MCA Executive Committee Meeting Minutes 4/18/07

Carol L May 9th, 2007

The following officers of the Maplewood Citizens Association attended the Executive Committee Meeting, held April 18, 2007 at the home of Allen Myers:

Allen Myers, President

Bill Davis, Treasurer

Carol Linden, Secretary

Janet Maalouf (BRAC representative)

Linda Hubbard

FAES representatives: Alan Schecter and Henry Metzger


1. The minutes of the February 21, 2007 meeting were accepted.

2. Bill Davis gave the Treasurer’s report, noting that not much has changed since the last report. One bill was paid and approximately 20 new memberships were received. MCA will be in the black for the year. The spring social is budgeted at $1600 but will probably only cost us $900. Treasurer’s report approved.

3. Liaison reports were presented.

a. French school report provided to Allen. Transportation management plan was approved as part of the special exception. They are trying to modify their transportation management plan; must be modified just like the special exception was done. MCA must see the modifications because we approved original special exception. MCA needs to see it before it goes to the board of appeals.

b. FASEB filed request to delay implementing their modification to the special exception about tearing down old bldg. Phase 2 and 3 (tear down old, replace with new). This has not been brought to the neighborhood. Question: do we want Allen to call their counsel? NLC talked about this, not the whole neighborhood. Yes – get clarification that community did not request the phase 2 and 3 changes.

c. BRAC – Janet attended the monthly meeting of the Implementation Task Force at BCC Services bldg. Approximately 50 people attended. The Committee has about 20 + people. There was a presentation from the MD State Economic Development Office. They say that they do not know who’s moving to NNMC. Allen – this is a 24/7 operation with tertiary care – constant flow of patients every day of the week, not just during morning and evening rush hours. State and county responsible for any road, transportation mitigation proposed in the EIS. Studying 25 intersections. Critical lane volume study being done. Proposed ratio for parking is 1 space/3 employees. They are looking at satellite parking on Connecticut Ave. Some moves may happen prior to the 2011 deadline. Unknown where things stand with various proposals bouncing around in Congress. Janet is the official MCA rep to this committee.

d. FAES reps: (Background info) From Cypress/Acacia/W. Cedar up to nursing home is owned by FAES. Low intensity reception building. Larger property next to nursing home, 4 houses which are rented. Henry Metzger president FAES/ Alan Schechter Secretary – mission to teach courses. Picks up slack for certain type of things – e.g. health insurance for non-fed employees (trainees), concert series, book store, things NIH can’t do. Acquired property with idea of building a faculty academic ctr. Never happened. One change recent: Opportunity has arisen to use space in the old clinical center on campus for some of their academic facilities center. Another: once was idea of graduate program. Now, do have grad students in partnership program with other universities. Getting increasing number of grad students, postdocs, etc. Crying need for temp housing. One possibility is to create “student housing” on the existing property. (On Cypress, a little over 4 acres). Could finance renovations in bldg 10 w/o having to sell the existing property. Wants to stimulate us to think about this. What would be our concerns if they developed this property for this purpose? Meet with the MCA in May? Allen – coming to association without a specific plan will lead to a food fight. FAES has pretty much decided to either sell to a developer, with some potential “upzoning” (single family); or try in coop with community to direct development themselves to be of use to NIH in terms of housing. Status quo will change. Worked with Clark Ventures in Bethesda. Idea to bring someome from there with them to the MCA meeting. Want to hear the main concerns from MCA. Zoning and master plan do not allow for “student housing”. Current zoning is R-60. Currently, what they’re talking about is not permitted. Big issue is compatibility with neighborhood.

Allen recommends talking about a design, that includes “tree save” in September, rather than discussing hypothetical proposal. (May meeting is full; next General meeting would be 3rd Wed of Sept.) Suggested talking to John Carter at Parks and Planning.

Old Business:

a. Beech Ave traffic study: Have not received report. Meeting BCDS on 30th. What to talk about w/o traffic study? Still waiting for report. BCDS – school is at capacity.

They want the traffic study done. Allen speculated that if they solve traffic problems then maybe they would propose expansion.

b. Spring social – Linda and Janet put up signs about spring social throughout the community.

c. Montgomery Mall covenants – Allen will call Eric Eisen to see if he can come to May meeting.

d. Mapleleaf – Dan didn’t get flyer into the mail about the spring social. We’re spending $$ inefficiently – e.g.newsletter that gets delivered late. Mapleleaf should be in the mail by the 7th prior to meetings on the 15th. Janet – we need to take newsletter from Dan – get software back from him. Janet could do it?? Linda could help? Have to do the neighborhood helper’s list and get it into newsletter. Postponed putting in the pizza order because waiting to see if flyers got out to community. Allen – order what was ordered lst yr – n=24. 19 pizzas + 75 sodas for ~$300 this year. +$70 for 6 more pies. Linda trying to get fire truck to come.

  1. The Maplewood/Alta Vista recreation center has been reserved for the Spring Social on Saturday, April 21.
  2. Certificates of appreciation – for people on committees – Janet and Linda will provide names. Rich in New Jersey will do for us. Motion by Bill to discontinue practice. Motion passed. Will drop these this year.

g. Safe streets pending legislation – would narrow streets in future residential areas so pedestrians could get across faster. County council T&E committee working on this . Allen – this is problematic because of parking and fire engine issues. Would potentially pertain to Heart House property.

Next meeting:

Still have to deal with Heart House

Election of officers – need the nominations from Sarah

Covenants – Eric Eisen will come/Allen will call

New Business:

a. Heart House: Allen questions: Would county even approve driveways on Alta Vista? Issue of closing off current entrance to Heart House on Old Georgetown Rd. Could people get out onto old Gtwn to go north or south after U turn.

Next general membership meeting: May 15, 2007.

The next Executive Committee meeting is June 6, 2007.

Carol D. Linden

Secretary, Maplewood Citizens Association

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