Councilman Kamenetz's Biography

Residence

A native of Baltimore County, Kevin resides in Owings Mills with his wife Jill and their sons, Karson and Dylan. Kevin grew up in Lochearn and Caves Park, and previously resided in Colonial Village and Summit Chase.

Education

Educated at Baltimore County Public Schools
Graduate, Gilman School
B.A., Johns Hopkins University
J.D., University of Baltimore Law School

Employment

Over twenty years experience as Litigation Attorney, now practicing law in Towson
Former Assistant State's Attorney for Baltimore

Highlights

• Presently serving fourth term on the Baltimore County Council
• Currently serving fourth term as Chairman of the Baltimore County Council
• Recipient, Person of the Year Award by Pikesville Chamber of Commerce
• Recipient, Appreciation Awards from Liberty Road Business Association, Liberty Senior Center, AARP Chapter, Pikesville-Greenspring Community Coalition
• Recipient, Pikesville Rotary Club, Paul Harris Fellow Award
• Previously elected for three terms to Democratic State Central Committee, where served as Baltimore County Chairman in final term
• Past President, Safety First Club of Maryland
• Guest Lecturer, Community College of Baltimore County
• Guest Lecturer and Columnist, Baltimore County Bar Association

Legislative Accomplishments

Councilman Kamenetz authored the following legislation that made a difference in our County:

Fiscal Watchdog

• Provided fiscal oversight to ensure that County maintains its AAA Bond Rating,  lowering borrowing expense and saving taxpayer dollars
• Preserved tax rate:  no property tax or income increases during entire Council career
• Successfully advocated increased accountability for tax dollars spent in the Department of Education and the Community College of Baltimore County
• Code Enforcement Process
• Streamlined code enforcement to allow civil citations with administrative hearings providing speedy and fair enforcement, and crackdown on repeat offenders
  

Traffic Calming Project

• Enacted Resolution resulting in criteria-based process allowing neighborhoods to receive funding for specialized traffic calming measures
  

Neighbor-Space Project

• Enacted Resolution resulting in public-private partnership to acquire and maintain small community "pocket parks"
  

Historic Property Preservation

• Authored refinements to County's Landmark Preservation process ensuring that historic buildings are not demolished
• Co-sponsored tax credit legislation for restoration of historic properties
• Approved neighborhood-wide Historic Districts in Sudbrook Park and Fieldstone communities
  

Land Use Revisions

• Imposed common-sense zoning decisions that discourage sprawl and excess development, while encouraging community conservation
• Revamped RC3 and RC5 zones to decrease density and require enhanced design, returning Rural look to rural zones
• Increased ability of Hearing Officer to consider negative impacts of proposed housing developments
• Authored legislation to improve community notification of proposed zoning changes
• Expanded Design Review Panel process to residential and commercial development, enhancing design appearance, quality, and compatibility
• Revised Planned Unit Development (PUD) process to encourage better designs, flexibility and increased community input
  

Quality of Life Issues

• Restricted growth of Pawn Shops in County
• Limited residential areas where Kennels could be located
• Required minimum maintenance standards for exterior appearance of homes
• Revised commercial sign laws, limiting size and quantity
• Facilitated growth of Senior Housing
• Advocated reduction of troubled Section 8 apartment complexes in Randallstown, Essex and Dundalk
• Required licensing and regulation of roller skating mega-facilities

Commercial Revitalization

• Authored Pikesville Plan Update, resulting in increase of major and small businesses in downtown Pikesville
• Spearheaded Liberty Road Action Plan, resulting in refurbished shopping centers, landscaping and gateway signage
• Sponsored revitalization tax credits and low-interest renovation loans for businesses in commercial revitalization corridors
• Active advocate for small business merchants of Pikesville Chamber of Commerce, Reisterstown-Owings Mills-Glyndon Chamber of Commerce, Security-Woodlawn Business Association, Liberty Road Business Association, Towson Business Association
  

Public Safety

• Advocated construction of new police precincts in Pikesville, Franklin and Towson
• Advocated construction of new fire stations in Pikesville and Franklin
  

Advocate for Education

• Fully-funded budget requests for Department of Education
• Strong supporter of Community College of Baltimore County
• Advocated renovation of aging public school maintenance and infra-structure
• Advocated down-sizing of public school administrative staff, shifting funds to classroom teachers
  

Recognition Awards

• Rotary Foundation - Paul Harris Fellow - 5/21/2002
• Williamsburg Community Association - Special Thanks Award - 9/16/2002
• Milbrook Elementary School - Reading Proclamation - 4/24/2002
• Reisterstown Lions Club - Certification of Appreciation - 2/20/2002
• Liberty Road Business Association - Appreciation Award - 12/13/2001
• Rock International Family Church - Community Appreciation Service - 10/19/2001
• Fieldstone Community Association - Appreciation Award - 9/16/2001
• Pikesville Chamber of Commerce - Fedder Award of Excellence - 10/28/2000
• First Step - Outstanding Councilman Honoree - 3/25/1999
• Pikesville Chamber of Commerce - Person of the Year - 11/4/1995

Revised January 3, 2008