GREATER SEVERNA PARK COUNCIL
Minutes of the September 14, 2004 Meeting
Welcome: The meeting was called to order at 7:35PM by President John Strange.
Secretary’s Report: The minutes of the August 10, 2004 meeting were approved as submitted. 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. Please notify the secretary and/or the treasurer of any changes in the office of president or delegate for your community.
Treasurer’s Report: Jen Campbell, Treasurer, reported a balance of $27,639.79 as of August 31, 2004. This includes $4327.81 in Beautification Trust Funds. The total is based on a previous balance of $27,555.72 with expenses totaling $38.33 for the month and income of $122.40. The report was approved as presented. Al Johnston, Vice-President reported briefly on his research regarding interest rates.
President’s Report: John Strange read the list of Greater Severna Park Council Communities who have paid dues for this year as of August 31, 2004: Arnold Preservation Council, Arundel Plaza, Bendale, Ben Oaks, Berrywood, Bluff Point, Brittingham, Carrollton Manor, Chartridge, Chartwell, Chartwood, County Crusaders, Cypress Glen, Cypress Improvement, Cypress Landing, Fair Oaks, Fairwinds, Harlequin, Hollywood, Jennings Road, Kilmarnock, Kensington, Lakeland II, Linstead, Lower Magothy, Magothy Forest, Manhattan Beach, McKinsey Park, North Cape Arthur, North Severna Park, Oakleigh Forest, Olde Severna Park, Pointfield West, Riverdale, Rugby Hall, Sabrina Park, Severna Forest, Severndale, Severn Heights, Severna Enclave, Sheffield Park, Shipley’s Choice Community, Shipley’s Choice Homeowners, Solomons Ridge, Swann Point, Westridge, West Severna Park, Whitehurst, Whitneys Landing, and Woodbridge Forest. President John Strange reminded everyone that there are still a number of dues outstanding. There is now a $5.00 late charge in addition to the $35.00 membership fee for those paying after June 1st.
A Nominating Committee is needed to present a slate of officers and directors for 2005. According to the By-Laws, the President will appoint a chairperson for the committee and there will be elections for the other two members. Elections for the committee will be held in November; they, in turn, will present the slate in December and elections will follow in January. John Norville, Director, has been appointed as the Chairperson. Anyone interested in serving on the committee should contact John Norville or John Strange.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
BWI Noise Committee: Denny Stam
No report.
Beautification and Community Enhancement Committee – Larry Masterson
No report.
Education: Beth Slikker
Beth reported that Dr. Smith has angered the County Council and County Executive by giving raises to administrators at the Board of Education, so they withdrew their offer of $3.5 million in additional funds. Next, he angered the teachers union by stating that he was going to authorize a new health care plan with another company. However, this is against their contract. Now there is discussion that he is going to suggest that redistricting be considered.
Schools fall under the realm of Adequacy of Facilities regulations. Developers cannot build in certain areas if the schools there cannot accept more children; therefore, they are choosing to build more “over 55” housing. A new concern
will be the area of Parole with mixed-use commercial and residential, as Annapolis High School has been designated as full.
Beth also expressed concern over the number of expulsions and suspensions in schools. She noted that the Mary Moss Academy which accepts students who have been suspended. These students and their parents must agree to attend and are kept for only one semester. At that time, they are returned to their home school, only if they are accepted back by that principal. Beth would like to see more in-school suspensions. In response to inquiries, Michele Rose, Secretary, noted that Severna Park High School’s resource police officer assisted in the start-up last year of Saturday School, for suspended students. These students spend the day writing essays and providing labor to help clean-up the school grounds.
Police Community Relations: Carroll Hicks
Carroll Hicks had no report as the Police Community Relations Council does not meet in July and August.
Public Works: Dan Nataf
Dan reported that a speed hump has been installed on Red Birch Road in Shipley’s Choice. Bob Cooper, SCHOA, noted that it is the source of some controversy as their community paid $2183.00 for it and it is not effective. They feel that the slope is too gradual and defeats the purpose. They have contacted Cathy Vitale, District 5 County Councilmember, about the matter. Ms. Vitale, who was present, also informed those present that the criteria for speed humps are available on the county website, www.aacounty.org.
Mark Jacobs, Cypress Glen, inquired about a change made in the turn lane designation on Cypress Creek Road at Ritchie Highway which is creating back-ups there; his community would like to see it changed back. Anne DeMajistre, Ben Oaks, inquired about resurfacing on West Benfield Road. It was also noted that directional arrows that had previously been painted on Whites Road at Ritchie Highway have disappeared and need to be redone. Dan will follow-up.
The GSPC website only has one community link. If your community has a website that would like to be linked, please e-mail Dan through our website at www.gspcouncil.org.
Planning /Zoning/Legislation: Al Johnston
Legislation, Planning and Capital Projects:
-Sewage overflow-Lake Waterford 9-4-04 – handled well by the county.
-Candidate Forum jointly sponsored by GSPC, Chamber & Community Center, 10-21-04 in the Pascal Center AACC.
Cardin, Duckworth, Gilchrest and Alexakis have confirmed. Al needs four volunteer hosts/hostesses – 2 Republicans
and 2 Democrats to assist the candidates during the forum.
-1st United Pentecostal Church, 1525 Ritchie 32.2A, Grading Permit G02007280, 1,500 seat auditorium.
-Whitney’s Landing Dredging Project-Isabel
Administrative Hearing Officer/Board of Appeals:
-BA 11-04S, 12-04S, 13-04V, 14-04V WaWa et al. Special Exception & Variance Petition denied by AHO. Written
Closing Arguments, Petitioner submitted 8-31, Protestants submitted 9-14, Rebuttal 9-28.
-BA 75--83-03, Raymond Woodard et al, (9 Jones Station Properties), Vote Unanimous-Opinion pending.
Subdivisions:
-Cattail Passage, S2002-040, P 2002-084, 15 Units on Jennings Rd, Lori Allen, x7485, Sketch Final Pend. Variance
Review 9-16-04 9:00AM on Whites Road, Chesapeake Room
-Country Home 2 LLC, West Pasadena Road, Stop Work Order.
- Orhan Omer, Chartwell inquired about property being developed on West Pasadena adjacent to Kilmarnock and
Chartwell. The owner has been fined $35,000.00 for the removal of trees and a stop work order had been issued and also
ignored by the owner. The community of Kilmarnock has formed a committee to keep tabs on the property.
Rutter presentation 6-8-04 http://www.aacounty.org/PlanZone/indes.cfm.
One week ago, Mr. Rutter delivered two Bills to the County Council, Bill 68-04 which is Zoning and Bill 67-04 which is Subdivision. Cathy Vitale presented an explanation of the reasons for the proposed code revisions. It was noted that it is extremely difficult to compare the newly proposed codes with the current ones. The new proposals must be passed as a set since one is not complete without the other. The first hearing begins on October 13th. Ms. Vitale is
expecting that it will come back every two weeks to the Council for further ammendments. It may take longer than the 90-day requirement to pass the legislation and then require it to be resubmitted a second time. Maureen Carr-York is working with Al on this project. The first public hearings will be on Wednesday, October 13th. Prior to starting the discussion, Al presented a quote from Cathy Vitale’s legislative assistant, Pam Scarbro, that he thought was appropriate to the subject, “Don’t give me a hot potato if it is not my turn to cook!!!”.
A lengthy and lively discussion followed in response to a zoning code poll that Al submitted to the delegates. It was not a position or motion, just a poll to provide feedback to Ms. Vitale. Clarification and examples of the issues were provided by Al and Cathy Vitale. Delegates were urged to consider how these items would affect their communities, as well as the overall county.
The results are as follows:
(1) Permit “bed and breakfast homes” in owner-occupied houses on lots 25,000 square feet or larger.
____Approved _23_Opposed __2_Undecided ____Other__2 see below_______________________
A Only on same property only in Marinas
A only on waterfront properties
(2) Permit “bed and breakfast inns” in houses on lots one acre or larger
__5_Approved _19_Opposed __2_Undecided ____Other__3_______________________________
Parking must be on same property only in Marinas
A if parking on site
A only on waterfront
(3) Permit “accessory dwelling units” (small apartments) inside owner-occupied single-family homes
_7__Approved _13___Opposed _2__Undecided ____Other__5 see below_____________________
A for family members only
A family only
A family only
A family only
A for NON income units only
(4) Permit “child care centers for 13 or more children
_3__Approved _21_Opposed __3_Undecided ____Other__1 see below_______________________
Traffic concerns
A Non-residential only
(5)(a) Change maximum house height limit from current “35 feet or 2 1/2 stories” to “35 feet”.
_13_Approved _10_Opposed __3_Undecided ____Other________________________________
(5)(b) GSPC alternative: Change maximum house height to “35 feet and 2 ½ stories”
_7__Approved _13_Opposed __4_Undecided ____Other________________________________
(6) Reduce side-yards required for accessory structures less than 12 feet tall (such as garage) from
current 10 feet to five feet.
_4__Approved _17_Opposed __1_Undecided ____Other________________________________
(7) Eliminate setback requirements for sheds less than 64 square feet in area or eight feet in height (but
permits would still be required.
_24_Approved __4__Opposed ____Undecided ____Other________________________________
(8) Eliminate notification of waterfront and other adjacent property owners when a building permit is
to be issued for a nearby [waterfront] lot. Eliminate formal written “administrative decisions” on
waterfront lot permit applications.
_2__Approved _24_Opposed __2_Undecided ____Other________________________________
(9) Permit nursing homes up to 100 beds on five-acre lots, plus an additional acre for each 25 added
beds.
_4__Approved _19_Opposed __3_Undecided ____Other________________________________
(10) Conversion of single-family dwellings to duplex or multifamily dwellings
_4__Approved _21_Opposed __3_Undecided ____Other________________________________
(11) Alcoholic beverage uses accessory to other uses
_2__Approved _21_Opposed __5__Undecided ____Other________________________________
(12) Group homes in classification three
_8__Approved _14_Opposed _2__Undecided ____Other________________________________
(13) Appeal to Board of Appeals
_7__Approved _17_Opposed __3__Undecided ____Other________________________________
The delegates expressed a desire to share this poll with their communities. It was decided to e-mail the poll, along with the commentary to those for whom we have e-mail addresses. Responses should be sent to Cathy Vitale at cvitale@aacounty.org , as well as to Al at j202gspc@comcast.net .
NEW BUSINESS
John Norville highly recommended a course provided by Anne Arundel Community College titled Community and Condo Association Management. It is a four-session course offered on Saturdays starting on October 23rd. Forms were available at the meeting.
Gail Smith provided information and brochures from the Anne Arundel Office of Emergency Management regarding an upcoming training session for the Community Emergency Response Team, as well as information from the Volunteer Center for Anne Arundel County.
OLD BUSINESS
Last month we discussed the loss incurred by a visiting band, the Lutheran Vanguard of Wisconsin, who made appearances at the Annapolis City July 4th parade, as well as the Severna Park parade on July 5th. They have received cash donations from the Severna Park Chamber of Commerce ($250.00) and the Community Center ($520.00) to help them replace some of their stolen money and items. The group did not file an insurance claim as their company would have then filed against the Community Center. A motion was made and seconded and passed by affirmation that the GSPC make a donation of $250.00 to the band.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:37 PM
Executive Board – Wednesday, September 22nd at 7:30 PM at the Severna Park Library.
GSPC General Meeting – Tuesday, October 12th at 7:30 PM in the meeting room of the Severna Park Library.
Respectfully submitted,
Michele Rose, Secretary