August 2020 Community Meeting Recap

Corrections

An earlier version said Zoning bill 20-0651 was proposed by City Councilman Ryan Dorsey and by Councilwoman Shannon Sneed. The bill was proposed by Councilman Dorsey and co-sponsored by Councilwoman Sneed.
An earlier version said an investor wanted to return 236 S Ann to 3 units as it was originally, but the property was originally single family use.

Over 20 people joined in for our fourth virtual community meeting (via Zoom).

If you missed the meeting, you can watch it here.

Voting

There was extensive discussion on two property zoning appeals. The owner/investor of both properties want to revive the expired multi-family dwelling licenses.

1709 Bank

The owner sought approval to convert the property from a single family unit to a multi-family dwelling of two-units. It currently has 2 existing gas/water meters although the lot size does not meet the 2-unit code (total is 1,360 sq. ft.). Motion to support the proposed rehabilitation and provide a support letter; motion passed (Y-11; No-2; Abstain-4).

236 S Ann

An investor wants to turn it into 3 units (it was initially single family use). The investor wants to make 3 rental units at market rate; make structural repairs; add decks to the rear; no changes to the front; is under contract but has not closed yet. UFP residents expressed their concerns with noise, increase in parking demands and trash/recycling, rats, current disrepair of the building and problems with unrented apartments and property size discrepancy. Motion to support the building proposal; motion denied (Y-1; No-10; Abstain-3)

Committee reports

Beautification

Have installed 5 tree pit bumpers (there are 15 total);
Saturday clean-ups of trash removal and weeding are ongoing
Dumpster Day for Aug. 29th is still on
Recycling bins are still available; contact Lisa at beautification@upperfellspoint.org.

Community Garden

There will be a Garden Ramble virtual tour with mixology class on Sept. 25th at 7pm. It will highlight some of the garden gems in UFP and include the community garden. The mixology class will include kits to make two botanical cocktails. Tickets will be on sale soon; $15 for just the garden tour or $20 for both the tour and mixology class.

Education

City schools start virtually on Sept. 8th.

Land Use

See vote results above.
Met with Matthew DeSantis, Community Planner for the Southeast District of the Baltimore City Planning Department. He stated that Association guidelines that are more restrictive than the Zoning Code won’t carry much weight with the City and they have a Design Manual that is used when they review zoning codes.

Please support all of our sponsors and local businesses. GrubHub takes 40% on food deliveries so please pick-up yourself whenever possible.

Safety

Stoop Sit to be held on Sept. 3rd.
National Night Out to be held on Oct. 6th; need block liaisons - contact Matt at safety@upperfellspoint.org.

Traffic & Parking

Requested the Parklet Manual from DOT; still have not received it.
We sent DOT the UFPIA’s traffic survey results. DOT has received funding for a feasibility study and 30% design project for S Wolfe and S Washington; awarded by MDOT Bikeways program; will evaluate and conceptualize potential bike infrastructure in this corridor.
There is interest in design traffic slowing measures on the non-parking alley streets.
Zoning bill 20-0651 was proposed by City Councilman Ryan Dorsey and co-sponsored by Councilwoman Shannon Sneed to reduce and discourage reliance on fossil fuels. It will prohibit construction, creation, establishment, addition of any new off-street parking spaces or facility in an Open-Space Zoning District; eliminate any new gas stations to be built in Baltimore City; and delete all requirements for off-street parking in all areas in the zoning code. Mr. Dorsey said it was very unlikely that he would amend the bill. Contact Councilman Dorsey or Councilwoman Sneed with your comments/concerns.

New Business

Matt Achhammer, Community Liaison for the Liquor Board; contact him with any concerns or questions (matt.achhammer@baltimorecity.gov or 410-241-6525). Updated guidance for regulations during Covid-19: https://llb.baltimorecity.gov/bllc-covid-19-updates. Submit Liquor Board complaints through 311 (online and using the app are recommended); direct any matters of immediate public safety to 911 and the Baltimore Police Department.

Click here to see the full meeting notes.