The Finksburg News  Finksburg Planning Area Council, Inc. Newsletter

To Promote A Finksburg Community, Whose Objective Is To Preserve The Fundamental Quality Of Life Where Farms, Families And Businesses  May Coexist In A Manner Beneficial To All

 

 

Meeting Date is Moved to March 21^st

Carroll County’s New Corridor Plan for Finksburg to be Presented at the March Meeting

 

 

Vote on the Commissioner Scorecard

 

Next General Meeting Date of the Finksburg Planning Area Council:   Thursday, March 21^st at 7 PM

Where: Sandy Mount United Methodist Church Meeting Hall, 2101 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg

This meeting has been moved from our usual date to accommodate the holy days of Easter & Passover

“Bad Officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.”

George Jean Nathan

March Meeting: There is a lot of business before the members at the upcoming meeting. First, since we plum ran out of time at the last meeting, we will be asking our members to score the Commissioners for their April Scorecard. Are they doing better or worse than our October ratings?

Board Nominations are due. It’s time to stand up and be counted. FPAC needs you to join the Board and help steer FPAC through the next year. Several members are required by the Bylaws to step off the Board, leaving the Communication Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President and President slots open in addition to one at-large seat. The time requirements are not brutal, the rewards of helping to shape your community are huge. Please contact Mary Lewis at the number listed below if you are interested in serving a term on the Board.

One of those issues which will test the mettle of FPAC and Finksburg is working with County Planners on the new corridor Plan which presupposes a large reduction in the size of the Finksburg Planning Area – something which may protect our rural atmosphere and avail property owners to participate in the Rural Legacy program to conserve farms. Planner Matthew Simmont will tell us the status of our Community plan and some exciting opportunities which might arise from it to spruce up that Rt. 140 strip through the heart of Finksburg.

 

March Presentations: Barb Larkin from Chocolate Connections will give us information on the history of her business and its products. Let’s hope Barb brings samples!

 

Phase II Rezonings: The Commissioners appear to be in a holding pattern on the Phase II rezonings. It is our understanding that they prefer to adopt Employment Campus Overlay zoning and eliminate some of the conditional uses in the Industrial Zone before moving forward, if forward is the appropriate word.

 

Litter Pickup on Rt. 91 is Saturday March 16^th. We’ll meet at Roy Rogers at 8 AM. Volunteers needed!

 

Billboards: The ugly truth of the matter is that billboards continue to spring up in Finksburg and the County Commissioners have clearly said they will not place a moratorium on new billboards, much less attempt to phase out any of the existing signs. The County receives no revenue from this form of roadside advertising.

FPAC is not ready to throw in the towel while awaiting a new Board of Commissioners. At the March meeting we want to hear your thoughts and your suggestions on what to do next.

Subdivision News:  The controversial ZORC Zoning Amendment which created so many new lots throughout the Finksburg area is up for amendment by the Commissioners. The amendment does little or nothing for protecting our environmental features but it does nullify the huge increase in lot yields. FPAC recommends repeal of the ZORC amendment.The Commissioners will vote on the law at 7:30 PM on Monday, March 18 in the basement of the County Office Building.

The Plans for a 7-11 were taken off the table at the Subdivision Advisory Committee review last month. There were many unanswered questions about access to the site and the appearance of the project. Plans are being revised and will be resubmitted. We will continue to work toward an attractive addition to our community.

 

Shields Mobile Home Park: Apparently the property is for sale by the Shields estate. Neighboring Gerstell Academy is rumored to be interested in buying the property. We will continue to monitor the status of this transaction while examining what other uses could be placed on it should the new owner choose not to keep the status quo of operating a mobile home village.

 

Sunbelt Rentals is scheduled to request site plan approval for their expansion from 1 ½ years ago. The site is currently in violation of the Zoning Ordinance. FPAC will deliver comments requesting additional landscape screening at the Planning Commission meeting on March 19^th.

 

Reach a Board Member:

Save a Stamp: Receive your newsletter electronically. Send your e-mail address to dan@finksburg.com.

ü       Mark Your Calendar: General Council meetings are the 4^th Thursday of the month at the Sandy Mount United Methodist Church. Meetings begin at 7 PM. Due to the Passover and Easter holidays, the March meeting will be held on the 21^st.  Board meetings are usually held on the 1^st Wednesday of each month. The next Board meeting will be held on March 3, 2002.

ü       Directions to the Meetings: From the West take Rte 140 East to the intersection at Sandymount Rd. Turn South (right) on Sandymount to the Stop sign. The Church is immediately to your left, straight across from the Stop.

From the East take Rte 140 West to the intersection at Sandymount Rd. Turn South (left) on Sandymount Road to the Stop sign. The Church is immediately to your left, straight across from the Stop.

 

Yearly Membership Fee: $10 per Household, $25 per business

______ I would like to join the Finksburg Planning Area Council, Inc. a not-for-profit organization.

______ I would like to renew my membership. (Dues and donations not tax deductible)

______ Yes, I would also like to volunteer. (Board membership, roadside trash pickup, county meeting attendance, etc.)

______ I would like to make an additional donation of $______________ to the Finksburg Planning Area Council, Inc.

 

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Finksburg Planning Area Council, Inc.      P O Box 70      Finksburg, Maryland      21048