September 2005

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Pratt and Lombard are now two-way traffic through Butchers Hill. While this might take some getting used to, it will lead to a much more neighborhood-style traffic pattern through our residential neighborhood.

The comprehensive rezoning effort for Historic Southeast continues to more forward at a very fast pace. I am concerned that the long-standing limits on development, such as those preventing high-rise buildings in parts of Fells Point, will not be reflected in the final rezoning plan. Once the final plan comes out, we may be asking for help to convince City Council of how important those limits on development are to the people of Butchers Hill. Stay tuned.

On a brighter note, the new school year is upon us! To get us caught up on all the education matters, Dawn Shirey, the principal of School 27, and Jennifer Ciavirella, the principal of the new Patterson Park Public Charter School will present what's happening in their respective schools.

--Dave Dyer.

COMMUNITY DUMPSTER,
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH
UNIT BLOCK N. COLLINGTON

For neighborhood residents only. No electronics, batteries, paint, hazardous materials, or appliances. The dumpster arrives by 10 AM and leaves around 2 PM. Please fill from the back of the Dumpster.

THE SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE

The Marketing Committee has transmuted into the Special Events Committee. The first meeting will be on Monday, September 12, 7:30 at 2029 East Pratt. No one can replace Rick Gilmour, but we must carry on. While we expect to continue the usual functions of the Marketing Committee, we felt it inappropriate to call it "marketing," since we have so few spots to market in our community. People want to move here, but can't find a house. Still, we proudly want to keep Butchers Hill on everyone's mind as a wonderful neighborhood. So we will continue to have one or two Flea Markets (if someone steps up to chair the event), the House Tour, the Garden Tour, the Christmas party and the annual picnic.

All of the above require broad community involvement. Ask yourself, "What part, small or large, would I be able to handle?" We'll tell you about the many possibilities if you at the first meeting. Or call Sue Noonan at 410-522-6773, e-mail Tbolita@erols.com.

Since we lack a chair to organize the Flea Market Committee, the Fall Flea Market has been cancelled. Future flea markets depend on finding someone who will organize the committee and supervise on the day of the event. If you are interested, call Sue, 410-522-6773, or Sandy, 410-558-0149. Hopefully, we can have a Flea Market in the Spring.

Carolyn Boitnott organized a clean-up of the alleys west of the unit block S. Collington on Saturday, August 7th. About 12 volunteers turned out. Carolyn supplied coffee, donuts, and juice.

The Butchers Hill Community Development Corporation is happy to announce that we have just closed on long-vacant 2019 East Fairmount Avenue (across the empty lot from Simon's). The goal of the CDC is to acquire vacant and dilapidated properties and have them converted to owner occupied homes. As we have done in the past, we will offer the property for auction to qualified developers. Our selection criteria will be based mainly on the expected quality of the finished project. Please direct any first-class developers to http://butchershillcdc.org/ for further information.

BHA COMMITTEES AND MONTHLY MEETINGS

• Block Rep/Crime Prevention: Wednesday, September 21st, 7 p.m., 2105 E. Baltimore St. The committee meets monthly to share information from our block representatives and to coordinate action. New block reps wanted; if interested e-mail or call Carolyn: c.boitnott@verizon.net, 410-522-4991.

  Crime prevention tip: Keep your alley and sidewalk weed-free and planters well maintained. Not only will the neighborhood look better, but you have eliminated drug hiding places. Be sure all windows and doors to your property are securely locked. Ongoing drug activity should be reported to 410-666-DRUG (a narcotics officer will take your information; this is a central number that pieces together all drug information for the districts).

• Butchers Hill Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.): Butchers Hill Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.) has been regularly patrolling the neighborhood for over three years, and conducts its walk-arounds on the 2^nd and 4^th Wednesdays of the month. We meet at 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of Patterson Park Avenue and Lombard Street. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Evan Helfrich at 410-342-2148 or via e-mail, ubik14@netscape.net.

• Community Representative, School 27 School Improvement Team: Carolyn Boitnott, 410-522-4991.

• Education Committee: September 15th, 7 P.M., 124 S. Patterson Park Avenue. Contact: Martha DelPizzo 410-522-6046, e-mail mdelpizzo@comcast.net.

  • We are very pleased and excited to have both Dawn Shirey, Principal of Commodore John Rodgers School 27, and Jennifer Ciavirella, Principal of the Patterson Park Public Charter School (PPPCS) speaking to us about the upcoming school year at the September 7th General Meeting.
  • The hygiene program for School #27 is on the agenda for next month. the September meeting.

• Land Use: Tuesday, September 27th, 7 PM, Patterson Park White House, near Patterson Park Ave. & Lombard Streets. The Land Use Committee reminds homeowners in the 2100 and 2200 blocks of E. Baltimore Street and the 2200 block of E. Pratt Street that you live in a City historic district. All exterior work and painting must be submitted to CHAP and Butchers Hill. We are always happy to help with any questions you may have. Contact Virgil Bartram: 410-327-4964. CHAP's number is 410-396-4866.

• Special Events Committee (replaces Marketing Committee): Monday, September 12th, 7:30 PM, 2029 E. Pratt St. Contact Sue Noonan 410-522-6773, e-mail Tbolita@erols.com.

• Parking Committee: William White, 410-563-7941, e-mail: willilicious@hotmail.com.

• BHA Executive Committee: Tuesday, September 20th at 7 PM, the White House, 27 South Patterson Park Ave. Contact: Dave Dyer (410-342-7655) or dave@viacapital.net.

• Streetscape Committee: Wednesday, September 21st, 7:30 PM, 124 S. Patterson Park Avenue. Contact Jeff Gabriel: jgabriel@ubalt.edu. The Committee will present its plan for mural development at the BHA General Meeting on Sept. 7. The plan, presented to the Executive Committee in August, represents a long-term vision for mural work in Butchers Hill, and tries to engage the entire community in support of ongoing mural projects at multiple sites. The Streetscape Committee will be seeking BHA membership approval for this plan at the General Meeting.

• Newsletter: The deadline for OCTOBER is Saturday, September 24th. Contact Steve Young: young@umbc.edu. Early submissions are appreciated.

SEPTEMBER BUTCHERS HILL GENERAL MEETING

Wednesday, September 7th. Coffee & cookies, 6:45 p.m. Meeting 7:00 p.m. St. Andrew's Church hall, corner of Chester & Lombard Sts. (entrance on Lombard). Contact DAVE DYER, 410-342-7655.

AGENDA:

• Presentations by Dawn Shirey, principal of School 27, and Jennifer Ciavirella, principal of Patterson Park Public Charter School
• Presentation by Jeff Gabriel and the Streetscape Committee about murals in Butchers Hill;
• Selection of Nominating Committee for 2006 BHA officers.

Save the date: the October 5^th General Meeting. Remember that our October meeting is our FUN meeting with wine, food and time devoted to the many creative people living in our neighborhood. This year we'll be focusing on artists/photographers. So mark your calendar and come out and enjoy the fun!

HIGHLIGHTS, August 3rd BHA General Meeting. The complete set of minutes, prepared by BHA recording secretary Beth Needham, can be found at http://www.butchershill.org/association/minutes0508.shtml.

• Rick and Barbara Gilmour are leaving Butchers Hill and were given a gift in appreciation of the great amount of work that they have done for the neighborhood over the years.
• Sue Noonan will be replacing Rick Gilmour as chair of the Marketing Committee, which will become the Events Committee.
• Carolyn Boitnott (Crime Committee) reported an increase in break-ins of houses under construction; please report suspicious activity. Ongoing drug activity should be reported to 410-666-DRUG; a narcotics officer will handle the call.
• Martha DelPizzo (Education Committee) asks those who have "adopted" a teacher to bring the materials to School #27 between 9 and 1:30, or to contact her.
• William White (Parking Committee) said that there is still no answer from the City on conversion of the unit and 100 blocks of S. Chester to angle parking and one-way traffic.
• 1st District Councilman Jim Kraft gave an update on the proposed development of Lighthouse Point in Canton. The developers had requested a zoning amendment to include a 30-story condo/hotel/boatel on the site. Reflecting unanimous opposition by various Canton community associations, Mr. Kraft announced that he will not support such legislation. The developer still has a right to make other proposals.
• Deputy Chief of the Traffic Division (Department of Transportation) Frank Murphy addressed questions regarding the conversion of Pratt and Lombard Streets, between Broadway and Patterson Park Avenue, to two-way traffic. Also present was traffic engineer Gerald Neily, who had done the original comprehensive traffic study of Butchers Hill and Fells Point. Among the concerns raised were the width of Pratt and Lombard (it will be tight, but will work); loss of several parking spaces; whether stop signs can be placed at every intersection along with or instead of the proposed changes (no, since these are arterial streets); whether traffic direction on Pratt and Lombard can be treated separately (the City was asked to look at both together). There were statements of support, and it was pointed out that the changes were previously approved by Butchers Hill and have also been approved by Washington Hill and Upper Fells Point. At the end of the discussion, a poll was taken of those in favor of/opposed to the changes. There were 43 votes (80%) in favor, 11 (20%) against.
• Laurie Feinberg of the Baltimore City Planning Department and Kathleen Kotarba of the Baltimore City Commission on Historic and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) presented Task Force recommendations on rezoning in Southeast Baltimore and inclusion of the entire area as a local CHAP historic district; see Laurie Feinberg's following summary of the task force and the FAQ insert prepared by John Papagni.

Councilman Kraft, with the assistance of the Department of Planning, convened a task force to provide a comprehensive review of zoning, urban renewal, and historic designation for the communities of Southeast Baltimore between President Street, Fayette Street, Patterson Park Avenue and the water. As you well know, the area is one of the fastest growing parts of the City, yet has an outdated hodgepodge of land use regulations governing it.

This process began in April 2005 with representatives of all the effected community groups in the study area. The Task Force with the assistance of the Department of Planning has:

• Reviewed existing historic districts and determined eligibility for new City or National historic districts.
• Reviewed existing zoning and compared to existing land uses.
• Reviewed previous urban renewal ordinances and land use studies.
• Reviewed statues and past policies relevant to rezoning
• Recommended zoning changes, urban renewal amendments, and historic districts where appropriate.

The draft plan includes recommending local historic district designation for much of this area, rezoning the residential properties that have business zoning to residential zoning, rezoning the industrial zoned properties to mixed use zoning to permit residential and other business uses.

The plan is a draft form for discussion and comment. Public meetings have been held throughout the summer. The Task Force will reconvene August 31, 2005 to sort out the comments and make final recommendations. These recommendations will go back to the community associations during September and then move forward as ordinances in the Fall.

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

Retired Professor Needs a Room.

The Julie Community Center in partnership with Tench Tilghman Elementary School (N. Patterson Park Ave. & McElderry Street) has an AmeriCorps program to work with families of the school. One of the out-of-town AmeriCorps members is a recently retired college professor who wants to give a year of direct service. Sister Mary Margaret, site director of the program, is seeking a room for this gentleman-keeping in mind that AmeriCorps pays volunteers a stipend and not a salary. The program begins the first week in September and will run through July. If you can help, please call 410-367-5730 or e-mail: mmpignone@aol.com.

Old

New

The old, partly rotted benches in Halcott Square (Duncan Street Park) were recently replaced with new benches made out of ipé, a dense Brazilian hardwood. The benches were crafted and installed by Mark Supik & Company Specialty Woodworking; most of the work was done by Mark's apprentices Will Supik and Spencer Casey. A special thanks to the Banner Neighborhoods Community Corporation for its financial support; the Butchers Hill Association supplied matching funds. The new benches are the first major project of the recently revived Streetscape Committee to be completed. Please come over and take a look (or a sit!).

Visiting nursing professor from Switzerland wishes to rent a room/apartment in Butchers Hill while on sabbatical during January, February and March, 2006. Please contact Anne Belcher at (410) 675-2795 if you have such a space or know of someone who might be willing to rent. Anne knows this person and can vouch for her!

FOR SALE: 2 kayaks-an Old Town single ($250) and a Fontana double ($350) or $550 for both. They are fine boats and are in excellent condition as they have been used only a few times. Please e-mail cherylatkins1@comcast.net or call 410-342-5912 from 9 AM to 5 PM.

St. Andrew's Church (corner of Chester and Lombard) will hold a
Crab Feast on Sunday September 25th. The cost is $30.00 per ticket. Call 410-276-3422 for your ticket today. No ticket sales at the door.

BLOCK PARTY! Three Birds Used Books and the neighbors of Castle Street (between Lombard & Pratt) will be hosting a Grand Opening Block Party on Saturday, September 17th, 2 PM to 8 PM. Various booths and literary vendors, live music, and performances/readings will take place throughout the day. Homemade treats and beverages will be available to all revelers. If you wish to participate with your talents in the events calendar or set up a table to sell your goodies, please contact Meghan at 410-327-7708. Donations for food, etc., would be greatly welcomed.

A very special thanks to Rick Gilmour, who is leaving Butchers Hill, for his outstanding contributions to this newsletter over the years. A salute to his sober judgment and to his engaging and enlightening pieces on the history and people of Butchers Hill!

Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a CHAP District

1. What does it mean to be a CHAP District?

   A CHAP District is a neighborhood that has voluntarily committed to protect its historic character by following the guidelines set out by the Baltimore City Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP). The neighborhood agrees to follow a local review process that governs maintenance and development in the neighborhood. Through this process, neighbors help neighbors find ways to maintain and develop their properties in keeping with the historic character of the neighborhood.

2. What would CHAP designation mean for Butchers Hill?

   The entire Butchers Hill neighborhood currently has national register district designation. Currently, only the 2100 and 2200 Blocks of East Baltimore Street, and the 2200 block of East Pratt Street are in a local (CHAP) historic district. A National Register Historic district is a distinction conveyed by the federal government. A local historic district designation is conveyed by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and is requested by members of the community.

   CHAP designation would protect the neighborhood from demolition and inappropriate development. These protections would help to preserve the character and diversity of Butchers Hill, from front facades to the size and height of additions and new homes. They would protect the feel of the historic streetscape, with its carefully-planned array of small, medium and large row houses.

   These protections have economic as well as aesthetic value. In Baltimore, Philadelphia, Denver, and other cities, property values have been more stable in historic districts than in other neighborhoods. Historic districts with safeguards similar to CHAP's also have a higher level of homeownership and homeowner retention than other neighborhoods.

3. Why isn't the current Naional Register designation good enough?

   National Register status does not provide the neighborhood any level of protection against inappropriate development. National Register listing does not allow for neighbors and existing property owners to review or comment on proposed changes that affect the entire neighborhood. National Register status also does not provide for the Department of Planning or other city agencies to be able to block demolition or inappropriate changes to buildings.

4. What would change if Butchers Hill becomes a CHAP district?

   An architectural review panel made up of neighbors would work in conjunction with CHAP to review proposed modifications to building exteriors to ensure that they are in keeping with the historic character of the neighborhood. NO review of interior changes takes place. CHAP status will allow for the same access to City, State, and Federal historic rehab tax credits that Butchers Hill has now. From a homeowner's standpoint, CHAP designation means that somebody next door or across the street cannot radically alter their house so that it is out of character with Butchers Hill. Most importantly, the neighborhood collectively would have a say in how the neighborhood develops.

5. Who sits on the architectural review panel?

   The architectural review panel is comprised of neighbor volunteers. It can be as big or as small as Butchers Hill wants. Some other CHAP districts have only one person, while others have a committee of six or eight. There is no special authority for the panel (i.e., it is not set up in law or regulations). CHAP panels provide a local first step in the review process. Members are appointed by the neighborhood association; they are not appointed by CHAP.

6. How do I know what CHAP will allow and what it won't allow?

   CHAP publishes the guidelines for exterior changes in a pamphlet that all neighbors will receive. These guidelines are based on federal historic preservation standards, and are the basis for virtually all historic district requirements throughout the country. The architectural review panel members and CHAP staff are available to answer questions.

7. What is the "down side" of being a CHAP District?

   External changes to all houses require that the property owner go through a local architectural review panel and CHAP. Things like adding an addition or deck, tuck-pointing or other brickwork, and exterior painting all go through the review process. Because it is a city process, it has a fee and takes about a week to get approval. The fee ranges from $15-$50 depending on the amount of work performed.

8. Can somebody else tell me what color I have to paint my house?

   Exterior painting requires neighborhood and CHAP approval to make sure that the color selection is in keeping with the historic character. Paint color has not been a major focus of Baltimore CHAP districts, including the portion of Butchers Hill which already has CHAP designation. CHAP guidelines specify that the colors marketed as "historic" by most of the major paint manufacturers are preferred.

9. Could I build a roof deck in a CHAP district?

   Yes. Roof decks are not encouraged in CHAP districts, however, roof decks that are set far enough back from the front of the building that they are not visible from the street are generally acceptable.

10. How has the current CHAP district within Butchers Hill worked?

    Homes in the existing local historic district are among the most attractive in the neighborhood. Homeowners have made exterior improvements, maintaining the historic character of the blocks.

11. What about vinyl windows?

    Vinyl windows are not allowed to be installed in the front of row houses. They are allowed in the rear. If you already have vinyl windows in the front of your house, you are NOT required to take them out and replace them with wood windows.

7/18/04