Regular Monthly Meeting - January 2007

Members Present:

Lina Vlavianos, Chair
Sally Hornor, Vice Chair
Carrie Capuco 
Dave Hanson
Scott Hymes
Charlotte Lubbert
Pete Robinson 
Jeff Schomig
Michael Shultz 

Guests and Staff:

Albert Johnston, Greater Severna Park Council
Brenda Reiber, AACo. County Executive’s Office
Joshua Stewart, The Capital
Linas Tarasonis, Exchange Student
Brenda Weeks, AACo. Environmental & Cultural Resources

Absent:

Virginia P. Clagett, MD House Delegates (Ex-officio)
Ron Dillon, County Council (Ex-officio)           

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Vlavianos called the regular monthly meeting of the Severn River Commission to order at 4:07 p.m. A quorum was declared present.

The Minutes for the December 7, 2006, regular monthly SRC meeting was presented for approval.  Capuco noted that on Page 2 under “Old Business, Jazez, Holladay Park” the onsite meeting date was “December 5, 2006” instead of “January 5, 2006.”

MOTION:  A MOTION, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE DECEMBER 7, 2007, REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING OF THE SEVERN RIVER COMMISSION AS CORRECTED ABOVE, WAS MADE AND SECONDED.  THE MOTION WAS PASSED BY A UNANAMOUS VOTE AND THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED.

1. The State Highway Administration will be discussing the Route 3 widening at SRC’s February 1, 2007 meeting.
2. Commission members were introduced to Mr. Linas Tarasonis, an exchange student from Lithuania visiting in the area. He is in his second year pursuing a master’s degree in Toronto, Canada.
3. Ms. Brenda Reiber, from Community and Constituent Services, Office of the County Executive, was introduced to SRC members. She explained that she is a specialist assigned to one of four sections of the County to focus on individual constituent and community groups issues. Her area includes Severn Run and the Jabez. She is present today to learn more about the Commission’s activities.
4. Vlavianos read a press release announcing the elimination of the AACo. Land Use and Environment Office and the reassignment of the staff to Departments of Public Works, Inspections and Permits, and the Office of Planning and Zoning. Presently, where SRC will be assigned is not known.
5. Vlavianos announced she will draft the SRC 2005-2006 Biennial Report and will distribute the draft to Commission members for input and comments.
6. A letter was sent to County Executive Leopold requesting reappointments for Robinson and Vlavianos and designation of a Chairman. Their three-year terms expire January 31, 2007.  Both are willing to serve another term. As yet, no response has been received.
7. A letter was sent to Alison Asti, Executive Director of the Maryland Stadium Authority, regarding the horse park proposed at the Naval Academy Dairy Farm. 
8. A letter was received from Jamie Benoit, AACo. Council member, regarding land activity that will be taking place on the upper Severn Run. This will be addressed later under new business.

OLD BUSINESS

Jabez

Environmental Overlay Zone – Vlavianos reported that the Steering Committee for the Jabez Branch Overlay Zone is regrouping. There is nothing new to report.

Naval Academy Dairy Farm – A letter of response dated December 19, 2006, was sent to Alison Asti of the Maryland Stadium Authority regarding the proposed horse park at the Naval Academy Dairy Farm and its impact on Jabez Branch.  Hornor had redrafted the letter to include additional revisions/comments suggested at the December SRC meeting. 

A copy of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was requested for review once it is completed.  Following an opportunity to review and discuss the EIS, SRC would like to invite Ms. Asti’s team to make a presentation at one of the Commission’s monthly meetings. At this time, no response to SRC’s letter has been received.

KCC Properties – Hymes reported that he has been in contact with the property owner, James King, and presently there is no activity on the proposed project. He noted that nothing has been filed with the AACo. Office of Planning and Zoning. The property is in the Jabez watershed just north of Kaufmann Park. Hymes will keep the SRC informed.

Annapolis

Capuco reported that the City is planning an open house-type public meeting in February 7, 2007, at Bates Middle School where City offices will be presenting information about the long-range planning process. A public hearing has also been scheduled for input from the public on what to include in their long-range Comprehensive Plan.

The Environmental Commission has requested grant funding to install changeable environmental education/awareness signs throughout the City. 

Capuco suggested that in order to encompass a broader geographic area, in the future “Lower Severn” will be used instead of “Annapolis.”

Hanson will report on the Medical Center expansion at the February meeting.

Vlavianos noted that SRC’s letter of June 16, 2004, submitted to the State Highway Administration (SHA) containing comments regarding the proposed improvements for MD Route 3, and SHA’s response letter of July 8, 2004, will be distributed to SRC members with the January minutes in preparation for discussion with SHA at the February Commission meeting (previously announced).  Former SRC member Grover Bussey, who worked on the Route 3 task force, will be invited to this meeting.

Lubbert confirmed that the SRC website had 1,783 hits in September, 2,020 in October, 2,534 in November and 1,111 in December. She asked County Information Services to add links on the website to NOAA maps of the Severn and to riverkeepers. She will also investigate and clarify the inconsistencies SRC members noticed on the website.

NEW BUSINESS

MD Tracking #06--NT-0439

Vlavianos explained that she received copies of a letter regarding a request for disturbance of non-tidal wetlands, the 25 ft. wetland buffer, and the 100-yr. floodplain submitted to MDE to build 40 homes (Arundel Forest subdivision). The area is 26.89 acres on a tributary to Severn Run.  During a discussion about policy and specific issues, Commission members noted that they have never agreed to disturb buffers. Hymes will draft a letter to the Water Management Administration (WMA) objecting to ANY disturbance and send via email for input/comments from SRC members. A copy of the letter regarding the proposed Toll Brothers project will be distributed to members with the minutes.

MOTION:  A MOTION, THAT HYMES WILL DRAFT A LETTER TO MDE/WMA FOR SRC OBJECTING TO ANY DISTURBANCE FOR THE TOLL BROTHERS PROJECT, WAS MADE AND SECONDED.  THE MOTION WAS APPROVED BY UNANAMOUS VOTE.

Following a lengthy discussion about issues the Commission should be addressing, a subcommittee consisting of Hanson, Schomig, Shultz, and Hymes was formed to formulate strategy as how SRC could become more involved on a watershed basis on issues such as Critical Areas, violations, shoreline restoration, water quality, among others. The subcommittee will report in February.

Mr. Al Johnston representing the Greater Severna Park Council pointed out that the Council has a strong record against buffer modifications in its jurisdiction (north shore of the Severn River from Route 50 bridge to Route 3 bridge). He noted that as part of the new County Executive’s transition team, he is working with the General Development Plan and that concerns about activities along the Severn River will be part of the team’s report which is due to the County Executive by January 31, 2007.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 p.m. The next regular monthly SRC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 1, 2007, 4:00 p.m., in the Chesapeake Room, 2664 Riva Road.