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Generals Highway Council of Civic Associations
P.O. Box 14 Crownsville, MD 21032
Agenda for March 9 meeting:
Guest Speaker: Although he claims he was prepared to brave the icy conditions, we were not, so our last meeting was cancelled. As such, Douglas Clark Hollmann, County Administrative Hearings Officer, and longtime resident of the General’s Highway Corridor, will be at the next meeting. This is a great opportunity to learn more about this office that often represents the first interface between the citizen and County bureaucracy as well as some of its new and controversial requirements for testifying.
GHCCA Business:
Although discussed at the last meeting, the items below must be voted upon by the membership; therefore they will be an agenda item for the coming meeting.
1. Establishment of an Executive Steering Committee
a. Composed of the Executive Board and other GHCCA members as determined by the Executive Board.
b. Chosen annually by the Executive Board
c. Meetings called as determined by President
2. Term limits for annually elected officers
a. President – 3 years
b. Vice President – 3 years – should succeed President
c. Secretary and Treasurer – 5 consecutive years
3. Establishment of Standing Committees
a. Compliance: monitors code violations in GH corridor. Follows up on actions of I & P on such items
b. Land Use – monitors county websites for rezoning, and subdivision changes. First line of GHCCA evaluation of rezoning requests in the GH corridor. Develops objective criteria for GHCCA approval of requests.
c. Legislative. Monitors pertinent County and State legislation.
d. Membership:
4. Structure of membership.
a. Community
b. Individual
c. Community member* new category, replaces associate
d. Business* new category
COMMUNITY NOTICES
- March 8, 6:00 – 8:30 PM. County Executive Leopold’s Community Connection Day and Constituent Open House. Old Mill High School cafeteria, 600 Patriot Ln. Millersville, MD
- March 17, 11:30AM – 1 PM. A Panel Discussion: The status of our citizen’s right to know in Maryland. Tom Marquardt; editor of the Capital newspaper, Maryland, Common Cause director Ryan O’Donnell, Mayor of Annapolis Josh Cohen, Assistant Attorney General William Varga.
Ste. Anne’s Parish Hall, Room 102, 199 Duke of Gloucester Street Annapolis, MD
- A reminder of the once-a-decade procedure known as; The U.S. Census.
The US Constitution requires that every ten years a count be taken of every individual living in the United States, citizen and non-citizen. Census data is used to distribute more than $400 Billion dollars of federal funding to local and state government each year that is spent on infrastructure and services like: Hospitals, Job Training Centers, Schools, Senior Centers, Bridges, Tunnels and other-public works projects, and Emergency Services. “A census undercount of just one percent can mean the loss of millions on dollars in local funding to Anne Arundel County.”
Feb – March 2010 Census questionnaires mailed or delivered to households.
April 1, 2010 Census Day (All census forms should be mailed back by April 1, 2010.)
April – July 2010 Census takers visit households that did not return a questionnaire by mail.
December 2010 Census Bureau delivers population counts to President for apportionment
March 2011 Census Bureau completes delivery of redistricting data to states.
- Condolences to Brenda Reiber, County Community and Constituent Services Specialist, on the sudden and untimely death of her husband.
2010 DUES are now past due!
Community Association $100. Individual $20.
Mail checks to :
GHCCA
PO Box 14
Crownsville, MD 21032
See you March 09, 7:30 PM at the schoolhouse behind Historic Baldwin Hall.
Richard Falk
President GHCCA
GHCC
Due to the conditions of the roads and the impending snowfall, tonight’s meeting of the Generals Highway Council of Community Associations is canceled. Stay warms.
Richard Falk, President GHCCA
GENERAL’S HIGHWAY COUNCIL OF CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS
P.O. Box 14 Crownsville, MD 21032
February 2010: Big News for the General’s Highway Corridor! The State of Maryland has reconsidered its disposition of the Crownsville Hospital site and is now talking about letting the County assume control. I received a call from County Executive Leopold last week, advising me of this change in direction, and expressing his strong feeling that the County should determine the destiny of the property. He promised to keep GHCCA in the loop regarding any new developments.
Vice president Zablotny (aka zman) and I met recently with Councilman Chuck Ferrar to discuss several issues of concern, including rezoning applications. I told him of my frustrations with bypassing the vetting process by introducing rezoning requests as a last minute amendment. Although sympathetic, he felt this was a long-established practice and not likely to be changed. After working myself up on this matter and speaking to Ann Fligsten of the Growth Action Network, I wrote a GHCCA letter to the editor of the Capital critical of this legislative leger de main. Growth Action will follow up with a letter to each councilman, signed by member organizations including GHCCA. Keep your eyes peeled for the Capital letter. I don’t honestly know if it will effect any change, but it will bring it to the attention of the electorate, which, like chicken soup, wouldn’t hurt.
At a recent meeting, the executive committee proposed some new directions for GHCCA, including the formation of 4 standing committees:
- Membership – self explanatory
- Land use – monitor rezoning requests and hearings
- Legislative – follow proposed legislation of concern
- Compliance – check code violations, checks with Inspections & permits
Interested in serving on any of these? Let us know.
Variances? Special exceptions? Zoning reclassification requests? Our next guest has heard them all. In keeping with our practice of bringing County and State leaders to have a dialog with members of the Council, it is my pleasure to announce that attorney Douglas Clark Hollmann, the County Administrative Hearings Officer, and long time resident of the General’s Highway Corridor, will be at our next meeting. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about this office that often represents the first interface between the citizen and County bureaucracy.
2010 DUES due! Community Ass’n $100. Individual $20. Mail to the above address.
Next meeting – 7:30 Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Schoolhouse behind Historic Baldwin Hall.
Richard Falk, President
GHCCA members:
The meeting with Planning and Zoning originally scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on January 26 in the Chesapeake Room of the County offices on Riva Road has been postponed 1 week. It will now be held on February 2.
GHCCA Minutes November 10, 2009
Richard Falk, President; Steve Kratzer, Secretary
Brenda Reiber of the County Executive’s office had some announcements regarding environmental conservation. Low-phosphate fertilizer is now being used for all county landscaping projects in order to reduce algae growth in our waterways; homeowners are advised to consider this option as well. 630 acres in the Bacon Ridge portion of the former Crownsville Hospital site that the county has taken over are now covered by a conservation easement. The farmers market at Harry Truman Pkwy will be open on Saturdays through Dec. 19, and the market at Annapolis Mall will be open on Sundays through Dec. 31.
On Nov. 10 Richard Falk represented GHCCA in the first community meeting, with Planning and Zoning director Larry Tom. This meeting included a review of the subdivision process presented by Larry Tom’s assistant Chris Soldano; the Comprehensive Rezoning process was also discussed. So far, about 85 rezoning requests are known, but many more are expected. These requests will be reviewed by P&Z, go through the Planning Advisory Board, and then the County Council will make the final decisions. These meetings, to be held bimonthly, are open to the public.
There is a large sign for an insurance company mounted on a truck that is parked on residential-zoned private property at the intersection with Old Generals Highway. The legal status of this sign is uncertain, because it might be allowed to remain on display as a “temporary” sign, but the issue is still being studied. A letter requesting its removal was sent by GHCCA to the owner of the insurance agency.
General Assembly Delegate James King discussed his efforts to draft legislation covering the types of offenders sent to residential substance abuse treatment centers such as Second Genesis. These centers fill a need, because jails are overcrowded and a minimum-security facility like Second Genesis is sometimes the most appropriate choice, but violent sex offenders should not be sent there. Del. King expects to have the framework for a bill in about three weeks. Don Yeskey suggested that a “three strikes” provision might be appropriate, and Del. King said this is a good idea, because the States Attorney says that these treatment programs work well only for first offenders. Del. King also suggests that perhaps we should stop accepting offenders from other counties.
Don Yeskey mentioned that Kaufman’s Restaurant is sponsoring “Giving Back nights” by which diners can designate that 10% of their bill goes to a charity of the diners’ choice. If you eat at Kaufman’s on any Wednesday night, you can fill out a card and specify that 10% of your bill goes to GHCCA.
Mark Zablotny attended a meeting of the Crownsville Community Service Center and was appointed to its Board of Directors. This group wants to set up a baseball field, an orchard and other amenities on the Crownsville Hospital site.
The meeting was then adjourned.
Applicants for 6th District Seat
Three applicants for the seat on the County Council, vacated when Josh Cohen was sworn in as Mayor of Annapolis asked if they could attend the December GHCCA meeting . Accordingly, on Tuesday December 8, Mike Miller, Lisa Hillman and Billy Moulden addressed approximately 30 individuals representing 12 community associations and individuals from the General’s Highway Corridor. Each was given the opportunity to introduce himself to the group, and state why each felt they were best suited for the position.
All three individuals were then given five minutes to answer each of four questions, covering legislative priorities for District 6, thoughts on comprehensive rezoning, most pressing environmental concern, and their thoughts on new growth in the District. Their thoughts on slots in Arundel Mills Mall was discussed (all were generally in favor), This is of particular interest, as the appointee’s first session, on December 21 will involve voting on this issue. Questions were then asked by the audience.
The meeting, in accordance with usual GHCCA protocol lasted 1.5 hours, and was very well received by both attendees (including Senator Ed Reilly) and the applicants, who came away with significant input from the group. They with other applicants, will appear before the County Council on December 17th, at which time they will present their credentials and answer questions from the council members. At that meeting, the Council will then select the individual to fill the remainder of the term.
GENERAL’S HIGHWAY COUNCIL OF CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS
Unfettered vistas: The mobile billboard overlooking “The Highway” at the north junction with Old General’s Highway has now been absent for 2 weeks. Hopefully it will not return. We should continue to document and direct County attention to other such violations.
County Councilman District 6:
The election of Josh Cohen as Mayor of Annapolis leaves district 6 with a vacant seat on the County Council. This position will be filled by a selection of the other councilmembers until the election is held in November. Although rumors abound of individuals interested in the position, few have formally declared their intentions. Two have contacted GHCCA and requested a meeting to introduce themselves to our group.
Michael G. Miller, County resident, real estate investor and commercial property owner, co-founder of Anne Arundel County for Obama.
Lisa Hillman, Sr. vice president and Chief Development Officer of the Anne Arundel Health System.
It will be of mutual benefit for the candidates to introduce themselves to GHCCA, and present their views as well as hear what our expectations are of our representatives.
I encourage you to attend the meeting, and bring friends and neighbors as
The contest begins.
As a 501(c)(4) organization GHCCA is permitted to take a stance on political elections, but it is premature to do so at this early juncture in the District 6 electoral process,
As other candidates declare themselves, they will be welcome to address GHCCA as well.
Next GHCCA meeting:
7:30 Tuesday, December 8
Schoolhouse behind Historic Baldwin Hall.
Agenda:
County Executive’s Office – Brenda Reiber, Report of the recent County Council meeting; Growth Action Network; Crownsville Hospital property.
Guests: Lisa Hillman, Michael G. Miller, County Council Hopefuls
See you then:
Richard Falk
President, GHCCA
Read the minutes of the last meeting. Continue reading Next GHCCA Meeting – December 8 An Invitation from Pres. Falk
Reminder: GHCCA meeting Tuesday, 7:30 P.M. at the schoolhouse behind historic Baldwin Hall.
Join your neighbors and be part of keeping our community great.
- State Delegate James King , (R) Dist. 33A will bring us up to date on proposed legislation affecting the General’s Highway Corridor.
2. More on the mobile Billboard issue at Generals Highway and Old Generals Highway.
Also: The first of the bimonthly meetings with Planning and Zoning Officer Larry Tom will take place NOVEMBER 10, 2009 at 3PM at 2664 Riva Road in the Heritage Complex. You are all welcome to attend ! The meeting will be discussed at our GHCCA meeting later that evening.
Minutes of GHCCA meeting October 13, 2009
President: Richard Falk; Secretary: Steven Kratzer
A motion was made that we put $8000 from the legal fund into a CD with a maturity of up to three months; the motion passed, and Treasurer Gene Gotsch will contact a bank.
BGE had promised to attend tonight’s meeting and make a presentation on the upcoming tree trimming, but they cancelled at the last minute. They are considering merely trimming some trees, rather than – as previously announced – removing all of them on the BGE powerline right of way.
GHCCA has registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(4) non-profit group. This means we pay no income tax, and contributions to GHCCA are not tax-deductible, but we can support (or oppose) political candidates and issues.
GHCCA (represented by Richard Falk), along with other members of the Growth Action Network, attended a meeting with Planning and Zoning Officer Larry Tom. Subsequent meetings will be held bimonthly, and will be open to the public. They will afford citizens the same level of access to Mr. Tom currently enjoyed by developers and builders. The initial meetings will be mainly informational, for relative newcomers to the zoning process.
MD General Assembly delegate James King will attend our November meeting to discuss his proposed legislation to put limits on the types of offender sent to residential substance abuse treatment centers.
In the last County Council meeting (10-05), a bill to modify house setbacks and other requirements for grandfathered lots that are technically too small or too narrow by current standards was withdrawn by its sponsor, Councilman Jones. He plans to modify and re-submit it.
John Fischer represented GHCCA at a presubmission meeting for the building of four duplex apartments on a mostly-vacant lot on Housley Rd. next to the Regatta Bay complex. The Holy Temple Church intends to sell their current land, at 708 Bestgate Rd., and rebuild the church elswhere. In order to facilitate the sale of the land, they want to rezone it to commercial.
An amendment to the GDP bill, changing the land use category of the property was passed without objection. The office of planning and zoning opposes changes in the land use map for this purpose, feeling that specific zoning changes should be pursued at the time of comprehensive rezoning. It is felt, however by the applicants that a change in land use category will have a positive effect on an application for zoning change which will take place in December and January.
County Executive John Leopold has extended the ban on fly ash dumping for another year. The county will discontinue the use of high-phosphate fertilizers, which pollute the Bay. Brenda Reiber, from the County Executive’s office, accompanied Richard Falk on a tour led by Don Yeskey to survey zoning and signage violations along the Generals Highway corridor. Ms. Reiber has referred several cases of illegal signs, unregistered vehicles, illegal grading and tree clearing and other offenses to the appropriate authorities. Legal action, such as citations and stop-work orders, has already occurred in some cases.
A burial ground near the former Crownsville Hospital site will be open for visits by relatives of the deceased.
The GHCCA bylaws call for annual elections of all officers except treasurer and recording secretary. Richard Falk has appointed a nominating committee and a bylaws review committee.
There are several communities along the Generals Highway corridor that have no GHCCA representatives. Richard Falk will appoint various people to contact these communities.
GENERAL’S HIGHWAY COUNCIL OF CIVIC
ASSOCIATIONS
We’re Talking!
On 9/16, The Coordinating Council of the Growth Action Network of which GHCCA is a member, met with P&Z officer Larry Tom, Carole Sanner and Chris Soldano. The objective of the meeting was to establish an ongoing citizen dialog with P&Z, which already holds monthly meetings with builders and developers. .
It was agreed that we will start with bi-monthly meetings open to all citizens interested in how the County reviews development projects, requests for re-zoning, etc. I will keep you informed of the dates.
County Council meetings 9/21.
Bill 64-09, the General Development Plan, was eligible for vote but amendments were proposed, many from P&Z having to do with editorial or technical changes. 8 amendments presented by Councilmen involved changes to the land use map. Although P&Z did not approve of such individual land use changes on principal, all 8 were passed, and are now part of the bill. When amendments are passed and included in the bill, it becomes a new bill subject to another public hearing. The next hearing will be on Monday, 10/5, at which time more land use change amendments are expected, some of which will likely be on General’s Highway. Individual changes in the land use map constitute a first step in applying for rezoning, and in fact make rezoning easier. It is important for GHCCA to be aware of unacceptable amendments so that we can offer testimony against Bill 64-09 when it again comes up for public hearing.
Comprehensive Re-zoning will occur in December and January. Any property owner may apply.
Crownsville Hospital Site.
This is a test. Circle the correct answer:
State authorities have recently responded to questions on the
fate of the Crownsville hospital site with:
a. A final decision will be made within the month.
b. The original field of 10 has been reduced to 4
c. No selections have been made
d. It’s back to the drawing board
e. All of the above
If your answer was (e) “all of the above”, you are correct. The future of this 500+ acre site is, according to a well-placed source, “one of the best kept secrets in Maryland”.
One of the proposals was made by “Community Services Center at Crownsville, Inc.” a non-profit corporation looking to oversee, facilitate and provide multiple therapeutic disciplines on the site, from public and private organizations and agencies.
Further information can be obtained from
CSCC
9 Central Avenue
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
A new organization on the block.
Kincey Potter and Bob Gallagher are forming a local chapter of The Maryland League of Conservation Voters, the State’s “political voice for the environment.”
The local chapter will bring that voice to Anne Arundel County.
Objectives of the local chapter include:
- Evaluating the environmental credentials of County Council and County Executive candidates and endorsing candidates as appropriate;
- Supporting endorsed candidates in elections through distribution of literature, volunteer activities and “get out the vote” campaigns;
- Monitoring the votes and actions of officeholders so we can hold them accountable to voters who support environmental action;
- Encouraging environmentally friendly candidates to run for office;
- Mounting issue campaigns on selected issues
Educating the citizens of Anne Arundel County.
Minutes of meetings:
A reminder: Minutes of GHCCA meetings are posted on Elaine Nagey’s www.aroundcrownsville. com
Next GHCCA meeting: October 13
- The BG&E forester will present plans for the upcoming quintannual (every 5 year) powerline tree trimming. They will have a slide presentation, go over the map of the area and try to answer citizen concerns. Tell your neighbors about this important event!
- Update on Second Genesis, Rhonda Keagy
- Sign truck on Old General’s Highway
See you on October 13 at 7:30, in the schoolhouse behind historic Baldwin Hall.
Richard Falk
President, GHCCA
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