The Mapleleaf Online

Barbara H January 20th, 2010

Maplewood Citizens Association

General Membership Meeting – 9/30/09

Officers present were: Allen Myers, President; Janet Maalouf, Vice-president; Hugh Barteman, Treasurer; Barbara Harrison, Secretary. In addition, at least 30 members of the community attended.

Secretary’s Report

Minutes for the 5/27/2009 meeting were distributed for review and approved unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report

Hugh Barteman distributed his report. The balance as of May 28, 2009 was $5772.71. Expenses since then total $2704.43. The major expenses were $1000 to Norman Knopf for legal advice regarding the FAES property (this expense was approved at the May meeting) and $607 as the premium to Darwin Insurance Co. for directors and officers insurance (a less expensive change in provider of our policy). Other expenses were for the period were refreshments, Mapleleaf printing and delivery costs, Verizon telephone, office supplies, and MC Civic Federation membership. Receipts during the same period were $1503.00,including a refund from CBIZ insurance for the residue of our directors and officers insurance policy with them ($463), membership dues ($400), payment for an ad insert to the May newsletter ($300), and $340 in contributions to the FAES legal fund. These latter funds have not yet been used, and Hugh will account for them separately. Allen noted that donations to the FAES legal fund should be so noted on the check. If we don’t use the money, we will reimburse donors on a prorated basis. As of today, we have $4571.28 in the bank. The report was accepted unanimously.

Bethesda Chevy Chase Regional Services Center Presentation

Ken Hartman, director of the center, explained that he is the County Executive’s liaison to this part of county. He is appointed by the County Council and has power to interface directly with department heads. Thus, sometimes he can get a solution faster than going to the Council – he’s there to help the executive branch. The Center’s office in downtown Bethesda has meeting rooms avail to public to rent; they also have a library of master plans, and old budget books, and are the collection point for compost bins for the public. Issues they have dealt with include street lighting and the White Flint sector plan.

Ken apologized for the delay in issuance of annual parking stickers – there are 507 active residential parking accounts in Maplewood and about 700 visitor permits as well as tens of thousands of permits in the greater region. The contractor producing the permanent stickers let them down, but should have received more supervision. Enforcement will honor the temporary permits until the permanent stickers are delivered. At some point, the system will be switched to RF IDs so that enforcement can go down the street checking for a signal on cars. They would like a volunteer neighborhood to check out the technology. Ken also indicated that they are aware of problems with the Cheltenham garage and are increasing staff supervision and rotating some staff out. His email is Kenneth.hartman@montgomerycountymd.gov – please let him know of problems you have had. In response to a question, he indicated he will check on the color of stickers , which sometimes do show up on tinted glass. Allen will put up a notification on the list serve when the new stickers go out.

MCA members noted that the timing of traffic signals proceeding north on Old Georgetown Rd beyond McKinley street seems to be out of sync. This is a state highway, but the traffic management system is “cobbled together” – we need a more modern confirguration. Neighborhood volunteers may be able to help, and this also might be considered as part of the BIC activities. Other questions concerned the absence of a sidewalk on Rockville Pike north of Pooks Hill, again, a state highway issue.

Ken also discussed the Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board (formerly the BCC Citizen’s Advisory Board), comprised of 19 individuals. Maplewood resident Seth Maiman is a member. The group also includes 6 business members and one non-profit rep, plus a City of Rockville rep, and can advise on any county issue or service of importance in their view. Information can be obtained on the County website – montgomerycountymd.gov/bcc. Last month the Chief of Fire and Rescue met with them. They have discussed the PurpleLine, the need for a ladder truck, and the White Flint plan. If White Flint goes through, we will have a new city at that Metro station – as big as Bethesda. Clearly there are traffic issues, especially when considering BRAC and the developments at Friendship Heights. The aim is to create an urban environment at White Flint, where one could walk to destinations. The Planning Board passed this unanimously – there will be a hearing in October. The group thanked Ken for attending.

FAES Property Rezoning

The FAES plan to develop property at the location bounded by Cypress Ave., W. Cedar Lane and Acacia Ave. has been discussed at several previous MCA meetings, and a recent update was provided in the September 2009 issues of The Mapleleaf. Susan Cheney, cochair of the FAES proposal committee, reported on a meeting with a land use attorney. The organization may want to hire him to accompany MCA to the final hearing with the examiner (on Oct. 26). Five committee members also met with the staff of Parks and Planning (P&P), and with a staff member from Van Hollen’s office. The P&P staff published recommendations to the P&P Board advising denial of the FAES proposal. The full report is on the website. The Board will consider the staff report at a hearing on October 8^th and send it’s recommendation to the County Council’s Hearing Examiner. That hearing will be on October 26^th (possibly continued on October 30^th) and will provide a recommendation to the County Council, which makes the final decision. A link to the planning board website concerning the process will be placed on www.stopthenihdorm.org website. The P&P address is 8787 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring. The Hearing Examiner is located at 100 MD Ave. in Rockville. If the meeting goes longer than one day, it will be continued on Oct. 30^th.

Susan and Allen stressed the need for Maplewood residents to attend the hearings in numbers. This affects the ambience of the meetings. They also urged writing individual letters to the hearing examiner – these really do get read. Ken noted that the County Council can only consider material that is in the record, so NOW is the time to write. It also helps if input is scattered throughout community – not just the immediate neighbors. If you sign up to testify, they ask that you bring copies to give to the commissioners. Martin Grossman is our hearing examiner. Allen noted that FAES could amend the plan before it gets to the hearing examiner. They may also have a plan for 24 single family houses on the site.

Ralph Shofer moved and Jim Winkler seconded a motion that Allen be allowed to send in notice of his appearance to testify on behalf of the MCA. This motion was approved unanimously . Tyler Mace, co-chair of the FAES committee, is a trial attorney and has done a lot of research on the issues. If he needs anything, Tyler feels that he could consult with attorney for an hour or so to get tactics, material. The FAES legal fund can be used for this purpose.

Members briefly discussed whether the current residents of the 4 FAES-owned houses are entitled to MCA membership. Allen indicated that they are. According to our bylaws, any resident or owner in the community is entitled to membership, with one vote per household. The Executive Director of FAES has asked to join. We have deferred this request, as we are not sure who can sign for FAES. If the FAES proposal passes, we could have 31 townhouses as additional members. Discussion concerned whether homeowners have different priorities than renters, who currently are permitted to be members. Allen stated his belief that in Maplewood, 25 to 30% of residents are renters. One discussed proposal was to amend bylaws to define a transient renter (say 6 months or less) to be ineligible vs those who will be living in the home for a long period. It was noted that the association was formed to speak for the community, which includes renters.

Adjournment – Adjournment was moved and passed unanimously.

Draft Submitted by Barbara Harrison

MC

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