PHIA Meeting Notes: Marks Discusses Forge Road, Perry Hall Mansion, Land for New High School

After two months on the job, District 5 County Councilman David Marks described his position as "very difficult and time-consuming, but extraordinarily satisfying."

Marks spoke to members of the Perry Hall Improvement Association Thursday evening at the Perry Hall library. County Councilwoman Cathy Bevins of District 6, which includes a small portion of Perry Hall, also planned to speak but was unable to attend for health reasons, a member of her staff said.

During the meeting, the PHIA also presented Marks with an award for his several years of service to the community, including the nine years he served as president of the association.

"The work I am most proud of is the time I spent volunteering for the improvement association," said Marks.

But volunteering, unlike his elected position, offered fewer opportunities to directly shape county policy, he said. "It is the ability to get things done that I think is very precious."

The councilman focused his remarks on sponsored county legislation and major local issues.

Legislation: 

• A recently passed bill, sponsored by Marks, that created the Baltimore County Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee. The committee will focus on planning more consistent sidewalks and bike lanes throughout the county. 
• A bill expected to pass, sponsored by Marks, which reforms , requiring developers and officials to hold meetings within a certain distance of affected communities.
• A bill, sponsored by Marks and Bevins, which would increase the from $500 to $1,000. 
• A bill, sponsored by Marks and Bevins, which would dedicate the area of the abandoned as a trail. 
• Marks mentioned the possibility of a bill which would create a commercial revitalization project in the heart of Perry Hall. The project would allow area businesses to qualify for low-interest loans and architectural services.

Local Issues:

• The future of the Forge Road closure near the Belair Road intersection. 
• Possible expansion of the parking lot at .
• Continued renovation of the . 
• Redevelopment of the Perry Hall Square Shopping Center.
• Sidewalk improvements along Ebenezer Road and new trails west of Perry Hall High School in Indian Rock Park.
• A request for a new recreation facility from the Perry Hall Recreation Council.
• Funding for a $1 million project at the White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company. 
• Securing land and funding for a new (possibly vocational) high school in the White Marsh area. 
• Proposals for the direct election of Baltimore County School Board members. 
• Possible improvements to Chapel Road.
• The commercial use of land between Forge Road, Belair Road and Honeygo Boulevard and the large pile of dirt currently on the site. 

Check Patch for continued coverage of county legislation and issues facing members of the Perry Hall community.