Board of Town Commissioners
Regular MeetingBel Air, MD · October 2, 2023
Minutes
MINUTES
BOARD OF TOWN COMMISSIONERS
October 2, 2023
The regular meeting of the Board of Town Commissioners was called to order on
Monday, October 2, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Town Hall, 39 N. Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, Md.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioner Kevin M. Bianca, Chair
Commissioner Mary F. Chance
Commissioner Paula S. Etting
Commissioner Erin S. Hughes
Commissioner Donna L. Kahoe
STAFF PRESENT: Edward Hopkins, Town Administrator
Charles Dawson, Deputy Director of Public Works
Michael Krantz, Director of Administration
Charles Moore, Chief of Police
Angela Robertson, Director of Economic Development
Kevin Small, Director of Planning
Pamela Wockenfuss, Deputy Director of Finance
David Anderson, Media & Public Relations Specialist
Elizabeth Thompson, Town Attorney
Joan Suitt, Recording Secretary
ABSENT: Stephen Kline, Director of Public Works
Lisa Moody, Director of Finance
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Commissioner Kahoe moved and Commissioner Etting seconded the motion to approve
the Agenda as written.
Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe and Bianca
Nays: None
The motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioner Kahoe moved and Commissioner Etting seconded the motion that the
minutes of the Bel Air Board of Commissioners held on September 12, 2023 and
September 18, 2023 be approved as submitted.
Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe and Bianca
Nays: None
Abstained: Commissioner Bianca – September 12, 2023 meeting
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The motion carried.
PRESENTATION:
Proclamation October 2023 Fire Prevention Month
Chair Bianca advised the goal for this month is to help raise fire safety
awareness and protect homes and families. Fire safety education is important for
every member of the community to take time during Fire Prevention Month to
understand how to stay safe in case of a fire.
Chair Bianca encouraged residents to ensure their families are protected with
proper fire safety tools to include smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, fire
extinguishers and an escape plan.
Chair Bianca thanked the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company for all they do for the
Town of Bel Air.
On behalf of the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners, Chair Bianca proclaimed the
month of October, 2023 as National Fire Prevention Month.
Chief Scott Panowitz, Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, informed their Open House
is Saturday, October 21st from 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m. at the firehouse, 109 S.
Hickory Avenue.
Certificate of Appreciation to the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company
Chair Bianca presented Chief Panowitz with a Certificate of Appreciation for the
Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, who since 1890 have worked tirelessly to protect
life and property in the Town of Bel Air. Without them our Town would not have
grown to be what it is today and play a large part in helping make this such a
great place to live, work and play. Chair Bianca stated no matter the emergency,
they always stand ready to answer the call.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NEW BUSINESS ITEMS:
None.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ordinance 817-23 Development Regulation Amendments
Commissioner Hughes moved and Commissioner Kahoe seconded the motion that
Ordinance No. 817-23, amending Article VIII (Landscaping Standards), Article IX
(Special Provisions and Modifications), and Article X (Accessory and Temporary
Uses), be received by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners.
A Public Hearing will be held on October 16, 2023, Town Hall, at 6:00 p.m.
Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe and Bianca
Nays: None
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The motion carried.
Resolution 1212-23 Amendments to Restrictive Parking Zones
Commissioner Chance moved and Commissioner Hughes seconded the motion that
Resolution No. 1212-23, amending Resolution No. 1150-20, Restrictive Parking
Zones, be approved by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners.
Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe and Bianca
Nays: None
The motion carried.
Resolution 1213-23 Verizon Cable Franchise Extension Agreement Authorization
Commissioner Hughes moved and Commissioner Kahoe seconded the motion that
Resolution No. 1213-23, directing the Town Administrator to enter into an
extension agreement with Verizon Maryland, Inc., to extend the term of the
Franchise agreement which expires on October 27, 2023, for an appropriate period
of time and to enter into negotiations with Verizon Maryland, Inc., for a new
cable franchise agreement, be approved by the Bel Air Board of Town
Commissioners.
Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe and Bianca
Nays: None
The motion carried.
Bel Air Armory Gymnasium Heating and Air Conditioning System Contract
Commissioner Kahoe moved and Commissioner Etting seconded the motion that the
Proposal of Vigil Contracting, Inc., 2140 Priest Bridge Court, Crofton, Maryland
21114, to replace the 30 Ton Electric Cooling and 500 MBH Gas Heating self-
contained packaged roof top unit at the Bel Air Armory for $71,740.25 be accepted
by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners.
Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe and Bianca
Nays: None
The motion carried.
Extension of Armory Lower Level Access Control and Police Fitness Room Access
Commissioner Kahoe moved and Commissioner Etting seconded the motion that the
proposal of Harford County Security Systems, Inc., d/b/a Harford Alarm Company,
202 East Broadway, Bel Air, Maryland, for all labor and materials to amend the
Contract to upgrade the security system at the Bel Air Armory in the amount of
$13,633.00 be accepted by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners.
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Commissioner Hughes has used the backdoor entrance numerous times during Winter
Wonderland and knows the key fobs will make the entrance more secure by knowing
exactly who is coming and going.
Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe and Bianca
Nays: None
The motion carried.
Reappointment to the Economic & Community Development Commission (ECDC) -
Gilbert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Commissioner Chance moved and Commissioner Hughes seconded the motion that the
reappointment of Gilbert F. Kennedy, Jr. to the Bel Air Economic & Community
Development Commission, for a term of three (3) years, effective immediately, be
approved by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners.
Ms. Robertson, Director of Economic & Community Development, advised Mr. Kennedy
has been a valued member of ECDC and provides great input.
Commissioner Chance notified Mr. Kennedy is an asset to ECDC and recommends his
reappointment.
Ayes: Commissioners Chance, Etting, Hughes, Kahoe and Bianca
Nays: None
The motion carried.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Chair Bianca notified:
• Friday, October 6th – celebrate the last First Friday of the season - Das
Bierhalle parking lot beginning 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, October 7th – Bel Air Police Department and Bel Air Lions Club are
hosting a Child and Safety Fair in Shamrock Park from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Providing free child ID’s and kid activities.
• Saturday, October 7th – Sandwich Stock 23 – Outdoor festival with music and
more at Vagabond Sandwich, 12:00 noon – 7:00 p.m. Proceeds for Band Together
for Harford County.
• Saturday, October 7th – LASOS Bingo at the Armory, doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets available on-line.
• October 13-14th – (Friday/Saturday) Maryland State BBQ Bash sponsored by the
Bel Air Downtown Alliance.
• October 14th – 3rd Annual Chess Tournament at the Armory, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00
p.m.
Chair Bianca reminded the Town offices will be closed on October 9th to observe
Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Columbus Day.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Leslie Piet, 808 N. Shamrock Road, Bel Air, Md. inquired if the candidates
running for Town election could provide a bio on-line for residents to become
educated on who is running.
Commissioner Hughes advised of being the only Commissioner running for re-
election and candidates cannot use the Town’s website to campaign. Commissioner
Hughes informed most candidates will have information on social media.
Ms. Piet is not involved with social media and feels residents need to know who
they are voting for.
Laura Moody, 341 E. Broadway, Bel Air, Md. thanked those responsible for blocking
off the first parking space at Lee Way and Hickory Avenue. Ms. Moody informed of
having to inch out and pray traffic would be clear at the intersection. Ms. Moody
stated it made her life much nicer.
COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS AND LIAISON REPORTS:
Commissioner Kahoe asked Ms. Robertson, Director of Economic Development, to
explain the Town of Bel Air 150 Celebration mosaic.
Ms. Robertson advised the Harford County 250 Celebration is planning a public art
initiative called “Piecing Together” where the public was solicited to drop off
items of significance to be included in the project and placed at Bynum Park in
March, 2024. Ms. Robertson informed the Harford County 250 deadline for
submitting was October 1st and offered to get contributions to the artist.
Ms. Robertson notified the Town of Bel Air 150 Celebration is being held April
27, 2024 and the Cultural Arts Commission is considering a public art piece but
nothing has been determined.
Commissioner Kahoe encouraged people to consider contributing to the Town’s
project.
Commissioner Etting reported the Planning Commission will meet October 5th at 6:00
p.m.
Commissioner Etting wanted residents to know the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) will be performing an emergency alert test on October 4th, 2:20 p.m.
for all TV’s, radios and cell phones.
Commissioner Hughes notified the Historic Preservation Commission did not meet
due to no submissions.
Commissioner Hughes participated along with Historic Preservation members, and a
representative of the Planning Department in an on-line session through Maryland
Historic Trust. The session involved preserving buildings and using historic
easements to preserve property. The session also helped the Town to receive
certain certifications needed.
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Commissioner Chance informed last week the Real Estate and Development Forum was
held at the Armory for people to hear what is going on in the Town. Commissioner
Chance stated it was informative and very well done.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 6:33 p.m.
APPROVED: October 16, 2023
Signature on file________________
Kevin M. Bianca, Chair
Board of Town Commissioners
Signature on file_______________
Michael L. Krantz, Town Clerk
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Agenda
Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners
Town Hall Meeting Agenda
October 2, 2023, at 6:00 PM
Bel Air Town Hall
39 N. Hickory Ave., Bel Air, MD 21014
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5. PRESENTATIONS
a. Proclamation October 2023 Fire Prevention Month
b. Certificate of Appreciation to the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NEW BUSINESS ITEMS
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Ordinance 817-23 Amending Chapter 165. Comprehensive Plan and
Development Regulations, Part 2. Zoning, Article VIII. Landscaping Standards, IX.
Special Provisions and Modifications, and Article X. Accessory and Temporary
Uses.
b. Resolution 1212-23 Amending Restrictive Parking Zones
c. Resolution 1213-23 Verizon Franchise Extension Agreement
d. Armory Gymnasium Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Contract
e. Extension of Armory Lower Level and Police Fitness/Exercise Room Access
Control and Camera System
f. Reappointment to the Economic & Community Development
i. Gilbert F. Kennedy, Jr.
8. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS
10. COMMISSIONER’S COMMENTS AND LIAISON REPORTS
11. ADJOURNMENT
Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners
Agenda
Oct 2, 2023
Ordinance No. 817-23
Development Regulation Amendments
RECOMMENDED MOTION: ”...that Ordinance No. 817-23, amending Article VIII (Landscaping
Standards), Article IX (Special Provisions and Modifications), and Article X (Accessory and
Temporary Uses), be received by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners.”
I. BACKGROUND
In 2022, Bel Air adopted an updated Comprehensive Plan which called for several new
initiatives and adjustments to Town Development Regulations. The Town held several
public meetings through 2021 and early 2022 associated with the Comprehensive Plan
and the Development Regulation amendments. Descriptions of the changes are
available to the public through digital media.
II. PRIMARY ISSUES
The Town Comprehensive Plan emphasized the need for flexible and equitable
Regulations that include objective and clear requirements for proposed development.
The proposed revisions to Chapter 165 are based upon review and recommendation
from the Planning Commission, public input, clarification of text by staff and comment
from the Town Board during work sessions. The major changes are reflected below:
Article VIII Landscaping Standards
• Section 165-56.B – clarify street trees must be installed adjacent to the right-of-way.
• Section 165-57.B(4) – clarify that screening plantings must retain two-thirds foliage
during the lifetime of a project to encourage meaningful landscape buffers.
• Table 165-59.I – add the commercial to residential use buffer mistakenly removed
several years ago.
• Section 165-59.A(3) – allow Planning Commission to approve lesser buffers in all
districts based on mitigating factors.
Article IX Special Provisions & Modifications
• Section 165-63 – clarify building height as ‘average contact with grade’ .
• Sections 165-64.B(3) – restrict awnings, canopies, etc. to extend no more than four-
feet from building face when located above a public right-of-way.
• Section 165-65.A(1) – allow for a sight distance survey when required by the Zoning
Administrator.
• Section 165-66.A(6) – allow the Zoning Administrator to review and approve
extensions of existing non-conforming uses/buildings of single family dwellings.
• Section 165-66.A(6)(a) – clarify that extensions of nonconforming buildings cannot
increase the degree of non-conformity.
Article X Accessory & Temporary Uses
• Section 165-68.B(1) – clarify the height limits for accessory structures.
• Section 165-68.B(6) – revise the minimum lot size for honeybee hives and chicken
coops as 10,000 square feet. Provide for a minimum of a 50-foot setback from
adjacent primary structures. Limit the number of hens to two and allow for additional
hens for each additional 5,000 square feet of lot area. Restrict chickens to hens only.
Adjust the number of animals per lot based on size.
• Section 165-68.B(11) – adjust the time for refuse containers, storage units and trailers
to be limited to thirty days in a residential area.
• Section 165-68.C(6) – limit the time refuse containers, storage units and trailers to
thirty days unless located in an area not visible to the public
• Section 165-69.C – clarify businesses must adhere to height limits for fences in the
front yard.
• Section 165-69.E – allow for fences in residential zones to be six-feet for corner or
through lots provided the fence is located six feet from the right-of-way line.
• Section 165-71.A – establish that temporary uses are limited to thirty days unless
noted.
• Section 165-71.A(1)(h) – allow for temporary uses to have a sign limited to 72 square
feet without a separate permit.
• Section 165-71.B(1)(a)[2][a] – clarify that temporary sales/office trailers cannot be
located on a lot longer than 30 days without Zoning Administrator approval and
construction trailers cannot be located on a lot longer than 18 months without Director
of Public Works approval.
• Section 165-71.C(1)(a)[3][c] – limit outdoor sales or tent events to thirty days in a
calendar year.
• Section 165-71.C(1)(a)[4] – expand snowball stands to include seasonal uses and
require a permit. Limit signage to 24 square feet.
• Section 165-71.D(1)(a)[1] – add retail sales to this section and add requirements to
store waste on the establishment premises and require a permit. Limit signage to a
sandwich board sign.
III. DISCUSSION
The Town Board of Commissioners through the work session review process adjusted
the regulations for selected items. The proposed document incorporates recommended
modifications from the Planning Commission with minor adjustments from the Town
Board.
IV. RECOMMENDATION
The Planning Commission and staff recommend the Board of Town Commissioners
receive Ordinance No. 817-23.
Commissioners of Bel Air
Agenda
October 2, 2023
Resolution No. 1212-23
Amendments to Restrictive Parking Zones
RECOMMENDED MOTION:”…that Resolution No. 1212-23, amending
Resolution No. 1150-20, Restrictive Parking Zones, be received by the Bel
Air Board of Town Commissioners.”
I. BACKGROUND
Chapter 450 of the Bel Air Town Code describes and designates restrictive parking
zones in the Town. Resolution No. 342 has been modified over the years as
additional zones are added and others are revised or eliminated. This regulation
applies to the prohibition of parking on designated streets or the maximum period
a vehicle can be parked on a street and in public parking areas controlled by the
Town.
II. PRIMARY ISSUES
Recent town projects and feedback from town residents have necessitated
proposed amendments to the existing resolution to accommodate the following
more fully described in the resolution attached:
- Adjust on-street parking on Hickory Avenue to prohibit the allowance of
parking on the east side near the intersection with Lee Street.
- Allow parking on the south side of Lee Street near its intersection with
Hickory Avenue to compensate for the loss of parking nearby.
- Prohibition of parking on Harlan Street near its intersection with McCormack
Street.
- Adjust parking on Lester Way to prohibit on both sides with the exception of
an area near the intersection with Wallace Street.
- Extend on-street parking along the mid-block of Archer Street
- Probit parking along the west side of Roland Avenue near its intersection
with Hall Street.
III. DISCUSSION/EXPLANATION
These adjustments are designed to accommodate the desire to accommodate
nearby residences and businesses while maintaining the maximum level of safety
and efficiency within the public right-of-way and address concerns of pedestrian
visibility, intersection function, and conveyance of traffic.
IV. RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Resolution 1212-23 be received by the Board of Town
Commissioners.
Commissioners of Bel Air
Agenda
October 2, 2023
Resolution No. 1213-23
Verizon Cable Franchise Extension Agreement Authorization
Recommended Motion: “…that Resolution No. 1213-23, directing the Town
Administrator to enter into an extension agreement with Verizon Maryland, Inc., to
extend the term of the Franchise agreement which expires on October 27, 2023, for
an appropriate period of time and to enter into negotiations with Verizon Maryland,
Inc., for a new cable franchise agreement, be approved by the Board of Town
Commissioners.”
1. Background
a. Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners entered into a cable franchise
agreement between the Town of Bel Air, Maryland, and Verizon Maryland
Inc., on October 27, 2008; and
b. the term of this Franchise is fifteen (15) years from the effective date of
October 27, 2008, unless the Franchise is revoked or terminated sooner
as provided in the agreement; and
2. Primary Issues/Discussion
a. Town Staff, with the permission of the Town Administrator, has been in
contact with the Verizon Franchise Service Manager and both parties
agree that extending the current agreement until a new cable franchise
agreement can be negotiated and executed would be mutually beneficial;
and
3. Recommendation
a. Staff recommends that Resolution No. 1213-23 be approved by the
Board of Town Commissioners.
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