|
HVBF Monthly Meeting - Facilities,
Security, Transportation Roundtable Host: Cockeysville Volunteer Fire Company Attending: Bob Allen, Patuxent Publishing John Dixon, Cockeysville Volunteer Fire Company, welcomed the Roundtable. John gave us some history of the Company and defined its organization and mission. The facility is especially suited to meetings of this Roundtable because of its spaciousness and amenities. Our discussion this morning focused on the work Emery Hines has been doing to refine growth projections for the Hunt Valley-Sparks area to the year 2020. Last year we provided data prepared by members of this Roundtable that focused on actual plans to construct office/flex space over the next five years. The results of this study and the projections were summarized in a report Emery distributed to those attending. Emery reported that the projection is still a work in progress that will be presented to us again when complete. The objective of all of this is for the Department of Public Works to prepare road construction requests to SHA to accommodate traffic growth. Emery projected the effects of several scenarios that could improve traffic flow. These included improvements at Shawan and York Roads and an I-83 interchange at Thornton Road. Active discussion of the report followed. It was noted that traffic from Pennsylvania down I-83, from Carroll County along Shawan Road and from Harford County along Papermill Road represents employees living in those areas traveling to work in the Hunt Valley area. It was commented that these workers vote and pay taxes in those area but use the services provided by the taxes paid by corporations in the Hunt Valley area. Presently there is no survey we are aware of that defines the number or impact of these workers. Lt. Lurz commented that 50% of Precinct 7 officers reside in Pennsylvania. Gail Chrzan and Ketch Secor of CB Richard Ellis shared with us that traffic congestion in the Shawan Road and Sparks area is a concern that has deterred some corporations from locating here and has caused some already here to relocate. Other expressed concerns from prospective locators to this area are the lack of an I-83 exit at Sparks and two lane York Road from Sparks to Shawan Road. Also mentioned were the limited housing opportunities north and west of Shawan except in Pennsylvania, difficult access, housing costs compared to other parts of the County and limited shopping areas compared to Owings Mills and White Marsh. I would be very interested in hearing from our other members in commercial development and real estate that could not attend today about the reasons companies do not locate here or leave the area. Gail stated that these are perceptions and are not founded in surveys. They do, however, have a real impact. Jack Gurecki, AAI, pointed out that the Forum can be the focal point for these issues. The sense of the discussion was that this Roundtable could bring together developers, elected officials, candidates for office, county government, SHA and the business community to air these concerns and to work toward some solutions. This can be the subject of future meetings of this Roundtable. Thanks to Emery for leading us through this discussion. Lt. Lurz reported that there hasn’t been a laptop theft since July 1 but it still remains as the number one threat. Business Beat for July cautions companies to know your charities. Business Beat can be reviewed at the Baltimore County Police Department member location on our website. Bob Steffey, SHA, reported that work on Timonium Road at the I-83 overpass will begin on Monday, July 22. Additional sound barrier construction along I-83 will also begin. Seminary Road will be widened at York Road. Updates will be forwarded to you as received. |