2012
C O L U M B I A
A S S O C I A T I O N
FISCAL YEAR May 1, 2011 through April 30, 2012
public
INFORMATION guide
An information guide to your community’s offerings— an overview of CA’s budget, recreational programs, open space and more.
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The People Tree statue is located at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront.
Columbia Association (CA) is proud to present this Public Information Guide to help residents find information on how CA operates, the way it is governed and the role of the Columbia Council representatives, CA Board of
CONTENTS
Directors, village boards, village community associations and how you fit in. CA provides hundreds of programs and services. These are described briefly
3 what is columbia association?
in this guide. Information about these can be found online at ColumbiaAssociation.org; in the
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CA Activities Guide, distributed to your door three times each year; in CA Monthly,
columbia’s governance working for you
a newsletter distributed in the Columbia Flier on the first Thursday of the month; on Columbia Matters, a monthly television show; on the CA Facebook
6 columbia association annual charge
page, a page on Facebook.com; on the CA Events Advisor, a web site for local events; and on the 365 Wellness Facebook campaign, housed on the CA
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Facebook page, which lists tips for healthy living. This guide also offers information
columbia association sharing information
about some of the issues that are being faced by the CA Board and the community throughout the coming year. These are titled On the Horizon and appear in several
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sections. Please take the opportunity to read the pages of this brochure to better
the budget understanding the process
learn which programs and services are available to you, many free of charge and
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most at a discount — all because of your annual charge (learn more at
columbia association facilities and programs
WhyIPayCA.org). It should help you better understand why CA exists and the
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very important role it plays in fueling the success of this community. This guide
how to participate in ca’s facilities and programs
should also help you understand the infrastructure of Columbia and how you
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your village boards and your Columbia Council representatives. By voting,
open space
15 columbia’s village community associations
can take part in it. One major way is to vote each April for the members of you help control the direction of the community. Columbia is your community. Be a part of it! L i k e u s o n Fa c e b o o k !
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what is columbia association? uring a speech in 1963, James W. Rouse
including lakes, parks, 171 tot lots, more than 93.5
said, “There really can be no other right
miles of pathways, as well as community and neigh-
purpose of community except to provide
borhood centers. CA offers many programs and activi-
an environment and an opportunity to
ties created to encourage the community to celebrate its
develop better people. The most suc-
diversity, not only in race but in age, religion, gender
D
cessful community would be that which contributed
and economic status. CA strives to ensure all of its
the most by its physical form, its institutions and its
programs and services are accessible to persons with
operations to the growth of people.” CA was created
disabilities and to all Columbia residents, regardless
two years prior to Columbia’s inception and has served
of income.
to nurture that vision and to represent the residents. In fact, CA’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for people living or working in Columbia and to ensure that Columbia remains an open, integrated and caring community. A nonprofit public benefit corporation, CA operates a welcome center; an art center; a teen center; an archive; a volunteer center; three full service fitness facilities; an ice rink; a SportsPark with miniature golf, batting cages and a skateboard facility; two golf clubs; three tennis clubs; 23 outdoor swimming pools including two miniWaterParks; four indoor swimming pools; and a hot water therapy pool. CA also maintains more than 3,500 acres of open space as a permanent asset to the community. There are neighborhood amenities
CA
offers many programs and activities, created to encourage the community to celebrate its diversity... .
Enjoy family time at Columbia SportsPark, featuring miniature golf, batting cages and a SkatePark.
“We must hold fast to the realization that our cities are for people and unless they work well for people they are not working well at all. We should think and plan and program, not in terms of schools, highways, streets, stores, offices or even dwelling units; but we should begin our total plan and program with the first and fundamental purpose of making a city into neighborhoods where a man, his wife and family can live and work and, above all else, grow.” JAMES ROUSE, speech for the Newark Conference on the ACTION Program for the American City, May 5, 1959
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columbia’s governance working for you olumbia’s nine villages and Town
priorities, the CA Board solicits advice from
Center are organized into 10 village
Columbia residents.
C
Through an ongoing Strategy Making Process, the
community associations that work for
you. In April, residents in each of the
CA Board of Directors and Columbia Association
10 village associations elect Columbia
senior staff work together to ensure the preservation
Council representatives. In addition, they elect repre-
of Columbia’s future. Through this process, the CA
sentatives to their village boards, which direct the
Board is able to systematically identify and address
business affairs of the community associations.
issues that are most important to the community. If you would like to be involved
The Columbia Council representatives serve as the corporate members of Columbia Association and elect themselves to also serve as the CA Board of Directors. The CA Board is the final authority on all matters regarding CA. The CA Board meets to review CA policy and budget matters, develop strategic initiatives and
As it develops CA programs, policies and priorities, the CA Board solicits
advice from Columbia residents.
address community issues. The public is encouraged to attend these
with this process, please contact your Columbia Council representative or members of your village board with your concerns. Please refer to the lists of contact information on pages 5 and 16 of this guide. ■ ON THE HORIZON GOVERNANCE Because CA is a corporation, albeit a nonprofit one with a community service
meetings and express their opinions during the
mission, the CA Board of Directors has all of the legal
Resident Speak Out portion of the meeting. Meetings
responsibilities required of members of any corporate
are held at CA Headquarters, 10221 Wincopin Circle.
board. In recent years, residents and members of the CA
Meeting notices and agendas are posted in advance at
Board have been examining the roles of the respective
all CA facilities and on the web site at
bodies. The CA Board has included improving gover-
ColumbiaAssociation.org, click on “Get Informed.”
nance as one of its strategic issues.
CA’s chief executive officer — the CA president —
Over the past several years, the CA Board has
ser ves as a nonvoting member of the CA Board
commissioned a number of task forces on governance,
and oversees the day-to-day operations of
evaluated a number of recommendations, amended the
Columbia Association, which are carried out
CA By-Laws to operate under Robert’s Rules of Order
by a team of approximately 1,200 professionals.
and transitioned to a committee-based structure. The new,
As it develops CA programs, policies and
streamlined committee-based structure allows more public
“We can’t plan effectively for the future growth of American communities unless we start at the beginning — and that beginning is people.” JAMES ROUSE, speech, “It Can Happen Here,” University of California in Berkeley, Calif., on Sept. 23, 1963
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Columbia Ice Rink is open seasonally for lessons and public skating for all ages.
20112012
ca board/columbia council representatives participation at the grassroots level, as well as more indepth examination of issues before they are brought before the entire CA Board. Beginning in January 2010, CA remodeled our organizational structure to enhance internal and external customer service. CA now consists of five Service Bureaus: Operations, Financial Services, Team and Organizational Development, Communications and Marketing, and Community Development and Sustainability. Within this Service Bureau Model, CA team members may be asked to join a “work-group” to share their knowledge and expertise in a particular subject area; thereby responding faster and more efficiently to resident needs and company initiatives. For more information on this topic and to view the Service Bureau Model diagram, log on to ColumbiaAssociation.org and click on “Get Informed.”
Tom Coale Dorsey’s Search
•
443-630-0507
Edward T. Coleman Long Reach • 410-730-8637 Michael Cornell River Hill • 301-742-2761
•
•
tcoale@gmail.com
lrca@ecoleman.org
•
michaelcornell@comcast.net
Cynthia A. S. H. Coyle Harper’s Choice • 410-997-7637 • cashcoyle2@aol.com Alex Hekimian Oakland Mills • 410-730-2583
•
alexhekimian@hotmail.com
Philip Kirsch Wilde Lake • 410-730-5596 • pwkirsch@comcast.net Gregg Schwind Hickory Ridge • 410-992-5043
•
Andrew C. Stack Owen Brown • 410-381-8897
•
andy.obca@gmail.com
Suzanne Waller Town Center • 410-730-9132
•
suzyq1104@aol.com
greggschwind@usdoj.gov
Shari Zaret Kings Contrivance • 410-730-0802 sharizaret4KC@gmail.com
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columbia association annual charge you have walked through the woods, fished in a lake, called your village community association for information, enjoyed an outdoor pool, attended a free summer concert on Lake Kittamaqundi or voted in a village election, you have experienced some of the benefits of the CA annual charge. The CA Board of Directors has the authority to set the rate to a maximum of 75 cents per $100 of valuation assessed on 50 percent of the fair market value, as determined by the State of Maryland for real estate tax purposes. Residents contribute approximately 70 percent of the annual charge revenue, and the business community contributes approximately 30 percent. CA applies the same methodology used by Howard County and the State with respect to their caps on property taxes, and they don’t apply those caps in calculating taxes due on a property in the year following the purchase. The income provided by the annual charge, while significant, covers less than half of the cost of the services provided by CA. Therefore, some of the most popular activities, such as Package Plan and facility memberships, require the payment of dues and fees. Since CA resident members pay membership dues and the annual
If
charge, their dues are significantly lower than those paid by non-CA residents. For example, CA resident families normally pay approximately 35 to 50 percent less for a Package Plan membership or for the outdoor pools than non-CA residents. This approach creates a strong community balance. Those who use CA facilities and programs support the greatest portion of those costs, while the expense of maintaining and operating universal amenities like community centers, pathways, tot lots and lakes are shared by all. A recent survey showed CA services are well used and enjoyed by the community — 93 percent have used at least one of the amenities including open space, and 78 percent have become members or used the fitness and recreation facilities, camps, Before and After School Care or Columbia Art Center on a pay-as-you-go basis. For information about your annual charge, call the Annual Charge Hotline at 410-715-3058 or visit WhyIPayCA.org. ■ON THE HORIZON The CA Board has kept the annual charge rate for FY2012 at 68 cents, almost 10 percent less than the allowable maximum. In addition, the CA Board kept the cap on increases in assessed valuation at 2.5 percent, which is one-quarter of the amount allowed by law. The amount to be paid will still be calculated based on 50 percent of the fair market value of the property.
Columbia Art Center showcases the fine work of local, regional and traveling artists and offers classes for all skill levels.
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columbia association sharing information eeping those who live and work in
local events and programs. In 2010, Columbia Matters
Columbia informed about its governing
won one silver and five bronze Telly Awards in the infor-
structure, community services, activities
mation and entertainment categories. The show, which
and events, environmental amenities and
premiered in 2004, features several segments. You can
more is an ongoing and important
learn about healthy living; tour CA facilities; discover
K
responsibility of CA and
Columbia’s history; find out
the CA Board of
what’s happening in and
Directors. CA delivers
around the area for kids,
information in a variety
teens and seniors; receive
of ways, including the
updates from CA President
CA Monthly newsletter,
Phil Nelson; and more.
CA Activities Guide,
Hosted by local teens,
CA Facebook page,
Spotlight on Howard County
Public Information Guide,
Teens is the newest segment
electronic message panels
on Columbia Matters. This
and the Columbia
segment not only features
Association web site at
events for middle and high
ColumbiaAssociation.org.
school students, it also
An initiative of CA’s
discusses teen-related
Communications and
hot-topics, including safe
Community Relations Division, Columbia Matters is a skillfully
driving tips, bullying and Watch as Columbia Matters show hosts Gary, Barbara, Ana Maria and Kourtney take teens on a tour of Howard County.
volunteer opportunities in Columbia. Watch Spotlight
crafted monthly televi-
on Howard County Teens at
sion program. This 30-
ColumbiaMatters.org. Click
minute show, hosted by
on “Teens.”
Columbia locals Mike Easterling and Deneitra
Columbia Matters has many convenient show times on
Hutchinson, takes viewers on a journey through
both Comcast and Verizon channels. For channels and
Columbia and Howard County, Maryland and pro-
times, please visit ColumbiaMatters.org, or watch
vides entertaining and resourceful information about
Columbia Matters online anytime at ColumbiaMatters.org.
“Urban growth is our opportunity, not our enemy. It invites us to correct the past, to build places that are productive for business and for the people who live there, places that are infused with nature and stimulating to man’s creative sense of beauty — places that are in scale with people … which will enrich life; build character and personality; promote concern, friendship, brotherhood.” JAMES ROUSE, speech to the International Council of Shopping Centers Annual Convention in Los Angeles, Calif., on April 19, 1966
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Columbia Association FY 2012 Approved Budget Summary of Funds, Expenditures and Annual Borrowings
where the money comes from $69,752,000 Borrowings $7,006,000 - 10.0%
Commercial Annual Charge $11,607,000 - 16.6%
Interest and Others $322,000 - 0.5% Sport and Fitness Income $25,581,000 - 36.7%
Residential Annual Charge $21,555,000 - 30.9% Community Services Programs $3,681,000 - 5.3% The most recent financial statements and independent audit report are located at ColumbiaAssociation.org. This data representation is not in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
where the money is used $69,752,000
* Total Capital Expenditures of $11,500,000 have been decreased by $497,000 due to certain unallocated non-cash adjustments. Capital Expenditures * $11,003,000 - 15.8% Sport and Fitness Programs and Facilities $25,449,000 - 36.5% Debt Repayment $8,101,000 - 11.6%
Board of Directors $977,000 - 1.4% Administrative Services $584,000 - 0.8% Contingencies/Other $928,000 - 1.3% Village Community Associations $4,420,000 - 6.3%
Open Space Management $10,915,000 - 15.7% Community Community Development/ Services Sustainability $1,484,000 - 2.1% Programs $5,891,000 - 8.5%
“I believe that the ultimate test of civilization is whether or not it contributes to the growth — improvement of mankind.” JAMES ROUSE, speech, “It Can Happen Here,” at the University of Calif. in Berkeley, Calif., on Sept. 23, 1963
the budget understanding the process and how you can be involved ome of the most important decisions
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about how CA will raise and spend money are made during its two-year
budget process. The construction of new
facilities, the renovation of existing ones,
the provision of new programs, the modification of
existing services, the setting of rates — these decisions and many others are made by CA’s Board of Directors in adopting the budget. Before the budget is approved, there are public hearings at which village boards, advisory committees, community groups and individual residents comment on the budget and present recommendations to the CA Board. The CA Board charges the Financial Advisory Committee, a subcommittee of the Planning and Strategy Committee, with analyzing and reporting back on various aspects of the budget. The final budget is approved in February for implementation on May 1, which is the start of the fiscal year. A copy of the budget is available at your village office, the Maggie J. Brown Welcome Center, located at the CA headquarters building, some CA facilities and public libraries in Columbia. A summary is included at ColumbiaAssociation.org, click on “Get Informed.”
There are
public hearings at which village boards, advisory committees, community groups and individual residents comment on the budget and present recommendations to the CA Board.
Fairway Hills Golf Club, which is open to the public, offers an 18-hole, par 70 regulation golf course; clubhouse; snackbar; pro shop; practice range and green; lessons; outing and event opportunities; and more. To learn more, go to ColumbiaGolf.net.
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columbia association facilities and programs
CA
operates three fullservice fitness facilities; four indoor pools; an indoor hot water therapy pool; 23 outdoor pools, including two mini-WaterParks; two golf clubs; three outdoor tennis clubs; an indoor tennis center; an indoor ice rink; an in-line and roller skating arena; a SportsPark with miniature golf, batting cages and a SkatePark; a welcome center; an art center; a teen center; and an archive. CA also owns and leases Columbia Horse Center and the building housing Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland. Some of CA’s best-known enrichment opportunities and services happen beyond the walls of one specific facility. They are structured this way to increase accessibility and variety to meet the different needs of Columbia’s diverse residents. More information can be found in the CA Activities Guide, which is published three times a year and delivered to every CA resident household. Please visit ColumbiaAssociation.org to view the current CA Activities Guide, click on “Get Informed.”
MAGGIE J. BROWN WELCOME CENTER 410-715-3000 • 10221 Wincopin Circle Located in downtown Columbia on the lakefront At the Maggie J. Brown Welcome Center, find information about Columbia, CA, memberships, maps, new resident welcome packets, gift books, a video about Columbia, Resident Cards and more. COLUMBIA ARCHIVES Where Columbia’s History is Collected and Preserved 10227 Wincopin Circle, 410-715-3103 Located in downtown Columbia in the American Cities building In Columbia Archives, find exhibits, photographs and other information about the planning and development of Columbia and the organizations that have made it special. Also find the James Rouse
Manuscript Collection, which chronicles the career of Columbia’s visionary founder. Remember the Archives when cleaning out files, basements and attics — someone’s trash might be an archive treasure. Call to use the collection for research or to arrange group presentations. Residents are encouraged to drop in any time Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. Visit ColumbiaArchives.org for more information. ■ ON THE HORIZON COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION WATERSHED MANAGEMENT CA’s Columbia Watershed Management Plan (CWMP) outlines a long-term, far-reaching strategy to protect and restore the Little and Middle Patuxent rivers and adjacent waters. The CWMP supports ongoing efforts and provide a sustainable pathway to effectively manage Columbia’s watersheds. CA has implemented and will continue to plan restoration projects (or retrofits), such as bioretention facilities. These facilities can be constructed to restore the natural drainage infrastructure by retaining and infiltrating stormwater that is currently going directly into streams through storm drains and pipes. Columbia residents are invited to attend CA’s Watershed Advisory Committee (WAC) meetings to share their comments regarding natural resources and stormwater impacts in the Columbia Watershed. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month, at 7pm at CA headquarters. Visit the Columbia Association Watershed web site at ColumbiaWatershed.org or call 410-381-3470, for more information. AQUATICS MASTER PLAN In an effort to ensure that CA is continuing to provide useful and beneficial aquatics services for the Columbia community, CA has begun developing an Aquatics Master Plan. The plan will help CA engage with residents and users to plan the future of Columbia’s aquatics program; provide a framework for Columbia aquatic facilities that balances current and future community needs; and establish implementation priorities for the future of Columbia aquatics. Additional information about this plan can be found at ColumbiaAssociation.org/AquaticsMasterPlan.
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how to participate columbia association facilities and programs VIA MEMBERSHIP You can sign up for a membership in an individual facility, such as the outdoor pools, or you can sign up for one of CA’s Package Plans. Membership prices are discounted for residents who live or work on property protected by CA covenants. VIA RESIDENT CARD CA residents who don’t want to purchase a membership may use the facilities and services and “pay-as-you-go” with a CA Resident Card. The Resident Card is reserved only for residents who live on property protected by the CA covenants. HOW TO JOIN To become a member or to obtain a Resident Card, visit the Membership Service Center at 10221 Wincopin Circle in downtown Columbia or call 410-730-1801. Remember to bring your driver’s license or imprinted per-
sonal check and birth certificates for dependent children. Membership fees may be paid by interest-free electronic checking account deduction. The Membership Service Center also provides information and brochures and sells discounted tickets, gift certificates to area entertainment venues and books of electronic passes for the out-of-area guests of members. Guests must be accompanied by the member and show proof of out-of-area residency. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE NO MATTER YOUR INCOME, THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE CA offers reduced-price access to memberships, camps, Before and After School Care, International Exchange and Multicultural Programs for residents who live or work full-time on property protected by the CA covenants. The income guidelines listed are based on federal standards modified to create even more access. Applications can be obtained from the Membership Service Center or Community Services offices at
income
GUIDELINES for memberships, for Seniors, Camps, Before and After Care and Sister Cities on next page.
CA Headquarters (10221 Wincopin Circle) or at ColumbiaAssociation.org. Approval is contingent upon you providing an official IRS computer-generated transcript of your 2010 tax return. This free document is available by calling 1-800-908-9946. Please allow two weeks for
continued on next page
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Please see
“It takes a big goal, a big image, to energize people. The rational image of what can be is the biggest power generator there is and the least used.” JAMES ROUSE, speech to SEEDCO, Urban Institutions and Community Development National Conference in Baltimore on Nov. 18, 1988
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arrival. If you are not sure whether you qualify, please
Earn-A-Membership Program. Under this program,
call 410-730-1801 about reduced price memberships
residents can earn their memberships by doing community
or 410-715-3175 about reduced price Camps,
service at CA’s facilities or headquarters. The number of
Before and After School Care and Sister Cities.
hours required depends on the type of membership
EARN-A-MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
desired. For example, it would take 47 hours of commu-
This program makes CA facilities and programs more
nity service to earn an individual Package Plan member-
accessible to income-qualified Columbia families and
ship and 66 hours for a family membership,
teens.
and there is a Teen Earn-A-Membership Program, too.
If you qualify for the reduced-price memberships, you may choose to pay outright or apply for the
For more information about earning your membership or camp, please call Community Services at 410-715-3161.
guidelines for reduced rate access Residents who live or work on property protected by CA covenants and who meet the below guidelines, which are customized based on the program or membership, may qualify for reduced rate access.
for school ages services summer camps and sister cities Family Size
Discount is 50% when gross income is less than:
Discount is 75% when gross income is less than:
2 . . . . . . . . . .$51,550 . . . . . . . . . . . .$26,700 3 . . . . . . . . . .$58,000 . . . . . . . . . . . .$32,990 4 . . . . . . . . . .$64,400 . . . . . . . . . . . .$39,270
for memberships Family Size
Discount is 40%* when gross income is less than:
Discount is 50%* when gross income is less than:
1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $51,200 . . . . $45,100 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $57,600. . . . $51,550 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $64,000. . . . $58,000 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $69,100 . . . . $64,400
5 . . . . . . . . . .$69,600 . . . . . . . . . . . .$45,560
5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $74,250 . . . . $69,600
6 . . . . . . . . . .$74,750 . . . . . . . . . . . .$51,840
6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $79,350 . . . . $74,750
7 . . . . . . . . . .$79,900 . . . . . . . . . . . .$53,020
7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $84,500 . . . . $79,900
8 . . . . . . . . . .$85,050 . . . . . . . . . . . .$54,200
8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $90,000 . . . . $85,050
* Contact the Department of Social Services at 410-872-8700 to apply for DSS vouchers.
*75% off outdoor pools
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open space space for everyone olumbia’s lush green acreage is just
courts, Town Center and village center plazas and the
one of the perks of living in Columbia,
community centers and recreational facilities located
where nearly a quarter of the land is
throughout the community.
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protected as open space. The open space provides a place for walking,
Maintaining these natural and man-made amenities is an enormous task, requiring the expertise and dedication of a diverse team including planners, an ecologist,
and community fairs. CA maintains more than 3,600
horticulturists, a landscape architect and land manage-
acres of Columbia’s open space. This includes approx-
ment and construction specialists. The open space team
imately 93.5 miles of pedestrian pathways, 171 tot
oversees the water quality of lakes and streams, pest man-
lots, 279 footbridges, three large man-made lakes,
agement, erosion control and landscape maintenance.
41 ponds, 34 miles of stream valleys, the 40-acre
continued on next page
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fishing, bird watching, biking, picnics, family reunions
Symphony Woods, Wilde Lake Park, and the Lake Elkhorn Park and Pavilion. It also includes an extensive network of pedestrian underpasses and overpasses, meadows, forestland, basketball courts, public tennis
Residents can enjoy Columbia’s beauty at Wilde Lake, one of the area’s three large man-made lakes.
“If we approach the planning and development of our … community with the conviction that we plan a rocket to the moon, we will see a new healthy beautiful America in this generation.” JAMES ROUSE, speech, “It Can Happen Here,” at the University of Calif. in Berkeley, Calif., on Sept 23, 1963
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Residents can help protect the open space. If you see
ensure the land is respected and its ponds and lakes
downed or hazardous trees, vandalism or illegal dumping,
are maintained as attractive community gathering
contact the open space office at 410-312-6330.
posts. To maintain Columbia’s beauty and ensure the
PATHWAY MAPS
splendor of our city’s lakes, CA is currently dredging
Maps are available for a small fee at the Maggie J. Brown
Lake Elkhorn in Owen Brown, Lake Kittamaqundi in
Welcome Center (10221 Wincopin Circle, 410-730-1801)
Town Center and is preparing to dredge Wilde Lake
and at village community centers.
in the Village of Wilde Lake. Columbia’s lakes collect sediment originating in
■ ON THE HORIZON OP E N S PA C E M A N A G E M E N T Columbia is a place where we continually work to
their watersheds from throughout Howard County and keep it from traveling downstream to harm the Chesapeake Bay — exemplifying our local role in the broader concern of improving the state’s waters.
CA offers a variety of summer camps for kids with activities like canoeing.
The CA Board appropriated funding in 2006, 2007 and 2008 for the restoration and maintenance dredging of Lake Elkhorn. As the CA Dredging Projects move forward, we will provide you with the latest dredging details and developments on the home page of ColumbiaAssociation.org or ColumbiaAssociation.org/dredging. The efforts of the CA Board of Directors and staff is proof of the community’s commitment to care for our environment, establishing and maintaining vital habitats for both man and nature to thrive. S Y M P H O N Y W O O D S PA R K Columbia Association is moving ahead to develop the design to turn Symphony Woods Park into a gathering place in Downtown Columbia that is an attractive setting for recreation and community events. As the existing park changes, its natural features will be protected and enhanced. This will be the first project that is part of the downtown Columbia redevelopment. To learn more about this project, please visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/SymphonyWoods.
“… We have in our hands the opportunity to make our city — in our generation — the most livable, the most beautiful, and the most effective city in America.” JAMES ROUSE, speech, Memorandum to Mayor Theodore R. McKeldin in Baltimore on March 10, 1964
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columbia’s village community associations olumbia’s collection of neighborhoods
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and villages combine to create a sense
of community, much like what you’d
experience if you lived in a small town.
Schools, community centers and
village centers are convenient gathering places and help define the unique character of each village. Even the street names, derived from literary sources, help to make each neighborhood special. Each of Columbia’s nine villages and Town Center
has a community association, which is an independent, incorporated, nonprofit civic association. Each association elects its own Board of Directors and a Columbia Council representative. CA passes on a portion of the annual charge money to the village associations, which use these funds to foster the growth of community. They provide programs and events like classes, fairs, holiday activities, parties, space rentals for meetings, special events, seminars and political forums; they oversee the village elections; and they ensure the architectural guidelines, also known as continued on page 17
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covenants, are upheld.
Each of Columbia’s nine villages and Town Center has a
COMMUNITY association,
which is an independent, incorporated, nonprofit civic association.
Families enjoy the festivities of International Day, an annual event held at Lake Kittamaqundi’s lakefront.
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village boards from May1, 2011 April 30,2012 Dorsey’s Search
Oakland Mills
dsca@columbiavillages.org
omca@columbiavillages.org
Village Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-730-4005 Rob Sims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-730-8285 Diane Turner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-465-7953 Dan Woodruff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-730-4005
Village Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-730-4610 Reginald Avery . . . . . . . . . . . . . .443-545-6714 Brian Donoughe . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-772-9065 Phil Engelke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .443-878-6758 Abby Hendrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-740-4595 Kris Huza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-336-0092 Margaret Mauro . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-997-4875 Julia McCready . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-884-1651 Marcia White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-964-0067
Harper’s Choice harperschoice@columbiavillages.org
Village Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-730-3888 Clair Albert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-992-9492 Clare Brooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-956-3680 Ann DeLacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-730-2402 Alice Kong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-964-4012 Kevin Preston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-730-1978
Hickory Ridge hickoryridge@columbiavillages.org
Village Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-730-7327 John Bailey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .301-523-7629 Miles Coffman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-997-5323 Linda Hitzelberger . . . . . . . . . . . 410-730-5817 Tom Louden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-730-6866 Michelle Wood . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-997-1461
Kings Contrivance kingscontrivance@columbiavillages.org
Village Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-381-9600 Brian Dunn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202-255-7295 Phillip Gilbert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .301-490-9052 Pete Maheridis . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-929-5291 Fred Niziol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .301-498-4461 Barbara Seely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-381-6447 Marguerite Walsh . . . . . . . . . . . .410-207-2006
Long Reach info@longreach.org
Village Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-730-8113 Nina Basu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-935-9279 Josh Friedman . . . . . . . . . . . . . .443-542-9051 Karen Hitcho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-884-9532 William Taylor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .301-596-7152 Matthew Watchinsk . . . . . . . . . . .410-730-8547
Owen Brown obca@columbiavillages.org
Village Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-381-0202 Pearl Atkinson-Stewart . . . . . . . .410-381-8229 John Boyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-290-7817 Summer Romack . . . . . . . . . . . .410-381-1941 Wayne Eldrige . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-960-7533 Kecia Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .443-220-5841
River Hill riverhill@villageofriverhill.org
Village Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-531-1749 Cynthia Asoka . . . . . . . . .ccasoka@yahoo.com Todd Harrison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-531-0771 Kenny Kan . . . . . . . . . . . .kwtkan@hotmail.com Zachary Marks . . .zachary_marks@verizon.net Dipper Wettstein . .dipper@brazzledazzle.com
Town Center towncenter@columbiavillages.org
Village Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-730-4744 Joel Broida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-730-4663 Lee Richardson . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-772-2199 Helen Ruther . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410-730-7261 Hugh Tousey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-740-7189 Linda Wengel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-964-1671
Wilde Lake wlca@columbiavillages.org
Village Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-730-3987 Regina Clay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .443-992-8131 Vincent Marando . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-730-1821 Nancy McCord . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-730-2309 Bill Santos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-884-5557 Barbara Wright . . . . . . . . . . . . . .410-997-5892
17
Although CA built and owns all of the village centers and neighborhood centers, they are operated by the
CA offers before and after school care for elementary and middle school children, offering them a safe, secure haven where they can explore, learn and have fun.
village associations. Architectural Guidelines Also Known as the Covenants
adviser (see page 19) or log on to CA’s web site at ColumbiaAssociation.org. You may need to complete a
The covenants of each village are contained in a legal Request for Exterior Alteration form. The village document that is recorded in the land records of Resident Architectural Committee will review your Howard County as part of the deed to every property Since the covenants stay with the property, each owner
continued on next page
▼
request and return the form to you with its located in the village, including commercial real estate. accepts them as a stipulation of the transfer of ownership. The covenants, which set exterior alteration standards, have protected the aesthetic environment of our neighborhoods — and our property values. Here are some frequently asked questions: What is the process for making changes or exterior alterations to my property? To find out about the architectural requirements particular to your village, call your village covenant
The COVENANTS,
which set exterior alteration standards, have protected the aesthetic environment of our neighborhoods — and our property values.
“To harness these new attitudes to the forces already in motion and to the resources that already exist among us, will generate a new creative trust that will not only produce new communities, but will release among the people in them, the potential for the noblest civilization the world has ever known.” JAMES ROUSE, speech, “It Can Happen Here,” at the University of Calif. in Berkeley, Calif., on Sept. 23, 1963
18
decision and any qualifying remarks. Be sure to tell your covenant adviser if you live in a townhouse or
Joan Lovelace, Head Professional and General Manager of CA’s Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club, offers first-rate golf advice to amateur players.
condo. You may also need to get their architectural approval. Do I need architectural committee approval for a home-based business? Yes, and in some villages, in-home businesses must
Who administers the covenants? The village community associations administer the covenants through covenant advisors and residential
be approved every year.
architectural committees. The covenant advisor
Do the architectural guidelines ever change?
answers questions and handles the day-to-day require-
Every village reviews and revises its guidelines
ments of the approval process. Residents who do not
periodically after inviting community input. A copy
maintain their property or who make unapproved
of the current guidelines is available at your village
exterior alterations or operate an unauthorized home-
association.
based business may be cited for covenant violations.
When I buy a house, am I responsible for the previous owner’s covenant violations?
Villages make every effort to resolve violations constructively. When this is not possible, the village archi-
Yes. Make sure that you receive a Certificate of
tectural committee may request that CA join with it in
Compliance from your builder or seller during the
bringing legal action against the property owner. Very
settlement process. This certificate, issued by the
few violations require court action. When it has been
village architectural committee, assures that the
necessary to go to court, the covenants have consis-
home has met the committee’s standards.
tently been upheld.
“There are no dramatic innovations in Columbia; really nothing that hasn’t been done somewhere before. Its plan simply pulls together … an environment in which a man and his family are dignified and their institutions afforded a decent opportunity to respond to their changing needs.” JAMES ROUSE, speech for the Newark Conference on the ACTION Program for the American City, in Newark, N.J., on Dec. 9, 1965
19
COMMUNITY CENTERS The community centers, which are located in every village, differ in size and amenities. However, all are
covenant advisors
accessible to persons with disabilities, have kitchens and are available for meetings, weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, anniversaries, birthdays and other gatherings. Please call for rental information and other details.
Dorsey Search
410-730-4005
•
Ingrid Hatz
ihatz@columbiavillages.org
DORSEY’S SEARCH 410-730-4005 NEIGHBORHOODS Dorsey Hall and Fairway Hills
Harper’s Choice
•
410-730-3888
Debbie Nix
hccovenants@columbiavillages.org
The village association is located in 5,000-square-foot Linden Hall, 4765 Dorsey Hall Drive, Ellicott City, 21042. Manager: Jackie Felker
Hickory Ridge
•
410-730-7327
Carole MacPhee and Racheal Lewis
hickoryridge@columbiavillages.org
NEWSLETTER • The Dorsey’s Search Scroll • Published 11 times per year
Kings Contrivance
•
410-381-9600
Stephanie Moore
kingscontrivance@columbiavillages.org
• Distributed door-to-door
DWELLING UNITS Single Family Detached . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 611
Long Reach
•
410-730-8113
Darlene Brown and Maryann Cohea
darlenebrown@longreach.org
Townhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 921 Apartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,549
for applications
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,081
maryanncohea@longreach.org
from HRD Dwelling Unit Report and village manager
for covenant complaints or letters of compliance
Oakland Mills
•
410-730-4610
Debbie Bach
omcacov@columbiavillages.org Owen Brown
•
410-381-0202
Gordon Mac Phee
obcovenants@columbiavillages.org River Hill
•
410-531-1749
Evamarie Lambright
covenants@villageofriverhill.org Town Center
•
410-730-4744
Patricia Loeber
tcvillage@columbiavillages.org Wilde Lake
•
410-730-3987
Kristin Shulder
wlcovenantadvisor@columbiavillages.org
CA is committed to providing quality swimming lessons for members and residents. Private and group lessons are available.
20
HARPER’S CHOICE 410-730-3888
KINGS CONTRIVANCE
NEIGHBORHOODS Longfellow, Swansfield
410-381-9600
and Hobbit’s Glen
NEIGHBORHOODS Macgill’s Common, Huntington
The village community association is located in Kahler
and Dickinson
Hall, which offers five rooms, at 5440 Old Tucker Row,
The village community association is located in 4,300-
Columbia, 21044. Manager: Wendy Tzuker
square-foot Amherst House, 7251 Eden Brook Drive,
NEWSLETTER
Columbia, 21046. Manager: Anne Brinker
• Harper’s Choice Voice
NEWSLETTER
• In the Columbia Flier bi-weekly
• Crown Prints
• Occasionally mailed to homes
• Inserted in Columbia Flier bi-monthly
DWELLING UNITS
DWELLING UNITS
Single Family Detached . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,102
Single Family Detached . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,543
Townhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,074
Townhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 910
Apartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,105
Apartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,572
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,281
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,025
Source: HRD Dwelling Unit Report
Source: HRD Dwelling Unit Report
HICKORY RIDGE 410-730-7327
LONG REACH
NEIGHBORHOODS: Hawthorn, Clary’s Forest and
410-730-8113
Clemens Crossing
NEIGHBORHOODS Jeffers Hill, Kendall Ridge,
The village community association is located at
Locust Park and Phelps Luck
The Hawthorn Center, which accommodates about
The village community association is located at
100 people, at 6175 Sunny Spring, Columbia, 21044.
Stonehouse, 8775 Cloudleap Court, Columbia,
Manager: Jane Parrish
21045. Manager: Sarah Uphouse
NEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER
• The Log
• Reach Out
• In the Columbia Flier bi-weekly
• Delivered every six weeks
DWELLING UNITS
DWELLING UNITS
Single Family Detached . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,647
Single Family Detached . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,722
Townhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,244
Townhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,196
Apartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,875
Apartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,067
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,766
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,985
Source: HRD Dwelling Unit Report
Source: HRD Dwelling Unit Report
At right: Since 1977, CA has offered summer exchange programs for Howard County high school students to experience Spanish or French culture. The International Exchange Program allows students to travel to Cergy-Pontoise, France or Tres Cantos, Spain, where they live with host families for two weeks. Upon returning to the United States, students host their French or Spanish student counterparts for another two weeks.
21
OAKLAND MILLS
OWEN BROWN
410-730-4610 or 301-596-5237
410-381-0202
NEIGHBORHOODS Thunder Hill, Talbott Springs and Stevens Forest The village community association is located in The Other Barn, renovated in 2008, which accommodates 240 people in the Loft and 65 people in the Smithy/ Tack Rooms. Adjacent to The Other Barn is a flowerfilled courtyard. The Other Barn is located at 5851 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, 21045.
NEIGHBORHOODS Dasher Green, Elkhorn and
Manager: Sandy Cederbaum NEWSLETTER • The Grist: In Columbia Flier twice a month and mailed quarterly • OM eNews and Revitalization Weekly: E-mailed weekly
DWELLING UNITS Single Family Detached . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,717 Townhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 525 Apartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,174 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,416 Source: HRD Dwelling Unit Report
Hopewell The village community association is located in the Owen Brown Community Center, which offers five rooms, at 6800 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, 21045. Manager: Nancy Thomas NEWSLETTER • The OBserver • Home-delivered nine times per year
DWELLING UNITS Single Family Detached . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,396 Townhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,797 Apartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 876 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,069 Source: HRD Dwelling Unit Report
“We must believe, because it is true, that people are affected by their environment … by space and scale, by color and texture, by nature and beauty, that they can be uplifted, made comfortable, made important.” JAMES ROUSE
22
RIVER HILL 410-531-1749
TOWN CENTER 410-730-4744
NEIGHBORHOODS: Pheasant Ridge and
NEIGHBORHOODS Vantage Point, Banneker, Amesbury
Pointer’s Run
Hill, Creighton’s Run, Lakefront and Warfield Triangle
The village community association is located at
The village community association is located at Historic
Claret Hall, 6020 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville, 21029.
Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia, 21044.
Claret Hall is a 5,000-square-foot facility with two
Historic Oakland accommodates up to 200 guests and is
meeting rooms and an adjoining patio and garden.
an ideal venue for meetings, conferences and weddings.
Manager: Susan Smith
Manager: Patricia Laidig
NEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER
• The Villager
• The Center Fold
• Delivered door-to-door each month
• Mailed monthly
DWELLING UNITS
DWELLING UNITS
Single Family Detached . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,649
Single Family Detached . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Townhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Townhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 471
Apartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Apartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,542
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,096
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,047
Source: HRD Dwelling Unit Report
Source: HRD Dwelling Unit Report
“The road to humanizing the urban environment may be neither long nor difficult, if we will set out upon it — but it begins with people and proceeds from their needs and their yearnings.” JAMES ROUSE, speech for the Newark Conference on the ACTION Program for the American City, in Newark, N.J., on Dec. 9, 1965
23
WILDE LAKE 410-730-3987 NEIGHBORHOODS Bryant Woods, Faulkner Ridge and Running Brook The village community association is located at Slayton House, Wilde Lake Village Green, 10400 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia, 21044. Slayton House, Columbia’s first community center, has two meeting rooms; a dance studio; a ballroom with a stage and set construction room; and an art gallery. The theater has a retractable movie screen and raked seating, which can accommodate 220 for a theater performance or 120 for a reception. Outside is a plaza, a children’s play area and a sculpture commissioned by CA in 1968 by Pierre du Fayet titled “Family.” Manager: Kristin Shulder NEWSLETTER • The Wilde Lake • In Columbia Flier twice a month DWELLING UNITS Single Family Detached . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 684 Townhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440 Apartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,494 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,618 Source: HRD Dwelling Unit Report
The community centers, which are located in every village,
DIFFER IN SIZE and
amenities.
At left: Sport and fitness specialists are available at all three fitness facilities to help members develop personalized plans. At right: CA members practice their tennis skills at Columbia Athletic Club’s indoor tennis courts. The Supreme Sports Club features a 12,000-square-foot arena for basketball and volleyball.
ca ColumbiaAssociation