North County Update

What's Happening in North County

By Justin Szech

LSIA Board members recently attended meetings that were set up by the County Executive regarding the General Development Plan as well as a meeting called by Councilman Pete Smith regarding changes coming to the Cromwell Field shopping center.  In lieu of an article this month, we decided it was more important to inform the membership about these meetings as well as where we are as an organization regarding the proposed SCMAGLEV train.

Cromwell Field

The meeting was held on September 25th at the Ferndale VFC Hall. Councilman Smith as well as Delegates Beidle, Chang, and Sophocleus were all in attendance along with representatives from the County Police, MTA Police, and the owners of Cromwell Field.

Many of the Ferndale resident concerns about the Light Rail as well as the shopping center included the following:

-Illicit drug use

-Needles on the ground

-Perceived lack of enforcement regarding ticketing and loitering

-Inappropriate location for the plasma center

-Increased numbers of homeless individuals

-Constant and aggressive panhandling at Cromwell Field

-Closure of the Giant on 10/25

Most of the elected officials present pointed out that Anne Arundel County is still facing a police officer shortage.  MTA Police Captain Shawn Wallace also pointed out that there are only 65 officers that are covering the Light Rail and the subway system thus ticket enforcement is sporadic.  Captain Ravenell (County Police) stated there have been 100 arrests at Cromwell since January 1, and that most of those arrests are officer generated while on patrol and not a result of a call for service.  Giant alone has had 150 police responses since January 1.  Captain Ravenell also implored citizens to call 911 if they see suspicious activity.

Councilman Smith proposed the following:

-Speaking to the County Health Officer regarding closing the Plasma Center

-Pressure CSL Plasma to hire/increase on site security

-Creation of a homeless community on Ordnance Road, away from existing communities

-Looking into the existing law that states you must have a ‘No Trespassing’ sign in order to enforce trespassing.

Broadstreet Realty currently owns the shopping center and their representative indicated that the current business and many of the problems existed prior to their purchase of the property.  Broadstreet maintains that CSL has a long-term lease and will be a tenant for the foreseeable future.

While this is not a ‘Linthicum issue’ many of us frequent the Cromwell Field shopping center and have patronized the Giant for years.  Issues that affect Glen Burnie and Ferndale often impact Linthicum as well.  We wish everyone well from the Cromwell Giant and look forward to seeing those employees at the new Giant in Glen Burnie when it opens on October 26.

General Development Plan

The GDP meeting was held on September 25th at North County High School.  It’s main purpose was to bring awareness as well as solicit feedback from the community as Anne Arundel County prepares its 2040 General Development Plan.

Attendees were asked to ‘vote’ for emphasis on what areas of county life and services were of most importance to them.  This includes categories such as, environment, open space, public transportation, etc.

Some of the main concerns voiced by North County residents include:

-Zoning changes

-Light Rail removal or modification

-SCMAGLEV and what many believe will ultimately destroy this community

-Airport noise

-Increasing traffic congestion

-Decreasing property values

-School Choice

-Land development that is outpacing infrastructure improvements

If you missed the meeting at North County High, there will be additional meetings held throughout the county.  THIS IS CRITICAL.  Linthicum is nestled in an area that has become increasingly developed, industrialized, and urbanized.  These meetings are YOUR CHANCE to give feedback to Planning and Zoning officials about what matters to you and this community.

These meetings run from 6-8PM.

October 17, 2017 Broadneck High School

November 30, 2017 Old Mill High School

December 11, 2017 Arundel High School

January 11, 2018 Annapolis High School

January 29, 2018 Northeast High School

February 8, 2018 Southern High School

February 22, 2018 Brooklyn Park Middle School

Special Thanks to Shawn Murphy and Kevin Plessner for contributing to this article.

SCMAGLEV VOTE

The LSIA membership voted at the October meeting to oppose the SCMAGLEV project.  All routes stand to impact Linthicum Heights and the surrounding communities.  We thak everyone for their attendance at the meeting.  The next LSIA meeting is set for November 8th in the Lindale Middle School Auditorium at 7:00PM

SCMAGLEV OPPOSITION: RESOLUTION TO VOTE UPON

LSIA's vote on BWRR's SCMAGLEV project is on October 11 at Lindale Middle School.  The meeting is at 7:00PM and you must be a member in good standing to vote (dues paid and living in the defined territory).

ACTION BY UNANIMOUS WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF Linthicum Shipley Improvement Association, Incorporated The undersigned, constituting all of the members of the Executive Board of Directors (the “Executive Board”) of LINTHICUM SHIPLEY IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, INCORPORATED, a Maryland nonprofit corporation (“LSIA”), pursuant to the Company’s Bylaws and the Maryland Corporations and Associations Code, hereby adopt the following Resolutions by unanimous written consent: DETRIMENTAL IMPACT ON LINTHICUM

RESOLVED, that Section 2 of Article II of LSIA’s Bylaws require that LSIA protect and preserve the community from unwarranted, unjustified, detrimental and destructive actions which would adversely impact the single family dwelling concept of the community and/or the ability of residents to enjoy life in a peaceful, safe and healthful environment. RESOLVED, that any routing of the Magnetic Levitation Rail Line (“MAGLEV”) though or near Linthicum will have a detrimental impact to the general welfare of the residents of Linthicum-Shipley and locality as defined in LSIA’s Bylaws. The Executive Board deems that MAGLEV would be detrimental to the quiet enjoyment of the community within LSIA’s boundaries and has the potential to displace our residents, significantly deteriorate our community’s property values, have an adverse impact on traffic flows, create offensive noise and generally dangerous and undesirable living conditions to our community’s residents.

RESOLVED, that the Executive Board desires and deems it advisable to empower the President of LSIA and all members of the Executive Board to represent that LSIA and its members to all interested parties, including but not limited to the Federal, State and County governments and all private parties, that LSIA is vehemently opposed to all MAGLEV tracks that come within Linthicum or near its boundaries.

RESOLVED, that the President and all Executive Board members are hereby authorized and directed, for and on behalf of LSIA, to perform all additional actions and to execute and deliver any additional instruments as each may deem reasonably necessary and appropriate to carry out the purpose of the above Resolutions. This Action by Unanimous Written Consent shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Executive Board.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being all of the members of the Executive Board, have executed this Action by Unanimous Written Consent as of September 28, 2017.

This resolution passed unanimously on September 28, 2017 at the Board of Directors monthly meeting.

County Executive announces meetings to discuss long-term development of Anne Arundel County

Anne Arundel County Announces General Development Plan Public Outreach Tour

Annapolis, MD (September 7, 2017) – Anne Arundel County today announced the Office of Planning & Zoning will hold eight public input sessions across the County to accept community input as the county government begins the General Development Plan, entitled Anne Arundel 2040.
“Public input will be essential to this process,” said Planning and Zoning Officer Phil Hager. “We want to hear from the citizens at the front end of the effort to ensure their concerns and ideas are incorporated as we chart a course for our County’s future.”
Public input sessions will provide the citizens a significant opportunity to have their voice heard as county government embarks on the two year General Development Plan process. Officials from all relevant land use departments will be on hand to hear the ideas and perspectives of residents in every corner of the County.
Citizens can join the conversation at one of the sessions, which will run from 6pm to 8pm. The schedule for these public input sessions is as follows:
2017
September 25 at North County High School
October 17 at Broadneck High School*
November 30 at Old Mill High School *
December 11 at Arundel High School *
2018
January 11 at Annapolis High School *
January 29 at Northeast High School *
February 8 at Southern High School *
February 22 at Brooklyn Park Middle School * (* dates and locations subject to change)
In addition, residents can provide their public input or learn more about the process at www.aacounty.org/Plan2040.
The plan is scheduled to be completed by December 2019, with the comprehensive re-zoning legislation submitted to the County Council thereafter.

County launches new 311 non-emergency system

Overview

Anne Arundel County is committed to being responsive to our Citizen's needs.  There are several methods for Citizens to report issues and concerns to be addressed in your community.   

Reporting concerns from your computer and mobile device is easy to do....

• Enter your location
• Select the type of issue
• Answer a few questions & attach photos
• Submit!

http://www.aacounty.org/services-and-programs/report-a-concern