The Capital from Annapolis, Maryland • Page 12

A12 WEDNESDAY Jan. 28,1998 Olaptial West County nning new I trail from Annapolis Mall area West County Staff Writer Two proposed hiker-biker trails that would run through the heart of Odenton would connect historic trailf that runs as far north as Boston. The 6-mile West County Trail would join America's Discovery Trail, which meanders from Mike Fox, Odenton Town Planner, said a hiker-biker trail on Odenton -Road would hopefully begin construction next year. The trail would run on the.north the trails) and people are really only out there for legitimate use," Mr. Cuccia said.

Statistics kept by the Department of Recreation and Parks show about to the West Coast Though any visible progress to the West County and South Shore trails is still more than a year away, Jack Keene, chief of planning and construction for the Department of Recreation and Parks, said he and other county officials are working work more than a decade South Shore Trail will use abandoned WBA railroad beds and run from the Annapolis Mall to Odenton, ending at Sappington Station Road. The West County Trail would run "from Odenton Road south to the Patuxent River. Mr. Keene said several spurs would tie the trail to the Arundel High School complex and GORC Park. 'The Baltimore and Annapolis Trail Park already connects to the Mr.

Keene said the county started looking for other trail possibilities after its first hiker-biker path the BA Trail proved to be a giant Designated a smart growth region, Mr Keene said West County was a logical place for trails Odenton Shopping Center, the library and a future Catholic Charities senior housing complex. After it connects with the West County Trail near Piney Orchard Parkway, it will continue down Becknel Road, Mr. Fox said. A -11 v- "ft Wl11 8 et people to the MARC Work an. tfag two frente wiH hft .5 "Ij TTiJ-T "Bwtron ano is smart growth," he said.

i The trails are not without control versy, however. "Crime is always an issue," said Jay Cuccia, chief of special facilities for the Department of Recreation and Parks. "Any time you propose introducing strangers into the community there is concern." He said he is confident the proposed trails would not cause increased crime rates or bring a "bad element" into West County. split into phases, and Mr Keene estimates, the first the West County Trail will have county construction funding in the next fiscal year. He said he would like to see that segment complete by the end of 1999.

Funding for the 10-mile South Shore Trail would hopefully make the fiscal 2000 budget, Mr, Keene said. A project taken on by planners of the Odenton Town Plan will connect the South Shore and West County involved vandalism. "That's No. 1 problem on the trail and it's a problem eountywide, especially in the northern and eastern districts," Mr. Cuccia said.

He said of the 287 incidents there was only a handful of petty larcenies and five sex offenses in posure. like the BA Trail, ffuf two West County trails will have a full'staff of park rangers as well as periodic police patrols, he said. Residents along the proposed West County Trail harbor some additional concerns. Like the BA Trail, the two West County trails will have a staff of park rangers as well as periodic police patrols, he said. The trail is slated to run along the abandoned WBA Railroad beds, Logo winner named By STACEY DANZUSO West County Staff Writer mown to longtime residents as "the town a railroad built," the image of a train will greet Odenton's visitors on town signs An ad hoc group of Odenton residents and business leaders selected Mike Chisarick's design --the front view of a shiny locomotive with the words ithe sHe! By Christopher Corder The Capital Mike Chisarick, right, Is congratulated by County Executive John G.

Gary Jr. after his design pictured above Capital graphic for which the county claims the railroad promised if it ever left, rights of way property would revert back to the Residents disagree saying the original owners. Two challenge moratorium By STACEY DANZUSO West County Staff Writer At least two developers with land in Odenton are challenging a county moratorium on subdivisions and will take their cases to the Board of Appeals. A. Warnick and Reginald and Mamie Ball made separate pro- poVte-to build a handful of houses but were denied a waiver to the Adequacy of Facilities Law last fall because of crowded schools.

While parents praised the county for finally taking measures to curb overcrowded classrooms, small developers say the county is pushing its policy overboard by denying subdivision requests for individual houses that would not affect the schools Ms. Warnick of Glen Burnie wants to build a home on 3 acres near Conway and Patuxent roads in Odenton. Ms. Warnick, 59, said that with no Road in Odenton, according to the appeals office Charles Ayers, a Glen Burnie attorney who is representing the Balls, said his clients want to sell the land to a family that would build homes. -Mr Ayers said he could not comment any further while the case is in litigation.

The Balls' hearing is also scheduled for February. April, the county decided schools in the Arundel feeder system were so packed they couldn't handle any students new subdivisions would bring This led the Department of Planning and Code Enforcement to stop issuing waivers to the Adequacy of Facilities Law The Adequacy of Facilities Law regarding school capacity requires developers to obtain a waiver if schools in the district they hopeio Odenton the Heart of Anne Arundel County" and presented him with-an award-last week-aU- West Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce luncheon. "We all just sort of gravitated toward (Mr. Chisarick's) design," said Jay Winer, chairman of the "Odenton Town Plan Oversight Committee. The committee, which is monitoring progress of the Odenton Town Plan, kicked off a contest last November that invited area residents to submit designs selected last week as the logo that will appear on the town's gateway signs.

cniiaren, ner nome would not anect the schools. gateway signs acrosi Odenton and on promotional and publication materials. "These gateway signs wfil let visitors know not only that that Odenton's arrived," Mr. Residents submitted about a dozen entries that ran the gamut of talent and themes, Mr. Winer said.

The design the committee selected was one of four Mr Chisarick submitted. An Odenton resident since 1991, Mr. Chisarick generates computer ads for the Penny Saver. Mr. Winer said the winning desigicombined the old-fashioned aMlnoflerti aspects "This was my favorite design of the four," Mr, Chisarick said.

He estimated this design took about four hours to create on his His rewardfor the hard work -were-giftcertifieates-taiocal----- residents and $400 in savings bonds at four Odenton banks. County Executive John G. Gary Jr was on hand to congratulate Mr Chisarick, saying his logo is easily identifiable with Odenton. "I can see (the chamber) putting this on coffee cups," Mr. Gary joked.

Mr. Chisarick's design is not the final product and will probably be amended, Mr. Winer said. exits on Route 32 on Sappington Station Road and routes 170 and 175 Mr. Winer said he hopes the county will match funds the group raises for the signs.

The Odenton Town Plan project will encompass roughly 1,600 acres in Odenton, including 200 acres designated town center. The town center concept, which- For more than a year, the counjy nn Hying there for the rest. Department of Planning and Code she said. Enforcement granted waivers for has been duplicated in Glen an Attempt He said the next step is to hire a to recapture the atmosphere in old-fashioned towns. Ultimately, the town center will be the hub of proposed growth for all of west county, an area that has of my life," she said.

Ms. Warnick said she has most of her permits in place and would like to begin building within the next two years "Some developers are building too many homes too fast, but (the county) needs to look at each case on an individual basis," Ms. Warnick said. She is optimistic the of Apgeajs will grant her approval at a hearing next--menth so she can minor subdivisions of fewer thjtn four lots and for elementary schools that were at less than 115 percent capacity and high schools that below 120 percent capacity But with Arundel High School about 150 students over capacity this year and projected to reach 182 percent capacity within a decade, PACE stopped granting waivers At this point the county is waiting to see what decisions the school graphic designer or sign company to refine the logo so it is suitable for gateway signs or otaae-ruses. At least three gateway signs on display the logo.

The signs will last decade. home. The Balls, who could not be reached for comment, have also filed an appeal to PACE'S denial of a waverjp the Adequacy of They propose to create three buildable lots on Old Waugh Chapel overcrowding before it reconsiders its building moratorium, sajd county spokesman John Morris. "Things aren't stagnant," he said. of sidermg optionsTrom the parenFT committee proposals and we'll see where we go from there." Parent Information Night designed to help kids adjust jMo help prepare students for -Tthe from middle to high school, eighth-graders and their parents from Arundel Middle and Crofton Middle schools may attend a Parent Information Night WEST COUNTY auditorium of Arundel High School, located at 1001 Annapolis Road.

Faculty members will be introduced and information will be presented about graduation requirements and courses for the Participants will then move into the cafeteria, where roughly 30 ninth-grade teachers and department chairmen will answer questions about textbooks, course placement, curriculum requirements and other issues Because it hasn't yet been determined whether some of Crofton's piehth-graders will attend Club from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Perry's Restaurant in Odenton. Participants may present a five- to seven-minute speech on any subject that will be judged. The winner and first runner-up will the goal of progressing to district, regional and international levels. A table topics contest will also be held the same evening Speakers will be re'quired to speak for two to three minutes on a topic for which More than 100 spaces are available to rent in the school hallways and cafeteria for $25.

Tables wilLbe supplied for an additionaTIS. Arundel High band members will and refreshmciitslirtftg' cafeteria. Child care for children ages 1 through 6, supervised by Key Club members, will be available in a "kids room." Proceeds will benefit the school's Key and Forensics clubs. For more iufumut County events and issues. The association's nominating committee has nominated the following people for the board of directors: Ken Friddle, John Higtfnbotham, IHartnicd and AtNasti; NomlTratit 465-5474.

weethearts can dance and dine' at the Gambrills Athletic Clab Valentine's Day Dinner Dance from 7 to midnight Feb. 14. will be accepted from the floor. The election will be held during the meeting. Board members serve for two years.

For more information, call Clarence Ross at (410) 674 6244 p.m to midnight by Sherry Powell'-s Hot Hits Jukebox The menu includes stuffed chicken, vegetables, dessert, beer, wine and. setups Tickets are $12 per person The Huh ig Inratori nn nr ByJUDI NOWOTTNICK from that community should attend Arundel's information night For more information, call the Arundel High School guidance department at (410) 674 6500 Guests may attend the contests and will not be called upon to participate For more (410) 551-2840 I t's time to start thinking about spring craft fairs again Crafters may sell their handcrafted goods at craft fair at Arundel (410)323-6677. ounty Council Chairman Bert Rice, R-Odenton, will be the featured speaker at the Maple Ridge Homeowners Association meeting at 7 tomorrow in the community meeting room of the Odenton library, 1270 Odenton Road. istorical interpreters Bonnie Falrbank and Pat Sowers will present a program titled "The Little Maids of History" at a luncheon hosted by the Retired Officers' Wives' Club at 11 a Tuesday at the Fort George Meade Officers' Club Reservations must be received by Gambrills For more information or tickets, call either Nancy Rosenberger at (410) 987 2830 or Catherine Stinchcomb at (410) 923-2718 Clubs and organizations the Gambnlls-Odenton area are invited to contact Capital correspondent UMWm 31 fi or pub of their.