The official transcript of the Tuesday night meeting, which drew about 70 people, wasn't properly recorded, a gaffe that will push back a 3-year-old debate about whether the city granted a building permit for a house that's too big for its street.
If the appeal is successful, it could mean the value of a new house on Burnside Street will nosedive.
The fight waged by Daryl Roberts and the Eastport Civic Association before the city Board of Appeals could ultimately...
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Two People Same Name Different Opin - 2009-12-21 14:27:03
I was asked last night at a holiday party why I wrote into the Capital and was opposed the the house on Burnside. I was very confused as I did not write in and do agree with the opinion expressed by the other "Paul Richards".
I live in Eastport and recently became a member of the Eastport Civic Association Architectural Review Committee. I joined because of the incredibly difficult time we had with getting a fully compliant design through the planning and zoning process. I joined with two objectives; 1) be an advocate for neighbors and help them through the process; and 2) Re-write the rule that are confusing or have unintended consequences using common sense.
I do not know all of the facts in this case as it was reviewed before I joined the ECA. I will be looking into it as an example of rules that need changes and stand by my objective number one above.
Paul W. Richards - Eastport, MD
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Paul Richards - , - Karma: Neutral
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Responding to above posts - 2009-12-10 10:19:20
The Robertsons case is not at all similiar to Dobbins Island - the Robertsons applied for and aquired all the neccessary permits to build.
It would be a positive step foward if the ECA and Ross Arnett could find a way to battle the city over their decision to allow the Robertsons to build without using the Robertsons as inadvertent pawns.
I am inclined to disregard "Tyler's" angry rant (above), as just his name is borrowed from the movie "Fight Club".
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rosemary williams - annapolis, md - Karma: Neutral
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houses out of bounds - 2009-12-08 12:41:01
None of the houses, except for a select few retain the character and charm of what Eastport was. The penisula is now a mushroom crowd of McHouses. Even if I were rich enough to afford property there, I wouldn't. What I grew up with is long gone!
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linda keefer - barboursville, WV - Karma: Neutral
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Code and Regulation - 2009-12-08 08:56:26
The citizens pay to have comprehensive zoning and building regulations. They are necessary. These rules establish continuity in development and coordinate allocation of infra-structure dollars, to which all tax payers contribute. Permitting fees cover just 18% of those costs. Unfortunately developer's interest often succeed in overriding the regs, due to the 'process of appeals'. Which takes the decisions away from County's land use professionals. The Robertson's exploited the process and the adjacent properties' values are adversely affected. The outcome of the appeal process can only benefit the developer. ECA was litigating to simply assure Code enforcement, developers want higher density. Unless the party requesting code enforcement/adherence to regulations) is willing (and able) to spend $1000's to litigate enforcement of the rules, (in four forums), the rules are tossed. The 'legal community' has a vested interest in these battles. The professionals in planning and permits offices should understand the code. Their responsibility to clearly convey rationale for decisions and maintain their position throughout the process.
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harry trampolini - severna park, MD - Karma: Good
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Boo hoo - 2009-12-08 05:07:55
So some self-entitled rich people build an over sized, non-compliant house because they couldn't find a compromise between the pilates room and the home theater. Now they are crying foul because nobody tried hard enough to stop them at the time, even though Jon Arason told them they were proceeding at their own risk?
My heart bleeds for them.
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Tyler Durden - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Do RULES Count for Anything? - 2009-12-07 21:21:17
Remember the house on the island, built by a developer/contractor who forgot to follow the rules. He won, mostly, by crying about his keeping his house.
Now, a similar situation. They knew they were fudging the rules. But, they went forward, hoping that they could slip by. After all it is only a house. When Ross Arnett was the President of the ECA he knew the difference between right and wrong. Now, what has changed.
I'd rather they tear it down -- as the Island house should have been, torn down -- but, sertainly we should follow the rules and declare it NON-Conforming!!
We've got to grow up. Either Rules are Rules, or we don't have rules!
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Paul Richards - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Let it go - 2009-12-07 16:40:33
I used to live Eastport and they need to let it go. Enforce it from here on out. The Robertsons got the go ahead from the city. From a COMMON SENSE perspective you cannot go back now and devalue this house. Try concentrating on cleaning up the crime and not someones perceived view of a housline.
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Andrew Anawalt - Severna Park, Md - Karma: Neutral
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Literally fighting to save their ho - 2009-12-07 16:39:20
The plans and permits were contested, the board of appeals rejects the contest, the first court rules board should hear case, then the owners appeal, but during the time of their appeal, they request and get permits from City? They build and move in and are now concerned about being designated non-conforming? Hello, your in. The question is why the City approved the permits knowing the permits were in the appeal process. The City Of Annapolis should not have approved the plans, or the permits. The owners should not have built knowing they were in the appeal process. Noone is suggesting they tear it down. For the Robertson to complain about diminished future value is disingenuous. They are as much to blame as the permiting office. The residents of Eastport are trying to hold the City responsible for code enforcement which is proper.
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harry trampolini - severna park, MD - Karma: Good
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