A Good Day of Testimony In Annapolis for HB 693

Pictured here are Jean Ottey-Rodgers Forge, Chris Raborn-Wiltondale, Delegate Steve Lafferty-HB693 Sponsor and GT Kelinger-Burkleigh Square after testifying before the House Appropriations Committee in Annapolis yesterday on the House Bill sponsored by Delegate Lafferty requiring Towson University to publish an Impact Statement to the community if the student population changes or if there is a change to the Master Plan. "We are happy to be vigilant as a community," commented Jean Ottey, "but we shouldn’t have to stay up nights wondering about the next shoe that is going to drop because Towson University is not accountable in a meaningful way to the community. Sadly, we need this bill so that we know we have a process we can depend on." Neighbors from all the surrounding communities that touch the Towson University campus were represented yesterday in Annapolis to testify in favor of House Bill 693 sponsored by Steve Lafferty and co-sponsored by Susan Aumann and Bill Frank. It was a great show of support. Towson University was also there to testify against the bill. Steve Lafferty encouraged Rodgers Forge residents to write to the delegates on the apprpriations committee to show your support for this bill. It is an important part of the process.

Community Impact Bill Needs our Support--Jean Ottey Testifying Today for Rodgers Forge

Jean Ottey will be testifying today in Annapolis in support of the Community Impact Bill--House Bill 693, sponsored by Delegate Steve Lafferty. Delegates Frank and Aumann are co-sponsors. This bill will require Towson to make an impact statement each year the full time student population increases or there is a change to the Master Plan. This Bill will ensure communication so that the surrounding communities will not be blind-sided, or surprised as Rodgers Forge was with the Arena location. It is unfortunate to have to mandate cooperation, but given what Rodgers Forge has seen in recent weeks, it would be foolish for the surrounding neighborhoods to count on Dr. Caret's magnanimity. The community needs to support this bill to require Towson's cooperation. Below is some of the testimony that will be given today:
In support of House Bill 693—USM Designated Growth Institutions—Community Impact Statement
Let me say that Rodgers Forge was very pleased with the outcome of the negotiations to relocate the arena. We were pleased that Towson/Dr. Caret were willing to work with us to come to a mutually agreeable compromise that worked for everyone. Good outcome.

However, the community had to expend a tremendous effort to this end, because Towson had changed their plans without telling anyone. We were blind-sided by the change in the location of the Arena. It is this kind of action without attention to correct process or with any thought to the community that we as a community worry about in the future. Towson can talk about all the community meetings they attend, but this was a big change that went under the radar. We as a community are worried about the next thing that might slip under the radar if we are not standing at attention.

We believe this required impact statement would keep this from happening. We are happy to be vigilant as a community, but we shouldn’t have to stay up nights wondering about the next shoe that is going to drop because Towson University is now a designated growth university—we need this bill so that we know we have a process we can depend on.

Towerlight Article Displays Amazing Narrow-Minded Attitude--RF Will Need to Stay Vigilant

http://media.www.thetowerlight.com/media/storage/paper957/news/2009/02/12/Sports/Heating.It.Up.RodgersForge.Is.Out.Of.Line.Here-3625625.shtml
Click on my comment below. Post your own comments!

Signing Ceremony-- Rodgers Forge and TU Commit to Location of Arena and other Concessions--

On Thursday, February 12, Janice Moore, President of the Rodgers Forge Community Association, and Robert Caret, President of Towson University sign a Memorandum of Understanding detailing specific agreements about the location of the new Towson University Arena. Members of the Rodgers Forge Arena Committee are also pictured here at the ceremony. For more info on the agreement see the article on Arena Agreement below.

Stimulus Plan Approves $8,000 Tax Credit for Homebuyers

Attention first-time homebuyers!
As part of the Stimulus bill just passed by Congress, if you buy a home this year, you are eligible for an $8,000 tax credit--which can even be advanced as a loan to help with settlement costs. Effective for purchases on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009, here are the highlights:

--Maximum tax credit--$8000
--Reduces tax liability for the year of the purchase. Any unused amount of tax credit refunded to purchaser
--First-time homebuyers only (may not have owned a principal residence in 3 years prior to purchase)
--No repayment for purchases during this year

15 Properties Currently for Sale in RF

Out of 1800 homes, that is less than 1% of the homes in the neighborhood.
--Prices range from $279,000 to $369,000.
--Average days on the market based on the 8 homes currently under contract is under 48 days. 7 of those homes took less than 30 days to sell.

Arena Agreement to be Signed and Sealed Tonight!

The Rodgers Forge Community and TU President Robert Caret have reached a tentative agreement on the location of the proposed new Arena.

Dr. Caret and the Rodgers Forge Community will sign a "Good Neighbor Accord" Memorandum of Understanding in a 10-minute signing ceremony/press conference tonight, 2/12, at 5:30 p.m. at the Towson Center Arena lobby. Residents are encouraged to attend.

The new Arena will be placed on the northwest side of the existing arena, away from the neighborhood, adjacent to the parking area identified as Lot 20. Other concessions that Towson has agreed to include the following:
--Fencing: a buffer zone along the property lines will be created by a fence that will be placed behind the TU Child Care Center and continue west behind the resindences located on the 100 block of Stanmore road. TU will maintain and repair it as needed.
--Landscaping: Two rows of Leyland Cypress and one row of desiduous trees will be planted prior to construction in the same vicinity as the fence to block the view of the campus from the neighborhood.
--Arena Operation: Contruction of the site will only commence between 7am and 7pm on weekdays. Subsequent Arena events will conclude by 9pm on weekdays and by 10pm on weekends. No tailgating will be permitted in the parking areas and green spaces abutting theRodgers Forge community.
--Community Liaison: TU will appojunt a community liaison who will be empowered to cross all departments at TU for the purpose of rectifying concerns of the surrounding communities and will be available and reachable 24 hours a day to address concerns requiring immediate attention.

There will be a Board of Regents meeting tomorrow, Friday 2/13, 11:00am,at the TU Student Union (Chesapeake room) at which time the Memorandum detailed above will be read to the Regents and into the minutes by representatives from Rodgers Forge and the GTCCA, Greater Towson Council of Community Associations, which is the umbrella organization of 30+ Towson neighborhood associations of which Rodgers Forge is also a part.

The community thanks President Caret and Towson University for listening to it's neighbors. We look forward to a continuing dialogue.