North College Park Community Association
July 11, 2019 Regular Meeting at Davis Hall
At 7:36 pm there were 6 NCPCA members present, including Councilmember Kabir, as well as 3 guests, including Michelle Garcia, representative of County Councilmember Dernoga. Discussions began without quorum until 8:45 pm, when Mayor Wojahn entered and dues were paid so that NCPCA Bylaws quorum requirement of 7 members was met.
Charter Review Commission. John Krouse provided a summary of the Commission, including its composition, charge, forums and report, and responded to several questions.
College Park Election Candidate Forum. Format of a NCPCA forum in October was discussed. Forum might be scheduled separately from the usual Oct. NCPCA meeting date. All District 1 candidates will be invited, and candidates from District 2 and 4 might be invited. The deadline to file as a candidate is Sept. 20. Forum format may allow ~ 10 min. for each candidate to present and take questions. Details will be developed later. A flyer may be developed for distribution.
EZ Storage Branchville. Michelle Garcia reported that the applicant changed the site plan at some point between Conceptual Site Plan and Detailed Site Plan without support of Councilmember Dernoga. She will transmit new plan materials to NCPCA. New plan shows building footprint reduced from 38,000 square feet to 24,000, and height increased from 3 stories to 5. Plan for 850 to 950 storage units has not changed. It is supposed that need to avoid floodplain was a factor in change. Applicant may be invited to NCPCA in September. Michelle will use Google Groups to engage community in development concerns. She also reported that Bureau of Engraving and Printing may be relocating to Beltsville Ag. Research Center, and that U.S. Representative Hoyer is involved. There is a news release letter. Send email to: mjgarcia@co.pg.md.us for info.
Proposed US 1 Wawa near Ikea. A new Wawa site plan is under development near Buffalo Wild Wings, but it is unclear why a new Wawa would locate so close to an existing Wawa in Beltsville. Members discussed advantages and disadvantages, and thought that the site might be a good location for Chick-Fil-A.
Bond Bill for City Hall. A letter was sent by NCPCA in conformance with NCPCA June resolution to “asking the City Council to put to referendum approval of the $21+ million for a new City Hall on the November 5 ballot in order to give voters an opportunity to decide whether they want to pay for this project.” Discussion followed. There will be a hearing on Aug. 13, and the City resolution for money will be taken up at a later date.
SHA Update. Carol Macknis reported on the recent Citizens Against Beltway Expansion (CABE) meeting and suggested that P.G. and State Delegates be involved. There are flooding concerns that require complete environmental impact assessment before approval. There may be need for public funding after all. M-NCPPC voted 9-0 against widening. Mayor Wojahn reported that P.G. Council has not yet committed support. Sunnyside Park may not be impacted by widening, as previously feared.
Helicopter Flyovers. A NCPCA letter was sent July 9. NCPCA officers will discuss with College Park Airport Authority.
Minutes of June 13 NCPCA Meeting were approved unanimously with amendment to correct New City Hall to read as “Jordan made a motion for NCPCA to support a referendum on spending for the New City Hall, followed by discussion, passed with 2 non-members opposed”.
Announcements. Councilmember Kabir reported that security cameras will be installed on Metro path near 53rd Avenue and Lackawanna Street, as well as near Duvall Field, and at Edgewood Road. Installation will be completed soon. The cameras are not routinely monitored, but footage is used for investigations. Kabir also reported that various drainage projects are now complete, and there were other announcements related to events in July and August.
NCPCA Board Members Lisa Ealley and Judy Blumenthal were approved by vote of 6-0-1 (Wojahn abstain)
Officer Reports. Jordan Schakner reported $993.47 in treasury; 14 members have paid dues. Mary Cook reported that NCPCA officers had met to discuss NCPCA priorities. Carol Macknis will spearhead website updates and develop documentation for management processes. There will not be an August NCPCA meeting.
Adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 pm by vote of members.
Respectfully submitted, John Krouse, Secretary