Freedom Area Citizens' Council

Opening Activities:
The Board of Freedom Area Citizens' Council met on February 22, 2007 at the Carrolltown Center. The following board members were present: Nicole Musgrave, Mike Naused, Ross Dangel, Ellen Dix, Nimrod Davis, Michele Carroll, Dave Sherwood

Board Meeting:

1. Call to order
2. Approval of minutes-minutes from 1/18/07 meeting read by Michele and approved.
3. Treasurer's report-Harry not present to give report, but there is approximately $900 in the account after expenses from the membership drive. In the last 2 days we have received approximately 20 memberships. Regarding the membership drive, Ross will take over the correspondence portion. Harry will maintain record keeping.
4. Speakers for upcoming meetings
   March-Vincent Tyler from the Public Service Commission and Ingrid Woods from BGE.
   April-possibly Steve Horn and the new planner for the Freedom Area
   May-Senator/Delegate
5. Order at meetings-for both the board meeting and the general meeting, should we limit the time allowed for questions?
6. Priorities letter-to discuss commissioners by district as well as an affirmative statement regarding Map Option 2.
7. Other business-Michele gave an overview of the recent Council of Governments meeting. Ross discussed the Wolf property on Oklahoma Road possibly being changed to mixed use rather than residential for 55+. The board is greatly concerned about this possible change.

General Meeting:SPEAKER-DIXON HARVEY of Black Oak Associates

Prior to Mr. Harvey taking the podium, Bobbi Moser discussed the possibility of extending Georgetown Boulevard. The roadway study is currently is progress and will be complete in approximately one month.

Black Oak Associates are the owners of both the Carrolltown Center and Main Street Eldersburg. Mr. Harvey spoke of the long term vision of Carrolltown. There will be a dramatic change in the tenants. There is a 2+ year discussion ongoing with the current long term tenants (most specifically K-Mart). Prior to any changes being made to the mall, an agreement needs to be reached with the long term tenants. Once that agreement is reached, it will be an approximate 2 ½ year process for the town center to be complete. The vision for Carrolltown Mall is for it to be a town center with retail/office/potential residential. Much interest is being shown by retailers to locate in this area.

The K-Mart lease has 50+ years left on its lease. Carrolltown could support Big Box stores, but it would be a challenge on this site to include a store of that size within a town center.

Residents with concerns regarding Carrolltown Mall (such as safety and security or disrepair of perimeter fence) can direct their concerns to 410.356.5820.

Regarding Main Street Eldersburg, this will be a green development. The pavers will be of recycled material. There will be pervious pavement. The buildings will use 30-40% less energy than typical buildings of today. This will be the first precertified green building in Maryland and the midAtlantic. There will be no back-to-back buildings. There will be eight buildings along a main street, with the possibility of having office space above the retail businesses. It will be a "lifestyle center", which means it is a destination "place" rather than just a shopping center. People can go for coffee, lunch, exercise classes, etc. It will have a mixture of uses and retailers. About ½ of the space is spoken for.

Construction will begin in the late spring or early summer of 2007. Traffic is a hurdle yet to be overcome. Main Street Eldersburg is expected to open the fall of 2008.

Carrolltown Mall and Main Street Eldersburg are Black Oak's top priorities.

www.blackoakusa.com

After a question and answer session the meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.