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Next general meeting Tuesday September 9.
7 PM at Prettyboy Elementary cafeteria. This meeting will be an open discussion centered around the real estate situation and some associated issues that we hope to prevent by maintaining vigilance on the part of the community. These include: Vacant lots & houses
Unfinished developments
If you have observed any of these issues or activities, please bring evidence - photos, testimonial information, etc. and together we can bring this to the attention of county officials, law enforcement or the Dept of Environmental Protection and Resource Management (DEPRM) to prevent future problems. We will also discuss the 2008 rezoning process (which will be nearly complete at that point.)
Old news: Gypsy Moth Suppression Program Areas of the North County are scheduled for aerial spraying to mitigate the Gypsy Moth infestations that are predicted to be worse in 2008 than in previous years. A map of these spray areas can be seen here: http://www.mda.state.md.us/plants-pests/forest_pest_mgmt/gypsy_moth/baco.html Affected property owners should have received notices already. Note that the maps show areas that will be sprayed with Dimilin in blue, areas to be sprayed with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) are in green. The majority of the spray areas are to be sprayed with Bt, which is an organic insecticide - a concentrated version of a naturally-occurring soil bacterium that produces poisons which cause disease in insects. Dimilin is used to control gypsy moth populations in forest and recreational areas, and other insects in cotton, soybeans, mushrooms, and pastures. It is a manufactured chemical and does not occur naturally in the environment. Dimilin is controversial due to studies that show it may affect bird populations. Here are a few links you may want to visit if you were notified about spraying with Dimilin and want more information: Nontarget Impact of Gypsy Moth Insecticides http://www.wvu.edu/~Agexten/ipm/insects/nigmi.htm Virginia Dept of Health Toxicology report on Dimilin http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/Epidemiology/dee/PublicHealthToxicology/documents/pdf/dimilin.pdf If you are in an affected area, have received a notice, and wish to opt out of the program, you have the right to request this. Details are here: http://www.mda.state.md.us/plants-pests/forest_pest_mgmt/gypsy_moth/gm_policy.php#object
IMPORTANT PROPERTY TAX INFORMATION Assessments went out just before the new year. If you have not received your Assessment Notice from the MD Dept of Assessments and Taxation, call them immediately at 410-767-2165. The deadline to file an appeal is February 11! There
are at least three things you should do before Baltimore County uses this
information to compile your tax bill in July: 1. Everyone must reapply to receive the Homestead Tax Credit! Legislation passed in 2007 requires all homeowners to submit a one-time application in order to continue their eligibility for the homestead tax credit. This insures that your assessment increase is limited to 10% annually for as long as it takes to reach the new assessed value. If your
county property is your principal residence, you should immediately submit the
application for the Homestead Tax Credit that came with your assessment. You
can also do it online though the state tax website at www.dat.state.md.us
2. You
should request a copy of the worksheets that were used for your assessment.
This way you can verify the information and if there are any errors, you have
recourse for an appeal. Either call 410-767-2165 or follow the same link on
the tax website for filing an appeal
and choose the option to receive the worksheet. Other important information can be found here: State Dept of Assessments and Taxation Balto County Property Tax Brochure Support for legislation limiting non-residential uses on RC-zoned property Our meeting with Councilman McIntire went quite well. The Councilman was receptive to our concerns regarding the current possibilities for non-residential (mainly institutional) development on rural land. Most importantly, Councilman McIntire has agreed to draft legislation based on the proposal below. we should see the results within a month: Richard Klein of Community Environmental Defense Services has drafted a proposal for legislation that would firm up a major shortcoming in the intent of zoning to preserve agricultural and natural resources: "Nonresidential development on all Resource Conservation zoned lands, except Resource Conservation Commercial, shall not cover more than 5% of the site with impervious surfaces. However, for those sites where impervious area exceeded 5% as of the effective date of this regulation, additional impervious area may be allowed provided it does not exceed 2% of the pervious area that existed on the site as of the effective date of this regulation." The goal of course, is to prevent institutional development from taking hold in areas now reserved for agriculture or limited development. Most of us are familiar with the Shelley's Fields Sports Facility issue or Loyola Retreat Center, the former being reduced to something more reasonable and the latter on an apparent road to approval after an appeal ruling found in favor of the developers. The addition of a large institution to our community, particularly one intended to draw visitors from far beyond the area, would surely dwarf anything we've seen suggested for our community so far. Legislation to limit the physical presence of impervious surfaces approaches this issue with a degree of fairness that is hard to deny. By limiting the impact of ANY development to a piece of property by virtue of the physical impact on the surrounding community and environment, you can still allow a use for the property that compliments the community that hosts it. This is what we should work towards in seeking meaningful legislation that respects the spirit of Resource Conservation zoning in the North County. FCA Cookbooks available! Our community cookbook "Country Goodness" is available at a reduced cost of $8 a copy. These make great and unique gifts and include recipes from community members and items of historical interest. Send an email or call 410-374-0525 for a copy. Read a little about the history of the Freeland Community
Association and how it all began. Click here to read the
rest of the message... |
Baltimore County Links:
Current Development Hearings & Meetings for our District
Other important resources
Community Environmental Defense Services Excellent online resource for information on preventing or mitigating the impact of land use detrimental to the quality of life in your neighborhood.
a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting rural life in Northern Baltimore County.
FCA 2008 CZMP Zoning Cycle Website A summary of the issues filed in District 3 (north county) during the 2008 CZMP application process. Maps, photos and information is provided on select individual issues. This site will be updated as information becomes available and other issues are introduced by the county council.
YOUR HELP IS STILL NEEDED We have outstanding legal fees for resolution of Shelley's Fields issue.
Click here for details on the settlement to the Shelley's Fields Development Issue. The indoor facility and two fields have been eliminated. Covenants limit use and protect agricultural resources. Some neighbors have chosen to continue the battle. Please read our open letter to the community regarding these efforts
Not familiar with the Shelley's Fields Development Issue? Click here for a short history of how this all came about.
2008 FCA Board Officers: Board Members - Deborah Maude One
vacancy If you would like to serve as an officer or board member, please contact us to discuss.
FCA
Articles
of Incorporation (Charter)
Effective May 1, 2007; membership fees are $40 per household
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Freeland
Community Association
