of legislation that was enacted in the 2001 session of the General Assembly which allows community associations with defined territories to sue regarding nuisances. It allows lawsuits to rid communities of nuisances, as well as damages. Information on this legislation can be found as Real Property Section
14-125.1. The library has a copy of the Maryland Annotated Codes.
Capital Projects:
Community Center B02191483, $660,593, Construction began 7-31-03. Steel erection near complete.
Zoning:
Administrative Hearing Officer Pending:
Shipley's Crossing @ Windy Knolls West, P#2002-134, 37 Condo Units Withdrawn for the following:
2003-0471-S Planned Unit Development and 2003-0472-V Extension of Time for Development, Grayson
Development Co., LLC & Koch Homes, Inc. 63 single-family units and 80 Townhouses. Hearing date 1-20-04,
11:00 AM Planner Liz West. Presentation by Kevin Lusby, Director Land Development, Koch Homes, Inc.
A motion to oppose this development until the traffic problem that it creates on Brightview Road is resolved
was approved by affirmation.
2003-0430S Chuck Converse, Special Exception (Community Septic System) 12-9-03, Opinion pending.
2003-0159R Raymond Woodard et al, (9 Jones Station Properties), BA 75--83-03, 12-4-03. 2 Hearings
held, 3rd scheduled April 7, 2004, 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM, Protestant’s final testimony and Closing Arguments
Administrative Hearing Officer and Board of Appeals with No Activity:
Benfield Crossing, Concord Builders, Cypress Landing West, Dyas- Michael Property, May-Keedy
Property , Quadrangle et al. Sonneborn has been approved to work on the 27 lots as single-family homes.
Al Johnston made a motion to recommend McKinsey Park for membership in the GSPC. It was approved unanimously.
BWI Noise Committee: Denny Stam
Ellen Sample, Director of Noise Abatement, Maryland Aviation Administration, attended a meeting of the BWI Noise Committee held separately during a portion of the general meeting and returned to answer questions and address concerns of the delegates. Ruffin Cooper, SCHOA, inquired regarding the types of aircraft currently in use. Ms. Sample noted that as of 12/31/99, all aircraft in operation over 75,000 lbs are stage III. Some airlines were allowed to use “hush kits” to muffler their stage 2 aircraft in order to meet stage 3 noise certification standards. Most have now been phased out and there are now only about 2-3% now operating. He also inquired about flight path changes over the past few years. Most aircraft depart BWI from the west and arrive from the southeast. The I-97 flight path is only an option for aircraft arriving from the south during visual and light traffic conditions, which are overall less than 5% of the time. Maureen Carr-York , Director, remarked about the very loud, very low planes arriving during the middle of the night. Ms. Sample noted that since ambient noise is much less during the night, that the noise is much more noticeable. Additionally, many of those aircraft are cargo flights at that time and may be more likely to be “hush kit” planes. Aircraft should be at 3000 feet at 10 miles out from the airport. People should also recognize that once they are past that ten mile mark, the planes are descending for approach to the airport. There is a gate setup at ten miles out to monitor altitude and airlines are given a complete list of all of the planes that are not meeting the standard. If an individual notes the date and time, Ms. Sample can check the information regarding a particular flight. The phone number to call is 410-859-7070 or 410-859-7021. Denny Stam announced that noise complaint forms were given to all delegates in the mailing.
A noise monitor will be placed in Carrollton Manor in a couple of weeks for about 2-4 weeks which will record noise events for 3-4 weeks. It will monitor the maximum sound level and duration. There are only four portable noise monitors available to be placed in neighborhoods and may be obtained through Ms. Sample’s office.
The Noise Abatement Office attempts to have planes stay as high as possible for as long as possible.
Education: Beth Slikker
Beth noted that the School Board Nominating Convention Committee is in full swing and that next month, GSPC will be looking for representatives to attend. She has been unable, at this time, to find out how many retired teachers have been re-hired and what types of classes that they are teaching. She is awaiting information from the Board of Education.
The main focus of the GSPC meeting in March will be on an education forum concerning several topics including the IB program, community-based schools versus magnet schools, and some of the main concerns of the citizens advisory committee. The Board of Education is said to be considering some redistricting.
North Cypress Branch: Lewis Heck
No report at this time in the chairperson’s absence.
Police Community Relations: Carroll Hicks
The Police Community Relations Council met on December 17th at which time they announced the Officer of the Year – Officer Morningstar and Detective of the Year – Detective Howeth.
Public Works: Dan Nataf
Dan had no report at this time.
Website Update: Dan Nataf
The new web site can be reached at www.gspcouncil.org. The current and proposed by-laws, meeting minutes, are included there. The documents portion includes a copy of the airport noise chart.
Karen Schneider, Cypress Landing, gave a presentation of a problem regarding the noise from the Earleigh Heights house siren. She noted that the loud siren is affecting the peace, safety, and property values of their community, as well as others nearby. It sounds like an air raid siren and is used as many as 15 times per day or over 5300 times per year. It had been out of use due to needed repairs for two years, and then began to be used again at the end of October, 2003. This siren is no longer needed to call volunteers to the station as they use pagers. It should not be needed to control traffic during a call as they are able to control the traffic lights. According to Chief Simonds, Sr., Earleigh Heights is the only station in the county that uses a siren on a regular basis.
John Strange suggested that Cypress Landing become a member of the GSPC and form a committee to investigate the problem and present a formal report to the delegates. Bill Daley, Colchester, recommended that they also investigate the noise ordinances for Anne Arundel County and their exemption status.
Al Johnston reported on the directors and officers liability bill. A new bill will be introduced this session to decrease the number of houses required to be part of a community in this bill from 40 down to 20.
Beth Slikker discussed voting machines. She noted that Joan Cadden will be introducing a bill requesting written voter verification. Ray Robinson, Chartwood, remarked about the major increase seen in the tax assessment bills recently received. Increases are capped by the Homestead Act.
Special Note – The Greater Severna Park Council would like to send best wishes for a speedy recovery to our delegate from Fair Oaks, Pete Fenton.
Executive Board – Wednesday, January 28th at 7:30 PM at the Severna Park Library.
GSPC General Meeting – Tuesday, February 10th at 7:30 PM in the meeting room of the Severna Park Library.
The scheduled speaker will be Dr. Martha Smith, President, Anne Arundel Community College. (Post meeting note – Dr. Smith will be unable to attend this month’s meeting.)
Michele Rose, Secretary