The BCC Mission for 2018

THE BROADNECK COUNCIL OF COMMUNITIES-(BCC) continues our focus on Broadneck issues extending from 2017 through 1Q18. Our key priorities include the following:

• BAY BRIDGE-Rte #50/301 TRAFFIC PROBLEMS
The BCC and AA County Police continue to focus on summer beach traffic solutions on our service roads. The County has determined that the law for enforcement of the “FOR LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY” signs on these State roads is not enforceable as each car would have to be stopped for interrogation as to destination and authority to drive on these public roadways which could be determined to be “profiling”.

Since Sandy Point road blockages have been managed by AAC Police in 2017, stagnant traffic lines into the Park on the Rte #50/301 service roads have eased. This easing of traffic is then publicized by WAZE-the cellphone app that provides travelers with suggested alternate traffic routes. AAC Police contacted the WAZE Company to request that they stop directing drivers onto the Rte #50/301 service roads as an alternate to Rte #50 when beach traffic backs up. WAZE has refused and state that they only provide news on accessible driving routes but not info on local ordinances–such as the signs posting “LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY” on these service roads.

In addition, closing entrances near the Bay Bridge onto Rte #50 may affect the granting of Federal funds to our State Highway Admin. Work continues on alternate approaches during beach season. Stay tuned..!

• SEVERN RIVER BRIDGE
Repair and reconstruction work is on track for a 5/2018 completion. It is reported by the SHA that there are no more accidents with the reduced lane width at 11’ than there were with the 12’ lanes. It appears that cars are driving more slowly and carefully on the narrow lanes. Also, there are sight barriers installed on both sides of the Bridge reducing the ability for drivers to view the river scenes. We are hoping that sight barriers will be maintained after the reconstruction is finished as a safety factor. To note: Beau Breeden is the community representative to the Severn River Bridge Partnering Team representing the Broadneck. He will provide us with current updates on the SR Bridge.

• BBRAG MEMBERS
Both Pat Lynch (BCC) and Bill Nevel (BCC Director), serve as members of the Bay Bridge Restoration and Advisory Group (BBRAG) representing our Western Shore of Maryland communities. Governor Hogan’s 2016 $5M allocation for the EIS-Environmental Impact Study of alternative sites and commensurate funding for a new span to the eastern shore is entering its second year and will be completed in 2020. Concerns have been expressed by the BCC to MdTA about Maryland law that allows E. Shore Counties to reject the chosen sites, if selected, for the new span. Possibly 4 years of study/analysis could be wasted if sites are selected in this study and the E. Shore Commissioners decide to reject the selection. Senator Ed Reilly has just entered Senate Bill #34 to mitigate the rejection of a selected site for a new span. We are working with Senator Reilly and his staff to support the results of this EIS study. The only current Bay Bridge corridor is directly across the Broadneck Peninsula and any further expansion of traffic through this heavily travelled corridor to the E. Shore/Delaware and Maryland beaches, would be a disaster for Broadneck.

• STREET LIGHT OUTAGES
These extend all over the Broadneck Peninsula. The BCC has notified SHA, MdTA, BGE, and Senator Ed Reilly’s office of the road safety concerns and need for repair action. SHA is working on many in-ground cable problems that need replacement due to age and temperature factors. They state it is not a failed bulb problem. We are pressing for preventive maintenance by SHA so they perform ‘PM’ and rework the repair problems before future street light outages occur. With so many lights out (I recently counted and reported 54 dead lights on Rte #50 from the Bay Bridge to Rte #211- (just my best effort as I could not count all the outages in the darkness.)

• GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (GDP)
The GDP is scheduled for completion in 2019. A small team of volunteer community leaders has formed to develop a plan of action to thoroughly review the County’s ‘compliance’ with the current GDP and the value and effective use of our Small Area Plan (SAP). These plans do not currently carry the force of law and are only referred to as a “guideline” for development within this County therefore there is great latitude in the enforcement of the tenets of these documents by the County OPZ. The work effort to update/rewrite this plan is significant, therefore the first steps taken by this team will be to evaluate and report on the strength of these plans in guiding County Land Use planning decisions. We shall provide updates on our progress and encourage all members to participate in decisions to update the plans. The County is holding “Listening Sessions” to seek our input on recommendations for an updated/new plan so our work will be ongoing. There are no hard and fast rules for community leaders on how to prepare for the GDP update so we are working with experienced members who participated in the last SAP and GDP for advice and guidance. Mel Bender was on the leadership board for the SAP and Pat Lynch and Britt Griswold represented the Broadneck during the development of the last GDP and Comprehensive Rezoning documents. Dick Ladd served as Dist-5 Councilman during the formulation of the 2009 GDP and subsequent Comprehensive Rezoning Plan.

We will continue to provide updates to Broadneck residents on the work of the BCC and will send out notices on our member meetings. Please call Pat Lynch at 410-757-3231 if you have any questions and wish us well on our endeavors on behalf of the Broadneck.

–Pat Lynch, President/Broadneck Council of Communities, Inc.