BLOG: David Versus Goliath

Long ago in 1962, still in the bucolic days of Carney living, Doug Griffith, the father, opened an auto dealership. At first there were only Corvettes; there was a "green buffer" between that small auto dealership and the homes of the residents of East Avenue who were there first. All was well and they all lived in harmony.

In 1967, when Doug Griffith Chrysler Plymouth was established, until 1999 there was still a "green buffer" between the larger auto dealership and the homes of the residents of East Avenue. 

In 1999, Doug Griffith sold to Heritage, and Heritage Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep began its business in Carney. The Heritage auto dealership soon added Honda and VW lots and became "Goliath Heritage". 

Heritage invited the East Avenue residents and Community Associations to a meeting and asked them to give up their "green buffer". The residents of East Avenue wanted to keep the "green buffer" and this did not make Goliath Heritage happy. Some years later Goliath Heritage took the community to court. The East Avenue residents won in court and were able to keep the "green buffer". The residents of East Avenue breathed a sigh of relief.

Of course, the story did not end. Goliath was determined to eliminate the .72 acre "green buffer". Goliath Heritage (auto properties LLC) decided to file a zoning change request (CZMP Issue 6-017) to change the zoning from Residential 5.5 (number of houses per acre) to Business Major. 

Of course, the residents of East Avenue were distraught. They went in large numbers to the Planning Board hearing at Overlea High School on March to oppose the proposed zoning change and the Office of Planning Staff compromise to split the zoning (.44 acre to change to BM zoning and only .28 acre as "green buffer"). Their community association (Carney Improvement Association and Greater Parkville Community Council) also spoke in opposition to the request to upzone the "green buffer" and to oppose the Office of Planning staff compromise.

The East Avenue residents also testified that Goliath Heritage has been a very bad neighbor.

I am not talking about the traffic in and traffic out each day by employees or the constant test drives by customers and Heritage service personnel (sometimes in untagged cars). I am talking about the gargantuan tractor trailer size car carriers not only illegally using the street which has a 3/4 ton weight limit, but also parking these car carriers on East Avenue and at times.

You can help the residents of East Avenue. Only Councilwoman Bevins can now preserve the "green buffer" between Goliath Heritage and the residents of East Avenue.  It is her decision that is the final decision and she can do whatever she wants. Send an email to Councilwoman Bevins at council6@baltimorecountymd.gov or call her office at 410.887.3388.