April, 2014 Newsletter - Ward One Residents Association

SAVE THE DATES
APRIL 22
Membership Meeting
Ward One Residents Association Newsletter
Letter
from the
President
Amanda Hurt Fegley
WORA President
April in Annapolis: freezing temperatures on Tax Day, along with rain and
sleet, and an eclipsed full “blood” moon;
blooming trees and flowers, sunshine
and green grass and balmy breezes;
midshipmen victorious on the croquet
field at St. John’s; Maryland General
Assembly Session wrap-up with some
legislative progress; and, of course, the
April Foolish Running of the Bulls. Our
creative Alderman Joe Budge set the
month’s tone, flinging open the metaphoric gates of Ward One to “show its
deep appreciation of bull.”
In classic fashion, our March membership meeting was punctuated with, yes,
snow! We have noticed a trend: if we’re
holding a meeting, it will probably be
snowing or sleeting. Nonetheless, Ward
One residents braved the elements and
attended the meeting on the rooftop
of Metropolitan on West Street, where
Alderman Budge shared his legislative to-do list and answered questions.
He discussed the city budget, regional
transportation, parking (of course!)
and Hillman Garage, the City Dock and
flood-control/bulkhead, Public Works facility reinvigoration, and Special Events
legislation. We are grateful for our active alderman and the energy he puts
into his role on the City Council. Joe is
willing to listen to his constituents and
engage in civic topics. We thank Metropolitan for hosting our meeting and
welcoming our Association.
ANNAPOLIS, MD
APRIL 2014
Please attend our next meeting on Tuesday, April 22 at
7pm at the Paca House Conference Room, 186 Prince George
Street. Robert Clark, President and
CEO of Historic Annapolis will be our
guest speaker. Robert is an enthusiastic
preservationist and his message is inspirational. Please join the conversation
regarding history and your hometown.
Also speaking to the importance of “designing a resiliency and response plan
for historic properties,” Lisa Craig, Chief
of Historic Preservation for the city, will
share her knowledge with us.
Among the issues in Ward One, Royal
Farms’ application for Special Exception at the Stevens Hardware site is
of particular importance. The application represents a challenge to the City
Code and its C2 Conservation Business
zoning. The Department of Planning
and Zoning has maintained that Royal
Farms falls under the Convenience
Store category and is, therefore, not allowed. Royal Farms is claiming to be a
“delicatessen,” per the definition in the
City Code, 21.64.220. The Board of Appeals hearing on March 4 addressed the
Royal Farms application and its lack of
requested information. The upcoming
Board of Appeals hearing, scheduled for
Tuesday, JUNE 3 at 7:00pm will address
the Application and, most likely, its merits. We urge the public to attend this
very important meeting and testify. For
this type of issue, we have been gathering donated Legal Funds and welcome
contributions to WORA.
Also in the first week of June, we hold
our Annual Meeting and Election of Officers. As in previous years, we meet in
the Key Auditorium Lobby at St. John’s
College at 6:00pm for a social gathering, followed by an election of the new
Board. We will publish the slate in May.
Please attend the meeting, as we must
7:00pm
Paca House Conference Room
Speaker, Robert Clark, President &
CEO, Historic Annapolis, and
Lisa Craig, Chief of Historic
Preservation for the City of Annapolis
JUNE 3
BOARD OF APPEALS
HEARING
7:00pm, City Council Chambers
ROYAL FARMS
Special Exception Application
ATTEND & TESTIFY
JUNE 5
ANNUAL MEETING
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
& SOCIAL GATHERING
6:00 - 8:00pm, Lobby of
ST. JOHN’S Key Auditorium
WORA will provide beverages
Please bring an appetizer to share
JUNE 24
PRIMARY VOTING
have a quorum to vote. We will supply
the beverages, as always, and we ask
you to bring an appetizer to share.
While we have recently elected a new
mayor in Annapolis, the upcoming statewide election, affecting newly-designed
districts, fast approaches. The Primary
Election takes place on June 24, 2014.
This will be the first time that the Primary will be held on such an early date.
Please become informed about the election to learn who is running for which office. Please VOTE!
Thank you to all who are members! Please invite your neighbors to join our Association.
We value your membership.
Yours in Ward ONE-derful,
Amanda
“MAY I SUGGEST THE PINOT GRIGIO . . . .”
Market House Tenant has
applied for a liquor license
The City has received an application for a liquor license
from the Annapolis Oyster Company for their stall at the
Market House. The applicant is requesting a B-4.A.B license, (restaurant service and package sales of beer,
wine, and liquor to midnight, seven days a week.) The
landlord (City Administration) has a number of questions
outstanding before signing off on the application.
Section 7.12.100 of the Municipal Code states “The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board may permit the consumption of . . . . Beer and wine in the City Market House. Any
possession, consumption or sale of beer and/or wine in
the Market House must comply with all applicable requirements of this Chapter.”
This application, as a public document, would be heard
at the May 7 meeting of the ABCB; however, the landlord
and tenant might not have completed their discussions
by that time.
Appraisal Fair Fundraiser, Saturday June 14, 1-4pm.
Chase Lloyd House gardens, 22 Maryland Avenue. Fees
and questions: [email protected]
SUNDAY, APRIL 27
MD AVE Spring Fling!
It’s finally spring! Come play at the Annual Annapolis Spring
Festival along Maryland Avenue and State Circle in the
heart of Historic Annapolis. An old-fashioned street festival with local merchants and vendors offering art, antiques,
fashion, home interior, jewelry, crafts, food and children’s
activities. Bistro dining at Galway Bay and Harry Browne’s.
Live Music including The Bridgette Michaels Band, The Rob
Levit Trio, Up on Blocks, and Winship Wheatley of The Audissey. The event is FREE and there is FREE PARKING nearby at Calvert and St. Johns Streets. Come enjoy the oldest
shopping district in Annapolis! Sunday, April 27, 10am - 5pm.
For more information, call Jeff at 443-949-7876
ELECTIONS ARE COMING! ELECTIONS ARE
COMING! . . . .AGAIN!
Election Dates:
Primary Election - June 24, 2014
Early Voting for the Primary Election - Thursday, June 12,
2014 through Thursday, June 19, 2014 from 10 am until 8 pm.
General Election - November 4, 2014
Early Voting for the General Election - Thursday, October 23,
2014 through Thursday, October 30, 2014 from 10 am - 8 pm.
Visit: www.Elections.State.MD.US for all of the details.
WIRELESS ZONE of ANNAPOLIS
®
Proud to be Local and Family Owned
Call us @
410.990.9744
211 Main Street, Annapolis
w w w. W ire l e s sZone. c om/ A n n a p o l i s
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APRIL 2014
WORA Newsletter also online at www.WardOne.org
UPDATE
Royal Farms at City Dock
ROYAL FARMS APPLICATION FOR A ZONING SPECIAL
EXCEPTION TO OPERATE AT CITY DOCK
SAVE THE DATE – Join WORA in testifying before the Board
of Appeals on Tuesday, June 3, 2014
The City of Annapolis Board of Appeals will hold a public
hearing at 7:00PM regarding
Royal Farms’ application for a Zoning Special Exception to
operate as a "Delicatessen" at the former Stevens Hardware location on Dock Street. PLEASE SAVE THE DATE
AND JOIN US IN PERSON TO SUPPORT PLANNING &
ZONING IN THEIR EFFORTS TO UPHOLD THE ZONING
RULES THAT THE CITY HAS PURPOSELY DEVELOPED
TO GUIDE LAND USE.
The proposed operation at Dock Street is a convenience
store, a non-permitted use in the C2 Conservation Business
District. Enforcing the City Code is paramount, because approving a convenience store would have negative consequences to the use of other property in the vicinity and diminish property values within the neighborhood.
Allowing a convenience store to operate under the guise of a
delicatessen would provide a road map for how to circumvent
the City Code, and would be a surefire way to invite a rash of
applications for all manner of special exceptions -- and ultimately time-consuming and costly litigation for the City.
Background
October 30, 2013 -- Royal Farms files an application with
the City of Annapolis for a Zoning Special Exception to operate as a "Delicatessen" at the former Stevens Hardware
location on Dock Street. Convenience stores are not allowed
in the C2 Conservation Business District.
November 2013 -- A two-thirds majority of WORA members
responding to a survey vote for WORA to oppose Royal
Farm’s application for a Special Exception. After careful review of the facts, the WORA Board adopts an official position to oppose the Special Exception because it believes that
Royal Farms' proposed operation is a Convenience store,
not a Deli, as defined by the Annapolis City Code.
JUNE 3
BOARD OF APPEALS HEARING
7:00pm, City Council Chambers ROYAL FARMS
Special Exception Application ATTEND & TESTIFY
February 7, 2014 – The Annapolis Department of Planning
and Zoning issued a letter to Royal Farms stating that the use
proposed by the organization at the former Stevens Hardware
location on Dock Street is a “convenience store.” Planning and
Zoning informed Royal Farms that in the absence of further information, and because convenience stores are not permitted
in the C2 Conservation Business zoning district, it would be
an "untenable position to move the application forward." Royal
Farms appealed the determination.
March 4, 2014 -- The Annapolis Board of Appeals heard from
Annapolis Department of Planning and Zoning and Royal
Farms representatives on the narrow legal issue of whether
Planning & Zoning had acted within the Department’s authority when taking the position that Royal Farms’ application for
a zoning special exception was incomplete, and therefore had
declined to move the application forward. The Board of Appeals agreed to extend Royal Farms 30 days to supply additional sales data to Planning & Zoning. Although the Board of
Appeals did not allow public testimony at the March 4 hearing,
the Council Chambers room was filled to capacity with residents to support Planning & Zoning in their efforts to uphold
the zoning rules that the City has deliberately developed to
guide land use.
Legislative Session Wrap-Up
The 2014 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly adjourned, sine die, at the stroke of midnight on
April 7th. Over 2,500 pieces of legislation were introduced
and the Assembly voted on major issues such as raising
the minimum wage, decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana, and raising the amount of money exempted from the
Maryland estate tax. Here are how a few of the issues that
impact Ward One fared this session:
- A bill passed that will authorize Annapolis to collect its
own hotel taxes (currently collected by the county).
December 5, 2013 -- WORA files comments with the Department of Planning & Zoning urging that P&Z issue its opinion
stating that the operation that Royal Farms is proposing for
142 Dock Street is a Convenience Store, not a Delicatessen,
as defined by the Annapolis City Code. Planning & Zoning
will issue a recommendation to the Board of Appeals.
- A local bill that would have exempted Anne Arundel County from issuing storm water fees failed to get out of committee.
January 3, 2014 -- Alderman Budge, in his response to Planning & Zoning's request for Agency Review of the Special
Exception application, concludes that the proposed business
would be a Convenience Store and therefore not permissible
in the C2 zone.
The Capital Budget also included good news for Annapolis:
the Maryland Hall for Creative Arts will receive $1 million
for renovations, a new National Sailing Hall of Fame office
will receive $250,000, and Annapolis and South River High
Schools will receive $3.5 million for new turf fields
- A bill that would give local governments more authority to
address blighted properties passed the Senate but failed
to get a vote in the House.
WORA Newsletter also online at www.WardOne.org
APRIL 2014
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APRIL 2014
WORA Newsletter also online at www.WardOne.org
Opening & Closing the Nicest Doors in Annapolis.
EASTPORT
ANNAPOLIS RIDGE CT
JUST LISTED $1,250,000
JUST REDUCED $749,000
Totally renovated!5 bdrm/4.5 ba,double lot Lovely! Perfect maintenance & top upgrades
2310 Annapolis Ridge Court
801 Severn Avenue
PRESIDENTS HILL
Real charm & wonderful space & light
18 Hill Street-Downtown’s hidden gem!
JUST LISTED $539,000
EASTPORT
Beautiful & fine home w/great water views
299 State Street
JUST LISTED $1,650,000
HISTORIC ANNAPOLIS
MURRAY HILL
JUST LISTED $1,300,000
JUST LISTED $1,075,000
Whimsical renov/great ambiance & flair Bright well designed, everything gleaming
196 Prince George Street
110 Monticello Avenue
MURRAY HILL
Great house, best in town location
45 Southgate Avenue
PRICED TO SELL $835,000
MURRAY HILL
Gracious living at its best—big addition
32 Southgate Avenue
JUST LISTED $1,375,000
MURRAY HILL
Delightfully!Great renovation/addition
47 Murray Avenue
JUST LISTED $765,000
Call us today to sell your home!
See our extensive sold gallery at www.thetowerteam.com
WORA Newsletter also online at www.WardOne.org
APRIL 2014
5
MAY BASKET COMPETITION
May Day! May Day!
.....Annapolis bursts into full bloom on the 1st of May with its' annual May
Basket Competition. This event, now in its' 58th year, is conducted by
the Garden Club of Old Annapolis Towne. Residents and businesses in
the Historic District and parts of Murray Hill are encouraged to decorate
their doors with baskets of fresh flowers. May Day flyers are distributed
to homes and businesses in the qualifying neighborhoods. On May Day,
garden club members are out at 10am selecting blue ribbon winners
and rewarding children's efforts with pink ribbons and lollipops. Adult
winners are invited to a special May Day tea, hosted by the garden club
on Monday, May 5th.
1. All baskets must be visible from the street by 10am on May Day.
2. Residential arrangements of fresh, cut flowers must be in baskets.
3. Business arrangements of fresh, cut flowers may use containers
related to their business.
4. All baskets (adults and children) must include a card with name of
entrant.
5. Entrants 12 and under should include their age.
6. Adult blue ribbon winners are invited to our May Tea on Monday, May
5th. Children are not included in the Tea.
DID YOU KNOW
the best place & time to get a tablet
Going to the Verizon Wireless Store on Main St Annapolis requires no sign-in
and no waiting. This local owner-operated Verizon Store prides itself in giving
personalized service to all the customers while offering the same products and
prices as any big box store. They currently have “unbeatable” offers on several
tablets including the iPads. And now you know!
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS
Hudson and Fouquet
Ten years ago, Matt Hudson
and Luc Fouquet shared a vision of a salon that not only
offered the best in hair cut
and color, but focused on
building special relationships
with their clients. That vision
became a reality, and they
have their loyal following to
thank. Now, as they approach
their 10-year anniversary
in June, they have multiple
Best of Annapolis awards and
thousands of happy clients
under their belt. They look
forward to better serving Annapolis through exciting renovations and expansion in the
near future.
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APRIL 2014
WORA Newsletter also online at www.WardOne.org
Maryland Avenue & State Circle
SPRING FLING 2014
Art, Antiques, Fashion, Food & More!
Sunday, April 27
10am - 5pm
Live Music featuring Winship Wheatley,
Rob Levit Trio, Up on Blocks,
& The Bridgett Michaels Band
Free Parking Nearby
info: 443-949-7876
www.MarylandAve.com
Oyster Restoration group
True Oyster Restoration Initiative (TORI) is an organization whose goal is to restore the health and vitality
of the Chesapeake Bay by rebuilding the dwindling
oyster population. TORI is a non-profit, tax exempt
organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code. Using the MD Aquaculture Oyster
Float Tax Credit. The tax credit in the amount of $500
or $1000 in the case of a joint return is a “dollar for
dollar” credit which can be deducted from your Maryland tax return.
A single oyster can filter as much as 50 gallons of
water in a single day! This initiative places an oyster float (32” x 24”) containing about 500 spat (baby
oysters) out of the way, under a private dock where
they grow and clean the waters for a year. That works
out to millions of gallons of bay waters filtered from a
single oyster float in a year!
TORI would deliver the oyster float, secure it to the
dock, and remove the float after a year. TORI representatives would contact you to arrange a time to deliver and secure your oyster float. You would receive
a sales agreement and invoice.
For more information contact Pat Hudson at pat@
trueoyster.com or 410-790-1138.
DAVID W. HANDELSMAN DDS
GENERAL DENTISTRY
410-268-3347
INVISALIGN
COSMETIC DENTISTRY
IMPLANTS
TOOTH WHITENING
With Spring around the corner, amid the melting snow, I
look forward to my small oasis of a vegetable garden at
City Dock. Soon enough, behind a sign that says ‘Grow
Annapolis’ rows of tomatoes, herbs, melons, peppers
and more will be sprouting up.
From their website: ‘Grow Annapolis is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering and sustaining community and urban agriculture programs. Creating partnerships between community, government, schools
and local businesses, we harvest more than food
by empowering people from diverse backgrounds to
GROW Annapolis together.’
The City Dock Community Garden is located at the Old
Rec & Parks Building near the City Dock in Downtown
Annapolis. The location is in the center of the city and
offers 20 community garden plots. Today the location
is a fully functional community garden. If you are interested in plot adoption at the City Dock Community
Garden, applications are on their website growannapolis.org. However, all plots are full for this year! But
please visit the website for other ways of volunteering
and contributing. Perhaps Ward One can urge the city
to devote more land to community garden projects like
the one at City Dock!
I’d like to offer my tried and true tomato sauce recipe
for all those tomatoes I harvest. And lessons learned;
don’t buy one of those fancy tomato strainers! Chunks
are just fine!
INGREDIENTS:
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
116 CATHEDRAL STREET
1 large onion, chopped
ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401
2 cloves garlic, crushed
PA R KI N G AVA I L A B L E I N F R O N T
At least 8 roma tomatoes, chopped
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
take a break and visit our website
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
www.WardOne.org
SILVER HARDWARE
2 teaspoons white sugar
3/4 cup fresh! basil leaves, torn into pieces
– known for quality restoration –
we restore brass, copper, & silver hardware
BRASS ARTCRAFTS
“Grow Annapolis” Makes
Gardens Happen
CO.
BRASS POLISHING & METAL RESTORATION
410-263-9254 www.BrassArtCrafts.com
Hometown Service
143 Gibralter Ave
M-F 9-5 Sat 9-1
salt and ground black pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook
the onion and garlic in the hot oil until tender, about 5
minutes. Stir the tomatoes, red pepper flakes, vinegar,
and sugar into the onion and garlic mixture; bring to a
boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer until the flavors
blend to your liking, 45 to 60 minutes. Stir the basil
into the sauce; season with salt and pepper.
All the best and Happy Spring,
-Elly Tierney
WORA Newsletter also online at www.WardOne.org
APRIL 2014
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Ward One Residents Association
3 Church Circle PMB #150
Annapolis, Mar yland 21401
B L A C K
S A B B A T H
HALL OF FAME ROCK STAR
GRAMMY WINNER
MUSICIAN
SONGWRITER
POET
ARTIST
Bill Ward
Black Sabbath drummer
EXHIBITION
M E E T
T H E
A R T I S T
Fri & Sat, May 9 & 10
PREVIEW ART ONLINE:
www.AnnapolisCollection.com
DID YOU KNOW that Ward One has a
legal fund? There have been several
instances over the years when the Ward
One Residents Association has sought
legal representation to fight issues
that affect those of us who live-and
care!-about the Historic District. As we
all know, good legal representation is
expensive. To contribute to the legal
fund, make your check out to Ward One
Residents Association (WORA), with
the note “legal fund” and mail or handdeliver to: 3 Church Circle, PMB 150,
Annapolis, MD 21401
And to those of you who have already
contributed - Thank You!
WORA BOARD / 2013-2014
Amanda Hurt Fegley
PR E S IDENT: Susan Hardy Gillham
PR E SI D E NT:
VICE
Welcome to Ward One-derful!
2014 WORA Membership Form
Residents, both owners
and renters, who live
within the boundaries of
Ward One, are eligible
to be WORA members.
Business owners and
other organizations
located in Ward One,
absentee residential
owners, and past
members may join as
Associate members.
Dues for an Associate
Membership is $35.
Ward One boundaries
may be found at www.
WardOne.org.
Fredrik Broen
Susan Hardy Gillham Current single
membership dues are
B OA R D MEMBERS : Donald Booth,
only $20 per calendar
Sarah Elfreth, Kerr y Fries,
year, per person.
Elly Tierney, John Weikel, Pat Zeno
Households can select a
two-person membership
ADVERTISE IN YOUR WORA NEWSLETTERS for $35, entitling residents
to two votes on any issue.
CALL FOR RATES TODAY 410-280-1414
SE C R E TA RY:
ACTING TREASURER:
PLEASE FILL IN THIS FORM:
dues are
only $20
per year!
Date: ––––––––––––––––––––––
Name(s): ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Address: ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Phone:
______________________________________
Email:
_____________________________
Participate in the Association; check your interest:
o Monitor of agency schedules (boards, commissions, etc.)
o Public Safety o Membership
o Communications: Newsletter__ Website__
o Historic Preservation
o Parking
o Beautification
o Social events
o Other ________________________________
Mail this form with your check payable to Ward One
Residents Association to: WORA
3 Church Circle, PMB150, Annapolis, MD 21401