YORK ROAD PARTNERSHIP

Minutes of July 7, 2004

I. Open & Welcome

Mr. Jason Canapp, President, convened the meeting at 6:50 p.m.

II Presentation: Community-Built Playgrounds, Inc.

Ms. Deborah Evans presented the plans for CBP, Inc. to build a public playground at Stadium Place. The area will not only consist of a playground, but will also include a walk path. It is the hope of CBP, Inc. to have this built by April of 2005, but much money is needed to be raised in the meantime. Literature was passed out to the meeting’s attendees explaining the various ways one may be able to contribute financially or physically to this honorable project.

III Presentation: Community Law Center

Mr. Gregory Bedward and Ms. Suzanne Bailey addressed the Partnership’s concerns and questions regarding SLAP lawsuits. This issue was raised in a past meeting with regard to the Partnership possibly taking a stand or protest against any undesirable businesses in the area. Essentially, Mr. Bedward explained that it is ok for a group such as the YRP to help protect its neighborhoods by means of protest, but there are guidelines that must be followed (e.g. make truthful statements – protest the business not the person etc…) Mr. Bedward further recommended that the YRP should incorporate itself and carry Director’s and Owner’s Insurance. This topic will be a priority of the newly developed Leadership Committee and the Law Center is glad to assist the Committee in any way it can throughout these discussions.

IV Old Business

Leadership Committee: Ms. Louise Harris, Chair of the Nominating Committee reported that the Committee has identified the following individuals eligible for election to serve as at-large members of the new Leadership Committee:

- Karen DeCamp (Radnor/Winston)

- Brett Hill (Rosebank Brackeridge)

- Nancy Maronick (Bellona/Gittings)

- Bill Miller (Greater Homewood Community Corp)

Additionally, the Nominating Committee recommended that the new assistant to Mr. Terry Sawyer, Loyola College, would be considered an alternate in the event that one of the above listed individuals could not fully fulfill their duties.

MOTION to vote on this slate was made, seconded and passed.

Old Business (continued)

Housing & Neighborhood Team: Mr. Dan Ellis, Chair, reported that the team met on June 21, 2004 and that minutes from this meeting were available at the information table. Mr. Ellis shared this team’s primary issue from their meeting which was the demolition of property in the YRP area. The team has asked all neighborhood representatives and leaders to compile a list of properties to be demolished in their area and submit them to Mr. Ellis. The city is mostly concerned with end unit dwellings, but it does not hurt to acknowledge and request this for middle units as well. Mr. Ellis directed all other questions or inquiries to the recorded minutes.

Master Streetscape Plan: Ms. Helene Perry, Chair, reported that this group met earlier today. The group has developed ideas of what is to be incorporated in the SNAP plan (both cosmetic and non cosmetic). The group will then compile these written ideas and transpose them into concept plans to submit to the city. It is the hope of this group to have this done by the end of July and present these to the YRP at the September meeting.

SNAP Update: Mr. Jason Canapp, President, briefed the YRP on the recent components of our SNAP plan being submitted to city agencies for review. The plan was presented to the Mayor’s Neighborhood Cabinet in June by the Planning Department. The Planning Department will follow-up that meeting by issuing “committal forms” for the various projects. Agencies will respond by committing to do certain things or not, with explanation.

Helene Perry reminded the Partnership that a report will need to be issued to the Abell Foundation who provided a grant for a portion of the planning effort. This issue will be discussed at the initial leadership committee meeting.

V. New Business

Committee Structure Change: Mr. Jason Canapp, President introduced the idea of revising the YRP’s current committee leadership model to reflect a more appropriate project coordinating structure. As projects or tasks arise, a project leader would direct the project and volunteers to its completion. That task would then “sunset” and another project would come to be with another chair and volunteers. Committees could have multiple projects running at the same time, all overseen by the Committee Chair. This concept was created in effort to empower the Partnership’s general membership and to shift the weight of full responsibility from committee chairs.

Zoning Code Amendments: Mr. Bill Miller, Greater Homewood advised the group that the City Planning Commission will have a hearing on July 8, 2004, regarding the Planned Unit Development (PUD) for live entertainment and nightlife. The proposed amendment is a two phase process which will differentiate between small and large restaurants and taverns. Several businesses and neighborhoods within the Partnership may be impacted by these proposed amendments. For additional information on these changes, go to the Baltimore City Planning Department’s web site at www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/planning/rezoning .

New Business (continued)

Walgreens: A hearing is scheduled tomorrow for the Walgreens project. Anyone who wishes to attend is welcome.

Jerry’s Parking Area: The issue of Jerry’s expanding their parking to include the “leftover” space behind the tavern was discussed. Originally, it was thought that Jerry’s plans were quite extensive, but in reality they are not. The tavern simply plans to pave and maintain the “leftover” space to expand their parking availability. It was mentioned that some residents and businesses would have liked to see Jerry’s publicly use that space as a parking co-op for other businesses in the area, however it was noted that Jerry’s has never strictly patrolled this area or towed vehicles it suspects are not owned by its patrons. Jerry’s does plan to install fencing and plantings to this area in effort to enhance its appearance.

VI Announcements

It is to be noted that Mr. Kevin Malachi, Director of the Division of Commercial Revitalization is leaving his post.

The current owner of 4804 York Road (previously GEMS), is no longer interested in using the property as a daycare facility.

Mr. Canapp thanked everyone for their time and adjourned the meeting at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

-Natalie Fulco, Loyola College

YRP Corresponding Secretary