MCA General Membership Meeting Minutes 5/23/07
Carol L June 13th, 2007
The following officers of the Maplewood Citizens Association attended the General Membership Meeting, held May 23, 2007 at the Heart House:
Allen Myers, President
Seth Maiman, Vice President
Carol Linden, Secretary
Bill Davis, Treasurer
Nineteen members of the community attended with all but two being members of the MCA.
- The Secretary read the minutes from the 11/15/06 and 3/29/07 meetings, which were accepted with minor corrections.
- The Treasurer’s report was provided. The Association has $5065 income since September 2006, has expended $4,180.38, and has a current balance of $6237.76. Membership numbers are still down relative to previous years, but may rise as residents become engaged in the discussions surrounding the BRAC action at the National Naval Medical Center and the proposed plan for residential development of the American College of Cardiology property. Costs are under control.
- Allen Myers provided an update on the Heart House. On 5/29/07 they will submit their plan to Parks and Planning as a preliminary plan. Allen had discussed some potential changes with Cathy Gates but the ACC did not want to make any changes to their plan. The MCA needs to to accept or reject the plan. If we reject it, we can’t try to change it. Art Rosen moved to accept the plan. This proposal was seconded. Patty Henkins, who lives across the street from the ACC site was concerned about traffic issues, and proposed that MCA go on record as favoring a second entrance to the development on Old Georgetown Rd. Allen recommended that this be treated as a motion to amend the plan. There was a second motion on the amendment. Six MCA members were opposed; 12 MCA members were for this motion. The motion carried. The MCA will go on record as accepting the ACC plan with the recommendation to support a second exit on Old Georgetown Rd. to alleviate traffic on Alta Vista. The MCA also agreed to oppose the creation of a homeowners association at the ACC development.
- 4. Eric Eisen, a “neighbor” from Wildwood Hills, and an attorney, presented a discussion of the Mongtomery Mall Covenants. In 1958, the MCA was a signatory to these covenants. The Mall owners are planning to double the size of Montgomery Mall and build a 4 story garage facility on Westlake Blvd. Eric noted that 4% of the county’s pedestrian accidents occur between Democracy Blvd and Westlake Terrace on Westlake Blvd. The covenants require 1 parking spot per 85 sq ft of retail space. The ratio currently is 1/150, and the proposed ratio is 1/220. The covenants also say that a citizens association “architectural committee” is supposed to approve plans. The proposed 4 story garage would create a wall on Westlake, and create more congestion. The plans also include a proposal to relocate the transit center closer to 270 and the Mall, thus requiring residents to walk farther to the busses. A group of 12 – 13 area citizen’s associations have now come together as the Montgomery Mall Citizens Advisory Panel to exercise their covenant rights with respect to the Montgomery Mall plans. What the group proposes is 1) move the garage to the 270 side of the mall, 2) include “community shopping” – i.e. drycleaners, etc, 3) reconsider location of transit center, 4) reconfigure Westlake to be more pedestrian friendly, and 5) improve the proposed parking ratio from 1 space per 220 sq ft to something more reasonable. Some modifications have already been agreed for point #4. Additional information on the Montgomery Mall Citizens Advisory Panel can be found on the web site www.mmcap.net. (Note added: The Montgomery County Planning Board is holding its public hearing on the mall expansion on September 20th! Hearing time is 1 p.m.) The MMCAP has stopped the approval process by meeting with Parks and Planning, a press committee, legal advisors, and political contacts. A recent decision on covenants from the MD Court of Appeals supports the position of the MMCAP. The MMCAP wants the Maplewood Community Association to join them. A motion was made and seconded to support the MMCAP.
- The MCA audit will be performed by Fred Rabel.
- On behalf of Sarah Gilligan, Ralph Schofer ran the election for new officers of the MCA for the 2007/2008 year. Allen Myers was re-elected as President. Janet Maaloof was elected Vice President. Joe Levin was elected Treasurer, and Carol Linden was re-elected as Secretary.
Carol D. Linden
Secretary, Maplewood Citizens Association
- General Meeting minutes
- Comments(0)
