MileOne Enacts Good Neighbor Policies for East Avenue Residents
Residents of Carney's East Avenue have had issues with the auto dealership for years; a recent meeting between county councilwoman Cathy Bevins and MileOne CEO Steven Fader led to some progress in the uneasy relationship.
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Pdfs
A recent meeting between Sixth District County Councilwoman Cathy Bevins and executives at Harford Road auto dealership MileOne could lead to a quality of life improvement for residents of nearby East Avenue.
Residents on the Carney street nearest the dealership have long complained of bright security lights, loud security speakers, disruptive test drives through the neighborhood and a host of other issues. Now, according to a statement from councilwoman Bevins, some of those issues should be put to rest.
In a statement, Bevins said that over the past several months her office had received a number of complaints about the dealership from nearby residents.
"I contacted the owner of the dealerships to alert him of the many complaints I have received and the reports that MileOne has been a notoriously 'bad neighbor.' During the meeting, I made it very clear that, in my opinion, the success of these businesses should not come at the expense of the adjacent neighborhood," Bevins said in the statement.
As a result, she said, several policy changes are being enacted at the dealership which includes Heritage Honda, Heritage Volkwagen, and Heritage Chrysler Jeep Dodge.
Those changes include creating an email address (eastavenueissues@mileone.com) that neighbors can use to facilitate communication with the business.
A full list of the issues and their solutions can be found in a document attached to this article.
The decision to be a better neighbor comes as the automotive group hopes to see a zoning change from residential to business major on a .072 acre lot between the dealerships and the residents of East Avenue that they hope to use as part of the business.
A hearing on zoning issue 6-017, requested by the business, will be held at Overlea High School at 6 p.m. June 21 as part of the County's Comprehensive Zoning Map Process (CZMP).
The Carney Improvement Association, which represents the neighborhood, and the residents of East Avenue have been in opposition to the zoning change—improvement association president Meg O'Hare said that hasn't changed.
"We are very grateful to Councilwoman Cathy Bevins for taking time to meet with MileOne Executive Fader and let him know that his companies in Carney have greatly decreased the quality of life for the residents of East Avenue who were there first," O'Hare wrote in an email to community members.
However, she wrote: "The issue of being a good neighbor does not mean that the CZMP request by Auto Propeties (Mile One) Issue 6-017 should be granted. Mile One knew that the land was zoned residential when they purchased the property. This land although not designated as open land has always served as a buffer for East Avenue residents. Mile One should not be allowed to use this land for commercial enterprise in consideration of the adjoining neighbors which is why the land had residential zoning to begin with."
O'Hare encouraged community members to attend the meeting at speak out against the zoning change.
Margaret
12:31 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Maybe what the Mile One needs is a wall sound barrier and tone down the lights.
Margaret
12:33 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
If it was zoned for residental then why let Mile One have the land in the first place?
mmalin2
1:43 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
So they now decide they want to be good neighbors. Years of promises were never kept. The lot would get used for a while until somebody complained. It would get used again until somebody complained. This process would repeat itself. Now that they want to get approval for the zoning change, they post it so that no employees will use the lot. Nice of them, but I don't see this swaying the neighborhood to wanting to see a change in the zoning.
It is nice that the Service Department employees aren't allowed to test drive down the road anymore, but that does nothing for the new/used car test drives that go up/down the road.
As far as the lighting issue, how about upgrading the security system with newer IR/night vision cameras or put some of the lights on motion sensors (only turn on when needed). It would still allow for security, but it won't look like the sun is up 24/7.
Things I've seen throughout the years too:
1. Car carries unloading on East Ave in front of Honda lot causing a traffic hazard by blocking most of the road
2. Don't know about snow pushed in front of residential driveways, but it has been being pushed out into street on the first section of East Ave closest to Harford Road after the street has already been plowed.
3. Untagged cars (no plates in window or on car) being driven from one side of road to the other.
There are probably more issues that others could come up with.
JGH
8:44 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
The sad things is 4 years ago and 8 years ago Mile One has previously implemented this same "good" neighbor policy. Not coincidentally, these were the last 2 times re-zoning occurred with MileOne putting in a request to change the property in question from residential to business major. In both cases, the zoning request was denied and within day of the decision, MileOne went back to being bad neighbors.
I hope this current zoning request also get denied, but MileOne breaks with their past pattern and truly does become a good neighbor. If MileOne can manage to be a good neighbor for 4 years, I might be willing to lift my objections to their desired parking lot.
JGH
8:56 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
...If you'd like to see photographic evidence of MileOne being a bad neighbor, look no further than the photos in my profile. They are all from this year...
Red Dolphin
9:49 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
let see if they can pass the 4 year test ? I know alot of peole who work there they're all real nice people, And I do see the car carriers pull on to their lot to unload
ELpH's Mom
7:26 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Being that they haven't been good nieghbors for longer than a couple of months during a zoning hearing between the lights, the security system sound, the driving around the nieghborhood without tags, got a car carrier stuck blocking the road for 2 hours while if there were an emergency any kind of response would not be able to reach the residents on our street from Harford Road, and parking on a lot they are not supposed to(thankfully it is a rezoning year and the road has been fixed and sign posted to keep car carriers from coming down the street). I also have friends who work at Heritage and have had cars purchased and serviced there. They are great people, and the staff has been friendly, but that is not a testament to how day to day business is conducted without regard to the residents that live behind them. They have waiting much long than four years for this lot to be rezoned, and I feel that four more years of proven good behaviour is not a lot to ask to show that they really care about the people who live here.
ELpH's Mom
8:23 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
I wish the good neighbor policies would have been something that was new. I wish that Honda would have started this on their own when the first neighbor complained about their sound system or light. It took a meeting with Councilwoman Bevins, and their desperate attempts to change the zoning of a residential lot to business major.
In an area that is already preventing panhandle lots and trying to cut back the number of houses per acre to preserve open spaces and over-development, why would they change the zoning of a residential buffer to business major? They have offered to put up a fence or bushes around this if they are granted their way, but I look around and many of their fences they have now are in need of some TLC and litter around.
I love my neighborhood, my home and my family. I only hope that this stays a residential zone for our safety, our everyday quality of living, and for our overall piece of mind. I cry thinking that the lights, overhead speakers, car carriers and overall disruptions that they cause would be allowed in my backyard.
Good Neighbor policies are wonderful as long as they listen and are prepared to continually work with the neighborhood. My fear is if they get what they want our concerns will fall upon deaf ears and we will not have anyone(Councilperson or others)to help us keep our neighborhood a wonderful place to live, a place to raise our children, and a place that future families will want to raise their children.
Ruth Baisden
10:56 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Alhough MileOne needs to clean up their act, I am concerned that they will use this as a tactic to get the rezoning. Saying to Bevins "now that we are in compliance and a good neighbor rezone the property for us". At a council meeting Councilwoman Bevins did tell me that she has seperated these two issues code enforcement and rezoning. A good sign but residents do need to follow through.
Greater Parkville Community Council is against the rezoning and will testify on June 21st. Concerning "good neighbor" issues and code violations write to MileOne but cc: GPCC and the Councilwoman on any complaints. This way it is on record and not all left in MiloeOne hands. cc: GPCC ruthbaisden@yahoo.com and County Councilwoman Bevins council6@baltimorecountymd.gov .
Ruth Baisden
11:00 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
The Chief of Baltimore County Code Enforcement will be at the Greater Parkville Community Council meeting tonight. I would like to know if any complaints were formally process against MileOne and can they be advised directly on any complaints made to MileOne's email? The meeting is at 7PM, Parkville Recreation and Senior Center, 8601 Harford Road. Residents of East Ave - welomed.
Mike Pierce
2:37 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
They need to remove every sign that is not specifically allowed by the Zoning Regulations, or go through a zoning hearing for a variance, just like everyone else has to do.
Ruth Baisden
5:23 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
People's Council took them to court and the won case. They have to remove signs a not by County Code. However, the County has not enforced its own Court rulings.
ELpH's Mom
6:39 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
SO Honda strikes again. Unloading a car carrier on East Avenue, turning a two way street into a shared one lane street. People can't see around the bend because of the service entrance sign and the cars parked to the curb. Hope no one gets hurt trying to get home from work during rush hour. It has only been two weeks since they got the car carrier stuck completely blocking the street. Really guys?!?
mmalin2
1:13 pm on Friday, June 15, 2012
Saw the same thing yesterday evening on my way home. The carrier was parked on the left side of East Ave with the front end facing away from Harford Road.
Ruth Baisden
9:49 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
RESIDENTS FYI - When emailing complaints to MileOne cc: Baltimore County Code Enforcement at paienforce@baltimorecountymd.gov . They stated at the Greater Parkville Community Council meeting tonight, that if you email a complaint to MileOne and it is an actual County Code Violation they will treat it as a Complaint made to the County. As a result a Code Inspector will come out to verify the complaint and begin the enforcement process. Hopefully this will stop any smokin mirrors about getting issues adressed through MileOne's email.
Chelle Martz
8:30 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
There's not a lot they can do about their sound system... nor is there anything they can do about the lights because of the crime in this neighborhood (which is what people really should be focusing on here). I drive up and down that road every day on my way to and from work (and no, I don't work at Honda or any Mile One business) and I have no problems at all. Who cares? It seems no one is happy unless they have something to complain about. It's pretty sad that people are so choked up about this trivial crap when there are a lot of other MUCH more serious issues that need to be addressed in this town.
JGH
8:38 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
...everything is local. If you live directly next to the problem and it makes your daily life more difficult it truly does become a problem. As example one, I'll comment that the night time speakers have caused my infant daughter to wake up screaming because a strange man is talking to her in her bedroom at night at random hours (yes they are that loud). Example two, I can read a newspaper in my upstairs office at nighttime without a single light on in my home due to the lights coming from the dealership.
Do I agree with you that there are more pressing issues to the town / county / state / world, yes. But having a neighbor's bad behavior make you miserable day in and day out really does drag you down and make you need to do something about it.
Chelle Martz
1:33 pm on Sunday, June 17, 2012
What exactly is it that you all want them to do?
I stand up for local businesses because in this economy, people need jobs and communities need money and Mile One brings in a huge amount for this neighborhood. I'm not trying to be mean or unsympathetic - trust me, I am and I understand the frustration and in a perfect world we'd all have peace and quiet but this isn't a perfect world and even if Mile One pulled out tomorrow you'd be faced with something else landing in it's place.
Hell, I'd be more concerned with all the carbon monoxide you're breathing in from the exhaust fumes on 695.
I do have an idea: how about proposing that Mile One go to a Walkie-Talkie system rather than the intercom system? They use the intercoms (as all dealerships do) to communicate with their lot attendants. That could easily be rectified by going to a talkie-system.
As for the lights --- It's an unfortunate necessity. With the thousands of dollars they have on their property they cannot afford to not have the security lights. My house has flood lights front, back and center because I've been broken into twice in the last two years. My neighbors behind me have the same thing - I shut my blinds and it doesn't bother me. I'd rather have safety than not.
.
JGH
7:16 pm on Sunday, June 17, 2012
I believe that you are misunderstanding one of my issues with MileOne. I have no problem with their use of the intercom system during working hours, it makes sense and does not bother me. At night time, MileOne changed from the use of patrolling security guards to a remote monitor system back in 2010. They use remote video surveillance to monitor the parking lots, and when a trespasser is detected, they use the intercom system to notify the trespasser (quite loudly) that they have been seen and are asked to leave. During the past several months, most likely to augment their security cameras, MileOne has upgraded the light output of their overnight lights to a brightness that is intense (we do close our blinds/drapes, it is still not enough). I appreciate that they have a lot of product to protect, and respect their right to do so, I simply ask that they make sure that their overnight lights and speaker volume falls under state and local ordinances.
JGH
7:16 pm on Sunday, June 17, 2012
You ask what do I want MileOne to do. My response is quite simple, I ask that they make sure that their business practices act in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, ordinances and zoning requirements. I ask that they take into consideration the community surrounding them when making decisions, but respect their decisions when they are made in occurrence with the law but against the desires of my community. For me to ask anything else of them would be unreasonable. I do not have any strong desire to see MileOne go away (I will note that I have purchased 2 vehicles from them in my attempt to be a good neighbor), I simply would like to see them to continue the current dialog that Councilwoman Bevins has graciously set up. I would like to see this dialog continue beyond the current re-zoning cycle, which is where in 2004 and 2008 the previous two attempts broke down and failed once MileOne's re-zoning request was denied.
Margaret
5:33 am on Monday, June 18, 2012
I like your ideas JGH and Chelle,
Ruth Baisden
9:28 pm on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Tonight Councilwoman Bevins voted for zoning that would allow the car dealership to expand down East Avenue. The property is now BM (buisness major) 0.56 acres and DR5.5 (residential) 0.17 acres. Honda Mile one will have the right to park cars, build a service area orany thing else under the BM zoning. i am very disapointed.
Also councilman Marks voted to allow the CVS at the corner of Joppa and Harford Roads,
Both approved by the entire council and final!
thet think you won't remember on election day 2014.