The Lyonswood Roads and Community Development Committee has had three (3) areas of focus under the leadership of our committee chair, Towanda Maddox:

 

 

In August 2006, the Lyonswood community was informed of the intent of Cingular Wireless to propose a cellular tower at the American Legion Post located at 4424 Painters Mills Road. The tower however, will be in access of 200 feet. The Lyonswood community, along with Owings Park and McDonough communities opposes any obtrusive structure that may compromise the character or minimize the beauty of our neighborhood.

 

As Committee Chair, I submit my Cellular Tower Project Status Report to the Lyonswood community. The report outlines this committee’s efforts prohibit the erection of the cellular tower that will be an eyesore to our community.

 

A special “Thank You” to Lyonswood residents Camille Givens-Patterson and Joanna and Sylvester Kearney for your contributions to this matter. 

 

The Lyonswood community continues to protest Baltimore County’s intent to extend the Owings Mills Boulevard Road through our community. A Summary of Occurrences Report has been submitted to the Lyonswood community. The summary outlines this committee’s continued efforts since I became committee chair in 2006. Details of this report can be provided to any resident of the Lyonswood community upon request.

 

Also submitted is this committee’s 2007 Financial Report. A budget has been approved for this committee in the 2008 calendar year however; it is anticipated that to adequately continue to pursue this issue, additional funds may be required. 

 

A special “Thank You” to Keith Schleiffer for taking lead on this very important matter and the following committee members for your commitment to this endeavor:

 

James Alexander                     Reuben Brown                          Diane Hocker

Rick McClendon                       James Mack                              Donald M. Huskey

Milt Coley                                   Hazel Perry                                 Marlow A. Henderson

Calvin Washington                  Beverly & Wali Salaam             Lyonswood Officers

Stanley Franze                         Janese Murray                            Lyonswood Directors

Lavonne Grant

 

In March 2008, the Lyonswood Community got involved in the larger Owings Mills Community opposition of the development of town homes/condominiums on the Plinlimmon Farm located south of Lakeside Boulevard between Lyonswood Drive and Wynfield Drive. Opposition was due to several reasons:

 

In 2007, the developer, Steven Weinstein, submitted an application for approval for the farm to be developed as a Planned Unit Development (PUD). This PUD would allow a total of 750 town homes/condiminiums in lieu of the maximum permitted 431 single-family homes. The PUD will also include a service retail component of approximately 25,000 square feet. On September 17^th, 2007, Council Oliver approved the application to proceed with the PUD (Resolution Number 84-07).

 

As a part of the PUD process, the developer has held two Community Input Meetings. The first meeting was held on March 12^th, 2008 at New Town High School. Representatives from the Department of Permits and Development Management, Baltimore County conduced the meeting. At this meeting, the PUD concept plan was shared. The community at large expressed their concerns of 750 dwellings for reasons as stated above. The second meeting was held on May 8^th, 2008 at New Town High School. At this meeting, the developer had reduced the number of town homes/condominium to 642 dwellings (See Minutes from this meeting).

 

The Lyonswood HOA, Whitehurst HOA, New Town HOA representatives, Community Activist/Leaders and CEDS has met to discuss our next steps. We decided to put up signs along the Lyonswood Drive corridor, flood Council Oliver’s office with calls expressing our dissatisfaction and run articles in the local papers to continue increasing the awareness. Also, on June 30^th, 2008, we met with David Green of Baltimore County Planning office and Debbie Risper of Council Oliver’s office to get their official position on the development due to many conflicting public reports. 

 

The Owings Mills community next step will be to attend a public hearing where the PUD concept plan will require approval by the Planning Board. We need a large community turnout to make a statement! Efforts have been made to try to move the public hearing to Owings Mills in the evening in lieu of being held in Towson in the middle of the workday. No date has yet been set for the Planning Board public hearing. No response has yet been received in regards to our request to have the meeting moved to the Owings Mills Community.   

 

If you have any questions or would like to join our committee, please email or phone our Road & Community Development Committee Chairperson: Towanda Maddox, 410-998-1173