RCHCA Meeting Minutes from January 31, 2004
Marty Durbin, President, called the meeting to order.
Announcements:
Ø New neighbors were introduced and welcomed.
Ø Holiday Decoration Awards were announced.
Old Business:
The Board will meet to discuss setting aside $10,000 for the ‘rainy day’ fund, as approved at the October meeting. We will establish a committee to suggest other ways to invest some of the funds.
Motion: Accept the Treasurer’s report.
Vote: Approved.
Motion: Approve minutes of the October 8, 2003 meeting.
Vote: Approved.
3. Elections to the Rock Creek Hills Citizens Association board. The nominees for the 2004 Board are:
· David Hall – President
· Joe Rosenberg – Vice‑President
· Deanna Marcum – Treasurer
· Mike Baker – Secretary
The floor was opened for any additional nominations. No additional nominations were received.
Vote to approve the slate of candidates: Approved.
David was unable to attend the meeting, and Marty continued to preside.
4. Rock Creek Covenants, Inc. is a separate organization responsible for enforcing the applicable covenants in Rock Creek Hills.
Motion: Name the current Board of RCHCA as the Board of Rock Creek Hills Covenants, Inc.
Vote: Approved.
5. Guest Speaker – Judy Hanks‑Henn and Dianne Cameron of Kensington First discuss their opposition to the current plans for the new Safeway store. (Representatives from Safeway spoke at the October 2002 meeting and presented the plans, as they existed at the time.) Their major concerns are:
· Traffic – The traffic engineer for the Park and Planning commission said that Safeway traffic will be double the current traffic. Having the parking split into two locations may generate additional traffic as the cars that will not fit in one location travel to the other location.
· Design – The “wall” will be 43 feet tall for half of the block on Armory Avenue, and 30 feet tall for the other half. The design does not blend in with the historic district. Kensington first has proposed a design with a pedestrian front on Armory Avenue.
Safeway is not negotiating with groups such as Kensington First. The Maryland National Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) is scheduled to decide on the proposed plan by the end of February. MNCPPC could disapprove the plan if they find traffic problems, or that the building would be inconsistent with the Master Plan. The historic district covers eastern side of Armory Avenue, but not the western side.
Those wishing more information on Kensington First may visit their web site at www.KensingtonFirst.com.
6. Train noise update by Joe Rosenberg
The regulations for quiet zones were finally released in late December 2003. County Councilman Steve Silverman has previously expressed an interest in assisting our community's effort to establish a quiet zone at the Forest Glenn crossing. To this end, RCHCA has forwarded to him all relevant information and asked him to contact the FRA, the State Highway Administration and the County Department of Public Works and Transportation to set up an initial meeting. The meeting's purpose is to begin an assessment of the feasibility and appropriateness of establishing this quiet zone.
7. A call for volunteers – RCHCA has many open positions and is looking for volunteers. Anyone interested in participating should contact a Board Member to volunteer.
New Business:
1. Noise Barrier - With the construction of a sound barrier on the south side of the beltway, a number of residents have complained about an increase in beltway noise. The State Highway Administration, in a November 2001 letter, indicated that ten homes in our community were “receiving highway traffic noise levels of 66 decibels or more”, but that the cost of constructing a sound barrier exceeded the cost per affected residence.
In addition to the noise issue, there is a concern about the possibility of deer jumping onto the beltway from the woods in and around the community.
Motion: RCHCA will write a letter to the State Highway Administration and elected officials requesting that the sound level monitored and requesting a sound barrier for both sound reduction and safety.
Vote: Approved
2. Covenants – Bonnie Bird is unable to continue as Chair of the Covenants Committee.
3. There are no traffic signs at the intersection of Haverhill Drive and Littledale Road. With a park and retirement community nearby, this is a hazardous intersection.
Motion: RCHCA will write a letter to the Department of Public Works and Transportation asking that traffic control signs be installed at this location.
Vote: Approved
4. Call for members of a Community Improvement Committee to investigate community improvement projects to be funded via RCHCA. The following volunteered to participate in the committee.
Alison Beyer
Douglas Boenning
Kristin Feliciano
Marilyn Emery
Jane Godfrey
Motion to Adjourn:
Motion: Motion to adjourn
Vote: Approved.