WORK SESSION OF THE GREENBELT CITY COUNCIL held Thursday, March 1, 2007, for the purpose of holding a stakeholder meeting with the Greenbelt East Advisory Committee (GEAC).  

Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. It was held in the Hunting Ridge Community Building  

PRESENT were Mayor Judith F. Davis and Councilmembers Rodney Roberts, Leta Mach, Edward Putens and Konrad Herling.  

ALSO PRESENT were Sheldon Goldberg and Derek Thompson from Windsor Green; Dorothy Pyles of Greenbriar; Kay Mooney and James Mabry of Hunting Ridge; Charlene MacAdams of Greenwood Village; Fede Yon-Mason; Brian Madison of County Councilmember Turner’s office; and Michael McLaughlin, City Manager. David Major of Lakes at Greenbelt Village arrived around 8:30 p.m.  

Mayor Davis began the meeting noting it was the annual stakeholder meeting with GEAC. Items discussed are listed below.  

Greenbelt East Traffic Calming Project Status – Circles – About 80% of traffic calming work is complete. Traffic circles on Ora Glen remain undone. Circles have been designed, but the estimated cost exceeds the balance of funds. The situation is being examined, and a recommendation will be made to Council later this spring.  

Sunrise Property/Forest Preserve Task Force (FPTF) – It is anticipated that the recommendations of the Forest Preserve will be submitted in the near future to the City Council in two groups. The first group will consist of the administrative portions of the FPTF’s efforts (Maintenance and Management Guideline, creation of permanent committee, and changes to forest preserve regulations). The second group will consist of recommendations to designate four new areas of forest preserve ( Sunrise, Belle Point, Boxwood, and Observatory Hill). The legislation designating the new areas of forest preserve will be submitted to Council following approval of the administrative actions.

 Traffic Light at Greenbelt Road and Frankfort – Approval was granted by State Highway Administration in August with expected completion by February 2007. If there is not progress in March, the City will follow up with the state.  

Status of First Three Playgrounds in Windsor Green – Frankfort playground is nearly done and will be completed this spring. City just received word that the state will provide $34,000 for the next playground – Canning Terrace. Work will be done this summer/fall since money is not available until after July 1. The third playground, South Ora Court, will be done as a KaBoom! community-build playground in mid-October.  

Maryland Task Force on Common Ownership Communities – Proposed Legislation – Mr. Thompson made a presentation on this matter. He noted that nine pieces of legislation had been filed based on the work of the task force. There appeared to be support for nearly all the legislation. On legislation to create an ombudsman, there still needed to be work on funding such an office. The issue of priority liens for homeowner associations was again being strongly opposed by banks and others in Annapolis. Mr. Thompson did not think legislation would pass. The Council noted that it had expressed its support on this matter to the City’s state delegation.

 

Greenbelt West  

    • Greenbelt Station (South Core) – Approvals granted for two projects – Pulte townhomes and Fairfield apartments. Work should begin on both this calendar year with first residential occupancy in spring 2008.  
    • Springhill Lake – AIMCO - Schools – Reconsideration of the preliminary plan has been deferred indefinitely. It is expected consideration by the County Planning Board will occur in the next few months. The school situation is very undefined at this time. To date, a task force to study the school situation has not been created.  
    • Greenbelt Station (North Core) – Petrie Ross Ventures has purchased property from WMATA and .is actively pursuing a development plan of mixed use residential/commercial/retail. Council has a work session with Petrie Ross on March 27.  
    • Beltway Plaza – Is developing plans for 1,400 residential units and reconfiguring of existing commercial. City has strong concerns whether this concept is the best use.  

Newspaper Vending Boxes – Greenbelt is continuing to pursue this with the City of Laurel and, likely, Annapolis. A meeting with newspaper representatives is anticipated in late spring or summer.  

Electric Power Aggregation – Legislation is before General Assembly. There is also discussion occurring to re-regulate electric utilities. It appears aggregation will be on hold until there is a decision on re-regulation. Likelihood on either topic is unclear.  

TV Competition – Verizon and Satellites – Franchise was granted to Verizon in January 2007. Product is expected to be available in Greenbelt East, and possibly in all of Greenbelt, by end of year.  

Greenway Village Apartments – The new owner, Federal Capital Partners, is currently making improvements to the existing buildings. Planned improvements include the following: façade improvements, improved lighting, upgraded playground, increased exterior lighting, installation of security cameras and interior renovations. In addition, the owner is seeking City and county approval of zoning legislation that would allow for the development of senior housing subject to detailed site plan approval.  

Public Works Building Status – Permits have been granted. The City will advertise for bid in March and expects to break ground this summer.

Theater Remodeling – Old Greenbelt Theatre and Beltway Plaza – Plans are being finalized for renovation of the Old Greenbelt Theatre. Beltway Plaza has installed stadium seating in the Academy 8 theaters and expects to do additional renovations to the lobby and entrance areas.  

Code Enforcement Issues – Trash receptacles, “smoky windows” – Mr. Thompson noted that Windsor Green continues to support the City’s efforts in these areas to gain compliance.  

FY 2008 Budget Outlook – The City’s economy looks healthy. Real property reassessed in 2006 and the assessable base will grow strongly over at least next three years. The state and county are seeing a slowdown in revenue streams which will likely have an impact. The City will have to incorporate collective bargaining in its on-going expenses beginning in FY 2008. Future years will likely have to include revenues and expenses for new development in Greenbelt West.  

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.  

Respectfully submitted,  

Michael McLaughlin
City Manager

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

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