This issue was recategorized from Illegal Signs to Other Concerns.

Joannie Coleman-Casey assigned this issue to Constituent Services

This is NOT a Zoning Violation. Perhaps Board of Education or real estate division could help sort out ownership?

Thank you for your comment regarding who might be able to help. For clarity are you suggesting that I should contact one either the board of education or the real estate division or standby until a comment is made from the assignee, James R. of Constituent Service. This path has been used for decades with no issue until it was chained today. Rather than have a potential confrontation, my goal is to obtain the correct information before proceeding.

I would see if Constituent services could be of assistance before reaching out as an individual. They might be able to determine the best contacts.

Thank you Ms. Coleman-Casey. I will standby.

So, tommorrow is the next school day since I asked this question. I was hoping there would be an update.

That’s definitely private property. Just because everyone has been trespassing for years doesn’t make it okay to continue trespassing.

Hello - I am looking into this, please standby.

Best,
James

Thank you for your time James. If it turns out that we were mistaken all these years, then of course I’ll accept that. It is more than a small inconvenience though and I appreciate your looking into it. It was also jarring for it to be locked without any communication.

I’ve been told also that the is a wooded area on the other end of the culdesac but that area is overgrown and unsafe. If it ends that we are mistaken in the path that has been used the past decades, then perhaps we can get county help or volunteers to get the other path cleared.

Additional neighbors have stated that this is on a county easement and should not be locked due to safety issues. Again, I’ll accept it if we have been mistaken since the mid 1980s, but if that is the case then at least the other path should be made safe.

I have met and discussed this with our new neighbors and understand their concerns. Please let me know if the other county land easement on the adjacent side of our cup de sac can be cleared to make a proper path as a compromise. I would volunteer to do so myself, but since it is county land I assume that would not be appropriate. Ideally the other path could be cleared for the OMMN and OMHS students to be similar to the path on the north side of Southgate Elementary.

Having the former path chained extends the walk to be over a mile and nearly twice the distance it used to be.

James R. Do you have any additional information?

James? Will there be a response?

I received an email that this issue has been open for 31 days. I do not intend to close it without knowing an answer about the two paths. Either the one that was used for decades or the overgrown path. If not the one that was used for decades, will the county assist with clearing the overgrown path?

Ms. Young,
We are looking into the information surrounding this property. There are a couple different avenues we need to take to compile a proper response. Thank you for your patience. If you would like to give me a call my number is 410-222-1323.
Best,
Sara

Sara,

Thank you for your response. I will continue to standby then. If the solution is clearing the alternative path, it is preferable if that is known before we get into winter and that work would be more difficult.

MR. Young

Sarah G.,
My apologies for not calling. I had medical issues that required surgery and am now getting back into normality. I will try to give you a call today.

Good Afternoon all,

I would like to refresh this issue as the other area being referred to is on MY PROPERTY. I have been seeking a solution to this problem since we purchased our home as we have zero privacy thanks to this trespassing. There is zero respect from the individuals who utilize my property for their convenience, even when I am standing in my front yard! After speaking with the county tax office, the wooded property is NOT county land, but instead belongs to the residents of Augusta Acres as a Recreation area.

I have been advised of the following solutions:

1. Fence it (and it will be torn down by the teens/adults trespassing)
2. Plant pricker bushes (the police recommendation)
3. Call the police to file trespassing charges on the individuals

In the end, my property is my property. I should not have to allow individuals to trespass all over my land (to include our full front and back yards) simply so they have a shorter walk. If that is a concern, consider the location of the home you purchase/where you choose to live (just as we did.)

Thank you,

305 Alexis Drive

Ms. Chin,

We are referring to different to different areas. I am further into the neighborhood on Argus Lane. The area in question in my entry is between Argus Lane and Oakwood.

As your issue is a close, but separate issue perhaps you should open a separate case.

I also do not want to engage in debate, but at the same time point to that your own words state that the land is communal property of all the residents of Augusta Acres and not your sole property. As in the case of our family where we are dealing with a documented disability, I also take some offense to your characterization of this being for simply a "shorter walk". Although our issues are for different locations, let me know if you would like me to stop by to discuss plans.

My intent remains that I would like to clear a path in the area between Argus and Oakwood. I had planned to follow up with the county and have this performed prior to the winter. However, I had a medical emergency in the fall and then there was the change in administration.

My intent is still to clear that path with my own resources, but I do not intend to do so without the blessing of the county. I would add that this parcel between Oakwood and Argus is already at a clearly defined gap between homes. It is a similar gap to the many openings to the bike trail. However, this path has never been maintained.

I will call 410-222-1323 (Sara) after my working hours to see if that is still a valid number with the change in administration. Again though, if it is approved for us in Augusta Acres to maintain the path, of course I will not begin work until the spring.

410-222-1323 (Sara) does not appear to still be valid. I assume this will need to be assigned to a new Constituent Services Officer?

You might wish to consult the Augusta Acres plat drawing which clearly shows recreation areas and drainage easements. Ref http://plats.net/

Thank you KMK. The site you suggested shows the area I was hoping to get cleaned up and tended as a recreation area (per: http://plats.net/pages/unit.aspx?cid=AA&qualifier=C&series=2081&unit=3028&page=adv1&id=2042720754)

This is helpful. Unfortunately, I need to find out how to get this to the attention of a local government representative. This issue has gone dormant since the change in administration.

Closing this as it was long ago clear AA County had no real interest in this issue. I plan to pursue the other path marked as a recreational area after this winter. While my child has graduated, safe and effective transit to school is still important. Also cleaning the recreational path would alleviate flooding issues our neighborhood had, as well as, provide an additional pedestrian egress in the event of any emergencies.