Meeting Minutes—December 14, 2023
North College Park Community Association (NCPCA)
Attendees:
In Person:
David Alicea; Brys Broughton; Kamthorn Clary; Jacob T. Hernandez; Alan Hew; Fazlul Kabir; Kate Kennedy; Angelina Lincoln; Mark Lyons; Melissa Peterson; Mary Roop; David Turley; Brendan Wray; Jade Wang
Online (names written as they appear in chat):
Celia Anklesaria, Brian J. Roan, Jerri Jones
Minutes Taken By:
Brian J. Roan, Secretary
Call to Order
President David Alicea called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM and then read the agenda and solicited a motion to approve. Treasurer Melissa Peterson moved to approve and David Turley seconded. The motion carried by vote.
President’s Report
President Alicea then solicited some history about Autoville to share with the assembly. Councilman Alan Hew noted that the Otis House was built in 1909. The more modern houses came about in the 1950s and 1960s. Autoville’s name apparently is not related to the car dealerships, which is the apocryphal story, but rather was related to “autonomous.”
President Alicea also called for more committee members to join and help our directors with their work.
Vice President’s
Vice President Brys Boughton noted that he is working on a handbook for members and gave updates on the community management system.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Peterson gave a disclosure of the financial health of the NCPCA:
SECU Savings Account: $334.05
SECU Checking Account: $2,101.15
Secretary’s Report
Secretary Brian Roan requested that people make sure to announce their names when addressing the assembly and that people joining via Zoom enter their names into the chat to facilitate record keeping.
Minutes
Brys Broughton motioned to approve the minutes. Kam Clary seconded the motion.
Brendan Wray – Hollywood sidewalks, not 52nd Ave sidewalk.
Brys Broughton motioned to approve with corrections. Brendan Wray seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Development Committee Director Report
Director Brendan Wray gave updates on playground construction and community garden construction. He gave a report on the possible development in Autoville that would turn a single family lot into a multifamily property consisting of 10 units. Director Wray attended a meeting with the developer and local residents. The developers are looking to submit under the old zoning code—April 1, 2024. Anyone with a comment can email Ed Gibbs at EGibbs@gibbshaller.com. This can also be used to become a party of record so that they will receive future updates.
According to to Director Wray, residents were concerned about parking, added traffic, tree clearing, drainage, street lighting, construction logistics, whether the owner would consider other use, the possible residents of the condos, and increased connectivity to the Paint Branch Trail entrance to the south.
The lot has mixed zoning under the old zoning plan. Celia Anklesaria asked whether the developer had a response at the meeting about traffic. It is not the responsibility of the developer, however; this responsibility belongs to the county. Celia asked how we could make sure to get the county involved immediately, and President Alicea asked for our representatives to chime in. Mayor Fazlul Kabir said writing to the county would be best. There will be a meeting with the attorney next week, and they will be sharing this traffic concern. The developer will also be coming before the council at a public meeting. There will be another public meeting for the county planning board.
Director Wray also reminded the assembly to email Ed Gibbs and become a party of record.
David Turley questioned the parking spaces—15 spaces for 10 units—and Mayor Fazlul said 1.5 spaces is a county requirement. Turley also asked about the light at the BP on Cherry Hill—Mayor Kabir said that there is a new owner there and a new plan for the light will be coming soon.
Kam Clary asked if the county had funding allocated already for traffic improvements or if that would come after the development was in place. Mayor Kabir noted that a proposal is coming that will cover Cherry Hill/Route 1 intersection. A long term project is in place to help improve Route 1 for cars, pedestrians, and bikes. Mayor Kabir noted that the new BP owner may close the gas station and put in housing (or possibly a hotel)—which was met with incredulity by David Turley and Secretary Roan.
Kate Kennedy noted that the county will most likely take no actions on improvements until the development is done because that is when they begin to get tax revenue.
Mayor Kabir said that the developer may come to the NCPCA in order to solicit our input.
Events Committee Director Report
Director Mary Roop thanked everyone who came out to decorate the North College Park Community Tree on December 9. She also thanked the seniors who created ornaments, the Hews for bringing donuts, and Proteus Brews for supplying coffee and hot chocolate. Mayor Kabir has made a request for a trash can, and more benches may come in.
A survey will be going out to see what other events our membership may desire.
Celia asked about benches going in to the tree area when the Edgewood meets Rhode Island plaza is so underutilized. Secretary Roan noted that the Community Tree park is a much different kind of park.
Unscheduled Motions and Announcements
Celia noted that making it to the coffee socials might be hard for people who attend church at midday on Sundays and asked if it might be possible to adjust the timing of these socials. President Alicea noted that this could be added to the events survey. This change would also depend on Proteus Brews’ schedule.
Jerri Jones, Special Assistant to Councilman Tom Dernoga, brought to the assembly’s attention Thrive Prince George’s, a program that gives money to youths aging out of foster care and seniors..
Mayor Kabir noted that the Hollywood Farmers Market will be having a holiday market on December 16 from 9AM–1PM.
The Rhode Island streetscape project was given a state award.
Kam Clary made a general request for people to donate money to the Prince George’s County animal shelter.
Councilman Jacob T. Hernandez noted the approval of a new all-way stop sign. Reiterated the movement on the community garden. Anyone 300% below the poverty line for a household of 2, special needs, and from an English as a second language home—Monarch School has 9 scholarship spots. This school is located at the United Methodist church. Anyone interested can reach out to Councilman Hernandez for more information.
Councilman Hew plugged the ribbon cutting at the Lakeland Community Center on the name basketball room on December 15.
Call to Adjourn
Treasurer Peterson moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mayor Kabir and the motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:27PM.