Meeting Minutes—April 10, 2025

North College Park Community Association (NCPCA)

Attendees:

In Person: 

TK

Online (names written as they appear in chat):

Jeff Clark; Christine O’Brien; Melissa Peterson; Mary Roop

Minutes Taken By:

Brian J. Roan, Secretary 

Call to Order

President David Alicea called the meeting to order, read the consent to record, and began the meeting. He read the agenda and submitted it for approval. Arelis Perez motioned to approve and VP Kamthorn Clary seconded. The agenda was approved by vote.

Minutes

Arelis Perez motioned to approve the March 2025 minutes. Secretary Brian Roan seconded. The motion was passed by vote. 

Director Brendan Wray motioned to approve the minutes. Arelis Perez seconded. Todd Reitzel proposed an amendment to wait to approve until the web site could be fixed. The motioned passed by vote. 

President’s Report

President Alicea reaffirmed the objectives of the meeting and noted his intention to not seek reelection in the summer. He solicited potential candidates to step forward.

Vice President’s

VP Klary encouraged members to be active and reach out with ideas. He noted the coming fireside chat with the city boards, which is still being worked. The intention is to begin in May. 

Treasurer’s Report

SECU checking account: $1,459.23

SECU savings account: $335.73

Payments occurred for Mailchimp and the renewal of the web site. There are expected expenditures coming for the Spring BBQ social—though last year city grant money was used. The savings account yielded another ten cents of interest. 

Secretary’s Report

Secretary Roan asked that those who speak name themselves to facilitate notetaking. He also announced his intention to not run for re-election in the summer. 

Development Committee Update

Director Wray noted sidewalk construction updates. CM Jacob Hernandez asked if a date was set for the 52nd Ave sidewalk. It was not. 

Events Committee Update

Director Mary Roop noted upcoming events for North College Park. Saturday April 12 will see the North College Park Cleanup. That same day is the opening day of the Hollywood Farmers Market from 10am–2pm. A spring street fair will happen on May 18 from 1–4pm at Davis Hall. She also highlighted various city events taking place. Arelis Perez noted that the new College Park Woods clubhouse has a series of events happening for seniors. Information will be coming. David Turley also noted the upcoming Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Branchville on Sunday April 13. There will be a garden party at the American Legion on April 12 from noon to 2pm. A 15 minute city listening session will be taking place at Davis Hall on April 17 from 7–9pm. Todd Reitzel asked if there would be other sessions, and Director Wray said that he believed there would be. 

Seven Springs Development

Peter Goldsmith from the Seven Springs Apartments presented a vision for the potential redevelopment of a part of the apartments. Charlie Howe, Scott Ross, Mike Lenhart were also a part of the presentation. They are looking to redevelop buildings from the 1960s comprising 75 units. The four buildings would be developed into two new buildings comprising 401 units. Mr. Goldsmith walked the membership through the cycle of permitting and planning. 

Todd Reitzel asked that units be broken down by bedrooms. There are currently over 1,000 bedrooms, close to 1,400. There are 983 existing units. Brendan Wray asked about stories—they are 2-3 stories currently and the new ones will go up to 5. Jeff Clark asked online about what will happen to existing residents. Residents will be rehoused on property at their current rents. 40% of the units turn over annually. Arelis Perez asked about how the development engagement with the city had been throughout the years. Until now, there had been no interface with the city. Mayor Fazlul Kabir noted traffic on Cherry Hill Rd and Route 1. 

CM Hernandez thanked the representatives for coming to speak with the community. He expressed concerns about the large expansion and wanted to know about community outreach within the apartments. CM Hernandez noted concerns about traffic on Cherry Hill. He also noted that Cherry Hill as a neighborhood sits next to the development and could be impacted with flooding. CM Hernandez then brought up crime from the apartments, which he pulled from the PGPD, comprising 254 calls for service. CM Alan Hew asked about the guardhouse, which hasn’t been used in decades, and was told that there is no plan ot use it. Floodplain plans are in place and under consideration. VP Clary asked if there will be a shift in demographics and was told that the business plan and resident profile is intended to remain the same. He also brought up infrastructure regarding the road into the apartments. Adequacy tests are a part of the process. Jeff Clark asked about bike path access. The answer was not readily available but the representatives reiterated the pedestrian impact search. Secretary Roan asked about schools, and the representatives noted the fee they would need to pay to the local schools. Arelis Perez asked about affordable housing and AMI. The intention is for these units to be market rate. In the past residents have stayed on at a rate of 90%. A question was raised by Director Wray about Spanish-language literature for residents; the representatives noted that they had more foreign and Muslim residents than Spanish-speakers. CM Hew asked about sustainability, but it was too early to say. The reps noted that there was a lot of sustainability code in the law. CM Hew also brought up trees. 

Unscheduled Motions and Announcements

Arelis motioned to adjourn. Secretary Roan seconded. The motion passed by vote.