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.