October 8, 2008 - Council District 7
- Message from County Executive Jim Smith
- Baltimore County Planning Board Meeting
- Landmarks Preservation Commission Meeting
- 2008 Komen Maryland Race for the Cure
- Traffic Calming for Denbury Drive
- Water Project on Morse Lane
- Progress at Day Village, Shore Road and Lyons Home
- Ebenezer Road Bridge Now Open to Traffic
- DEPRM Variances
- Administrative Variances
- Development Meetings
- Zoning Hearings
Message From County Executive Jim Smith
Dear Concerned Citizens,
I am including the text of an editorial that ran in today's Baltimore Sun. As this editorial points out we will continue to fight the proposed LNG plant in Dundalk. As you know, we remain steadfast in our belief that this is the wrong plant, in the wrong place, at the wrong time.
Sincerely,
Jim Smith
Baltimore County Executive
Our view: The rejection of one appeal doesn't spell the end of LNG plant opposition; plenty of questions remain over the safety and impact of the proposed facility
October 9, 2008
Officials at AES Corp. and others who advocate for the proposed liquefied natural gas terminal at Sparrows Point would be wise to view the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision not to take up the matter as a minor victory at best.
While the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is most likely going to eventually approve the LNG facility at the former Bethlehem Steel shipyard as well as the connecting 88-mile gas pipeline - perhaps even within a matter of weeks - it's far too early to plan a groundbreaking in 2009.
Before construction can even be contemplated, there are a host of items that require approval, including the final environmental impact statement, state wetland license and water quality certification. And you can bet that Gov. Martin O'Malley, Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr. and members of Maryland's congressional delegation will object to each and every one of them, virtually ensuring the matter will drag out for years.
Call it the passive-aggressive defense, but Mr. Smith isn't even letting county officials meet with AES to discuss such concerns as security and emergency response needs. If there's a door that can be shut on the project, he has apparently decided, it should be closed, locked, dead-bolted and a chair propped against it - at least until some federal judge or official orders the county to make accommodations.
That may strike some as harsh, but Mr. Smith and other opponents have a point. Deciding where LNG terminals can be built shouldn't be up to FERC alone. The Bush administration has a poor record in regulatory matters, particularly involving the energy industry.
Opponents have legitimate concerns about Sparrows Point from the impact of local dredging to the security implications of having large LNG tankers so far up the Chesapeake Bay. The former requires finding a site to dispose of millions of cubic yards of contaminated soil, and the latter may mean disrupting marine traffic to give the ships a wide berth.
Perhaps many of these can be solved. But solutions haven't been offered, and a temporary holding pattern may be just what the project needs to give the next administration time to develop its energy policy - and perhaps allow states a greater say in where LNG facilities ought to be located.
The appeal rejected by the Supreme Court was on a relatively minor point involving local land-use planning and federal pre-eminence. Much more is left to be resolved, and it's hard to see that happening in the near future no matter how FERC rules.
Baltimore County Planning Board Meeting
The Baltimore County Planning Board will meet on Thursday, October 16 at 4 p.m. in the County Council Chambers, Room 205, 400 Washington Avenue in Towson. Please check the web site for the meeting agenda and any last minute schedule changes.
Information: 410-887-3495 or bweaver@baltimorecountymd.gov or View Schedule
Landmarks Preservation Commission Meeting
The Baltimore County Landmarks Preservation Commission will meet on Thursday, October 9, at 6 p.m. in the Jefferson Building, Room 104, 105 W. Chesapeake Avenue in Towson. Please check the web site for the meeting agenda and any last minute schedule changes.
Information: 410-887-3495 or vnevy@baltimorecountymd.gov or View Schedule
2008 Komen Maryland Race for the Cure
The 2008 Komen Maryland Race for the Cure will be held on Sunday, October 19 in Hunt Valley. As Honorary Chairman of this race, Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith encourages all of Baltimore County and the entire state to help Komen reach their goal of $4 million so the organization can serve people by funding breast health services in Maryland and Save Lives by funding national research.
Information: Register for Race
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Traffic Calming for Denbury Drive
Denbury Drive, between Kirkleigh Road and Searles Road, recently qualified for traffic calming. County traffic engineers are now preparing traffic calming plans which will be submitted to residents before the end of October.
Information: 410-887-3554
A new water line is being installed this year on Morse Lane, between Riversedge Way and Lynhurst Road (ADC Map 45 E4). Begun in August, the new 12-inch line is being built to close a "loop" in the system which should improve water quality and add more capacity to the network. Engineers say that the new line will also make future utility repairs in the North Point area easier and reduce short-term water shut-offs. The new line is expected to be finished by December and will cost $900 thousand.
Information: enginrng@baltimorecountymd.gov
Progress at Day Village, Shore Road and Lyons Home
Work on the Day Village Sewage Pumping Station (on Avondale Road in Sparrows Point) began in the fall of 2007 and will be completed by the end of November. The station is being rebuilt to raise it above the flood plain at a cost of $1.3 million. Work also began last September (2007) to rehabilitate the Shore Road Pumping Station to the north of Lynch Cove. To increase capacity and prevent overflows the County is investing $1.8 million to modernize both the structure and equipment. Work should be completed by December, say engineers, and is now more than 80 percent finished. In addition, construction of the Lyons Home Pumping Station near Peach Orchard Creek has been completed at a cost of $2.3 million.
Information: enginrng@baltimorecountymd.gov
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Ebenezer Road Bridge Now Open to Traffic
The Ebenezer Road Bridge (Bridge No. 294), just north of Bird River Road over Windlass Run, has been repeatedly damaged by high water in recent years and has been replaced. The new bridge, opened to traffic last month, has an increased span to protect the structure from flooding. Work, which began in January and is estimated to cost $1.5 million, will be completely finished before the end of the year.
Information: enginrng@baltimorecountymd.gov
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DEPRM Variances
The Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management publishes a list of the environmental administrative variance requests along with their status. The requests are listed by County Council District.
Information: DEPRM Variances for District 7
Administrative Variances Pending include requests for Administrative Variances pending before the Department of Permits and Development Management. These requests are up to date as of the published date of this newsletter and are subject to change.
Administrative Variances - 2315 Ruth Avenue
Location: North Side of Ruth Avenue, 797 feet North West of Lodge Farm Road. 15th Election District
Date/Time: 09/25/2008 8 a.m. - 10/13/2008 4:30 p.m.
Case Number: 2009-0082-A
Legal Owner(s): Cecilia C. Kisielewski and Deborah A. Berdych ***Closing Date: October 13 at 4:30 p.m.***
Description: Administrative Variance to permit a roof addition over an existing 1 story detached garage with a height of 26 feet in lieu of the maximum allowed 15 feet height.
Information: Zoning Review 410-887-3391
Administrative Variances - 3309 Sollers Point Road
Location: East Side of Sollers Point road, 150 feet north of the centerline of Louth Road. 12th Election District
Date/Time: 09/25/2008 8 a.m. - 10/20/2008 4:30 p.m.
Case Number: 2009-0084-A
Legal Owner(s): Regina Powers ***Closing Date: October 20, 2008 at 4:30 p.m.***
Description: Administrative Variance for a front yard set back of 23 feet in lieu of the required 25 feet; on in the alternative for a front yard setback of 23 feet in lieu of the required 35 feet, whichever section the Zoning Commissioner determines is applicable.
Information: Zoning Review 410-887-3391
Administrative Variances - 7006 River Drive Road
Location: North side of River Driver Road, 270 West of centerline of Grace Road. 15th Election District
Date/Time: 09/25/2008 8 a.m. - 10/13/2008 4:30 p.m.
Case Number: 2009-0081-A
Legal Owner(s): Leslie K. and Eugene L. Perkins ***Closing Date: October 13 at 4:30 p.m.***
Description: Administrative Variance to permit a proposed breezeway to an existing detached garage and create an addition with a side yard setback of 2 feet and a rear yard setback of 20 feet in lieu of the required 10 and 30, respectively.
Information: Zoning Review 410-887-3391
Administrative Variances - 8101 Bletzer Road
Location: Southeast of Bletzer Road, 15 feet +/- Northwest of centerline of Raymond Avenue.
Date/Time: 09/25/2008 8 a.m. - 10/20/2008 4:30 p.m.
Case Number: 2009-0087-A
Legal Owner(s): William R. and Debbie H. Eichner 15th Election District ***Closing Date: October 20 at 4:30 p.m.***
Description: Administrative Variance to permit a roof addition over an existing 1 story detached garage with a height of 26 feet in lieu of the maximum allowed 15 feet height.
Information: Zoning Review 410-887-3391
Administrative Variances - 9133 Cuckold Point Road
Location: Southeast of Cuckold Point Road, at the distance of 87 feet northeast. 15th Election District
Date/Time: 10/03/2008 8 a.m. - 10/27/2008 4:30 p.m.
Case Number: 2009-0090-A
Legal Owner(s): Jeremy and Carnetta Makowski ***Closing Date: October 27 at 4:30 p.m.***
Description: Administrative Variance to permit a dwelling with a side yard setback of 5 feet in lieu of the required 10 feet and a front yard setback of 20 feet in lieu of the required 25 feet, and any other relief deemed necessary by the Zoning Commissioner.
Information: Zoning Review 410-887-3391
Development Meetings include Community Input, Concept Plan, County Review Group, Development Plan Conference, Development Review and Hearing Officer Hearings. These hearings are up to date as of the published date of this newsletter and are subject to change. Hearings with multiple dates may conclude before the last posted date.
Development Review Committee - Essex Avenue
Location: 810 Essex Avenue DRC 101408H
Meeting location: County Office Building, 111 West Chesapeake Avenue, Room 123, Towson, MD 21204
Date/Time: 10/14/2008 1:30 p.m. - 10/14/2008 2:30 p.m.
Proposal: The request is to construct a 12,000 square foot building.
Information: Walt Smith 410-887-3321
Development Review Committee - Cricket BWI 407-A
Location: 4009 North Point Road DRC 102008N
Meeting location: County Office Building, 111 West Chesapeake Avenue, Room 123, Towson, MD 21204
Date/Time: 10/20/2008 1:30 p.m. - 10/20/2008 2:30 p.m.
Proposal: The request is to upgrade existing antennas and ground equipment.
Information: Walt Smith 410-887-3335
Development Review Committee - Cricket BWI 440-B
Location: 1000 Franklin Avenue DRC 102008O
Meeting location: County Office Building, 111 West Chesapeake Avenue, Room 123, Towson, MD 21204
Date/Time: 10/20/2008 1:30 p.m. - 10/20/2008 2:30 p.m.
Proposal: The request is to upgrade existing antennas and ground equipment.
Information: Walt Smith 410-887-3335
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Zoning Hearings
Zoning Hearings include Special Exceptions, Variances, and other issues before the Zoning Commissioner. These hearings are up to date as of the published date of this newsletter and subject to change.
Zoning Hearings - 4130 Beachwood Road
Location: Northeast side of Beachwood Road, 375 feet Northwest of Lynhurst Road. 15th Election District
Case Number: 2009-0070-SPHA
Legal Owner(s): Judith Ann and Joseph A. Burlock
Meeting location: Jefferson Building, Hearing Room 1, 105 West Chesapeake Avenue, Towson, MD 21204
Date/Time: 10/29/2008 9 a.m. - 10/29/2008 10 a.m.
Description: Special Hearing to determine the location of the front yard of EX SFD adjacent to back river. Variance to allow an accessory structure in front side yard of EX SFD in lieu of the required rear yard.
Information: Kristen Matthews 410-887-3391
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