Work Session minutes and Council minutes, Oct. 2008

SECTION 5 OF THE VILLAGE OF CHEVY CHASE

MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION

Date: October 14, 2008

Time: 5:30 PM

Place: 5906 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase Village Hall

Present: Margy Abbott; Peter Gray; Frances L. Higgins; Ira Rosenbaum; Andrew Smith; Alan Beal; John Higgins

The purpose of this meeting was to discuss zoning issues pertinent to Section 5. The Council had been given a copy of the zoning ordinances for the County, the Town of Chevy Chase and the Village of Chevy Chase some time prior to this meeting. Alan Beal and John Higgins were asked to attend as resource persons. There was discussion of the different size lots in Section 5. It was mentioned that the size of the County’s side setback is determined by the date when the lot was recorded. The majority of the lots in Section 5 were recorded between 1925 and 1941 and have a 7 foot side setback. Any construction whether it is an addition or a new house, the 7 foot side setback will apply. If the Council were to enact an ordinance which is more stringent than the present 7 foot side setback, additions would need to be narrower than the present house and new houses would need to adhere to the new setback. Ira said that he was not in favor of having a more stringent side setback ordinance which would apply to new construction because there are so few houses in Section 5 which are potential tear-downs where a more stringent side setback would apply.

Margy said that she thinks that many of the problems concerning house construction in Section 5 can be addressed by the already enacted storm water management and by a potential front loading garage prohibition.

Andrew suggested that he and the manager create an ordinance which addresses the side set back rule. They will present this proposed ordinance to the other Council members by email before the next meeting.

It was decided to have another work session at 6:30 PM before the November 11th Council meeting to discuss front and back yard set backs.

SECTION 5 OF THE VILLAGE OF CHEVY CHASE

MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING

Date: October 14, 2008

Time: 7:30 PM

Place: 5906 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase Village Hall

Present: Margy Abbott; Peter Gray; Frances L. Higgins; Ira Rosenbaum; Andrew Smith; 7 Section 5 residents

Andrew moved that the Sept 9, 2008, Council minutes be approved as amended; Ira seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Eric Burnett, Crime Prevention Coordinator, Montgomery County Police, had been invited to speak at the Council meeting about crime prevention in Section 5. He was unable to attend and asked Montgomery County Police Officer, Sabrina Oglesby, to fill in for him. Officer Oglesby gave some suggestions which residents may do to make their homes and neighborhood safer. Some of her suggestions were: 1) People should travel (walk, jog, cycling) in groups; 2) People should make eye contact with other people who are approaching them; and 3) As a last resort people should act like a lunatic (talk to oneself, zig-zag, etc.). The latter action may seem strange, but it has been proven to work. Even criminals are put off by crazy behavior. She said that car break-ins and home invasions are crimes of opportunity; there was some discussion.

A resident said that he had received a copy of a report about four crimes which have been committed in Chevy Chase and that one of the persons arrested was from Chevy Chase. This resident asked the officer what he can do to prevent being accosted. The officer said that a person should be aware of his surroundings. Another resident asked about the effectiveness of a neighborhood watch program.

Officer Oglesby said that she offers a course comprised of four sessions which teaches women how to protect themselves. Margy asked if Officer Oglesby would offer a mini course for women on how to protect themselves. The manager will contact the officer about offering such a course in Section 5.

It was suggested that certain information concerning town activities be listed on Section 5’s list serv. The manager will contact Pete Johnson, Section 5’s web master, about providing town information to residents who have signed up for the list serv.

Peter said that he has explored the possibility of employing additional police protection for Section 5 from either the County or the Village. He said that Section 3 has reduced its number of extra police patrols from 20 to 16 hours per month and Martin’s Additions has reduced its patrols from 84 to 80 hours per month. It is this reduction which will allow the Village to have sufficient personnel to provide extra police patrols for Section 5. It will cost $6,000 for 20 hours per month for six months to employ the Village police; it will cost $4,800 for 20 hours per month for six months to employ County police. Peter moved that Section 5 employ Village police for 20 hours per month for a six month period. Andrew seconded the motion. There was some discussion. Andrew called for the vote; Andrew, Peter and Margy voted for the motion and Ira opposed the motion. The motion passed.

Peter said that Chief Gordon, the Village Police Chief, told him that he would send the police patrols at the times which Section 5 would like. Peter said that he thought the Chief should decide when and where to send the extra police patrols. Andrew asked the residents who were present if they were in favor of extra police protection. One resident said that he was in favor of extra police patrols because he would feel safer. Another resident said that the Council at the end of the six month trial period should ask the residents if they feel safer with the extra police patrols. A resident asked if the Council could post signs stating that Section 5 has extra police patrols. Andrew said that the Council will consider this proposal at a later meeting.

Margy said that Section 5 has received $10,000 in State income tax money so far this year. The increase in the FDIC insurance for deposits will allow Section 5 to have more than $100,000 in any one bank.

Peter said that the proposed fence ordinance be changed. The new proposed ordinance will read: “This fence may not exceed four (4) feet in height and must be set back three (3) from the edge of the public sidewalk or edge of public land closest to the property owner. The owner must install suitable camouflage such as shrubs not to exceed the height of the fence.” A copy of this proposed fence ordinance will be sent with the agenda for the November Council meeting for residents to review. It will be voted on at the November Council meeting.

The manager will retype the fence ordinance and correct the numbering.

3814 Woodbine St. – two story rear addition & 1 story rear addition

3701 Williams Ln. – replace existing side deck

Margy asked the manager to get a cost proposal for scarring the streets and applying a macadam surface.

The manager is in the process of purchasing cloth bags to give to each Section 5 household. She asked permission to pay her four granddaughters to deliver the bags. The Council agreed. The Council agreed to pay the $300 subscription fee for the Local Government Law Weekly for John Higgins. John reviews each issue of this publication and reports to the Council on legal issues pertinent to Section 5. The mirror at the corner of Thornapple St. and Brookville Road and the street signs for Connecticut Ave and Williams Lane have been installed. The Council asked the manager to call the residents who expressed an interest in renting a paper shredder to determine if they are still interested. The manager at the Council’s direction increased the insurance liability coverage with LGIT from $1,000,000 to $5,000,000; the charge is $64 per year. Section 5 has received 6 requests from residents for a free tree this fall. The manager now has a copy of engineering plan which will protect a storm water inlet drain when there is construction site up grade of the storm water inlet drain. The manager asked the Council how it would like to spend the Open Space money which is being held in escrow with Park and Planning. The Council does not presently have any ideas about how to spend this money. The manager will contact Park and Planning and ask if Section 5 should give the money back to the State.

Andrew moved that the meeting be adjourned; Margy seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The next meeting will be Tuesday, November 9, 2008, at 5906 Connecticut Ave., at 7:30 PM. The work session will begin at 6:30 PM. Everyone is welcome.