Neighbors, Conservationists Work on Solution for Tree Problem

Neighbors on Deltom Court met with members of a local conservationist group and county officials earlier this week to work on a resolution to a problem that sprouted overnight.

Residents took exception to more than 100 trees being planted in a nearby storm water management area where they say their children play. The Gunpowder Valley Conservancy's Jennifer Branch Project organized the tree planting on April 12 in order to help prevent runoff into a nearby tributary of Carney's Jennifer Branch.

Fifth Distrct Councilman David Marks organized the Tuesday evening discussion between the residents of the Carney neighborhood and members of the environmentalist group.

Marks and Deputy Director of the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks Bud Christmer answered residents' concerns and helped facilitate open dialogue between the two groups.

"Although this area was envisioned as a stormwater pond decades ago, it has become a common area for this neighborhood. Our office will work with the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy and other county officials on a compromise that removes some of the trees from the active area," Marks said in an e-mail to Patch.

Ultimately, it was decided that some of the trees would be moved within the storm water management area to give the neighborhood back some of the open space.

"I think we're getting toward a solution everyone can live with," said Martin Pfaff, one of the neighbors who protested the tree planting.

"I can't say enough about what Councilman Marks did for us, and I'm thankful that the people from the project have been able to work with us on a solution," Pfaff said.

According to Diane Brazil, a Jennifer Branch Project staff member, the group is hoping to move the trees on a Sunday in the weeks following the upcoming Easter holiday.

Brazil explained that it would be difficult to get the number of volunteers present for the initial planting to help move the trees because of the short notice.

"We're asking neighbors to help us in that effort, and for the most part it seems that they're interested," she said.

According to sources on both sides of the issue, this has served as a learning experience.

Pfaff explained that Deltom Court lacks a homeowner's association, but that by banding together on this issue he hopes neighbors will organize on other issues.

"Sometimes through adversity things get better," Pfaff said.

The Jennifer Branch Project has been working to plant trees around Carney for well over a decade but had never worked in a residential area before—leadership is hoping to apply the lessons learned at an upcoming tree planting on nearby Golden Rod Lane.

"We're already talking to the homeowner's association over there to make sure everyone knows what's going on," Brazil said.