Hood College responds to neighbor's concerns about proposed locker facilities

Tim and Tracey, Hood College neighbors, received a response from Hood College to a letter they recently sent to Hood College regarding the proposed locker facilities and lighting:

Tim and Tracey,

Thanks for your letter of January 6, 2009.  We take the concerns of our neighbors seriously and attempt to mitigate intrusion upon the neighborhood whenever reasonably practicable. 

Let me address the two issues you raised:

As to the location of the proposed locker facilities - we are currently redesigning this area in response to a request raised at the Planning Commission Hearing to retain the trees that border the NW entrance gate and the roadway immediately inside the campus.  The redesign maintains the majority of the existing stand of trees.  Further, it reduces the visual profile of the west end of the locker facilities as seen from Magnolia Avenue.

Our design team is working on the proposed exterior profile, finishes and landscaping to incorporate this structure into the campus environment.  We'll be glad to share this with you when the designs are further developed.  I'd also like to point out that this corner of the campus poses several challenging design considerations.  The available area for placement of this structure is limited due to the location of the enlarged athletic field, a water line easement owned by the City, a setback requirement along Magnolia Avenue, an existing roadway oriented east to west that borders the existing site, existing mechanical equipment and as I previously mentioned the desire to blend this structure with the campus.  Given all these constraints, I believe that the proposed design is a good solution for the campus and for the neighbors.

Regarding lighting on the temporary parking lot – I am surprised to hear that you have not seen any changes to the lighting on the temporary lot. When I met you at your home, we noted that there were four fixtures that were generally oriented in such a way as to be seen from your backyard.  We reoriented two of these fixtures 180 degrees to face away from your property.  A third fixture on the fence separating the two lots was completely removed.  The last fixture near the center of the south fence cannot be relocated for safety reasons and is the sole remaining fixture that faces your property.

After receiving your email I walked the site again early this morning while still dark.  I noticed two things.  First, there is an existing lamp pole that provides security lighting around the Hodson Science Center which can be seen from your property.  I would estimate that it is at least 200 feet from your home.  This pole was installed as part of the Hodson Science Center Construction several years ago.  We’ll look at what may be done in this area as part of the new parking lot construction, but no changes can be made for this lamp pole at this time.  Second, I noticed a small amount of glare from the edge of two fixtures that sit at an oblique angle away from your property.  I think it may be possible to “shield” these two fixtures without compromising campus safety.

I will be glad to meet with you to show you the changes we made to the temporary parking lot lighting.  Again thanks for sharing your concerns with us.

Rick

Neighbor writes to Hood about new locker facilities

Tim, one of the Hood neighbors, recently wrote to Hood College regarding the proposed locker facilities to be located near Magnolia and Atlantic Avenues:

Mr. Richard A. Kahley 

Director of Facilities Planning and Special Projects 

Hood College 

401 Rosemont Avenue 

Frederick, MD 21701

Dear Mr. Kahley,

I am writing to request further consideration on the part of the College and its design team that the proposed locker facilities be re-situated on the site to retain the trees along the entry drive off of Magnolia Avenue. Though not the primary entrance to the College, its formal presence is an asset to the neighborhood and implies a sense of deference from the College to its neighbors. As a neighbor and an architect, I believe that the removal of the one row of trees to make way for a utilitarian structure significantly alters the entry in a negative way and implies a lack of consideration. Upon walking the site and viewing City’s Spires GIS Map (with aerial photo), the general area of the building appears to be within a triangulated “dead zone” not part of a standard playing field – an area which appears to be large enough to allow for an adjustment to the building’s location and/or configuration. If this is indeed the case, I would request that the design be reconsidered in the interest of retaining the presence of the existing entry drive. In addition, I would also ask that the design team consider use of brick or some other siding material other than board and batten siding for the portion of the proposed building that abuts Magnolia Avenue. Such a revision would be more complementary to the residential buildings on the street and would be a positive gesture to the neighborhood.

And finally, I would be remiss if I did not express my continued concern regarding the existing and future parking lot lights. We have not noticed any adjustments / improvements to the temporary lighting since meeting with you in November, and would like to inquire as to the status of the changes that we were told to expect. Regarding lighting for the future parking lot, I continue to request that the globe-style lights specified be equipped with reflectors or other devices for minimizing the “light-house” effect and the upward light pollution of that area of campus. Though I realize they are not required per your Site Plan approval, I believe they represent a simple solution to concerns raised by a member of the community and would demonstrate the College’s professed desire to be a good neighbor.

I appreciate the time and effort that you have spent working with the community as a representative of the College and hope that my comments/requests will be received with serious consideration.

Sincerely,

Tim Daniel, AIA

Concerns with raucous tenants at 505 Magnolia

Friends -

There has been some conversation amongst the neighbors over the last several weeks regarding the tenants occupying the house at 505 Magnolia Avenue. Serious concerns about raucous behavior, partying, underage drinking?, loud noise late at night into the early morning hours, trash buildup around the house, numerous vehicles, parking in the driveway blocking the sidewalk, trash can situated in the front yard, public urination, and the list goes on. The property has taken on a decidedly disheveled appearance. While we are all sensitive to the current real estate market, other rental situations exist amicably in our immediate vicinity without the negative impact we are experiencing from the tenants at this address.

I have contacted our NAC liaison Stephanie Davis for some advice. She confirms that neighbors should not hesitate to call the police non-emergency telephone number to report any problems. That number again is: 301-600-2102. Another possible contact is William Dukes, Division Manager of Code Enforcement for the City of Frederick. His telephone number is 301-600-3825. His email address is wdukes@cityoffrederick.com .

Stephanie also suggested that we contact the mayor and alderman as the city has an ongoing discussion concerning rental licensing, although no official action has been taken at this time. mayor@cityoffrederick.com; dkuzemchak@cityoffrederick.com; dkoontz@cityoffrederick.com; mhall@cityoffrederick.com; aimhoff@cityoffrederick.com; psmith@cityoffrederick.com

One of our neighbors was able to secure an email address for the property owners. Please forward your concerns to me and I will pass them on to the owners. Hopefully we can work together to mitigate this undesirable situation.

Kim Madden for Hood Neighbors
405 Magnolia Avenue
Frederick, MD 21701
hood-neighbors@comcast.net
hoodneighbors.blogspot.com