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

 

FPAC To Take Nominations For Board And To Hear From State Highway Administration!!!

 

 

“ If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door”

--Milton Berle

 


Who:  All residents of Finksburg and its environs are invited

What: To attend the Finksburg Planning Area Council Inc., general membership meeting

When: Thursday March 25th at 7 p.m. 

Where:  Sandy Mount United Methodist Church

 

FPAC Board Nominations: 

It’s time to elect the FPAC Officers and Board of Directors.  A slate of candidates will be presented at our March meeting.  Additional nominations can be made from the floor.  If you are interested in any of the two-year positions( President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary), or at-large positions please contact Mike Davis at mike.davis@finksburg.org with your questions or recommendations.  The General Election will be held in April.

 

SHA Update:

Mary Dietz, representative with the State Highway Administration is scheduled to speak to our group at our next meeting.  There are several road projects being considered in Carroll County and some involve Finksburg. Traffic congestion is one of the major problems facing Carroll County and this should be a very informative discussion.

 

Campus Business Zone:

Carroll County held a public hearing on Wednesday, March 3rd on a proposed new employment campus zoning.  FPAC Vice President John Lopez testified before the Carroll County commissioners that FPAC was not opposed to the new zoning but was concerned about where this type of development would be allowed.  He cited Finksburg as being a bad location for employment campus development because it was too close to the watershed.  He urged the county commissioners to consider water and sewer needs when approving this type of zoned designation. If the zoning designation were approved, the commissioners, not the planning commission, would likely make the final decisions on where an employment campus development would be constructed. A vote on the proposal could come as early as March 15th. 

 

 

Zoning Changes:

Carroll County commissioners on March 4th also approved zoning changes that reduce the number of conditional uses for industrial zoning from 70 to 20.  The goal is to prevent big box stores and strip malls from being constructed on industrial land in the county.

 

Environmental Ordinances:

Another public hearing will be held March 16th on ordinances concerning adequate facilities and future development.  It will be held at the Scott Auditorium on the campus of Carroll Community College from 6-9 p.m.  A public hearing on ordinances that address environmental issues and future development was held March 9th.

 

Royal Farms Update:

Owners of Royal Farms have submitted a new signage plan and architectural drawings for approval by the county Planning Commission.  Royal Farms is going to build a new store at Bethel Road and Route 140.  Rumor is the store will not have the big green canopy like the one on the store in Gamber and the signs will be less visually obtrusive.

 

 

ATV Complaints:

Some Carroll County residents have been complaining to the county about noise associated with all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes in their neighborhoods.  The county has hired staff to monitor noise levels that may be above the legal limit in Maryland.  The county is considering a noise violation ordinance that would be enforced by the Sheriff’s department.  The county Health department now investigates complaints.  If you have questions, the number to call is 410-876-1884.

 

Big Attendance At Last General Meeting:

There were more than 30 people in attendance at our last general membership meeting in February.  We also had several residents join our organization.  FPAC has been promoting our meetings in the Baltimore Sun, Carroll County Times and recently in the Images of Finksburg monthly mailing.  We’d love to hear from you if you saw the latest Images ad or if you never received Images.  Please contact Mat Tiahrt at mat.tiahrt@finksburg.org.

 

Trash Pickup:

The next trash pickup is scheduled for Saturday, April 3rd.  It will be held at 8 a.m. along Route 91 between Route 140 and Deer Park Road.   We will meet at the parking lot at Finksburg Plaza near Roy Rogers.  Come on out and cleanup Finksburg.

 

Membership Dues:

A reminder that it’s time to pay 2004 membership dues.  To join our group, it only costs  $10 per family and $25 for businesses. We take checks.   Please see Martin or Doris at the next meeting.  Thanks for your help and support. 

 

Web site:

Have you been to the new Finksburg web site?  If not it's at www.finksburg.org

 

Board of Directors:

Deborah Ridgely- President

John Lopez- Vice President

Maureen Ackerman- Secretary

Martin Schmidt-Treasurer

Mat Tiahrt-Communications Director

 

Board members At-Large-

Richard Ackerman

Mike Davis

Doris Edwards

Donald Hoffman

 

You can reach any of these board members by going to the finksburg.org web site.

 

If there is a neighbor or a business you regularly trade with, ask them if they would like the newsletter sent to them electronically.  Send us their address so they are included in future mailings.

 

 

Be informed!  Attend the Next Meeting!

 

FPAC Inc. Schedule

3/25/04-General membership meeting-Board nominations, SHA talk

4/7/04 Board meeting

4/22/04- General Membership meeting- Board election, Public Safety, State Police Commander Westminster Barracks to speak.

 

 

Save a Stamp: Receive your newsletter electronically. Send your e-mail address to Richard Ackerman at richard.ackerman@finksburg.org.

Mark Your Calendar: General Council meetings are the 4th Thursday of the month at the Sandy Mount United Methodist Church. Meetings begin at 7 PM. Board meetings are usually held on the 1st Wednesday of each month. 

 

 

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

Dues: You can now pay your 2004 dues. The organization uses money from dues to pay for the printing and mailing costs of this newsletter and other mailings.

 

______ 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 FPAC.

 

Name________________________________________

 

Address _____________________________________

 

City ___________________________      Zip__________

 

Phone ____________________    Work phone_____________________ 

 

E-mail_________________@__________________

 

 

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