This is a follow-up to my earlier APFP podcast on January 11, 2023. The Town Planning Commission started the APFO discussion at their January 3, 2023, meeting, followed by a special work session on January 18, 2023. I attended online or watched the YouTube video of both meetings. I also provided my comments and observations to the Planning Commission Chair, through email on January 6 and January 23, 2023. My initial comments urged that Fiscal impact should also be part of APFO. Development affec...
Feb 06, 2023•12 min
This is what the Army calls an After-Action Review of the recent (3) annexations (Villages at Rosewick, The HUB, and Hawthorne Yards) eventually approved by the Town Council . This review is my opinion as one member of the 5-member Town Council. I believe reviewing and seeing how we can improve the process is important. Maryland Municipal League (MML) Annexation Handbook Videos: Hawthorne Yards The HUB Villages at Rosewick...
Jan 18, 2023•12 min
The La Plata Planning Commission, at their January 3, 2023, meeting, discussed an initial draft of an Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO). Town Planning Commission January 3, 2023 Meeting Agenda Town Planning Commission January 3, 2023, recorded video Rationale for Smart Growth Fiscal Impact Analysis and Model Impact Assessment Ordinance...
Jan 11, 2023•15 min
This is a follow-up to my last podcast, posted December 7, Annexations – My Vote and Why - my NO vote in opposition to The HUB and Hawthorne Yards annexations, approved at the November 22, 2022, Town Council meeting, by a 3-1 vote. The HUB, TDX, Master Site Development Plan: Town Zoning Ordinance Section 191-11 – Site plans and master site development plan. https://library.municode.com/md/la_plata/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CH191ZO_ARTIIPLRESURE_S191-11SIPLMASIDEPL Hawthorne Yards, NCX, Mas...
Dec 13, 2022•12 min
At the November 22, 2022, Town Council meeting, I voted in opposition (NO) for both The HUB (+- 1,500 units) and the Hawthorne Yards Annexations (148 SF and 48 TH units). I believe both annexations ARE NOT CONSISTENT with the Town Comp Plan Goals. Previous videos: The HUB Annexation Hawthorne Yards...
Dec 08, 2022•20 min
This episode highlights information and issues from recent Town Council meetings, since August 2022. Agricopia - Our community mourns the tragic loss of life from Friday's event. Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences to the family. Our thanks to the first responders. We attended a candlelight vigil on Sunday, November 6 at the community. Steeplechase -What Happened La Plata's Strategic Plan...
Nov 09, 2022•24 min
There is a lot of discussion, questions, and concerns about growth in La Plata. At the same time, comments and criticisms have been made that La Plata’s growth has and is contributing to the lack of water and school overcrowding. The purpose of this episode is to provide some facts and context about this growth and criticism. La Plata Develoment Video
Oct 26, 2022•15 min
Reference: Blue Zone
Oct 19, 2022•12 min
This episode is about the PC/TC Joint October 4, 2022, Joint Meeting - An update on transportation Projects, Initiatives to implement the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, Goal 16 – Continue to make La Plata a very walkable community. Ocotober 4, 2022 Meeting Agenda - https://laplata.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=2554 YouTube Town of La Plata Video October 4, 2022 Radio Station Road Pathway video...
Oct 09, 2022•13 min
This episode is a summary of the Town Council’s September 27, 2020, Meeting and the results of the Steeplechase Amended Master Site Development Plan public hearing. The video of this meeting is available on the Town of La Plata YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/3rQjkfBlz3E.) The Steeplechase public hearing starts at minute 38:25. Closing Public Hearing - Time 1:53-35 Town of La Plata YouTube meeting video. Resolution 22-29, Approving the Steeplechase revied Master Site Development Plan was intro...
Sep 29, 2022•16 min
Sources: What is Traffic Calming? What is Complete Street and why?! Radio Station Road Pathway Project...
Sep 06, 2022•10 min
This episode is a summary of the Town Council Strategic Plan, adopted at our August 23, 2022, Business Meeting.
Aug 27, 2022•8 min
In this episode, in response to recent resident comments about the Town Council’s lack of community outreach and engagement, I provide comments and perspective as one of five Council members. I don’t speak for the Mayor and Council, and they don’t speak for me. La Plata Planning Department links: Development Updates Development Review Maryland Open Meetings Act Town of La Plata YouTube...
Aug 22, 2022•15 min
This episode is a follow-up to recent Town Council/Planning Commission public hearing comments, to provide additional information including: More about Smart Growth La Plata Planning Commission education requirements La Plata Planning Commission/Town Council responsibilities What is Smart Growth? - Smart Growth Online: https://smartgrowth.org/what-is-smart-growth/?fbclid=IwAR0leief_dL1-pT-Lc_ThOYvMYpxdlXECE_gVj4t9TQcaqZ6Btb-tTCSqTY Maryland Department of Planning, Planning Commission Education C...
Aug 16, 2022•16 min
This episode is about two Town Council annexation public hearings – May 24th, The HUB, and July 18th for the Hawthorne Yards annexation request, and the August 3 Planning Commission public hearing about an amendment to the Steeplechase Master Site Development Plan. Previous podcasts about growth and development: Annexations – May 15 Strong Towns – A New Thinking About La Plata’s Growth – May 22 La Plata’s Planning Department – May 31 La Plata’s Comprehensive Plan – June 12 La Plata 2021 Annual P...
Aug 08, 2022•11 min
This episode is a follow-up to my April 23, 2022, podcast – Show Me the Money La Plata’s Draft FY 23 Budget. – Please note - the FY (Fiscal Year) starts July 1, 2022, and ends June 30, 2023. All budget information is available on the Town website – www.townoflpata.org
Aug 01, 2022•8 min
This is episode is a brief summary of La Plata’s Planning Department’s 2021 Annual Report, required annually by the Maryland Department of Planning. This was reviewed and approved by the Town Planning Commission at their June 7, 2022, meeting. This report is available from the La Plata Planning Department website www.townoflaplta.org>Town Government> Planning Department>Annual Reports Key items tracked annually are permits, School seat allocations and development capacity analysis....
Jul 12, 2022•8 min
Town Council Work Sessions/Business Meeting Recap Work Sessions: April 12, April 19, May 10, May 17, June 10 Business Meetings : April 26, May 24, June 21 Link to access all meeting agendas: https://laplata.civicweb.net/Portal/ Then click a specific meeting date on the calendar.
Jul 05, 2022•17 min
The Compete Streets program has a direct connection to one of my Town Council priorities, based on the 2020 Town Comprehensive Plan – GOAL #16: Continue to make La Plata a very walkable community. This is also personal for me - I am a walker and cyclist, so I have firsthand experience with speeding in our neighborhoods and around La Plata. This includes several close calls being hit by a car, even practicing safe behavior – walking and riding on the correct side of the road (no sidewalks!) when ...
Jun 26, 2022•13 min
This is a follow-up to an episode of my May 31, 2022) podcast - La Plata’s Planning Department and What do they do! This episode is about the Town’s 2020 Comprehensive Plan, adopted on September 28, 2020. The Plan is a policy guide for both the Town Council and Planning Commission. The Plan’s goals and objectives are implemented over time through the decisions related to annexations, rezoning, the subdivision of land, and the location and construction of public improvements. There are 31 Goals, ...
Jun 12, 2022•16 min
With the development under construction and with three annexation proposals, it's appropriate to provide an overview of the Town of Plata’s Planning Department, a subject near and dear to my heart, given my education and job experience (public and private sectors) as a certified planner. All the information about the Town Planning Department is available at their website – go to www.townoflplata.org>Town Government>Departments>Planning Planning Department’s Mission: • maintain and impro...
May 31, 2022•20 min
Given La Plata’s present growth pressures, I want to talk about Strong Towns, established in 2009, this is a national non-profit organization, promoting a new way of thinking about how towns grow, to be sustainable and resilient communities. Their website - https://www.strongtowns.org/ Strong Town Principles: · Strong cities, towns, and neighborhoods need strong citizens working together to improve the community. · Local government is not the lowest level of government, but the highest level of ...
May 22, 2022•11 min
In this episode, I will review my first year (May 10, 2021) as a Town Council member. Please know that I am one of five (5) Council members, and will differentiate our accomplishments as a Town Council, versus my individual activities. Shortly after I was sworn in on May 10, 2021. I wrote my goals for my 4- year term. These goals are based on the following goals/actions from the September 2020 Town Comprehensive Plan: But first, my Civic Responsibility as an elected official - The Athenian Oath,...
May 15, 2022•15 min
A brief overview of the annexation process, a summary of the Town's 2020 Comprehensive Plan, followed with an update about two annexation requests – Villages at Rosewick, and The Hub, now both scheduled for Town Council public hearings. Villages of Rosewick Town Council Public Hearing – May 10, 2022, 6:00 PM The Hub - Town Council Public Hearing – May 24, 2022, 6:00 PM
May 01, 2022•15 min
La Plata's draft FY 23 Budget - a brief overview of how the budget is prepared, budget highlights, and the review process. The fiscal Year 2023 starts July 1, 2022, and ends June 30, 2023. Highlights: General Fund Budget for FY 2023 equals $14,735,365 which represents an increase over the FY 2022 budget of$4,302,770 or 41%. Enterprise Funds Budget for FY 2023 equals $15,786,620 which represents an increase over the FY 2022 budget of $4,977,965 or 46%. The proposed budget reflects no increase in ...
Apr 23, 2022•16 min
The Radio Station Road Pathway Project – is an exciting project for your town. Follow-up information about the Villages of Rosewick annexation request Upcoming events : April 2 – Opening Day, La Plata Farmers Market – a short video was posted on NextDoor and my Facebook Page Tuesday, April 5 - National Arbor Day, 10:00 AM, Wills Park Celebrate La Plata, Saturday, April 30th, from 12 PM to 4 PM - with craft and business vendors, local food vendors, live music, and the annual La Plata Bed Races ev...
Apr 04, 2022•13 min
Update Town Council February Work Sessions and Business Meeting Since COVID, all meetings have been virtual, using the Microsoft Teams platform. The first hybrid meeting (option to attend in person or virtually through Teams) started with the Town Council on February 22, 2022, a Business meeting. Each meeting and agenda have the following guidance: “In accordance with the Open Meetings Act, the public has the right to view/listen to the discussion only. The Town Council at their discretion may l...
Mar 08, 2022•14 min•Ep. 8
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) La Plata Road/Radio Station Road Pedestrian Pathway/Bikeway Latest annexation requests: The HUB: Hawthorne Yards – MD 225, American Legion ballfield site, 53 acres, 48 TH, 135 SF, clubhouse, pickleball courts, small commercial area (on MD 225 4. Villages at RosewickTown Strategic Plan and Organizational Development 5. Upcoming Events: Joint TC/County Commissioner meeting Tuesday, February 8 to discuss water and our state groundwater appropriate permit (GAP) Februa...
Feb 06, 2022•11 min
Highlights from the December 14 Town Council Work Session and December 21 Town Council Business Meeting Latest Annex Request - The HUB - https://laplata.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=2431 Town Pedestrian/ Bikeways Projects/Studies American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)Under ARPA, the Town of La Plata will receive $9,489,034 over two payments from the Federal Government through the State of Maryland. Click the link below to read more about ARPA and how funds can be used. htt...
Jan 04, 2022•9 min
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds: I have an ask - we are seeking your input on how to spend funds the Town has received from The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), signed into law in March 2021. This is an economic stimulus bill designed to help communities recover from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. La Plata has received an initial allocation of $4.7 million of a total of $9.4 million. The remaining funds will be received by July 2022. All funds must be spent by De...
Dec 06, 2021•11 min0
