November 27, 2013

Keeping You in the Loop

Brought to you by your Abingdon Community Council

BGE Provides Tips to Customers on Ways to Save Energy During Colder Weather
(Customers encouraged to visit bge.com/Winter Ready for information about preparing homes for heating season)

BALTIMORE (Nov. 25, 2013) As cold temperatures continue to affect central Maryland this week, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) encourages all customers to visit bge.com/Winter Ready for tips and information on saving energy, even on the coldest days. Customers can also find information about winterizing their homes and preparing their families for the winter heating season. BGE offers customers a variety of low-to-no-cost ways to make their homes more energy efficient, saving energy and money. See attached Press Release for additional information. Steps that all customers can take to reduce energy consumption and lower heating bills:
Have the furnace checked by a licensed professional to be sure it is operating efficiently and seal any leaks in furnace ducts. BGE offers rebates for these and other home efficiency improvements through the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program. Consider BGEs Quick Home Energy Check-up or Home Performance with ENERGY STAR. Change the furnace filter regularly. A dirty filter forces the furnace to work harder. During the winter, for systems other than heat pumps, set thermostats at 68 degrees F, if health allows. This can help customers see a 3-4 percent decrease in energy use. Natural gas customers should consider setting the thermostat to 68 degrees during the day and 65 degrees at night. Consider a programmable thermostat, which can save 10-25 percent in energy costs all year when programmed to lower temperatures when no one is home in the winter and higher temperatures when no one is home in summer. Install an approved insulation blanket around the water heater and insulate the first three feet of water pipe (keep insulation at least 6 inches from the flue on gas water heaters). Lower the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees F and conserve hot water when you can. Heating water is the second largest energy user in your home in the winter months. Caulk and weather strip windows and doors to keep cold air out. Check/add attic insulation to reach a level of R-38 or 12 inches. Wash clothes in cold or warm water and rinse in cold water to reduce water heater usage. Source: From the Desk of Joe Woods 1

Community Input Meetings

Notes

submitted by Donna Copenhaver

Target Property, November 14, 2013

(7 people in attendance plus presenter, Keith Stanley, from the Timmons Group based in Richmond, VA)

Property in question is .8+ acre triangle shaped corner at Constant Friendship Boulevard and Arundel Court. Mr. Stanly provided a site map showing the exact location of the parcel in question. Proposal: Target wants to sell the parcel to a small business (undetermined at this time), i.e. Dunkin Donuts, coffee shop, ice cream parlor, bank, etc. The building will most likely be 1,500 to 2,500 square feet in size. Parcel is available because Target currently has 800-850 parking spaces but code only requires 700 spaces for store size. There will be no new exits/entrances installed. Access will be by existing exits/entrances. If this proposal is accepted, Target will use its own brokerage wing to handle the sale. There have not yet been any studies, i.e. traffic, lighting, etc., performed. **************************************

Riverwood at Tollgate, November 21, 2013

(15 citizens in attendance, 3 presenters, an attorney, and a court reporter)

Property in question: Lot #3 at the end of Arundel Court that consists of 15 acres; property runs behind Target and is bordered by old logging road that runs along Interstate 95 Introductions were given by Joseph Snee, an attorney (410-893-7500). Frederick Ward representatives presented the project. The developers are Osprey Property Company based in Annapolis.

Proposal: Complex is for mixed use and would include 84 two and three bedroom apartments, 79 one bedroom senior housing apartments, a club house, and climate controlled storage. Parking will be outside on site. They are not requesting any variances. Price range of rentals will be up to approximately $1,500 (may be some government subsidies). Developers project 4/5 trips a day per apartment for approximately 150 apartments which equals an estimated 600 trips per day for the complex. The desire is for the project to be Earth Link Leed Certified.

Question/Comments from citizens: Has there been a traffic study done yet? No, not yet Will there be any other entrance/exits from the area besides at Constant Friendship and Tollgate? No Will there be improvements at the Constant Friendship and Tollgate intersection to handle the increased traffic? No definitive answer at this time. Is there a plan to have public transportation to service the Riverwood Community? We believe so. Is there a possibility of adding an exit closer to Lowes? Dont know but it can be considered. What is the age limit for the senior housing? Age is for people 62+ living independently with elevators available. Will it be a gated community? At this time no gate is planned. Because of the amount of traffic, there is great concern for how emergency vehicles will be able to get to residents in need! One citizen commented that if/when Walmart leaves the area, traffic will be decreased. Another person commented that even if Walmart leaves, which may not be for a few years, they plan to sell the property to another owner. Who knows who might purchase it and what they might put at that location. Therefore, you cant use Walmart to negate traffic issues at this time. Will storm water management behind BJs need updating? Do not know What will the storm water management be for the new complex? Several small landscaped ponds to filter the water. Citizen expressed his concern about mosquitoes. What will be the purpose of the club house/community building? Will it be rented out? That has not been discussed. Is there a place where the public can get more information about other projects like the one being proposed? Visit OspreyPC.com
****************************************** (Source: Notes compiled by Donna Copenhaver)

Your Abingdon Community Council sends a special greeting of Thanksgiving to express to you our sincere appreciation for your confidence and loyalty. We are deeply thankful and extend to you our best wishes for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving Day! No December ACC meeting
Next meeting, January 27, 2014 Special Guest Presenter will be: Sheriff JESSE BANE

Members: Cynthia Hergenhahn, Chairperson C. David Copenhaver Carlin Cook Earl Grey Gregory A. Beaty Joan Hamilton Recording Secretary: Donna Copenhaver