November 17, 2004
- on Monday, 29 November 2004 19:00
Minutes from the Fall 2004
Forest Greens/Perryman Community Association Meeting
The Forest Greens-Perryman Community Association held a fall meeting on November 17, 2004 at 7:00pm at Clorox. There were 47 people in attendance.
Harry Webster introduced the officers and Board of Directors:
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Harry Webster, President Debbie Diering, Vice President Paul Tracy, Treasurer Chuck Mezan, Secretary |
Glenn Dudderar, Board Member Heather Cisar, Board Member Merlin Erickson, moved out of area |
The following local representatives were in attendance:
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David Miller – Harford Land Trust |
Harry Webster introduced the officers, board members, and David Miller from Harford Land Trust. Harry said that many Harford County officials were invited but could not attend tonight. He thanked Clorox for the use of the facility and Chuck Marzen discussed the safety procedures.
Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer Paul Tracy gave the annual financial report for October 2003 – October 2004. Total income was $695.52 and expenditures of $652.41. The account balance was $4,419.10. 2004-2005 membership dues may be paid to Paul tonight or sent to PO Box .
Elections:
There was a letter sent over a month ago to members to solicit interest in filling officer or board member positions. One letter of interest was received. All members of the community are encouraged to get involved with FGPCA. The association differs from a homeowners association, which exists in Church Creek, because it’s members are concerned about development, transportation and other activities throughout our community.
All officers and 2 board members will be elected. All present members agreed to turnover their positions. A motion was made by Harry Yarnell to approve the current officers and Mike Carr seconded. It was noted that Merlin Erickson has one year left on his term as board member, but no longer lives in the community. Mike Carr agreed to take Merlin Erickson’s position for 1 year.
Development:
Development maps were available to show the proposed development in the area. First, there is already a plan for 1,583,750 square foot of warehousing being constructed by Opus on the previous Price Brothers land. Secondly, a 330,000 sq. ft warehouse is proposed in the Perryman Industrial Park on Advantage Rd. Lastly, three new warehouses are proposed totaling 2 Million sq ft next to Rite Aid.
Other changes in the area include the development of the Bush River Marina which consists of 52 single family homes and a development on Mitchell Drive called River Walk. There are already 7 houses complete and 2 left to be built. The developer is proposing 35 more homes. Some contractors have suggested the developer is proposing about 70-200 homes behind these 9 homes, but there is no confirmation from the developer.
Mike Carr talked about the March 3rd DAC meeting regarding the River Walk property. At the meeting the developer had a concept plan. The DAC required quite a bit of work before development could begin. Currently, there has been no move from the developer on DAC’s requests. Mike said he is worried that the developer may be looking to rezone the area during the current rezoning period.
Transportation Issues:
Community members are concerned about the lack of road plans for this area to handle the upcoming development. According to documents from Maryland Department of Transportation (MDT), the only planned road improvements are the extension and improvement to Rt. 159, as well as improving Rt. 7 from Rt. 24 to 159.
Ruth Ann Young shared that Ceil Steppe is working to get well-head protection legislation for our area. She stated that it is going to be reshaped somewhat and will be put forth before next election. Bob Cassilly and Dion Gutherie are also strong supporters. The city of Aberdeen passed their own well head protection ordinance. Ms. Young suggested that FGPCA put some pressure on the County to get this done soon. Harry said Friends of Harford continues to pressure the county to make progress on the well-head protection as well.
Master Plan/Land Use:
Ceil Steppe sent Harry information on the current rezoning plan. The County is looking for land owners to put zoning requests in by January 31, 2005. The rezoning process will take until March 2006 to complete.
Glenn Dudderar shared that there are 6 major projects that are underway, proposed or being considered regarding our area. These projects will create thousands of additional vehicles on the roadways, yet still there are no definite plans for improving them. He suggested getting Harford County or the State of Maryland to make a presentation to us or to the County Council on the plan for transportation in this area. He appealed to the membership to show concern about the road problem to officials.
Several members questioned why more warehouses are needed with all the empty ones that now exist. One member stated that our officials should not be telling us what is coming but we should have them ask us what we would like to be done.
Bob Seaman is worried that there will be a road built near the river. He is concerned that Harford County officials will work to get that road in once the traffic gets bad.
Brownie Pierce disagreed with the earlier statements. He says developers are paying for road improvements.
Harry suggested that the development committee get together to plan for a community meeting focusing on development and road issues in the area.
Ron Walker agreed with Brownie’s comment that property in the area is grandfathered except for property like that on Mitchell Drive (30 acres), which is all woodlands and wetlands. It is open space on the original plat. Ron said this is the test case for the county and the environment. The property may get rezoned from R2 to R4. Ron said to wait till February to see who wants to get up zoned and plan the next step.
Harford Land Trust:
David Miller of the Harford Land Trust (HLT) attended the meeting to provide an update on HLT’s activities in the area. Currently there are three FGPCA members who are active in HLT: Harry Webster, Glenn Dudderar and Curtis Diering.
David provided some history of the Lake Project. In 1991, HLT purchased 100 acres of land (Cronin Land) for $153,000 which was bought from developers. An easement was put on property. BG&E gave $60,000 towards this purchase. The Cronins gave $5,000 credit back to HLT. HLT then sold the land to Harford County at cost and it became part of Parks and Recreation.
HLT’s latest project in the area was the land and old golf house on Club House Road owned by Betty Schueler. Realtor Mary Deitz consulted with Scheuler and suggested she donate the woodland to the Harford Land Trust and take a tax deduction. Mrs. Scheuler eventually gave the property to HLT. HLT cleared the site of the dilapidated structure and cleaned up the corner for $45,000. Knowing the cleared property abutted the 103 acre Forest Greens Lake(owned by Harford County), the trust eventually sold the land to Harford County Parks and Recreation, in an interesting land swap involving another nonprofit, Father Martin's "Ashley". Parks and Recreation wants to put a parking lot and perhaps a shelter/pavilion on the property. HLT will use the money to buy more land in the county.
HLT receives money from borrowing, grants, donations, and investments. Currently, the only land they own in the Forest Greens/Perryman area is a .25 acre on Forest Greens/Park Beach Dr which is home to Ed Crothers memorial.
HLT newsletters are available from Harford Land Trust.
Old Business:
Minutes from October 2003 are available. The neighborhood watch program was a main topic at that time. The sheriff has provided an updated crime report which was available at the meeting. Neighbors were reminded to communicate any break-ins to the authorities. Sector 20 is Perryman which contains about 9% of the crime in county. Heather Cisar would like to organize a team to get the sheriff to visit to determine the specific areas of interest, etc. The Sheriff is very interested in getting involved.
Chuck reported on the community cleanup held in the spring. He also suggested that the community get together more often to clean up the roads. To accomplish this, FGPCA is adopting Canning House and Mitchell roads for cleanup. This will require the community to cleanup the roads at least 4 times a year. The signs will be placed in early December and cleanup will begin early next year. Chuck suggested that the area can be expanded if there is an interest. Harry has bags and vests for people to take tonight if they want to help.
New Business:
Harry recognized the Aberdeen Fire Department and their need for any serious volunteers. They meet Mondays on Rodgers Street and applications are available.
Brownie Pierce would like to recognize the home on the corner of Spesutia Rd. and Perryman Rd. and the Perryman store which both had major improvements. Brownie also mentioned that the farmers who are farming the Mitchell land are doing a great job and had a good crop this year.
Joyce Crothers is in a nursing home and would appreciate your prayers for her recovery.
Brownie Pierce stated that Abingdon Fire Department is very helpful here so perhaps a donation to them would be appropriate as well.
Scott Campbell expressed concern about the lack of a boat ramp for neighbors. He wondered if BG&E would build a ramp or perhaps FGPCA should contact Parks & Recreation.
Ruth Ann Young stated that the APG Restoration Board (RAB) is looking for members. She suggested that someone from community should be involved. She informed audience members about the next meeting December 2. RAB oversees different areas of cleanup in our area.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30
The Forest Greens – Perryman Community Association's (FGPCA), Development Committee has published the final version of the "Community's Recommendations for Development on the Perryman Peninsula". 