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Baltimore County Council mulls windmills, additional historical sites
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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Backyard windmills could become more prevalent in Baltimore County after lawmakers this week expressed support for them and for homeowners who want them to curb soaring power prices.
The Baltimore County Council Monday passed a resolution directing the county planning board to re-examine a current zoning law equating windmills to sheds with height limits at 15 feet. At that height, experts said significant wind generation is impossible.
The resolution comes as the county entertains its first request for a backyard windmill from Phoenix homeowner Barry Antonelli. Studies suggest residential windmills — which cost between $14,000 and $120,000 — could shave up to 25 percent off monthly electric bills.
Also on Monday evening, lawmakers heard testimony on proposed additions to the county’s roster of historical landmarks, including an 83-year-old Catonsville home built by chemist and developer Victor Bloede.
Known as the LaPenna house, the deteriorating Forest Avenue structure is slated for demolition to make way for a 23-unit town house development proposed by Catonsville builder Charles Skirven.
Skirven’s attorney, Scott Barhight, said Bloede’s home has no historical significance.
“I find it interesting to hear him described as a successful businessman,” Barhight told lawmakers. “I’d like to consider myself a successful lawyer. But when I die, please don’t list my house.”
Structures designated as historical landmarks are first placed on a preliminary list by the county’s landmarks preservation committee, then confirmed by the county council. Landmarked buildings are eligible for tax credits for certain improvements, but changes receive tighter scrutiny.
Residents also testified in support of adding Loch Raven Elementary School, which was built at the center of Loch Raven Village, one of Maryland’s first planned communities. Lutherville resident Jill Hettinger urged lawmakers to add the Weisbrod-Carroll on Forest Avenue, a rare example of the “Downing-Vaux cottage” of the Victoria era.
“It’s already part of the historic district whether on paper or not,” Hettinger said. “One of the neighbors described it as a one-block oasis.”
jmalarkey@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
5:23 PM MST on Thu., Jul. 31, 2008 re: "Council might nix inspections, vote on parking fine increases"
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7:11 AM MST on Thu., Jul. 31, 2008
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4:46 AM MST on Wed., Jul. 30, 2008
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4:44 AM MST on Wed., Jul. 30, 2008
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4:36 AM MST on Wed., Jul. 30, 2008
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8:08 PM MST on Fri., Jul. 11, 2008
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7:13 AM MST on Wed., Jan. 9, 2008
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Examiner Reader said:
Hey we are being taxes to death on everything else, who cares gas is going up, raise the parking fines to squeeze us even more. What a bunch of cronies the county executive and his council are. Fatcats at the trough.
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Examiner Reader said:
Who says landlord don't pay taxes has his head in the sand. I pay over $2,000 in realestate tax and fed. tax and state tax on what little profit I made. And I think the new law stinks and it is just another tax that will have to be passed on to the renter. Thank you
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Examiner Reader said:
if there so responsible why are lanlords up in arms , it does not sound right, somthings wrong with this story?
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Examiner Reader said:
if your a lanlord lord your in business! if your in business your making money, and paying taxes. lanlords are not paying taxes, they do not have simple things like smoke dectors, lead free pai, this needs to be addresed and this is the job of the baltimore county code,some one needs to look out for the renters. why is so hard for a lanlord to put in a smoke dector, for god sake we are in the year of 2008 wake up. landlords are not even paying taxes i guess thats okay to, i should quit my day job and be a land lord its a dream no taxes, no authority 's looking over your shoulder telling you whats right or wrong
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Examiner Reader said:
if these folks are abiding by the law , they are not be fined. the county request a smoke dector, lead free paint , and windows to open. and a small fee to regester, and tax id , thats right your lanlord is making money but wants to pay no taxes, your whole story sounds and is bad information
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Examiner Reader -- Bias? said:
I was at the hearing and the Councilman Gardina who spoke was biased towards the Antonelli's and not representing the opinions of the other councilman. I think your article is misrepresenting the truth to push a personal agenda for windmills.
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Examiner Reader said:
I wonder why Ken Oliver, the only African-American county council member can't get elected to the chairmanship? It seems like the good old boys keep giving it to each other. The African-American community in Baltimore County needs to find out why Ken Oliver doesn't get the respect he should as a democratic council member. We are tired of Kamenetz, Moxley, Johnny O and Gardina.
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