Two New Greenways in Perry Hall

One of my priorities over the past two years has been to preserve open space in our communities.  During the 2012 rezoning process, at my request, the Baltimore County Council applied open space zoning to 54 acres in Towson, 47 acres in Parkville, and 72 acres in Perry Hall.  As a result, the Fifth District now has more land zoned for open space than any other County Council district.
 

I am very happy to announce that Baltimore County will protect more than 38 acres of forested land at two locations in Perry Hall, the largest dedication of open space in more than a decade in this part of northeastern Baltimore County.

The Seven Oaks Environmental Conservation Area.

The county will reclassify about eight acres of publicly-owned land in western Perry Hall as the Seven Oaks Environmental Conservation Area.  This is the wooded property in the 9200 block of Seven Courts Drive, north of the Seven Oaks Senior Center and southwest of Pinedale Drive.

Baltimore County will also preserve about 30 acres of publicly-owned land to the north and south of the existing Indian Rock Park, creating an almost-uninterrupted greenway from East Joppa Road to White Marsh Boulevard. This will become the Indian Rock Environmental Conservation Area.

Not only is this announcement important for the environment, but it is great for taxpayers.   The land was already owned by Baltimore County; the Indian Rock area, in fact, was the never-used alignment for Perry Hall Boulevard.   I did not want the property ever surplused for development, which is why this new status is so important.

Today's announcement is a very important milestone as we work to preserve green space in a fast-growing area of Baltimore County. 

Remembering Chris Jackovitz

I was very saddened to learn of the death on December 1st of Chris Jackovitz, a longtime Perry Hall community activist.  Chris passed away at Oak Crest Village after a long struggle with dementia.

Chris was a former educator, homemaker, and a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.   But she was also an extraordinarily involved community activist, helping to establish the Woman's Club of Perry Hall.  

I got to know her in the late 1990s when the Perry Hall Improvement Association wanted to celebrate our community's 225th anniversary in 2000.   The PHIA worked with the Woman's Club and the Perry Hall Business and Professional Association to create a Millennium Committee.  In 2000, with Chris Jackovitz's support, we implemented a series of projects, including a concert featuring the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, new community signs at Perry Hall's borders, tree planting along Belair Road, and a Perry Hall Halloween Parade.

But perhaps Chris Jackovitz's most enduring contribution was her work to preserve the Perry Hall Mansion.   Meeting at her house on Richlyn Drive, several of us plotted strategy to save this historic landmark, which was purchased by Baltimore County in 2001.

Chris Jackovitz was an extraordinary woman.  You can read her obituary here.  Many new Perry Hall residents have probably never heard her name, but her work over five decades left an enduring imprint on our community.  

George Roberts, Our Fifth District Citizen of the Year

Source:  Patch.

In 2011, I started a new tradition by naming three individuals as Fifth District Citizens of the Year:  one from Towson, one from Parkville, and one from Perry Hall.   When I asked for nominations this year, many of the individuals who were recommended were somehow associated with what was probably the biggest event in the Fifth District this year:  the shooting at Perry Hall High School.

This year, based upon input from residents and community leaders, I am recognizing Perry Hall High School Principal George Roberts as the Fifth District Citizen of the Year. Since arriving at Perry Hall High School in 2008, Mr. Roberts has instilled a spirit of excellence, pride, and tradition at Baltimore County’s largest public school. He brought back the sense of history that had faded before his arrival. He improved the look of the school and focused on student achievement, positioning Perry Hall as one of Newsweek’s top American high schools. 

What particularly distinguished Mr. Roberts this year, however, was his calm but assertive presence during and after the August 27th shooting. During the most difficult day in the history of Perry Hall High School, he set an example of leadership that was truly exemplary.

There were many individuals who provided extraordinary assistance that day, from the heroic faculty who restrained the gunman to our public safety professionals, but Mr. Roberts set the tone of leadership that was needed on August 27th and days afterward.

Mr. Roberts and his family live in another part of the Fifth District, in Towson.  I am proud to recognize Mr. Roberts and thank the entire Perry Hall family for those who supported the school during such a difficult year.

2012 Was a Year for Preserving Green Space

Source:  Baltimore Sun.

During my second year on the Baltimore County Council, we passed several bills that will improve Baltimore County's neighborhoods and help our families, including major reforms of the development process. But I am particularly proud of the work we are doing to preserve open space and improve the environment in Baltimore County.

Bill 21-12, for example, prohibits panhandle building lots in the hilly Parkville and Carney areas. Bill 23-12 expands a property tax credit for energy-efficient homes. Bill 36-12 adds "Little Valley" off Rushley Road to the list of protected historic landmarks in Baltimore County. I was a principal sponsor of all three bills.

I am particularly proud, however, of Bill 7-12, which created the first-ever open space overlay in Baltimore County.  With this legislation, the County Council was able to designate 174 acres in the Fifth District as open space, more acreage than in any other County Council district.

Development is needed to provide more housing and commercial areas, create jobs, and expand our tax base, but I also want to see more land left green and pristine throughout our neighborhoods. This year, we made real progress in reaching that goal.

A New Opportunity for Baynesville?

As reported in Patch and the Baltimore Sun, a legal settlement has been reached in a dispute over possible contamination by the Hess gasoline station on Joppa Road. The settlement between Hess and nearby residents calls for the demolition of 16 homes along Yakona Road. The demolition of these structures will create a new, four-acre open space which may be owned by NeighborSpace of Baltimore County, a land preservation trust.

This issue predates my service on the Baltimore County Council. When I learned about the settlement a few weeks ago, I quietly turned to several longtime community leaders who knew about the history of this problem. My predecessor Wayne Skinner distinctly remembers walking the area with a resident more than ten years ago.

There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered, including the future of the open space. I have been a strong supporter of Baltimore County NeighborSpace and am urging that organization to seize the opportunity to acquire this property. I have already reached out to the state legislators from this area and will work with them to promote any public meetings.

My hope is that this settlement becomes the catalyst for improvements in this neighborhood. While the homes along Yakona Road were built about the same time as nearby homes along Doxbury Road and Pleasant Plains Road, the Yakona Road area doesn't have the same degree of neighborhood stability. It's been neglected, and it shows.

My friend Donna Spicer, a longtime community activist, tells me that this region was once part of Baynesville.  That name has largely disappeared from the maps, but maybe it's time to form a Baynesville Community Association.  When NeighborSpace acquired a property in western Baltimore County, it worked with residents to actually start a neighborhood association. I also want to look at improving the overall look of Joppa Road and possibly put this area under the approval of the Design Review Panel so there is better architectural design for new businesses.

Since my election to the County Council, I have wanted to help this long-neglected part of Baltimore County.  The Hess settlement may offer a new opportunity.

At Midterm, A Thank You to the Fifth District

Two years ago, the voters of the Fifth District entrusted me with the responsibility of representing them on the Baltimore County Council. I would like to thank my family, community leaders, business owners, and everyone who has contacted my office to offer their advice and support.

Election Night 2010.  Source:  Patch.

I promised to be an independent voice on the County Council, and I have differed with some of my colleagues and the administration on some issues. I joined with my Republican colleague Todd Huff to oppose an expansion of the speed camera program, for instance, and to support term limits for County Councilmembers. But I also promised to build coalitions across party lines to get things done for our communities.

Reforming Government.  One of my first bills required that an input meeting for a proposed development optimally be held near the affected neighborhood. That bill set the stage for several bills, many of which I cosponsored with Councilman Tom Quirk, that have made county government more accessible to the public. We reformed the Planned Unit Development process by requiring agency review and a Community Input Meeting before a County Councilmember initiates a PUD resolution. We passed a bill that expands a property tax credit for energy-efficient homes, and enacted legislation that requires on-line posting of proposed regulations.

Preserving open space. I am perhaps most proud of the bill I sponsored this year that created the first-ever open space zoning classification. During the rezoning process, we designated 173 acres in the Fifth District as "open space zoning," more than any other Council district. Altogether, at my request, the Council downzoned more than 417 acres to protect our communities from overdevelopment, including the most land ever downzoned in Towson, Carney, and the Cromwell Valley.

Strengthening Our Businesses and Communities.  Finally, I am happy that with limited resources, we have worked with the Kamenetz administration on some important local initiatives. New additions were funded at Stoneleigh and Hampton Elementary Schools; air conditioning isscheduled for Seven Oaks Elementary School. Acreage was added at Honeygo Park in Perry Hall, and a dog park is closer to becoming a reality. New sidewalks and trails are advancing throughout the district, routes like Chapel and Forge Roads are being resurfaced, and new businesses are anchoring Downtown Towson and Downtown Perry Hall thanks to a boost from county government.

In closing, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the police, firefighters, and other public servants who have admirably served the Fifth District during four emergencies over the past two years. Three were natural--the two hurricanes and the Derecho--and one was the shooting at Perry Hall High School.

Thank you again for the opportunity to serve you. I always appreciate your input.

Prepare for Possible Late October Hurricane

The Baltimore area faces the possibility of a rare late October hurricane next week.  Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) is preparing for outages and urging residents to take precautions. 

Customers should have a backup plan in case of an outage and prepare an emergency kit of supplies.  If there are outages, they can be reported to 877-778-2222.   I recommend you review BGE's Web Site before the storm possibly strikes, and also read Baltimore County's Emergency Preparedness Web Site.  

BGE is making improvements in many of the neighborhoods worst hit by Hurricane Irene and the summer Derecho, but in the meantime, please take precautions in the event of a similar emergency.  

It's Time to Televise County Council Work Sessions

Some people who come to a County Council legislative meeting are surprised by the efficiency with which the Council conducts meetings.   That's because Councilmembers ask most of their questions at the work session, which is held the Tuesday afternoon before the Monday legislative session.

At a work session, Councilmembers have the opportunity to discuss pending contracts with agency heads.   Sponsors of a bill give their reasons for the legislation, and there is an opportunity for the public to speak for or against its approval.   

While legislative sessions are held at 6 p.m., work sessions start at 2 p.m.   From time to time, there has been discussion about moving work sessions to the evening, but I understand there are concerns with the cost of overttime for staff.   In the meantime, one important reform we should adopt is the televising of work sessions.

Televising work sessions would give the public the opportunity to watch the back-and-forth between the legislative and executive branches of government on bills and fiscal issues.   It would improve transparency and openness in government, and is a reform that hopefully could be done with minimal cost.   I have already talked with Council Chair Vicki Almond about this reform, and I hope our cable provider can implement it over the next few months. 

A"No" Vote on Question 5, Governor O'Malley's Redistricting Map

The proposed Third District.

This fall, I am teaching a course in political science at Loyola University. When I needed to illustrate some examples of Congressional gerrymandering, it was easy to find them right here at home.

The map proposed by Governor Martin O'Malley and passed by the General Assembly twists and turns the state's eight House districts in order to maximize the Democratic Party's chances of gaining as many seats as possible. A Philadelphia-based consulting firm recently concluded that three of Maryland's districts are among the most gerrymandered in the country. One of these is the Third District, which a judge said reminded him of "reminiscent of a broken-winged pterodactyl, lying prostrate across the center of the state." You can see that district to the right.

Some Democratic politicians have courageously challenged this map. Montgomery County Councilman Phil Andrews recently wrote that "whenever proponents of Maryland's new congressional districts make their pitch, there is something missing: the map itself. The gerrymandered map of Maryland's congressional districts produced by Gov. Martin O'Malley and a majority of the General Assembly is so outrageous that proponents of the new map are embarrassed to show it in public."  Here is a link to the map if you want to judge for yourself.

I will freely admit that Republicans have been guilty of the same type of gerrymandering in states like North Carolina and Texas. Here in Baltimore County, the new Council districts are more compact than the ones adopted in 2001, and certainly nowhere as egregious as the Congressional map.

Voters have been inundated with information about the other ballot questions, but not about Question 5. That is wanted to share my opinion on this particular question.  When you go into the voting booth, there won't be a picture of the map on the ballot, but you can look for yourself beforehand to determine if this is the type of redistricting that epitomizes the best in government.

Legislation Protects Those Who Buried at Pet Cemeteries

On Monday night, the Baltimore County Council passed legislation I sponsored that protects those who have purchased lots in pet cemeteies.

The new law requires a pet cemetery owner to notify newspapers, as well as those who purchased lots, if the cemetery will be sold or used for a purpose other than a cemetery.  Within 90 days, those who provide a receipt must be compensated.

Much attention has been focused on the Oakleigh Pet Cemetery.  This property does not meet the standards we would expect for a cemetery.  To the best of my knowledge, there are no plans to sell the property--but I wanted this legislation in place in case that ever occurs.

Resurfacing to Improve Bangert Avenue and Chapel and Forge Roads

During this difficult economy, money is tight in Baltimore County. We need to spend our limited funding wisely. I believe that capital projects like schools, roads, and infrastructure are important to keep our neighborhoods desirable places to live.

 

I have been able to secure commitments from County Executive Kamenetz for new school and road improvements in the Fifth District. This afternoon, I was happy to announce the first of road resurfacing projects throughout the Fifth District.  

 

Baltimore County will resurface the entire 1.1-mile stretch of Chapel Road from Joppa to Belair Roads; the 2.9-mile stretch of Forge Road; and the .92 mile length of Bangert Avenue. Altogether, that includes nearly five miles of heavily-traveled roads in Perry Hall. None of these roads will be widened.

 

I would like to thank the County Executive for his support. I would also like to thank Senator J.B. Jennings and Delegate Kathy Szeliga for consisently advocating for improvements to these roads, which are mainly in the Seventh District. Chapel Road is the dividing line with the Eighth District, which is represented by Senator Kathy Klausmeier and Delegates Joe Boteler, Eric Bromwell, and John Cluster. The Perry Hall Improvement Association has also championed these improvements.

 

There will be future resurfacing projects throughout the Fifth District, but this work is a good start. As a transportation professional, I am pleased we are investing in the roads that are critical for families and local commerce.

Information About Saturday Night's Incident in Downtown Towson

I have had numerous conversations with police, business owners and leaders regarding the incident in Downtown Towson on Saturday night. I have also communicated with Towson University's President, Dr. Maravene Loeschke, even though the event seems not to be specifically related to Towson University's Homecoming.

I respect the Police Department's work as we sort out what occurred and what steps can improve public safety in the immediate future. Below is the official statement from the Police Department:

http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/News/policereleases/0924rechercrowdarrests.html

This was an isolated incident of an unusual magnitude.

There are many outstanding restaurants, businesses, and events in Downtown Towson, with many positive developments underway. We will continue to make a great Baltimore County community even better.

Chapel Road: A Unique Place in Perry Hall

Like hundreds of other families, we enjoyed the Perry Hall Apple Festival this weekend.   Chapel Hills Farm and Nursery and the Perry Hall Improvement Association deserve a lot of credit for sponsoring such a wonderful, family-friendly event.

Source:  Patch.

Chapel Hills Farm and Nursery is popular with families because it's a reminder of Perry Hall's small-town past.  During the fall, when Maryland's weather seems perfect, the farm sponsors hayrides and other seasonal events.   The rest of the year, you can always wander up to the goats with your kids or have them explore the pirate ship while you buy some flowers or vegetables.  It is one of my favorite places in Perry Hall.

Like Weber's Farm in Cub Hill, growth has encroached on the farm.   My goal as County Councilman is to make sure the Chapel Road corridor retains as much of a small-town, lightly developed feel as possible.

The Baltimore County Department of Public Works has, at times, supported widening Chapel Road.  In August of 2011, I obtained a commitment from the county that were no plans to expand the road.  I support resurfacing Chapel Road, but I do not want this to become an expressway that obliterates the homes along its route (Honeygo Boulevard was always envisioned as a corridor for traffic in this area).  At my request, the county has not required the builders of two pending housing developments to build their entrances any larger than the current Chapel Road.

Zoning will affect what can built in this area in the future.  Last month, at my request, the County Council downzoned 69 acres along Chapel and Joppa Roads.  This will lighten future development and take pressure off infrastructure in this area.  

I want to thank all those who made this weekend's festival possible.  I hope this area continues to be a very special part of our Perry Hall community.

Seven Oaks Elementary School to Receive Air Conditioning in 2013

Source:  Patch.

This morning, I confirmed with the school system's director of physical facilities that Seven Oaks Elementary School will receive air conditioning in 2013.

"Seven Oaks is included in a group of four schools that we hope to complete through an Energy Performance Contract program (the first phase of perhaps three). It was included as part of the group of schools that were evaluated to fit into the program," Baltimore County Public Schools physical facilities director Michael Sines responded to an inquiry I made.

Although it was built in the early 1990s, air conditioning was not included as part of the original structure.

Air conditioning at the school has been a top priority for me and the four state legislators who represent the area, Senator Kathy Klausmeier and Delegates Joe Boteler, Eric Bromwell, and John Cluster. I would like to thank them for their bipartisan support of this project, and especially Superintendent S. Dallas Dance and his team. 

Downzoning Decisions Will Lighten Future School Overcrowding

On Tuesday, August 28, the Baltimore County Council adopted my rezoning recommendations in the Fifth District. The recommendations lower the future development potential of 417 acres. Of the acreage that changed during the rezoning cycle, 95 percent was lowered in development potential, which means fewer new homes throughout the Fifth District.

Some of these changes were opposed by developers and landowners, but it is critical for Baltimore County to anticipate the future growth that could occur on undeveloped land. 
 
In Towson and Loch Raven, we lightened the impact of future development on 67 acres, the largest change ever adopted in this area. Some of the rezoning affects community parks and a city-owned reservoir, but the most substantial rezoning affected the Mount Pleasant Golf Course. The old zoning allowed hundreds of apartments or townhouses to be built at the Mount Pleasant Golf Course if the city ever sold the property for development. The new zoning prohibits any new development by designating the 38 acres as open space.

The county has poured millions of dollars into Towson’s schools, which are overcrowded largely due to demographic changes. I don’t want overdevelopment making the situation even worse.

In Carney and Parkville, we downzoned 87 acres, including 67 acres in the Cromwell Valley. I also recommended downzoning undeveloped properties near Northwind Road and Magledt Road. By lightening the zoning, we prevented the impact of growth on Carney and Harford Hills Elementary Schools, Pine Grove Middle School, and Loch Raven High School.

The Council downzoned 263 acres in the Perry Hall area, including 55 acres of wooded property southwest of Perry Hall High School between the Ebenezer Road corridor, Honeygo Boulevard, and Silver Spring Road. This is one of the biggest chunks of undeveloped land in Perry Hall. I believe that without the rezoning change, builders would have proceeded with plans to erect dozens of new homes here over the next two decade, maybe even sooner. 
 
I have advocated for more and better schools for the past 15 years, both as President of the Perry Hall Improvement Association and as President of the school system’s Northeast Educational Advisory Council. In my mind, the county should unquestionably have purchased land for new schools when money was more plentiful. During these tight times, our options are more limited.

Recognizing these limitations, I used my power as a County Councilman to reshape the zoning in the Fifth District to make sure that future development has a lighter and better impact on our schools.

Never Forgetting My Community Roots



Two years ago, I made the difficult decision to quit my job in the federal government to run for the Baltimore County Council.   My family stood by me, despite the threat to our livelihood.   We ran with strong community support and pinched pennies to buy the yard signs, bumper stickers, and handouts needed for a successful race.

Many of my contributions in that first race, and over the past year, have been from friends and neighbors who made small donations because they believed in me.  

I have never forgotten my roots as a community leader.   Anyone who has read the Patch--especially the stories written by the regional editors--knows of my work over the past 20 months:

During the rezoning process, we limited growth on 417 acres, the most downzoning in the Fifth District in two decades.

I worked with my colleagues of both political parties to pass legislation that created the first open space zoning in Baltimore County history.  Then, we applied it to 173 acres, more than in any other County Council district.

We banned panhandle building lots in the environmentally-sensitive Carney and Cub Hill areas.   During the rezoning process, our work eliminated homes from being built behind Summit Avenue and a 7-11 convenience store from being approved at Magledt Road near the snowball stand.

Many of my decisions have not been popular with developers and landowners, but they were best for our communities.

I am very proud of the good work we are doing for our communities, and of the many friends and neighbors who believe in me.   I will never forget my local roots, which is why I work nearly six or seven days a week to make our neighborhoods better.   Thank you for your support.

New Downtown Design Standards Will Protect Adjacent Neighborhoods

One of my priorities has been to improve the look and vitality of Perry Hall's commercial district, which is centered on Joppa, Ebenezer, and Belair Roads.   In 2011, the County Council passed legislation that established a commercial revitalization district that offers economic incentives to propertyowners.   This summer, I submitted--and the County Council approved--legislation that requires new construction to be approved by the Baltimore County Design Review Panel. 

On Tuesday, September 4, the Baltimore County Council passed a resolution that specifies the standards for new construction.  The resolution amends the Perry Hall Community Plan to say, among other things, that new buildings should be predominantly designed with brick; that parking should be located along the sides and rear of any new building; and that pedestrian amenities and landscaping are important elements of new construction.

There are also important protections for surrounding neighborhoods.

For example, the resolution says that "commercial buildings that are located near a residential neighborhood should respect the scale and character of the surrounding neighborhood."   Loading docks should be screened, and for fast food restaurants, drive-thru features should be placed in a position that has the least disruption for nearby homes.

If, for example, McDonalds were to be redeveloped, this last point would hopefully provide some added protection for the townhouses along Minte Drive.

The new standards do not affect changes to existing structures.  But if new buildings are planned, we are going to have to live with their look for decades to come, so a little more review and thoughtfulness is very important.  

417 Acres Downzoned in the Fifth District; 174 Acres Designated Open Space

On Tuesday, August 28, the Baltimore County Council adopted my recommendations for rezoning in the Fifth District.   

You can view the adopted changes here.

By the numbers:

We downzoned 417 acres and upzoned 18 acres in the Fifth District.   That means that 96 percent of the land that changed during the rezoning process had its development potential lowered.  

About 174 acres received the newly-created open space zoning designation.  This means that no development can occur on this property.   No other district had as much land designated as open space.

More land was downzoned in Towson, Loch Raven, and the Cromwell Valley than during any previous rezoning cycle.  In Perry Hall, where development pressures are the greatest, we downzoned 263 acres, including much of the environmentally-sensitive area southwest of Perry Hall High School.

I believe these changes will lighten the impact of future development from Towson to Perry Hall, which will lessen the strain on our schools and roads. 

A Note of Thanks to our Perry Hall Community

I have been reluctant to insert myself into the events that occurred after the shooting at Perry Hall High School because there is so much work that needs to be done by police, legal authorities, educators, and counselors. But now that a few days have passed, I do want to say a few words. 

 

On the morning of the shooting, I walked from our house to Perry Hall High School. I will always remember the calm procession of students from the high school out to Ebenezer Road and eventually toward Perry Hall Square, where they waited for transportation home. Our police and faculty did an amazing job in an extraordinarily difficult situation.

Jesse Wasmer, the guidance counselor who took quick action on Monday, is a genuine hero who saved countless lives.

It pains me to such a tragedy at any school, let alone my alma mater. But the expression of love and support since Monday's shooting reminds me of something very special about Perry Hall: this is a big community with a small town heart. We have our problems, and it is very easy to gripe about this or that; I do it myself sometimes. But there is a larger Perry Hall community that pulls together during tough times. We are all praying for the speedy recovery of Daniel Borowy.

So in closing, I would like to thank everyone who took quick action on Monday, and all those who are working to bring a sense of closure and recovery for our Perry Hall community.

An Update on Rezoning

Since June, I have been announcing my recommendations on the 59 rezoning issues in the Fifth District.   Zoning determines the type and intensity of development on any property in Baltimore County.   Community organizations and private propertyowners are very interested in the rezoning process, which is why I waited until after the two public hearings to begin announcing my recommendations.

I have announced recommendations for 19 issues encompassing some of the largest acreage involved in the rezoning process in the Fifth District.  

I will support downzoning 237 acres in the Fifth District, 158 acres of which would receive open space zoning.   Since open space zoning was created by the County Council earlier this year, this will be the first time it has been applied during the rezoning process.

67 of the acres are in Towson and Loch Raven.  I believe this is the largest such downzoning ever proposed in this area by a County Councilmember.  The downzoned areas would include the Mount Pleasant Golf Course, community areas in Southland Hills and Burkleigh Square, and city-owned properties closer to Downtown Towson. 

69 acres would be in the Parkville area, mostly in the Cromwell Valley.

101 acres are located in Perry Hall, including the wooded area north of Seven Oaks Elementary School, the undeveloped property west of Perryvale Road, and common areas along Honeygo Boulevard.

I have not proposed any increase in residential density.   I will release my remaining recommendations over the next two weeks. 

We live in a system of private property rights.  People have the right to make a profit off their land, and a certain degree of development is needed to grow our economy and produce jobs.  At the same time, I believe we can preserve open space and lighten the impact of growth on our schools and roads with the right zoning decisions.

Preserving the Cromwell Valley

The Cromwell Valley stretches across the northern edge of Towson.   While its western part includes neighborhoods like Campus Hills, the eastern part is largely undeveloped.  This includes the ridge that once supported the Ma and Pa Railroad, as well as Cromwell Valley Park, Long Island Farm, and the woods near Loch Raven Reservoir. 

Years ago, community leaders were warned about high levels of zoning in the Cromwell Valley, and they were urged to downzone property.  That didn't happen.   Today, however, I am announcing that I will support lowering the development potential on more than 66 acres in the Cromwell Valley.   The acreage includes land owned by Baltimore City, a homeowners association, and private propertyowners south of Cromwell Bridge Road, east of Littlewood Road, and north of Satyr Hill Road. 

It is the largest downzoning in this area in county history, encompassing more acreage than exists at Loch Raven High School.  Earlier this year, I also supported the landmarking of "Little Valley," a historic property in this area. 

With this announcement, I have pledged to downzone more than 191 acres in the Fifth District, from Towson to Perry Hall.   The full County Council will vote on this and other zoning recommendations on Tuesday, August 28.

Protecting the Oakleigh Pet Cemetery

The Oakleigh Pet Cemetery, located in the 8400 block of Oakleigh Road in Parkville, is one of the only cemeteries of its kind in Central Maryland.  It is the final resting place for hundreds of dogs, cats, and other pets.   Unfortunately, the property has deteriorated for years, leading to thousands of dollars in fines from Baltimore County government.  This WBAL-TV report from three years ago vividly describes the problem.  

Current zoning at this three-acre site is DR 5.5, which would allow a 15-unit development to be built there, irrespective of environmental constrants. Because of the uncertain future of this property, I will be asking my colleagues on the County Council to downzone the Oakleigh Pet Cemetery to DR 1, the lowest possible level of residential development. DR 1 would allow, at most, three houses to be built there if the land were to be sold for development.

I am also sponsoring legislation that would provide protections for anyone who purchased lots at the cemetery. At the August meeting of the Baltimore County Council, I will submit a bill that requires a pet cemetery owner to notify lot buyers if the cemetery is ever sold or used for a purpose other than a pet cemetery. The legislation also requires compensation for those who purchased lots. 

The Oakleigh Pet Cemetery, like human graveyards, is supposed to be a place of serenity and beauty.   I believe we owe it to pet lovers and the surrounding neighborhood to clean up the cemetery and place limitations on future uses.

The Magnet Policy Review: A Good First Move by Dr. Dance

On Tuesday, July 10, I joined parents from Cromwell Valley Elementary School who testified before the Baltimore County Board of Education about changes to the county's magnet school policy.  It was the first meeting for Dr. S. Dallas Dance, our new School Superintendent.

Cromwell Valley Elementary School.

Two days later, Dr. Dance had announced a review of the policy. 

What a refreshing move from the new School Superintendent--and a great way to start his tenure as head of our public school system.  Dr. Dance showed the open-mindedness needed for anyone who has just taken the helm of one of the largest and most diverse school systems in the country.

The magnet policy was changed during the final year of Dr. Dance's predecessor, with little input from the community.   There are two changes.   One change affects the priority for siblings of students already enrolled in a magnet school.  Another change would end the priority for those students who are within walking distance, which means that a student who lives across the street from Cromwell Valley Elementary School could very well be bused to another school.

I have written to Dr. Dance suggesting that the priority for walkers at Cromwell Valley Elementary School be codified, and that the sibling priority either be extended to 2018-2019 to accommodate current students or grandfathered to families with students who enrolled under the original policy.    I understand that there are issues of countywide fairness and equity, but believe there must be a way to find a sensible middle ground. 

I look forward to learning of the review and hopefully changes to the rule.  Either way, I thank Dr. Dance for listening to the parents of Cromwell Valley Elementary School.

Better Design Standards for Downtown Perry Hall

On Monday, July 2, I introduced legislation that will hopefully lead to better design standards for new construction in the Perry Hall commercial revitalization district.  This bill would subject new projects to the Baltimore County Design Review Panel, which evaluates projects in other areas of the county.

The Design Review Panel consists of nine members knowledgeable in matters of design, including architects, landscape architects, engineers and other design professionals. The professional members are appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. The County Executive appoints the Chair.

Commercial districts in Arbutus, Catonsville, Essex, Pikesville, and Towson are already subject to the Design Review Panel.

Existing businesses that want to modify their appearance or make minor changes will not be affected by this bill.  I am most concerned about larger areas where redevelopment will occur, such as the Butt's Hardware property, the stores across the street along the 8830 block of Belair Road, and the area east of the Double-T Diner.   

Any redevelopment projects will be with us for thirty or forty years, so let's do them right.

I would also like to implement periodic clean-ups involving local merchants to clean up the weeds and trash that have accummulated at Belair, Joppa, and Ebenezer Roads.   Hopefully, these improvements--along with the incentives already available through the commercial revitalization program--will enhance Downtown Perry Hall.

County Council Approves Adding Park Properties in Perry Hall

On Monday, July 2, the Baltimore County Council approved a land transfer that will allow the county to acquire a large wooded property next to the Maryland Fish and Game Protective Association, as well as a small parcel next to the Perry Hall public library. Both parcels are situated along Honeygo Boulevard. 

With this transfer, Baltimore County will create an almost-uninterrupted chain of forests and parks from Joppa View Elementary School to Joppa Road.

The property to be acquired near Honeygo Boulevard
and Ebenezer Road.

The larger piece is a triangular property adjacent to the Maryland State Fish and Game Protective Association and Honeygo Park. It includes 10.8 acres of environmentally sensitive, forested property. It was once the proposed site for a gymnasium, and construction of an access road had started off Honeygo Boulevard. That land, seen to the right, will now be added to Honeygo Park and protected from all future development. 

The second piece is a rectangular, 1.2 acre property immediately south of the Perry Hall library. A committee I appointed has recommended a playground and ampitheatre at that site. 

The county will trade 9.3 of land with a developer to acquire the 12-acre sites. 

I supported this plan because there was a net gain of parkland for the residents of Perry Hall; because the plan preserves a particularly sensitive area from development; and because the transfer was supported by local community organizations, including the Tremper Farms and Northgate Hall homeowners associations.

Update on Storm Recovery Activities

I would like to thank those public safety and utility workers who have spent the weekend cleaning up from Friday night's storms.   We are dealing with record-breaking heat, and while the weather is difficult for those without air conditioning, it is even more challenging for those who must work outside repairing power lines and cleaning up debris.

Power outages as of 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 1.

As of 2:30 p.m. Sunday, BGE had restored power to about 106,000 Baltimore Countians. There are still roughly 80,000 without power.  In the Fifth District, the hardest-hit areas are west of Perring Parkway, although I am getting reports of electricity slowly being restored to Towson both east and west of York Road.   Power has been restored to West Towson west of York Road, for example, and Burkleigh Square, Cromwell Valley east of Providence Road, and the Stevenson Lane area in the east.  

To report downed power lines or outages, call (877) 778-2222.  To report downed trees blocking roads, contact the county at (410) 887-5210.

For those without power, the Bykota Senior Center in West Towson is available as a cooling site.  Additionally, the Y of Central Maryland has very generously opened their facilities for showers to non-members.  The Y has centers in Towson off Chesapeake Avenue; in Parkville at the North Plaza Shopping Center; and in Perry Hall at the Perry Hall Square Shopping Center.   Regular weekday hours are 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Sunday, the Y is open until 7 p.m.   The Brick Bodies fitness centers have extended the same offer for shower use. 

Finally, I urge you to check out Baltimore County's emergency information page.   You can follow updates on Twitter:  www.twitter.com/BACOemergency.

Long-Vacant Supermarket Site at Perring Parkway Gets New Tenant

Another long-abandoned retail space is being filled.   The old Giant supermarket at the Joppa Perring Shopping Center, vacant since 2007, will be filled later this year by Savers, Inc.    

Savers, Inc., has more than 200 locations throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia. It receives its merchandise through direct donations and by paying cash to nonprofit organizations for donated clothing and household items. This is the first Savers, Inc., in Maryland.  

The store will employ 40 residents, and there will be improvements to the existing structure. 

Even in a difficult national economy, we have had a steady stream of announcements about new supermarket and retail openings, from Perry Hall to Towson.   I am very happy the long-vacant space at Joppa Perring will be occupied soon. 

Baltimore County and the War of 1812

More than a million people are expected to enjoy the Sailabration events that commemorate Baltimore's role in the War of 1812.   Baltimore County, of course, was an important part of the War of 1812.   The Battle of North Point, which occurred in September of 1814, delayed the British advance on Baltimore and bought valuable time for those defending the city.   Landmarks such as Fort Howard and Todd's Inheritance are part of the heritage of southeastern Baltimore County.   Baltimore County provided financial support for Sailabration, and I thank those officials and volunteers who helped staff events over the past week. 

In the Fifth District that I represent, some of our communities have important links to the War of 1812.   The site that is now Camp Chapel United Methodist Church was the center of the lightly-settled Perry Hall area in 1814.   On September 12, 1814, Reverend Henry Smith was preaching at the Camp Meeting Chapel, and he recorded hearing the sounds of the Battle of North Point: "The bombs were heard at Perry Hall, twelve miles from Baltimore, nearly all the night.  It was an awful night.  Fears were entertained that the enemy would take Baltmore, and overrun and plunder that part of the country...I rode down to Baltimore the day after the British had returned to their ships; and it was in the mouth of almost everyone, saint and sinner.  'The prayers of the good people of Baltimore saved the city.'"

Back then, Joppa Road was an abandoned Susquehannock Indian trail, and at the other end from Perry Hall was Towsontown.   Ezekial Towson started the Towson Hotel at York and Joppa Roads in 1768 to serve farmers who brought their produce and livestock to the port of Baltimore.  His brother Nathaniel Towson had a distinguished career in the U.S. Army, commanding artillery at the Battles of Fort George, Stoney Creek, Queenston Heights, Chippawa, Lundy's Lane, and Fort Erie. 

I believe we should recognize the contributions of Nathaniel Towson to our local history.   I have suggested to Towson's civic and business organizations that we dedicate one of our structures in his honor, perhaps the bridge at Dulaney Valley Road leading into Downtown Towson.  What do you think?

Rethinking Parking Lots

Ask the average citizen what he or she considers to be among the most important issues facing local government, and parking may be near the bottom of the list.   Parking doesn't attract provocative newspaper headlines, but it's an important subject in many jurisdictions, particularly cities.   In my nineteen months in office, I've dealt with several parking issues in Downtown Towson, where we have worked to accommodate merchants and where there are numerous parking garages.

One of the most important parking issues concerns shopping centers.   Do we really need to build parking lots that can accommodate Black Friday crowds, but sit half-full the rest of the year?  Look at many shopping centers, and chances are you'll see a sea of unused parking spaces.

Next month, the County Council will consider Bill 45-12, which is sponsored by Councilmen Olszewski and Oliver.  Bill 45-12 would allow the Director of Permits, Inspections, and Approvals to reduce the parking area for a shopping center by up to 40 percent if the proposal meets certain guidelines.   Those standards may include open space, pedestrian improvements, and environmental features. 

I think this is a good concept, and for several reasons.   First, a parking lot is an impervious surface.   Reducing the acreage used for parking can curtail runoff into the streams that lead to the Chesapeake Bay.

Second, parking lots cost money.  Asphalt is made from petroleum, the cost of which has increased sharply over the past decade. 

Third, reducing the area used for parking is not just a recommendation of planning professionals and environmentalists; it's also an element of the Perry Hall Community Plan, which was drafted by my constituents.  Here's what the Community Plan says:  "Within central Perry Hall, the shopping center at Seven Courts, Super Fresh, Perry Hall Square, White Marsh Mall and the surrounding strip malls are covered in asphalt for cars that are not there."

For all these reasons, I believe Bill 45-12 is legislation worth supporting.

Finishing Touches on Towson City Center

Workers are finishing the renovation of the old Investment Building in northern Towson.  Now christened Towson City Center, the building will open this summer and herald a new chapter in the redevelopment of Downtown Towson.

Why is Towson City Center so important?  There are a number of reasons.  

Towson City Center will bring hundreds of new employees into Downtown Towson who will patronize our restaurants and other businesses.   This mass of activity is absolutely critical in stimulating the downtown core.   My hope is that the residential development off Towsontown Boulevard, Towson Green, will have a similar effect from the south.

The redevelopment of this old building is already having an impact on Towson's skyline.   The new glass skin on the building looks great. 

And because Towson University is leasing 58,000 square feet of the building, there is a symbolic effect to the project.   Goucher College and Towson University are critical elements of our local economy.   The more we can weave these two institutions into the downtown core--administrative functions, offices, and even classrooms--the stronger the core will become.

Caves Valley Partners has invested at least $27 million in this project.   County Executive Kevin Kamenetz has been a critical supporter, as was his predecessor, Jim Smith. 

Last fall, I introduced legislation that modified the sign requirements for the area that includes this project.   I did so because I knew Towson City Center was an essential ingredient for Towson's revitalization to move forward.   With the signage now erected, I do not believe it is overpowering at all. 

The prospect of a new, job-producing building in the heart of Towson is very exciting, and I thank all those who have made this project possible. 

New Legislation Strengthens Review of PUD Proposals

On Monday, June 5, the Baltimore County Council passed Bill 42-12, which modifies elements of the Planned Unit Development process.  A Planned Unit Development is a special project which does not conform to conventional zoning. In return for different zoning standards, the developer is expected to adher to more rigorous review than normal projects, and there must be a community benefit package.

The current County Council has enacted several reforms to make the Planned Unit Development process more accessible to the public. The Council passed legislation that requires a public input meeting and agency comments at the very beginning of the PUD process. A PUD proposal must now be on-line, and a land preservation group such as NeighborSpace of Baltimore County can now qualify for the community benefit package.

Bill 42-12 continues these reforms. The legislation has several important elements.

First, the legislation clarifies that the second, post-submission input meeting occurs between 21 and 30 days after a PUD application is filed.

Second, Bill 42-12 requires that meeting minutes be posted on-line.

Third, Bill 42-12 specifies that the Departments of Environmental Protection and Sustainability, Planning, and Public Works, will review the application.

Fourth, Bill 42-12 says that the comments by these agencies will be posted on-line, where the public can see them.

Fifth, the legislation states that final review by the hearing officer is based on a determination that the proposed PUD meets the Master Plan, community plans, or the Department of Planning.

Sixth, the legislation spells out the process by which a material amendment to an approved PUD may be considered.

These changes will result in perhaps the most open, transparent process possible for a proposed development in Baltimore County. As a former President of the Perry Hall Improvement Association, I often struggled with obtaining minutes or agency evaluations of proposed developments. With Bill 42-12, the information is on-line and there is ample opportunity for public comment.

It is important that you know the reforms included in this bill, since you may not read about them elsewhere.