Crosswalks: Smart Growth in Real Places

This episode is a follow-up to my April 23, 2022, podcast – Show Me the Money La Plata’s Draft FY 23 Budget.  – Please note - the FY (Fiscal Year) starts July 1, 2022, and ends June 30, 2023.   All budget information is available on the Town website – www.townoflpata.org  

This is episode is a brief summary of La Plata’s Planning Department’s 2021 Annual Report, required annually by the Maryland Department of Planning. This was reviewed and approved by the Town Planning Commission at their June 7, 2022, meeting.   This report is available from the La Plata Planning Department website www.townoflaplta.org>Town Government> Planning Department>Annual Reports  ...

Town Council Work Sessions/Business Meeting Recap Work Sessions: April 12, April 19, May 10, May 17, June 10 Business Meetings : April 26, May 24, June 21  Link to access all meeting agendas: https://laplata.civicweb.net/Portal/ Then click a  specific meeting date on the calendar. 

The Compete Streets program has a direct connection to one of my Town Council priorities, based on the 2020 Town Comprehensive Plan – GOAL #16: Continue to make La Plata a very walkable community.     This is also personal for me - I am a walker and cyclist, so I have firsthand experience with speeding in our neighborhoods and around La Plata. This includes several close calls being hit by a car,...

This is a follow-up to an episode of my May 31, 2022) podcast - La Plata’s Planning Department and What do they do!  This episode is about the Town’s 2020 Comprehensive Plan, adopted on September 28, 2020.   The Plan is a policy guide for both the Town Council and Planning Commission.    The Plan’s goals and objectives are implemented over time through the decisions related to annexations, rezonin...

With the development under construction and with three annexation proposals, it's appropriate to provide an overview of the Town of Plata’s Planning Department, a subject near and dear to my heart, given my education and job experience (public and private sectors) as a certified planner.  All the information about the Town Planning Department is available at their website – go to www.townoflp...

Given La Plata’s present growth pressures, I want to talk about Strong Towns, established in 2009, this is a national non-profit organization, promoting a new way of thinking about how towns grow, to be sustainable and resilient communities.  Their website - https://www.strongtowns.org/ Strong Town Principles: ·         Strong cities, towns, and neighborhoods need strong citizens working together...

In this episode, I will review my first year (May 10, 2021) as a Town Council member.   Please know that I am one of five (5) Council members, and will differentiate our accomplishments as a Town Council, versus my individual activities.    Shortly after I was sworn in on May 10, 2021. I wrote my goals for my 4- year term. These goals are based on the following goals/actions from the September 202...

A brief overview of the annexation process, a summary of the Town's 2020 Comprehensive Plan, followed with an update about two annexation requests – Villages at Rosewick, and The Hub, now both scheduled for Town Council public hearings. Villages of Rosewick Town Council Public Hearing – May 10, 2022, 6:00 PM The Hub - Town Council Public Hearing – May 24, 2022, 6:00 PM  

La Plata's draft FY 23 Budget - a brief overview of how the budget is prepared, budget highlights, and the review process. The fiscal Year 2023 starts July 1, 2022, and ends June 30, 2023.  Highlights: General Fund Budget for FY 2023 equals $14,735,365 which represents an increase over the FY 2022 budget of$4,302,770 or 41%. Enterprise Funds Budget for FY 2023 equals $15,786,620 which represe...

The Radio Station Road Pathway Project – is an exciting project for your town. Follow-up information about the Villages of Rosewick annexation request Upcoming events : April 2 – Opening Day, La Plata Farmers Market – a short video was posted on NextDoor and my Facebook Page Tuesday, April 5 - National Arbor Day,  10:00 AM, Wills Park  Celebrate La Plata, Saturday, April 30th, from 12 PM to 4 PM -...

Update Town Council February Work Sessions and Business Meeting   Since COVID, all meetings have been virtual, using the Microsoft Teams platform. The first hybrid meeting (option to attend in person or virtually through Teams) started with the Town Council on February 22, 2022, a Business meeting.  Each meeting and agenda have the following guidance: “In accordance with the Open Meetings Act, the...

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) La Plata Road/Radio Station Road Pedestrian Pathway/Bikeway Latest annexation requests: The HUB: Hawthorne Yards – MD 225, American Legion ballfield site, 53 acres, 48 TH, 135 SF, clubhouse, pickleball courts, small commercial area (on MD 225 4. Villages at RosewickTown Strategic Plan and Organizational Development 5. Upcoming Events: Joint TC/County Commissioner me...

Highlights from the December 14 Town Council Work Session and December 21 Town Council Business Meeting Latest Annex Request - The HUB - https://laplata.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx? Org=Cal&Id=2431 Town Pedestrian/ Bikeways Projects/Studies American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)Under ARPA, the Town of La Plata will receive $9,489,034 over two payments from the Federal Government throu...

 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds: I have an ask - we are seeking your input on how to spend funds the Town has received from The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), signed into law in March 2021. This is an economic stimulus bill designed to help communities recover from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. La Plata has received an initial allocation of $4.7 million of a to...

The latest issues and activities from October 12 and October 19 Town Council Work Sessions and the October 25 Town Council Business Meeting. Topics: •Heritage Green update  •American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds • FY 22 Town road paving list  •Annexation Request Update – Hawthorne Yards •La Plata 2020 Census

 This episode of the La Plata Town Council Ward 4 Update podcast discusses issues and items from Council's  August/September work sessions and business meetings. Works Session -  we review, discuss issues,  providing direction to staff, and reach consensus, before moving them to the monthly Business meetings as resolution or legislation. Business Meetings are formal meetings,  that approve re...

There is concern about recent development activities and annexations.  This episode provides a brief overview of the annexation process.  Information is also provided why the Town is replacing faulty water meters.

Update about La Plata Town Council meetings, information for residents, and related activities.