January 2022 Community Meeting Recap
There was no meeting or newsletter in December.
Note: Any changes to the minutes should be directed to Lynnie at secretary@upperfellspoint.org.
Virtual Meeting
Misc News
Powell Recovery Center
Substance abuse treatment center is going through an expansion on the 100 block of Broadway and the surrounding area.
Changes in DPW Recycling Schedule
Recycling to be picked up every other week - none on 1/21 - next one is 1/28 (this is temporary)
Everyone was urged to communicate this information to all residents
Talk to your neighbors
Post signs on utility pole - Wendy Kalen, Chris Moad, and Mallory Kuehn to handle
Post on your block’s Facebook page
Councilman Cohen’s office and DPW have been working overtime to get the collections done.
Funding for Cafe lighting
Projects are on HOLD - requested by Council Member until court case is resolved; however, blocks are encouraged to continue organizing.
UFPIA Meeting Location
Discussion: To change the community meeting night to the 3rd Monday at 7pm for a 4-month trial period with in-person at the Ministry of Brewing as well as virtually
Will take another vote in 4 months to decide whether or not to make it permanent
Suggested that the next 4 meetings be recorded
Motion - Change the community meeting night to the 3rd Monday of the month at 7pm for the next 4 months to be held in-person at Ministry of Brewing and virtually
Voting held via an online form; Motion passed
Next meeting will be held on 2/21 virtually and at Ministry of Brewing at 1900 E Lombard
Note: Ministry of Brewing is closed to the public on Mondays but will be open for us; the bar also will be open.
Reminder to pay your membership dues
If paying via PayPal, send as friends and family (not as a service) so there are no extra fees
Guest Speaker - Kurt Schiller, Chair of Traffic & Parking
Kurt presented the bikeway corridor concepts for Wolfe and Washington Streets and the UFPIA’s T&P Committee’s proposal:
Using the Baltimore Complete Streets Manual, which the UFPIA membership voted to support at the Sept. 2017 meeting, the Traffic and Parking Committee recommended a single-track bike lane on both Washington and Wolfe Streets. With the recommendations being made by the Committee (see the diagrams) there will be NO LOSS OF PARKING, most likely a net gain of parking.
The Washington/Wolfe Streets by description/definition in the Complete Streets Manual would fall under Urban Village Neighborhood Streets or Neighborhood Corridor. These streets are adjacent to residential dwellings and play an essential role in moving people between neighborhoods.
These roads should have targeted speeds of 15 -20 MPH.
The traffic signals on the Wolfe/Washington Streets bikeway should be turned into 4-way flashing red to slow the speed of vehicles.
The Wolfe/Washington Streets bikeway intersections should have bump outs which would reduce the amount of open roadway space that is necessary for pedestrians to cross.
This proposal is our best opportunity to influence the process at DOT even though it may not be approved by the City.
With the growing size of vehicles and American’s preference for SUV or trucks, passenger and driver deaths have remained stable over the last decade while pedestrian fatalities have risen by about 50%.
Q&A:
What would be the traffic safety if we took out additional street lights?
Flashing red in all directions might help awareness with motorists. We will default to DOTs engineers for the best options.
What is the plan to address the major artery change? Has the city weighed in on the concerns with ambulances/emergency vehicles?
DOT picked these lanes.
The UFPIA’s T&P Committee proposed Wolfe as one of the options and the drawings shown are the latest proposal.
Motion - To agree with the proposal presented by the T&P Committee above but with the addition of flex posts or some type of barrier by the bike lanes.
Voting held via online form; Motion passed
Kurt S. also mentioned that electric vehicle charging stations will be installed in the 400 block of S Patterson Park for 4 vehicles (on the Park side); no word on actual installation date
230 WOLFE STREET- Shane Gerken, developer
Development includes 228 + 230 + 232 S. Wolfe St. into a single building with ground-level parking
Vehicles enter/exit on S Wolfe and also on S Durham
12 units: ten 1-bedroom; one 2-bedroom and one studio
Rent at $1,500/mo.
Q&A
Concern about noise from vehicles exiting or blocking traffic on S Durham
Workers would not block street and would park in building
Will facades be maintained?
Working with the City to follow relevant regulations regarding preserving historic buildings
Trash and recycling storage?
Will be stored in the garage
Parking for each unit?
There will be 8 spots for the 12 units
Is this luxury housing?
Wouldn’t describe them as luxury, but said the fixtures would not be contractor-grade
Is there a 3-foot bump out?
No plans to work outside of the existing footprint, any variance would be to make space for steps
Who will manage the building once it’s completed?
Shane G. and his wife will own the building but it will be managed by East Coast Management Co.
COMMITTEE NEWS - Bill M.
Matt B. resigned from Chair of the Safety Committee; if interested in this, contact Bill
George Croom is now the Education Chair
Introduced himself and thanked Barbara and Mollie F. for their work over the years
Looking for tutors to help at Wolfe St. Academy
Once/week; work with 1-2 kids
Also looking for healthcare professionals
Almost all the students are below the poverty line getting 3 meals/day; school is 83% Latinex
TABLED FOR NEXT TIME - Lynnie M.
Possible UFPIA lifetime membership
Committee projects planned for this year/budget/volunteer opportunities
Volunteer(s) to assist with technology for future meetings
Events planning
Cafe lighting
To vote on issues at a meeting, you must have paid your current dues (based on calendar year beginning in January), attended 2 of the preceding 11 meetings, live in our boundaries and be age 18 and/or attended UFPIA sponsored events/activities per our Meeting & Voting Regulations.
