GREATER SEVERNA PARK COUNCIL

Meeting

July 13, 2010

Minutes

  Go to: www.GSPCouncil.Org  

The meeting was called to order by President Jerry Pesterfield at 7:32 p.m. at the Severna Park Library.  

Secretary’s Report:  Kathy Michels, secretary, produced the June meeting minutes which were distributed to the membership via email by President Pesterfield. Without objection the minutes were unanimously approved as submitted.   

Treasurer’s Report:  Steve Poland submitted the June, 2010 finance report which was read to the membership. Below are the key numbers from the report which will be filed for the record and audit purposes.

As of June 30, 2010:

Income ( New $5,000.00 / 12 mo / 0.5% CD matures on 6/16/2011)

Account balances

Account activity

      Without objection the June, 2010 finance report was filed for the record as adopted and approved by unanimous vote of the   

      delegates.

      Guest Speaker:  President Pesterfield introduced Ron Bowen, Director, Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works

      and Greg Africa,  Deputy Director Department of Public Works for Highways.  Mr. Bowen began with a brief overview of the

      department which manages capital projects for the entire county with the exception of the Board of Education.  DPW

      consists of Utility Operations, Waste Management Services, Highways and Engineering.  Due to reduction in county revenue,

      DPW has been struggling to meet the demands of their services.

      Mr. Africa continued a more detailed explanation of the reasons for the decreased revenue, as well as the allocation of the  

      revenue throughout the various county departments and agencies through a power point presentation.  He went into great

      detail to describe how service and staffing have been affected, including a lag in completion time for work orders, loss of

      maintenance programs, an accelerated rate of infrastructure and equipment deterioration, a lag in new technologies and a

      less skilled workforce due to loss of training funds.  This has lead to a workload prioritization as follows: public safety issues

      (sinkholes, guardrails, faded signs); regulatory compliance ( stormwater discharges, ADA accessibility); infrastructure

      preservation (pavements, storm drains, ponds); comfort and convenience (pavement roughness, traffic diversions); and

      aesthetics (graffiti, litter, tall grass).

This lead to a discussion of how communities and businesses can help by partnering with the DPW to maintain median and community entrances, as well as areas surrounding commercial establishments, keeping inlets and ditches free of obstructions, caring for driveway ditch crossings, establishing and maintaining rain gardens and participating in the Keep America Beautiful campaign (www.kab.org) to preserve and protect the environment.  Many of these ideas require cultural and/or behavioral changes on the part of the public such as preventing litter by using sturdy waste collection and recycling containers, collecting litter , respecting the public right-of-way by not planting trees or shrubs, installing personal features or underground sprinklers, placing illegal signs or dumping within this area and maintaining the sidewalks adjacent to your property as required by law. Reduce reliance on DPW by managing downspout and sump pump discharges, judicious use of lawn chemicals, composting, mowing lawns regularly, including the easement areas and trimming bushes and trees that

create sight and pedestrian obstructions.  Monitor your driving speed – 40% of traffic engineering time is taken up with this problem alone and most offenders are living locally.

Contact DPW for further information at www.aacounty.org/DPW/ContactDPW.cfm. In the Severna Park area for Road and Roadside matters, call 410-222-6120 or countywide for traffic maintenance matters, call 410-222-1940.

Ron Bowen concluded the presentation with an open invitation to any group who would like to tour their operations.  He has been instrumental in establishing the Watershed Master Stewards program of which several members of the GSPC have completed.  This group is trying to help the public understand the problems and create solutions.

Mr. Bowen addressed the recent Cypress Creek pumping station failure, noting that it was due to a progression of multiple failures of the electrical system, so the back-up generator also failed.   The DPW has a 24-hour monitoring station located in Millersville that recycles every three minutes. 

      Education Committee:   Brad Meyers

      Mr. Meyers reported that the Folger McKinsey project has started and has a two year window. Students will be relocated to

      Chesapeake Bay Middle School during the renovation.

      Principal changes have been made at Jones and Severna Park Elementary Schools.

      In response to a question, he noted that a stormwater management pond will be maintained at Severna Park Middle

      School.

      The Severna Park High School Feasibility Committee has been meeting.  Maureen Carr-York is a member of the group.

      Environmental Committee:  Ann Jackson/Ed Krause

      Ann Jackson reported that the next Master Watershed Steward course will be starting  July 26^th.  Please see the attached

      report for the details.   

See Appendix A for the complete July Environmental Committee Report presented to the GSPC.

Police/Community Relations:  Buck Brown / Julie Krause.

No report.

Public Works Committee:  Dan Nataf:  

Mr. Nataf will check on the sewer re-lining that is now in progress.

GSP Survey Update: Dan Nataf:  

Mr. Nataf reported that the Survey Committee has met and is reviewing the survey to make minor adjustments.  They are hoping to have it ready to distribute in September.  Responses will be done electronically only. 

Aspire Report: Earl Schaffer  

No report.

GSP Chamber of Commerce:  Anne Myers

Ms. Myers thanked the community for their support of the July 4^th parade.

BWI Noise Committee:  Denny Stam/Jeanne Carpenter  

No report.

Beautification Committee:  Jerry Pesterfield

President Pesterfield noted that the committee has been inactive for several years and that there have been funds that have

also been on hold.  A new chairperson has volunteered – Jennifer Mann.  He read her resume to the group.  She hopes to

start in the near future and is very qualified and enthusiastic.

Planning/Zoning/Legislative Committee:  Al Johnston  

Mr. Johnston and Wayne Howard, Vice-president of the County Crusaders reported on a meeting that they had just attended

at the Liquor Board regarding an application by the Poor Boys Steak House (the former location of the Breakfast Shoppe on

Ritchie Highway at Whites Road) for a liquor license.  They will be serving lunch and dinner at that location.  The County

Crusaders objected to the application.  Both gentlemen left pleased with the outcome.  Although Poor Boys will receive their

requested license, they must participate in a long, involved training process.  In addition, only patrons purchasing food may

purchase liquor.  There will be no live music.  Closing times will be 10:00 pm Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 pm

Friday, Saturday and holidays.

FYI.  Due to the elections this year, the November GSPC meeting will be held at Woods Memorial Church.

Mr. Johnston presented his prepared GSPC Zoning/Legislation Agenda for July 13 as follows:

Bill 39-10 Small Wind Energy Systems (SWES)

    Al Johnston, along with Diane Jennings from Cathy Vitale’s office, joined a 7 hour tour on Monday of Small Wind Energy Systems on the Eastern Shore where Wind Energy maps identify sufficient energy to justify a SWES.  The host for the on-site visits was a local contractor who actually installed two of the systems and obtained permission to visit a third.  A “drive by” of two other systems provided an excellent sample of SWES.

   The host contractor installed two 10 kilowatt (kw) systems in different settings with both using a three sided cross braced towers.  The first one with nearby tree cover was 120 feet tall; the second one at waterfront was 100 feet tall. The first was well inland and was developing a net input of 2-300 watts to the power grid.  The second was on a waterfront setting and was off system due to a past power outage. A manual reset was required that took 500 seconds.  When the unit came on line it provided a burst net input at 2000 watts.  It achieved a steady state of 7-800 watts net input to the power grid.  Observations were made from 9:30AM to 10:30AM.  The respective owners were aware of our presence but did not report what power they might be using while the tour watched the instrumentation.   Cost data for the two systems was in the $60,000 range with incentives providing $35-40,000.  Out guide repeatedly noted that without incentives, the systems were not economically justified but they certainly were providing useable data.

   The tour guide did not install the 5 kw unit on a 120 foot monopole facility that had a very large “gin pole” so that it could easily be lowered for maintenance.  It utilized a system of three “guy wires” anchored some 30 feet from the monopole.  Performance data was not available. The “business” of the installation made it far less attractive to the tour members.

   The two “drive by” 2kw units were on triangle towers, one about 30 feet above the surrounding tree cover,  the other at tree cover height in the middle of an open “wind way” swath.  Performance was reported as marginal for the one above the tree cover and unjustified for the one in the “wind way”. 

   Bill 39-10 has now had 12 amendments, one withdrawn and the GSPC proposal, introduced by Council Member Cathy Vitale, to permit only approved Special Exception uses in residential zones was defeated 6-1.  During transit time on the bus there was a continuing dialog with Council Members Dillon and Farrar as to the economics of SWES.  Whether they, or other Council Members, will propose further amendments remains to be seen.  The Legislation Committee does not propose any at this time.

   Unless the Delegates have other ideas, our testimony on the 19^th will be limited to a profound thanks to Mr. Dillon for arranging the trip.  

Bills 58-10, 59-10 & 60-10    

  The Z-L Committee has listed these Bills as pending, in draft form or introduced Bills on the Z-L Agenda for many months. In the background there has been an informal committee consisting of representatives from the Riverkeepers including their sponsoring organizations and the Anne Arundel Chapter of the Home Builders Association of Maryland.  To my knowledge, GSPC did not participate in these discussions.  The Chairman of the County Council has not scheduled a Work Session so we will not hear the rationale for the Bills until 8-2-10, which is the date for the first hearing.

   It is my understanding that the three Bills as introduced have the support of both of the above groups.  It is also my understanding that there will be amendments which means that it will be possible to report at the GSPC August meeting with a great deal more information than is available today.

    Bill 58-10 Floodplain Management, Erosion and Sediment Control, and Stormwater Management is a complete restatement and revision of Article 16 of the County Code.  Until the Administration reports at the hearing on August 2d, the rationale for the Bill will be most difficult to identify.  The Legislation Committee recommends deferring taking a position until after the first public hearing, assuming that there will be amendments.

   Bill 59-10 Subdivision and Development has some 187 changes from the current Article 17 of the County Code.  Until the Administration reports at the hearing on August 2d, the rationale for the Bill will be most difficult to identify.  The Legislation Committee recommends deferring taking a position until after the first public hearing, assuming that there will be amendments

   Bill 60-10 Zoning provides for the adoption of the State mandated “Environmental Site Design” technique with appropriate changes in Bulk Regulations in the various zoning classifications.  As above, the Legislation Committee recommends deferring taking a position until after the first public hearing, assuming that there will be amendments. 

Comprehensive Rezoning applications

   The Legislative Committee continues its observation that there will be no comprehensive rezoning in the Severna Park area with the current County Council.  Press reports have noted an urgent need to obtain a Developer constructed Elementary School in the western part of the County.  Comprehensive rezoning would be required to permit the development that would be served by the proposed school.  The picture will be much clearer after Bills 58-10, 59-10 and 60-10 have been enacted.

      See Appendix B for the complete report.   

      Unfinished Business: 

      No items reported.

New Business:  

Brenda Reiber, Community Service Representative for the County Executive’s Office, reported on the “Celebrate Freedom”  project that will establish a permanent memorial statue to those who lost their lives on 9/11/01 utilizing four beams from the debris at the  New York site.  The memorial will be erected at the Fire/Police headquarters in Millersville.  The Anne Arundel County Arts Council is collecting monetary donations. To donate, you may call 410-222-7949 or go to their web site at www.annearundelartscouncil.org.

Ms. Reiber also noted that the county plans to plant 12,000 trees in South County and purchase the Spriggs property on the Magothy River utilizing reforestation funds.  The county also plans to increase the buffer at Hammond’s Connection at the dairy farm from 100 feet to 300 feet.

National Night Out will be held on Tuesday, August 3^rd from 5- 9 PM at the Crofton library.  It is a free event to promote crime awareness and neighborhood spirit. The Emergency management team, fire and police, as well as others will be participating.  

      Maureen Carr-York reported that a Child Identification Program will be held on July 28^th at the Cape St. Claire Improvement

      Association. She also noted that she, Cathy Vitale and community member, Terra Snyder are all members of the Severna

      Park High School Feasibility Committee whose next meeting will be in August. 

Next Meeting Dates: -  Board of Directors: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 – 7:30 p.m. Woods Church   

 -  General Meeting: Tuesday, August 10, 2010 – 7:30 p.m.  Severna Park Library  

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Michele Rose, GSPC Vice-president

July 26, 2010

Appendix A

Environmental Committee report for Greater Severna Park Council Meeting

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Submitted by Ann Jackson and Ed Krause, Watershed Stewards

Severn Riverkeeper  www.severnriverkeeper.org

Save the date of Thursday, September 16 for the 6^th Annual Celebrate the Severn event at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Merrill Environmental Center. Get your tickets before Labor Day for a discount. Details on the website.

Severn River Association   www.severnriver.org

Next meeting: Tuesday, July 20. This will be the first meeting at the new location, Arlington Echo. Delegate Ron George is the featured speaker for the SRA Solution Series program. He will present the benefits of Wind Turbines at Greenbury Point. The program begins at 7 pm.

The first SRA Stormwater Action Fund Grant will be presented also.

Greater Severna Park Watershed Action Group   www.gspwag.org

No report at this time due to the illness of Ed Krause.

Magothy River Association www.magothyriver.org

Next meeting is Wednesday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Berrywood Community Clubhouse. Directions are on the website.

Stream cleanup was June 19. Sixty seven tires, lots of trash, rugs, mattresses, car seats, one entire pickup truck bed liner, 8 propane tanks and one unidentifiable super sized tank were disposed of.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation www.cbf.org

The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted to approve the Chesapeake Clean Water Act and forward it on to entire Senate, bringing it one step closer to full passage by both Houses of Congress.  

Watershed Steward Academy   www.arlingtonecho.org

WSA will be accepting applications for the next Master Watershed Steward Certification Course from July 26, 2010-September 8, 2010. The next course begins in October 2010. Topics include Rainscaping techniques, pollution reduction strategies, community outreach and engagement, funding, and many others. Following the coursework, each Master Watershed Steward completes a Capstone Project including outreach and education, a community stormwater assessment and action to reduce pollutants and infiltrate stormwater. Communities are encouraged to send  two people so that they can work together once certified.  To apply, please attend an initial informational session on any of the following dates: July 26, August 18, 25, 30th. All informational sessions will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center.  For more information, please contact Suzanne Etgen @ setgen@aacps.org. 

Appendix B

GSPC Zoning/Legislation Agenda 7-13-10, Boldface=Your Attention, Regular Typeface= Information/follow.

Legislation, Planning, Zoning and Capital Projects:

      Bill 39-10 Small Wind Energy Systems, Hearing 6-21-10, Permitted in all residential, C1, C3, C4 & all Marine.

        County Council has considered 12 amendments and adopted 11.  Vitale amendment to require a special exception

             hearing on applications over 3 acres defeated 6-1. 

     Bills 58-10, 59-10 & 60-10 amending Articles 16, 17 & 18 introduced 7-6-10, scheduled for hearing on 8-2-10.

           Implements General Assembly legislation on storm water management. 

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

         Comprehensive Rezoning applications: L. Tom reported “approximately 350 applications, submission to

           Council pending 7-8-10.  Time Issue-elections on 11-9-10.  Pending Community Training Sessions and tool kit.

           See County Webpage at aacounty.org and click on, Comprehensive Rezoning.  Process, click on CZ Application

           Review Tool.  This tool will enable the user to search and locate applications by application number, street

          address, or council district. In addition, the user may download and print a copy of an application on file.

           Review “red” dots in and near your community. 

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

   Corkys Smoke Shack, 500 Ritchie Highway, (410) 544-4440, setback from property line. Inspector Ann Hatcher will

          visit site 3-3-10. Roadside Vendors License issued 1-26-10, Sign in County ROW 3-23-10.

   2010-133 W. Venizelos, 7-29-10 10:00AM, 326 Magothy Rd, pier setbacks, (Manhattan Beach)

   2010-29 C. Goodell, 7-29-10 11:30AM, 1372 Kinloch Circle, porch setback+steep slopes, (Glen Oban)

   BA 1-10S KHI Deep Creek Villas, Inc, 7-28-10 5:30PM, standing, school capacity, density issues. (watch only)

Board of Appeals Deliberations 6-24-10 5:30PM: (No Severna Park cases)

Circuit Court Cases (Clerk of Court 222-1431)

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

   Case 60, 2009 Term, McHale, et al, (Little Dobbins Island), dismissed by Board of Appeals, Multiple Parties

      (CBF, MRA, CAC), 4-30-10 Remand-Board of Appeals-standing. Not received at Board 6-23-10.   

   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). Consent Order, New District Court Petition for Contempt Order District Court 6-25-10 Subpoena

     Received, Hearing on 10-7-10 CASE # 0702SP01579-2005, Tim Kingston, Inspector. 

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

   (none)

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

   Enclave at Severna Park, Final Plat 6-30-10, TM 32H-P148, 12.55A, 9 SFD, P2007-112, S2001-38.

   Manhattan Manor, New Resub Lots 32&33, 3 SFD, TM32-P342, (Severn Heights)    

   Dynasplint Headquarters, Mids Holdings, 5-4-2010, Adm Plat Amend, 11.13 A, 11 Unites, P2010-48, S2010-17

   Dynasplint Headquarters, Mids Holdings, 5-4-2010, Commercial 11.03 A, 12 units, C2010-34, TM 23P39L4 (both)

   Shore Acres, L145, L. Fallin, New Modification 5-14-10, .21A, 1 Unit. TM33P37, P2010-89, S1990-301

   C:\gspc\agenda\zlagenda\zlagenda 7-13-10, Al Johnston 410 647-1380, j202gspc@comcast.net