October 18, 2013
Jared S. Littmann
Alderman, Ward 5, Annapolis

912 Forest Drive 
(office at K&B True Value)

410-268-3939 (office)
443-926-2399 (cell)


Upcoming Events
 
Oct. 21
7 p.m., City Council Special Meeting, City Council Chambers  
 
Oct. 22 (re-scheduled)

4 - 5:30 p.m., Environmental Matters Comm. Mtg., City Council Chambers

(No office hours to due to conflict with this meeting)

 
Oct. 25 
7:30 a.m., Jared  speaking at Almost 7:30 Friday AM Democratic Breakfast Club, Eastport Democratic Club, 525 State Street 
 
Oct. 25
Resuming Office Hours! Come talk with Jared at K&B True Value from 9-10 a.m.

Oct. 28
7 p.m., City Council Special Meeting, City Council Chambers

Nov. 2 
crack o' noon, MRE vs. Annapolis in the 16th Annual Maritime Republic of Eastport Tug of War

Nov. 5 
Election Day 
Greetings!


The City Council will meet on Monday, October 21, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The sole item on the agenda is a public hearing on the City Dock Master Plan.

Over the past few weeks the City Council has debated and adopted a number of amendments to the proposed City Dock Master Plan. Changes have been made in response to issues presented by the public over many hours of public hearings.

I expect that the plan will be voted upon at the final Council meeting of this term, on October 28. The Council may consider further amendments, adoption, rejection, or postponement at that time.

The amended version of the plan is online for your review. Just click here. The annotated plan, as of October 14 is at this link. The non-annotated plan as of October 14 is at this link.

My comments on the plan are below. I would also like to refer you to the analysis of Ward One's Alderman Joe Budge. Please click here.

Crystal Spring
I would like you to know where I stand on this controversial development. Ultimately, I'm advocating for a revised plan only approved once the significant impacts are comprehensively mitigated. I'd like to see the project modified to reduce some of the biggest impacts, while preserving a significant portion of the developers' objectives. Please click here to read my complete statement on the website.

I urge you to contact the candidates for City Council and Mayor to clarify where they stand on this project and to let them now how you feel. 

 

Office Hours
I'm offering office hours, in general, on Tuesdays from 3 - 4:30 p.m. and Fridays from 9 - 10 a.m.

I welcome Annapolis City residents, particularly from Ward 5, and other concerned individuals to stop by K&B True Value during office hours to discuss any issues facing Annapolis. K&B True Value is located at 912 Forest Drive.

Simply check in at the customer service desk, and I will be happy to meet with you. This is a great opportunity for us to learn from each other about the issues facing Annapolis and to have your concerns heard. Stop by!

If you are unable to stop by during regular office hours, then contact me at your convenience (contact info above). For regular updates and changes to the regular weekly office hour schedule, please visit facebook.com/Ward5Alderman.

Stay in Touch 
I welcome your feedback and questions, and appreciate your help in reaching other Annapolis (Ward 5 in particular) residents by  to them. Thank you!

 

Sincerely,

Jared Littmann
Alderman, Ward 5, Annapolis 
 
City Council Session Agenda

The Annapolis City Council will meet on Monday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m., in the Council Chambers. All Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 99 and on Verizon channel 34.

The sole item on this agenda is the City Dock Master Plan.

Before the matter below is considered by the Council, you have an opportunity to speak to the Council for three minutes on any topic other than the City Dock Master Plan. You may speak to that at the appropriate point in the public hearing.

PUBLIC HEARING

R-49-12     2012 City Dock Master Plan as proposed to be amended
For the purpose of adopting the Draft City Dock Master Plan as an addendum to the 2009 Annapolis Comprehensive Plan.


My comments:
I've been impressed with the number of people who have spoken up about the issues pertaining to the proposed Resolution that would adopt a City Dock Master Plan (CDMP) and a corresponding new zoning ordinance. The more people involved and speaking their opinions the better; it helps me understand where the community is on an issue, and that is an important part of my vote.  You've raised many valid questions that deserve answers.

The Council first received these two pieces of legislation for debate after a lengthy public hearing in late July 2013. Throughout the subsequent City Council deliberations about this legislation, my chief concerns have been:

  • a potential loss of significant parking spaces outside of a comprehensive parking solution;
  • the preservation of the Annapolis maritime industry; and,
  • the need for an implementation plan that outlines a timeline, associated costs, and from where the necessary funds will originate.
I've been interested in a resolution that includes getting appropriate cost/benefit analyses on vehicle traffic, pedestrian access, viewshed, economic impact, and historic preservation. 

With the amendments that have been adopted already by the Council, I think these concerns have largely been addressed. However, I welcome your thoughts and concerns during this public hearing.

The Council will be asked to vote on the Resolution adopting the City Dock Master Plan at the City Council session on October 28.

I'm less concerned with the argument that the proposed zoning ordinance creates spot zoning because (1) that is a legal term of art upon which the City Attorney will advise the Council, if needed, and (2) this legislation is the product, in large part if not entirely, of a comprehensive study; by definition I don't think it can therefore be spot zoning. 

Further, I do not think the City Council will address zoning during this Council term, in which case all pending zoning ordinances will expire when this term expires in November. However, I expect the new Council, shortly after the swearing in on December 2, to consider a new zoning ordinance that reflects the adopted (assuming that is the result) amended City Dock Master Plan.

Throughout this process, I will remain open-minded to arguments for and against, and seek an answer that best supports the ideals of Annapolis. I welcome your comments and suggestions at any time.

Click here to read the Legislative Packet. 
 
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