Council minutes, Jan. 2009

SECTION 5 OF THE VILLAGE OF CHEVY CHASE

MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION

Date: January 13, 2009

Time: 6:30 PM

Place: 5906 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase Village Hall

Present: Peter Gray; Frances L. Higgins; Chris Richardson; Ira Rosenbaum; Andrew Smith; Alan Beal; John Higgins; Kevin Bromberg

The purpose of this meeting was to discuss whether Section 5 will continue to use the County’s front and back setbacks or adopt ones more stringent than the County’s. Andrew asked Alan if a house which has a 5 ft. side setback and is torn down is still under the 5 ft setback rule. Alan said that for the 5 ft. side setback rule to still be in effect, more than 50% of two first floor walls need to remain. There was some discussion about the number of houses in Section 5 which have 5 ft. setbacks and the number of house which have 7 ft. setbacks.

Alan said that he thinks the Council should decide on a certain setback rule and then select three properties in Section 5 and decide how that proposed setback would affect those properties. Alan said that the County does not apply the established building line rule to renovations, only tear downs. Alan said that he will email the manager a copy of the County’s building ordinance pertaining to setbacks which goes into effect April 28, 2009. Alan said that the County’s new building ordinance states that lots with 8,000 sq. ft will be allowed to have 28% lot coverage, 7,000 sq. ft. lots will allow 29% lot coverage and 6,000 sq. ft lots will be allowed 30% lot coverage. Lots with over 16,000 sq. ft. will be allowed 20% lot coverage. Alan said this new County ordinance will include all accessory buildings of at least 240 sq ft. in calculating the percentage of lot coverage allowed. Unenclosed porches are not considered in this calculation; however, screened porches are considered.

Andrew said that he will write a proposed ordinance pertaining to setbacks for Section 5 using Martin’s Additions proposed ordinance as a model and get a copy to the other Council members as well Kevin and his committee

SECTION 5 OF THE VILLAGE OF CHEVY CHASE

MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING

Date: January 13, 2009

Time: 7:30 PM

Place: 5906 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase Village Hall

Present: Peter Gray; Frances L. Higgins; Chris Richardson; Ira Rosenbaum; Andrew Smith; John Higgins

Andrew moved that the December 9, 2008, Council Work Session and Council Meeting minutes be approved as amended; Chris seconded the motion. Peter asked if he could vote on the minutes even though he was not present at the meeting. There was some discussion and it was decided that he could vote. The motion passed unanimously.

The manger provided a copy of the schedule for the police patrols in Section 5. Chief Gordon has told the manager that he thinks the patrols should be scheduled for daylight hours so that Section 5 residents will see the police. It was suggested that Chief Gordon be invited to the March 10th Council meeting to give a progress report on the new patrols. The manager will contact Chief Gordon.

John suggested that the Council purchase defibrillators and place them at certain locations in Section 5. Andrew said that the Council will consider this suggestion.

New Business

Margy provided the Council with an update on revenues and expenditures via email. She suggested that the budget for refurbishing public strips be increased. The Council will finalize the budget at the February meeting

The manager will contact the utility companies which provide electricity to Maryland residents that is generated by windpower and get the price per kilowatt hour. She will then place the names of these companies in the March newsletter.

The manager will contact the Village to determine the degree of interest in their recent babysitting training class. The Council will consider sponsoring a babysitting training class.

The manager purchased 75 bags with Section 5’s logo to be given to new residents in the new resident packet. The insurance company, HRH, with whom Section 5 has its crime insurance policy which covers the manger has merged with another insurance company. The rates will remain the same.

Section 5’s audit has been completed and sent to the State’s Legislative Services Office. The manager will reschedule the self-defense course for women some time in March. She will contact Section 3 and Martin’s Additions to see if they are interested in participating in this course.

Three of the five Council seats are up for reelection at the April Annual Meeting. Andrew and Ira said that they are interested in being reelected. The manager will contact Margy about her intentions

Andrew moved that the meeting adjourn; there was a second and the motion passed unanimously.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, February 10, 2009, at 7:30 PM at the Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Avenue.