On The Agenda Jan. 29
Bill 07-0575 Urban Renewal--Fells Point Waterfront--Renewal Area Designation and Urban Renewal Plan: Would designate the Fells Point waterfront as a "renewal area."
Public Interest Grade: B- The primary focus of this bill, according to City Councilman James Kraft (D-1st District), is to create height restrictions for development along the Fells Point waterfront. The Disneyfication of Fells Point hurts our hearts more than a little, but at least if this bill passes, the area won't be besieged with the garish high-rises of the Inner Harbor and Federal Hill.
Bill 07-0576 Unsafe Vacant Structures--Posting Against Trespass: Would require that unsafe, vacant structures be posted with conspicuous no-trespassing warnings.
Public Interest Grade: C Baltimore City can post no trespassing signs on vacant and falling-down structures from Cedonia to Howard Park, but considering the amount of drug dealing and other criminal activity that already occurs in boarded-up houses and abandoned structures in the city, we can't imagine they'll do much good.
Holton
City Council Quote of the Week
"The real concern is the health of our children." --Councilwoman Helen L. Holton (D-8th), regarding a proposal to support vaccinating girls for human papillomavirus (HPV) as early as sixth grade.
Kelley
City Council Fact of the Week
The City Council introduced a resolution to support the Maryland General Assembly's efforts to have sixth-grade girls vaccinated for HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer. However, the day after the City Council's Jan. 29 meeting, state Sen. Delores G. Kelley of Baltimore County announced she would pull the bill.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. To view the City Council's meeting schedule visit www.baltimorecitycouncil.com.
