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.
