Mayfield News:

REQUEST TO THE MAYFIELD COMMUNITY

The Maryland State Boychoir (MSB) is requesting a public hearing from Baltimore’s Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals (BMZA) in early April 2008 regarding Appeal No. 967-07 to use St. Matthew’s Church at 2320 Mayfield Avenue as a “Neighborhood Center”.  MSB is asking the Mayfield community to review their appeal request and offer support through a letter to BMZA by the Mayfield Improvement Association (MIA).  MSB has attempted to answer some of your questions and concerns you may have below:

1.      Why does MSB need an appeal?

St Matthew’s Church, as does much of Mayfield, resides in an R-1 “Single Family Residence District”.  R-1 is the most restrictive district for non-residential uses.  R-1 does allow churches and educational institutions as unconditional permitted uses.  Offices and rehearsal spaces for MSB are conditional uses requiring BMZA approval through a public hearing.  Although MSB has been a tenant at St. Matthew’s for many years prior to purchasing the building in November 2006, the usage issue was unknown until MSB filed for a building permit for planned interior renovations last summer.  Although MSB was planning no new uses for the facility, the City requested MSB to file a new Use and Occupancy Permit to correct this matter.  The building permit, though approved, will not be issued until the appeal is approved.

2.      Why did MSB postpone their original appeal hearing in November?

The Boards of MSB and MIA met and agreed that more time was needed to further define the uses permitted under this Appeal and to involve the greater Mayfield community in this process.  MSB agreed to postpone the hearing until this newsletter could be circulated and a general membership meeting could be held in the spring to elicit neighborhood support.

3.      What is a “Neighborhood Center?”

A “neighborhood center” means a building used for multiple services.  BMZA felt this definition best fit the existing uses occurring at St. Matthew’s.  However this definition also allows uses that could be considered undesirable to the Mayfield community such as government services, legal aid, social services and counseling.  Together s special committee of the MIA board and MSB board drafted a list of specific current and future uses that could occur at St. Matthew’s.  The list below is attached to the Appeal request to further define permitted uses for a “neighborhood center”.

4.      What uses does the list include?

·              Rehearsals, meetings, administrative functions and events for MSB

·              MSB Annual Performances – The Festival of Lessons & Carols and MSB Spring Concert

·              Sunday afternoon concerts as part of The Music Forum

·              Annual Baltimore Boychoir Festival

·              Sunday worship services in the sanctuary

·              Wedding and funerals in the sanctuary, corresponding receptions in the gymnasium

·              Weekday preschool and Daycare

·              Community sports events in the gymnasium

·              Community polling center for elections in the gymnasium

·              Community social events in the gymnasium

·              Recording sessions in the sanctuary

·              Rehearsal space for other community arts organizations

Revised Zoning News

The Mayfield Improvement Association (MIA) Board of Directors’ published guidelines for community review of projects requiring a zoning variance in the Mayfield News letter which was distributed to the General Membership in June and August 2005. The Board requested and received comments on these operating guidelines from several members of the Association.

Based on these comments, at the September Board of Directors’ meeting, the proposed operational guidelines were revised. The Board of Directors voted to present the revised guidelines to the General Membership for discussion at the October 2005 meeting and to solicit comment for one month thereafter. During the November meeting the Board of Directors voted on the adoption of these procedural guidelines.

The revised guidelines are as follows:

1. A property owner whose projects require a zoning variance from Board of Municipal Zoning Appeals (BMZA) should contact the MIA president a minimum of one week prior to a regularly scheduled Board meeting (third Thursday of the month) for inclusion on the agenda.
2. It shall be the responsibility of the petitioning property owner to notify their contiguous neighbors, either in writing or in person, and provide each with a written description of the project and variance requested or a plat or drawing clearly detailing the proposed improvements and requested variance.
3. The property owner will be given an opportunity to present the project to the Board. The property owner should at minimum present a written description of the project and variance requested in an electronic format, if possible and/or a plat or drawing clearly detailing the proposed improvements and requested variance.
4. The Board of Directors will post on the Mayfield Improvement Association website (mayfieldassociation.org), distribute through the list-serve, include in any regularly scheduled neighborhood publication, and make available on request to any member of the Association the project description. The Board will solicit comments until the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.
5. At the next regularly scheduled Board meeting, the Board of Directors’ will review any correspondence received and entertain comment from the General Membership, whether by mail, electronic or voice message, or in person.
6. The Board of Directors, after reviewing all correspondence and comment shall either A) offer a letter of support to the project; B) send a letter of opposition to BMZA; or C) refer the matter to a Special Meeting of the General Membership.
7. In the event a property owner does not present the proposed zoning variance to the Board of Directors for review, the Board of Director will oppose the variance request at the BMZA hearing.

    

    

   Security Workshop for Mayfield

   Public Safety and Security Assessment Committee announces the Security workshop for Mayfield residents on Saturday, March 15 at 10:30-11:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi. Representatives of NE Police District and Harbel will lead the workshop.  For the most up to date information on home and personal security, make plans to attend this workshop.  You’ll have a chance to ask any question you have ever had about safety.

   For more information contact:  Natalie Keegan 410-366-8573

   Big news for Citizens on Patrol.

   A big thank you to New Covenant Tabernacle Church volunteers who have committed to doing NECOP patrols on Friday nights. This is a wonderful community asset. We still need more NECOP volunteers for Thursdays and every other Saturday and others may join this New Covenant Tabernacle Church team on Fridays. It’s an easy and effective way to continue Mayfield’s quality of life.  Sarah Koser and Natalie Keegan can give you all the details.  Call them at 410-366-857 or email them at nkeegan@air.org and skoser@eaest.org You’ll be seeing crime watch signs posted in the neighborhood soon. 

    Public Safety and Security Assessment Committee announced that refrigerator magnets reminding residents to inform Mayfield McGruff of incidents are now available.  Block captains have a supply to give residents.  The committee also gave information on a developing crime incident reporting system to aid police tracking of Mayfield. Residents were invited to give ideas and to participate in future meetings.  Contact Barbara Newman at (410)366-0067

   Information to use:

   Block Captains will be talking with residents on their block about block and resident security, Maryland’s new Homestead Tax Credit application, a first time requirement for residents to get property tax relief; signing up for the Mayfield McGruff listserve, Citizens on Patrol (NECOP) and updating information for the 2008 Mayfield Directory.  Welcome these volunteers when they knock on your door! The list of block captains with contact information is in the Feb/March issue of the Mayfield News. For information on the Homestead Tax Credit Application go to https://sdathtc.resiusa.org/homestead

   You will need information from your tax assessment to file on line or by mail.  Deadline is April 1, 2008.

    Mayfield Special Meeting, Resources and Security Update

   A special membership meeting in January provided a chance for residents to learn how to protect themselves and their property.  Take-home information, presentations from the NE police district and the city councilpersons for Mayfield answered many of the neighborhood concerns.  Reporting forms and tips for safety are posted under the Resources section of this website at link or click it hyperlink.  

   Mark your calendars: 12^th annual Mayfield Home and Garden Tour. The Tour of open houses and gardens show guests and residents how Mayfield looks on the inside.  This year the tour will be the third Sunday of May – May 18^th.   Have you done some remodeling?  Tour goers love to see how Mayfield homeowners have modernized the interior or restored to original condition - highlighting our historic neighborhood’s jewels.  Beautiful gardens, of which there are many here in Mayfield, compliment the tour of homes.   To offer your home and/or garden for the tour, serve on the committee, volunteer on the day of the tour, buy an advertisement or for more information concerning any aspect of the house tour, contact: Natalie Keegan: nkeegan@air.org / 443-604-2330. 

   Be in the 2008 Mayfield Directory – to submit your information, download the form here  and send it by mail or email to Julia McDonald.  Information is on the form. Know someone who would like to buy an ad in the next directory?  Contact: Natalie Keegan  410-366-8573

    

   New Mayfield Board Members

   Mayfield Improvement Association is volunteer group.  The board are involved in many  community efforts and projects that continue to make Mayfield a great place to live.  The board filled vacancies since the last election in May 2006.   Andy Bukovitz, Tanya Mehri Barbara Newman and Gary Rahman joined the board in 2007. Emily Chalmers and Dave Foley joined the board in 2008.  Tanya Mehri has taken on the role of Mayfield McGruff and is serving on the security assessment committee. Andy Bukovitz and Barbara Newman are co-chairing the PSSAC – public safety and security assessment committee.  Gary Rahman is the housing/zoning chair. For an up to date list of who is serving on the Mayfield Improvement Association board and committees, please go to http://www.mayfieldassociation.org/association.htm [copy is further down]

   A Sincere Thank You

   Kirk Osborne, who has been editor of the newsletter for the past few years and has served in various roles on the board, is taking a break from his Mayfield volunteer service. We truly appreciated all the time that Kirk gave to making Mayfield a great place to live.  

   When you see him walking his dog in the morning on Norman Avenue, tell him “thank you”.  Rebecca Foley has volunteered to be the next newsletter editor and her first issue will be distributed soon.  Give her support and newsletter items to consider for a future issue. 

    Welcome Home Mayfield 2.

   2007 Welcome Home Mayfield was a big success.  Six new trees and a total of 8 tree pits prepared with daffodils, ornamental onions and liriope and mulch.  Twenty volunteers contributed hundreds of volunteer hours to the southbound Harford Rd location.  The new American elm trees are a welcome addition to the Harford Rd. streetscape.  The project had a big assist from Sam Mirable who offered to have his crews remove the concrete and haul it away.  In addition to the Mayfield general funds approved at the May General membership meeting, the Welcome Home, Mayfield II campaign received a grant from Baltimore Community Foundation through HARBEL and Parks and People support the project. 

    A BIG Thank you to all the Mayfield Volunteers for beautification

   Welcome Home Mayfield had many volunteers that made the project a big success.  Another crew of volunteers put in new trees on Crossland Avenue on October 20^th, . Planted new flowers at the wall at the entrance to Lake Montebello off Harford Rd and planted naturalizing daffodils on the greenway on Norman Avenue.  These continuing efforts are being done by volunteers with plants and trees given to us by Herring Run Watershed Assn or through the general fund of Mayfield Improvement Association.  See photos of our work while it was in progress by going to www.kodakgallery.com Use the login welcomemayfield@gmail.com, then password: ‘porchlight’ 

    Mayfield Volunteers:

   Tanya Mehri

   Andrew Mehri

   Lucas Mehri & Damien Manes

   Miriam Mintzer

   Mark Willcher

   Betty Ciesla

   Jane Gordon

   Angie Battaglia

   *Janelle Cousino

   *Gary Rahman

   *Paul Hertzberg

   *Julia McDonald

   *Lito Tongson

   *Joann Trach Tongson

   Katherine Parke

   Emilie and Ed Cavello

   Sam Mirable

   Along with the volunteers with asterisks before their name, volunteers that helped with the Crossland tree work and/or flowers on Norman and at the Lake Montebello entrance off Harford Rd:

   Emily Chalmers

   Paul Ricciutti

    Others on Chesterfield and Crossland. Parks and People dug the holes.

   Darin Crew, Herring Run Watershed Assn provided the trees.

   For more information about Welcome Home Mayfield, contact Janelle Cousino or Joann Trach Tongson.

   Taking Care of our New Trees

   If you have a tree on a public median in front of your home, please give it a drink of water at least once a month, and once before winter weather hits, especially if we have a prolonged dry spell.  The watering bags on the trees hold 25 gallons and slowly release the water.  The drought has been hard on the younger trees this year.  Many thanks for Jack and Betty Frech for being conscientious tree stewards and the careful attention and  watering of the Gerry Broccolino memorial tree planted at the 2007 Summer block party and several other young trees planted previously. 

   Lake Montebello is beautiful!

   The New Lake Montebello provides new median strip that separates the driving lanes from the walk/run lanes.  It has been planted with low maintenance, drought tolerant plantings.  Visitors will see alternating sections of butterfly-attracting Purple Asters, hearty red Knock-out Roses, delicate purple-flowering Russian Sage, swaying ornamental grasses (Switch Grass).  The city also provided water access, trash receptacles, previously installed ornamental lighting.  In cooperation with the city, and our neighboring communities Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello (CHM) and Ednor Gardens-Lakeside, Mayfield will help to maintain the plantings on the median along Curran Drive.  Mayfield Resident Laurie Gillis has agreed to be the crew leader for this maintenance project.  Weeding is the main task, and occasionally planting new plants for ones that don’t survive winter or drought.  Please help Laurie by being a part of the group of volunteers for the Mayfield section of the median. Mayfield agreed to maintain the first 1000 ft starting from start nearest the Harford Road entrance up to approximately Dobler Avenue.   The task is simple:  If you see a weed, pull it out.  The mulch will make the job easier, but good ole physical tug for removal is the best way to keep the plants healthy and looking good. Call Laurie at 410-467-0703 to offer your help.

   Lake Montebello is truly one of Mayfield’s Community Assets.  It is great to see it looking good.  Let’s help keep it a ‘blooming’ success!

   Dues Dues

   Dues notices for 2008 will be included in your April edition of the Mayfield News.  All kinds of costs have gone up dramatically in the past year, but Mayfield dues had been at $10 for more than 15 years.  The times have caught up with us. Board members and volunteers have been contributing personally, writing grant applications when available, and recruiting experts living in the neighborhood to make things happen.  But vendors have increased prices for the normal things we need to plan for. – printing the newsletter, security improvements to Website and Web Forum, community events and meetings, bank charges,  along with beautification investments – necessitate a change.  The MIA Board voted to increase dues.  For the value to Mayfield, the dues are a bargain at any price. MIA News, Summer Block party (this year – Friday, July 11, 2008), social events for kids, the new Mayfield directory are just a few of the popular projects that your dues support in part. 2008 Dues amount will be $20/yr for a household; $10 for a senior household (over 62) payable to Mayfield Improvement Association. The notice in the April issue will also prompt residents to consider an additional optional voluntary donation.  When you get the notice and envelope, mail it to Mike Vogel, MIA Treasurer, 3401 Norman Avenue, Baltimore 21213.  Only residents who have paid dues in 2008 will receive the 2008 update Mayfield Directory.  New residents will receive one gratis as part of their Welcome to Mayfield package.