POPLAR HILL ASSOCIATION

Poplar Hill Association Annual Meeting Minutes

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Monday, October 4, 2021 7:30 p.m. | Video Conference Call

 

Due to concerns about the corona virus, the PHA Board met via video conference call.

 

Member Attendees: Maryann Mears, B Hall, Jean McGarry, Granville Greene, Christopher Kurz, Richard Barth, Nancy Dickenson, Frances Keenan, Nancy Werthheimer, Luanne Greene, Harry Hutson, Stephanie Wilson, Seabrook, Jo Schneider, Ted Smith, Christian Hansen, Chris Harvey, Anthony So, Doug Paladino, Susie Bradley Boutillier, Jeff Scherr

 

Board Members: Jay Newman (President), Sue Joslow (Vice-President), Louise Ramm (Treasurer), Ellen Stokes (Secretary), Harry Quigley, Randy Knepper, Andrew Frake, Deborah Young-Hyman, Noah Kodeck, David Nes

 

Outside speakers: Councilman Yitzy Schleifer, Chief of Staff Shelley Zimmerman, Senator Jill Carter, Del. Sandy Rosenberg

 

Welcome

Jay welcomed everyone and thanked everyone for attending. Jay welcomed the new neighbors:

 

Brett and Erin Hollander, Michael Belsky, Guy and Eileen D’Andrea, Doug Paladino and Emma Hubbard, Mica Fidler and Victor Sowers, Granville Greene, Mark and Robyn Brody, Brooke & Keith Story

 

Election of Board Members:

Jay introduced Randy Knepper who presented the slate of Board Members:

 

NEW: 2-year Terms (Vote)

Jay Newman, Neil McAsian, Louise Ramm, Andy Frake, Noah Kodeck & Randy Knepper (1 yr. Term)
 

EXISTING: Mid-Terms

Sue Joslow, David Nes, Ellen Stokes, Harry Quigley, Idalis Bicknell,
Deborah Young-Hyman 
 

OFFICERS
President – Jay Newman, Vice President – Susan Joslow, Secretary- Ellen Stokes, Treasurer -Louise Ramm, Parliamentarian- Randy Knepper

 

All Board Members up for election were voted in unanimously by voice vote. There were no objections.

 

Treasurer’s Report (Louise Ramm)

The Poplar Hill Association (PHA) has a total of $14,747 in our 2 accounts. We have 105 members, with the total number of properties at 125. Louise and Jay requested that if you know someone who is not a member to encourage them to join so they can participate in PHA activities and obtain pertinent information about our neighborhood.

 

New directories will be sent to all members.

 

Councilman Yitzy Schleifer

Accomplishments this year:

A volunteer-run COVID vaccine site in our district. Monoclonal infusions are also available via his office.

Legislative work:

      - Working on a charter amendment to set up a reward fund to supplement rewards for people who provide information resulting in the arrest and conviction of criminals.

      - Working to improve the police and fire dept. pension fund. Because more employees are leaving than joining, trying to get people to stay past retirement age by putting their funds into a fund with competitive returns.

The 5th district is the 3rd highest tax revenue district in the City, just behind the two downtown commercial districts. Yet, we are not even in the top 10 of city resources.  Councilman Schleifer stated that he works hard to make sure that the 5th district gets resources and that resources (such as police and fire staffing) are not pulled from the 5th district. He pointed out despite our relative wealth, we have residents who need assistance. He is pushing for recreation – we are the only council district without a rec center though there are 40 (3/council district). Shred days, free mulch etc. are not held in our district. Many who live in the poorer areas in district suffer from their proximity to wealthy neighborhoods. He emphasized we are not requesting more resources just equal resources.

 

Jay thanked Councilman Schleifer and his Chief of Staff, Shelley Zimmerman for their continued support of the PHA.

 

Poplar Hill Parks (Harry Quigley)

Harry Quigley thanked everyone in the neighborhood for their support of the park. The recently installed new fence cost almost $11,000, which was paid for from donations within our community. Dr. Quigley mentioned that a number of moms have let him know that the park was a great resource in the pandemic – a safe place to bring their children to play. The next improvement will be to cut down trees that must be cut down and reuse them to create play structures for children at the top of the park.

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Trees (Jay Newman)

Jay noted that we have had maintenance issues with dead trees falling in our roads. The City arborist has visited the neighborhood; their position is that they do not remove trees from private property any more. If a tree falls in the road, the City will clear the road but the property owner is responsible for removing the tree.

 

Anyone who has dead trees or limbs, or whose trees are showing signs of severe distress, is encouraged to call a tree company for an assessment of the tree and a recommendation. We want to avoid trees falling and causing injury to people or property.

 

Development (Jay Newman)

Jay reviewed the history of the proposed developments on the hill at the intersection of Northern Parkway and Falls Road, as well as the disputes.  This development is located in the North Roland Park community. The initial project involved a planned development of a 6-story apartment building with 300 units, which was opposed by the community. An Assisted Living developer, Claiborne, has now reached an agreement with the previous developer for an option to buy the property and build a 3-story assisted living facility with 125 units. Claiborne estimates that spaces for 50 cars will be needed, significantly less than the number required for the apartment building. Claiborne has agreed to keep 6 acres in their current wooded state, remaining undeveloped. Consensus is this is better than the original plan. If Claiborne is blocked for some reason, the property would revert to the developer who would have to re-approach the city.

 

The Baltimore City Zoning Board agreed to give a variance to Claiborne – with support from North Roland Park and other communities, including PHA - so that its project could be built. An individual has filed an action against the zoning variance, which should get resolved in 6-8 months. If the individual is successful, the property will likely revert to the former developer, who will likely go back to the City Council to get approval to build their apartment building. If the individual is unsuccessful in reversing the variance, Claiborne is prepared to break ground in the spring of 2022.

 

Falls Road/ Northern Parkway intersection (Sue Joslow)

Sue Joslow reported that DOT has completed its process and has forwarded its study to another department who is responsible for obtaining funding for the project. The PHA provided timely comments but did not see any response from DOT. We have now requested that the new department provide its recommendation for Phase I of the project and its approach for funding. We have not had a response. We will follow-up. Jay asked Councilman to champion the funding request and hold DOT accountable for taking our input.

 

Boys Latin (Jay Newman)

Jay reported on our meeting with the headmaster and others from Boys Latin to address our community’s interest in continuing to walk and gather on the property. BL has been developing the property since they purchased St. Joseph Manor property last fall. Dorms are open, with 7 students now and an expected total of 40. Three families live on the premises, including some with young children.

 

Boys Latin has agreed to allow some use by Poplar Hill community residents. Specifically, our residents can use

•     The grassy hill area up to the gate. This area can be used at any time to walk dogs, play, etc.

•     PHA residents may go past the chain at the top of the road and turn right on the road leading to Lake Avenue only during daylight hours, and not when school is in session (clarified post-annual meeting)

•     PHA residents may not go left at the top of the road and enter any of the private property, which is for Boys Latin use only

•     Dogs are to be leashed at all times

Because Boys Latin is private property, they have no obligation to allow Poplar Hill residents access. Boys Latin reserves the right to change their policies at any time and to ban any person for any reason.  If you have been/become banned, the Poplar Hill Association cannot assist. Instead, you will need to work the issue out directly with Boys Latin. 

 

We appreciate Boys Latin willingness to allow our residents to use their property.

 

Senator Carter

Last legislative session focused on funds for capital projects. The emphasis was getting funds for Covid relief.

Senator Carter sponsored bills

for police reform – Anton’s law. Public disclosure of Police misconduct

trauma informed care

study of crime guns – 50% of guns used in crimes originate from out of state

Maryland violence prevention program

See her website, follow her on social media to see her full list of bills and activities

Current activity is redistricting. Our district should remain the same.

Senator Carter encouraged the PHA to provide her and the other members of our state delegation with our requests for funding so that they can be incorporated into the process for 2022. The 2022 legislative session is between January – March.

 

Delegate Sandy Rosenberg

He and his delegation (Dalya Attar & Tony Bridges) are ready to strategize with Councilman Schleifer and the PHA to prioritize our needs for capital expenditures (such as the Falls Road/ Northern Parkway project) and help obtain funding.

He is looking into getting $250,000 if the Roland Park Community is able to buy the Baltimore Country Club property and use the funds to transform the tennis courts into a baseball field that can be used by Poly/Western and others

Crime – The Supreme Court is going to hear a case involving the right to carry guns and could likely limit the State’s ability to regulate concealed weapons

Poly/Western will be fully renovated, as will City College and Douglas. Hopefully, Edmonson also will be fully renovated.

Groundbreaking for the redevelopment of the Pimlico Racetrack is scheduled for 2023 Preakness Sunday

A member suggested that fixing the sewage issues related to the Jones Falls would be a good use of capital funds. Many agreed.

Jay mentioned that we need a vibrant downtown for our City to succeed

 

Public/ Private Roads (Jay Newman - all external participants were asked to leave)

Jay reviewed the current status:

Our lawyer and our expert have met with the City’s lawyers and the City’s right of way staff

The City’s position is that they can maintain private roads without making the roads public. Our lawyer and expert disagree as does the PHA

We are trying to get a meeting set up with Jim Shea, City Solicitor to discuss the issue and hopefully, resolve the issue quietly

There was discussion of additional approaches to take if we are not able to resolve the issue quickly and quietly.

Claim discrimination

Social media

Diminished taxes

Litigation

We will have another meeting to discuss options if we are unable to resolve this issue with the City

These roads have been used by the public for over 20 years and meet the requirements under State case law to be public roads. The issue is whether the City Code that provides that the head of DOT can determine which roads are public and which are to be maintained can hold precedence over the State law. 

We have no mechanism for maintaining our roads as private roads (i.e. we are not an HOA, we have no ability to collect funds for this purpose etc.)

Comments:

 

The roads need to be public

Litigation should be a last resort, because it is expensive

Impact on home sales

The PHA will include Terrace Glen with the other roads in our discussions. For financial reasons, we decided to wait to do an analysis of those roads because we may not need to do so.  We will also look into having the Contractor who is building the house on Terrace Glen pave the road, since the road has been deteriorating during the construction.

Road safety – Should we pursue signage now or later?  This would be a topic for the PHA Board

 

Meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.