Glenn Dale Citizens Association

Meeting Minutes – April_19_2005

Prepared By Jim Titus, Secretary

Resolution 2005-6. We will write a letter to the Chair of the County Council and MNCPPC objecting to the process regarding East Glenn Dale.

Resolution 2005-7. GDCA shall send two letters along the lines of what Mary Vondrak and John Shields just articulated. [Need for more local dedication/any in lieu of fees must be used in this neighborhood; enforceability of easements].

The meeting started at 7:40. Attended by all officers, plus Emma Dudley, Greg Dell, Keith Paige, Jim Wolfe, Therman Sith, Vicki Rothchild, James Janifer, Dan Sichel, Barbara Shipp, Pauli Tamanini, Thome Howe, Angela and Gerald Blackwell, Dana and Brian Roks, Hardi L Jones, Peter Teuben, Brooklyn Garner (media), David Wilson, Lillian Becker, Thomas Howe, Gerry Anderson, Keith Paige, Truman Smith

The President said that he forgot to bring the agenda. The Secretary said that he meant to bring one copy of the minutes, and reminded everyone to read it online and bring a copy to the meeting if they want a copy. The Vice President brought a copy and asked the Secretary to read the minutes and summarize the last meeting, and he did so—but it was a rather boring presentation. The minutes were approved without objection.

The President noted that we had greater attendance than usual, probably because the paper said that there would be a presentation on Glenn Dale Hospital. But the would-be developers were not ready, so their presentation will be at the next meeting. (They also came to the last meeting). Meanwhile, he said, we will have a presentation at 8:15 from the management of the Eastgate Shopping Center.

Announcements:

Question: Electric Avenue. Dumped. What can people do about the trash there?

President: He will ask Lincoln-Vista about it.

Status of Web Site. Lil had not yet arrived when that question came up. President suggested that he talk to Lil or send Jim Titus an email.

Free mulch giveaway at Western Branch Composting Center. April 23-24. 8-2PM.

6601 Southeast S. E. Crain Highway 301-883-5045.

Emerging Trends—Publication on Trends of PG County. Mary V. has details.

Seminar on Codes, License and Permits—Living Communities. Thursday May 12 at PG Ballroom. 301-952-3065 Terri Wheelock.

New County Ordinance: Off-road motor vehicles must now be registered. People under 16 should be supervised by a parent. Can not be driven on a sidewalk. Allowed in parks?   People see them driving through the ballfields accross the street from the school all the time.

Trail Update Jim Titus gave everyone the update on the ICC Trail. In response to GDCA, Senator Green introduced an amendment to require the ICC to have a trail along 7.7 of the 16.5 miles. He tried for a trail along the entire ICC, but SHA told him there was no way he would get it. Neil Pedersen of SHA provided him with the draft language, which passed the Senate. Nevertheless, once it passed the Senate, MDOT opposed it in the House. MDOT gave the House a weakened bill, which encourages a trail along 7.7 miles, but does not require the bike trail. That version passed the House and Senator Green was told that it would be futile to try to strengthen it. Although we would have liked to see more, we credit Senator Green for elevating the issue, and for achieving informal assurances from MDOT that the 7.7 miles will be built. Senator Green does not favor the ICC itself, but wants to ensure that the neighborhoods get some good if the project takes place.

In response to our follow-up, Delegate Conroy sent an email affirming that she supports a bike trail if the ICC is built. Delegate Hubbard, by contrast, has not responded to either GDCA’s letter or the Titus follow-up; so we have no idea where he stands on the trail. District 23A extends to Muirkirk and the CSX tracks, i.e., a few hundred feet from the Eastern end of the planned ICC.

We have made less of an effort to contact the representatives from District 22, which includes Greenbelt and Northeastern Glenn Dale. Delegate Tawana Gaines, however, is on the key committee for the ICC (appropriations) and heard testimony from Jim Titus and Fred Gasper (of Greenbelt). The PG rep for East Coast Greenway (Barry Wells) also contacted her. Her staff indicated that she is concerned about the safety of the bike trail—Mr. Wells was unable to determine what that means. Bike trails along Interstate highways are far safer than the routes that currently exist, because they are separated from traffic. Wells speculated that Gaines might think that bike trails are magnets for crime, a common perception, albeit not supported by any evidence.

Jim Titus also reported that PG Park Staff told him at a PG Trail meeting that MNCPPC management has told her to put money in the budget for paving Mockingbird Lane. This is a direct result of GDCA efforts over the last two years lobbying both MNCPPC and DTPW.

East Glenn Dale Sector Plan:  Second Meeting on Sector Plan.

Mary Vondrak: During the first two workshops, staff told us what the important things are to consider. We were divided into groups of about 10. (See last month’s minutes for some details on the first workshop.) The groups were asked to discuss their vision for the next twenty years. Then people gave ideas as to how to make it happen. Most people were happy with zoning. Residential, single-family.

Not much was said about commercial property in the area. People thought that the traffic situation is horrendous. A common refrain: curtail development to deal with traffic—especially along Prospect Hill Road.

At the most recent meeting, we heard summaries about the two "workshops". During the final workshop, there was discussion of Northern Avenue, the need for road improvements. Bad drainage along Northern Avenue. No sidewalks. But across from the residential area the land is zoned commercial, including a tree buffer between commercial and residential. If sidewalks are put in, then we lose the tree buffer. Park and planning will come up with a proposal. We have no idea what they will do.

What they will not do: At the final meeting at Duval, MNCPPC said: No MARC or pedestrian overpass.

Next meeting is roughly August in this process

Mary told MNCPPC that there was no sentiment to do anything by eminent domain to the golf course. Park and planning staff said they have no intention of tinkering with the golf course.

John Shields: He has been through one sectional map amendment. He does not think that this process works. Previous sectional map amendments: There were 10 or so meetings over 18-odd months. There were citizen advisory committees to ensure stakeholder input that is truly representative. This process is essentially a sham. MNCPPC-PG presentation takes up half the meeting, and then they have 45-minute informal sessions to ostensibly come up with plans that we will live with for decades. Half of the ostensible input is either elicited by leading questions from staff, or simply written on the easel summaries by staff without any of the citizens saying it.

Most importantly, the sectional process was originally designed for special projects such as metro stations, etc. We need to tell MNCPPC that they should not do it this way.

Question: What is the process?

John: There is an ordinance that provides the minimum standards

Question: Why just this area?

John: Peters says--Bowie is in their SMA right now, and this area next to Bowie needs to be considered. But realistically, that is not going to happen. This process is really more similar to a zoning text amendment. John suggests that we write the county to say that this is not how it ought to be done.

We then discussed advantages. Titus was the most skeptical about whether a letter will accomplish anything. We need to see where Tom Hendershot is on this; at least he has some power on the Council, and might weigh in. Especially if we really want the process to include Glenn Dale. Titus said that he can’t tell whether we really want this planning process to include all of Glenn Dale, or if we are just saying that this is a problem with the process when we—in fact—don’t want them to do that anyway. But if we really want all of Glenn Dale to be considered, we need to talk to Hendershot quietly, not raise a noisy ill-targeted fuss.

The Vice President said that this is not in Hendershot’s District so he had no say. Titus asked what the letter would say, or at least what the motion says, before we vote on it. The consensus was that it was too confusing to decide the text of the motion before voting on it, so we kept the motion vague and the President said he would revise the motion later, after we voted on it. These were his words as he called the vote.

Resolution 2005-6. We will write a letter to the Chair of the County Council and MNCPPC objecting to the process regarding East Glenn Dale.

The motion passed without opposition.

Soil Conservation Road. Mary reported: The budget for rebuilding Soil Conservation Road underestimated the cost. It is unclear what they will do. Worst-Case Scenario: NASA closes the road without building the replacement. Very unlikely.

Glenn Dale Hospital. St. Paul’s has supported the concept from St. Paul’s. They will come next time at 7PM before the meeting. We want a more definitive idea. We have various issues. Henry will try to get article in Gazette. See last month’s minutes for what they said then.

Lil. Reminds everyone of community cleanup.

New Business.

Mary: Learned about MNCPPC rule about new development being required to dedicate 5% of land for park and planning. MNCPPC can take the land or a fee in-lieu of dedication. For Toll/Golf Course, it would be upgrade at Daisy Lane. (Toll Brothers has walked away from that deal.) Instead, we got 600 linear feet of asphalt and basketball court. We need to think about this and get the land.

Example: Glenn Dale Forest: Could have been asked to give 2.5 acres of land. MNCPPC did not want it because it was not enough for a park, and told developer that they do not have to give it. As it turned out, a buffer along railroad tracks was left. Mary: Wants to write a letter asking for land dedication instead of these fees in lieu. We prefer to take hold of acreage—land could just stay as free space. Should be in addition to tree conservation. Problem with in lieu fees is that it goes to general fund.

Mary offered a motion to write a letter stating that we do not want a situation of in-lieu fees in which Glenn Dale gets developed and funds are used to purchase land in the south county. Either the undeveloped land should be reserved here, or in lieu fees used to upgrade facilities here (e.g. upgrade parks, trails).

John Discussed Reid Temple Easement issue. Prospect Hill Road. Glenn Dale Forest is supposed to put a second left turn lane and a merge lane for Prospect Hill east of MD-193. No one will come to tell us what we have to do to ensure that the deals we think we have, are actually enforced. Reid Temple does not have permanent se and occupancy permit. Elm Street does not have a permit for any housing. Make them do the improvements before they get it. John: no grading permits until the easements are obtained to take care of the traffic improvements that are needed. But now, it seems to be voluntary unless the property owner has

Again, the President stated that since no one had brought a motion with him or her, he would write the motion later if we pass it. Before calling the vote, he summed up what we were voting on as follows:

Resolution 2005-7. GDCA shall send two letters along the lines of what Mary Vondrak and John Shields just articulated. [Need for more local dedication/any in lieu of fees must be used in this neighborhood; enforceability of easements].

The motion passed unanimously. John or Mary will write the letters and they will take care of it.

Treasurer Report.

1641.67

Paid $59.80 to E Sloan for domain.

We Adjourned at 9:05 for Eastgate Shopping Center’s Presentation

John Waghorne
Eastgate Shopping Center.

A lot of work lately at shopping center. They are above projections in sales. But they are finding some problems with small shops in the separate pad near the bank. . They have the steel for those buildings—frustrated to some degree in getting building permits for those buildings. This was a separate part of the site plan. While doing that work, the architect designed the next phase.  (After the meeting, John sent a map of the current plan for Eastgate Shopping Center).

IHOP backed out—but that’s not so bad, he said. Damons (the big-screen TV place) has signed up, as well as Panera Bread. They have "revolving door" on local shop tenants. Have not done much with those who are there, other than keep them on month-to-month leases. In the smaller shops, they are month-to-month. KLNB retailer broker is canvassing local tenants. They have one permit—for Damons. By the end of summer, those buildings will be well underway. McD’s is re-doing its building, and will match Chevy-Chase Bank. Pizza Hut has done nothing with the building so they will be encouraged to move into the new buildings. Eastgate Liquors has very long-term lease if they exercise, and center upgrades make staying there more valuable. If the rest of the center is upgraded, they will probably go a bit more upscale, or at least do something about the banners.

Jack is here to talk about the land behind Chanan’s Buffet, Karate studio, etc. Big open area. They never though of it as retail space, because it would be out of the way compared to the rest of the center.. They had storage units in the plan. They are not crazy about that option. Given the demographics, and NASA nearby: NASA indicated a need for hotel space. The plan now is for a "Staybridge Suites", directed at professional business travelers. They would take the piece of property. That would finish Eastgate. They would landscape the area. Rooms would rent for $129-159. That is basically set to max out on the federal per diem rate. Main Target is NASA. There will be no playground or swimming pool, just amenities for business people. As far as shopping center, this use is called for in master plan. These facilities provide breakfast—and they will have kitchens.

Q: We need some better restaurants. Why can’t we get something besides chains?

A.  I would love to. We would like to do that. We have one open spot for a restaurant, and since the center already has one of everything, we are unlikely to get another chain.

Others: Many people commented about the restaurants in this area.

A. The hotel will improve the market for restaurants. The guests will all have to go out to eat.

Q: Do these units have kitchens? People won’t all go to restaurants.

A. Yes, each unit has a kitchen. the Giant is very convenient.

Q: Back to the restaurants. This area needs more than one Indian Restaurant, especially with the temple on Cipriano. I know a good vegetarian Indian Restaurant in Takoma Park. They are good. I would go there. Will you please call them and ask them to open up a second restaurant in Glenn Dale? I’ll give you the phone number of the owner.

A. If you do that I will call.

Q: If the hotel fails, does it get converted to condos.

A. You guys are really good. But I don’t really know. I don’t think that the building is particularly desirable for condos.

Q: Does that mean it would convert to rental apartments instead?

A. He had not thought about it.

Q: The proposed price is too high. People will not pay that much. Similar facilities within 20 miles are only $75.

A. That is the market rate for this area. These are suites, not just rooms.

Q: What do you want us to do.

A. We would like you to give your support to this effort.

President: We shall take that issue up at our next meeting.

Q. The hotel would generate a lot more foot traffic across Lanham Severn to the one really good restaurant…

A. I know the one you mean.

Q…so the crossing is not really that safe there. Cars making turns, driving fast..

A. SHA said that if we could justify it we could get a light there.

Q: Please don’t.

VP: Another light there would be strongly opposed.

Q: I could live with a pedestrian-only light.

A. What is that.

Q. A light where the pedestrian pushes the button to cross, but otherwise it says green or flashes yellow. Could you look into that? The strip shopping center may need some steps or something as well. Maybe a sidewalk.

Q. What is the story with the Gas Station?

A. Originally it was going to be a Giant Station. The local station owners persuaded the Council not to permit such a station, which would undercut them

Q. That is, the Council did not want Glenn Dale residents to be able to buy cheaper gasoline. Once an independent moves in, the oil companies lower the price they charge to all the stations so all the prices come down. So it sounds like you are saying the Council sided with the oil companies—helped maintain a sort of monopoly price on gasoline.

A. I didn’t say that. The council simply opposed allowing Giant to open a station because it would undercut the other stations.

Q. So what happens now?

A. You are largely getting what you hoped for, because one of the members of the association that lobbied the council is independent, and so you will get less expensive gasoline….

Q. … not as inexpensive as Giant.

A.  But less expensive than Citgo and others.  But the owner is in Iraq.

President. Thank you very much.