AN EasTport Welcome

The ECA is a non-profit, member-based community association. We engage in activities that improve the quality of life in the Eastport Community and build relationships with our local officials.

Membership is open to homeowners and renters who reside in Eastport.

Join the ECA

City CoNnECTIONs

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THE 2018 Eastport Home & Garden Tour

WAS A GREAT SUCCESS

See the photos by Ken Tom

ECA Grants Program
Fall Grants Deadline September 15

The Eastport Civic Association Grants program has been set up to support organizations that improve the quality of life for residents of Eastport. The funds supporting these grants are the result of the success of our Eastport Home & Garden Tour and the generosity of our residents. It is incumbent on us as stewards of these funds that they be dispersed in a professional manner.

If you are interested, apply for an ECA Grant using the online application form. The process is simple. Your application should be thorough and thoughtful. We ask that you tell your story and describe how your program or initiative will benefit the residents and neighbors in our community. If you've received a grant in the past, your application should report on the results of ECA's prior grant award.

Grant applications will be considered semi-annually. Deadlines for submitting an application will be March 15 in the spring and September 15 in the fall. Applications must be submitted on time to be considered.

Please note that there is annual $2,500 funding maximum to any one organization. If you have questions, please send an email to Grants@EastportCivic.org. Applicants will be notified in a timely manner once a decision is made. Read more.

ECA Grants Awarded in Spring 2018

The ECA awarded grants totaling $9,350 in the Spring of 2018. The organizations that received the grants are:

Annapolis Police Department ($1000) for summer camp programs.
Family Night Partners ($500) for family night dinners are Eastport Terrace/Harbor House.
Seeds4 Success ($1000) for Eastport Boys club collaborative summer programming.
Box of Rain ($1,500) part-time master’s level mentor coordinator to support New Navigating Futures mentoring program.
Eastport Volunteer Fire Company ($1,000) toward the purchase of new equipment (hook and ladder truck).
S.T.A.I.R. ($1000) Materials for summer reading enrichment program.
Annapolis Maritime Museum and Park ($2,000) For an exhibit on maritime history and heritage.
Eastport Elementary School ($1,350) to send 4 students to summer camp at Arlington Echo.

Information about developments on Fourth Street

Adam's Ribs Move to 4th Street

On December 5, 2017, the City Board of Appeals held a public hearing on the request for shared parking on property located at 424-428 Fourth Street. The property owners were appealing a decision by the City Planning and Zoning Director Pete Gutwald that denied the request for shared parking. Despite this being advertised as a “Public Hearing,” the members of public in attendance were denied the right to present public testimony and documentation supporting Mr. Gutwald’s decision. The Board of Appeals voted to overturn the decision and therefore allow shared parking with 31 parking spaces for a 77-seat restaurant. Several Eastport residents spoke before the City Council at the January 8 meeting and had a meeting on January 19 with the Mayor, acting City Attorney (at the time) Gary Elson, and the City Manager to express their belief that not allowing testimony was a violation of due process. This week, the Board of Appeals met and voted to reconsider, for the purpose of taking public testimony. According to Mr. Elson, “The motion that was approved to is hear public testimony. The motion allows the Board to reconsider its decision. It does not require that. The decision was not vacated, but it will be reconsidered based on public testimony. The Board members participating would decide whether or not to revise their initial deliberations and original vote based on the public testimony and any rebuttal provided by the applicant.” Information is on the eTRAKIT.annapolis.gov website – search for ADM 2017-003 and APL2017-007.

Update: The Board of Appeals posted its agenda for a meeting on April 16. It lists the reopening of the public hearing on the Adam's Ribs appeal. The agenda is linked here.

Proposed Brewpub on Fourth Street

There is a proposed brew pub at 418 Fourth Street, the one-story gray building that used to house a marine electronics place. They plan to establish a brewery called “Forward Brewing” with a website of “ForwardEastport.com” and expect to start construction this Spring. Gary Schwerzler is the architect. The proposed plan is for the following:

28 – 30 seats, 8-9 parking spaces
They plan to encourage patrons to use pedicabs and the water taxi as a means of transportation
They would pay for two spots for their employees to park at Annapolis City Marina
The building footprint will not be changed but the building will be renovated (not demolished) with a taproom in the front and outdoor tables
They plan to serve breakfast starting before 8am and operate six days a week most likely until 10 – 11 p.m.
Their food waste will be picked up to be composted, no dumpsters necessary
Delivery trucks to use their driveway
Water system to be upgraded
No fryer, grill or exhaust fan necessary
No plans to expand the capacity at a later time, no special exception needed
Valet Parking not offered
Parking lot not monitored for patrons leaving cars while they head to other local eateries
Brewing to take place one or two days a week using a 5 barrel system, growlers/pints available for takeaway

Eastport Scavenger Hunt

Come and step into history with this fun, free scavenger hunt in Eastport. It's fun for the whole family. Download this walking guide (PDF) and start hunting!

September 20 November 15
Eastport Elementary Eastport Elementary

Adams Rib Project

424 Fourth Street, the Adams Ribs project, will be coming up for an Administrative Interpretation by the Planning and Zoning Director that the existing buildings at 424-428 Fourth Street, including the two family dwelling, are uses and the associated parking are deemed conforming and the buildings may be demolished and rebuilt and the existing parking lot reconfigured.

Noreast Holdings, LLC (The "Applicant") proposes to demolish the existing building at 424 Fourth Street and construct a new building in the same location for use as a restaurant, with two second floor residential units at the rear of the building. Applicant also proposes to reconfigure and reduce the number of parking spaces on the existing parking lot on the property without providing any setback or buffer from the rear property line or from the B2/R2-NC zoning demarcation line. Specifically, the Applicant seeks an administrative interpretation that the following sections of the Code are not applicable to the proposed redevelopment: Sections 21.20.010 et seq.; Section 21.48.010; Section 21.50.150 (Table Note 2); Section 21.26.12.G and Section 21.66.050.B.2 and D.

The application is listed on the City’s website eTrakit system under Projects as ADM2018-003, and the public can weigh in with their thoughts by emailing Jacquelyn Rouse, the lead planner on the project: JRouse@annapolis.gov

Eastport Shopping Center

Read the Concerned Citizens’ Preliminary Objections and Concerns Regarding the Revised Adequate Public Facilities Study for the Lofts at Eastport Landing letter to Planning & Zoning. Additional information and documents can be found on the City’s website E-Trakit system using the Project Number SDP2018-006. Read letter from attorney for Solstice Partners regarding Concerned Citizens' Comments.

Planning & Zoning Director Pete Gutwald has said that citizen comments on this project will be accepted after August 17, but we are urging everyone to get comments in by that date. Read more.

ECA to Host Informational Meeting on Plans for Lofts at Eastport Landing
Tuesday, August 28
Annapolis Maritime Museum
7 p.m.

You Ask, We Answer: Live chat on the Annapolis City website.

See the photos

Join us next Monday for some fun and needed community work.
Please come out and help... and have fun! We do all the weeding by hand and with tools, without harmful chemicals!

Work Session for Forest/Drive Eastport Sector Study

Annapolis Neck Peninsula Federation and ECA Questions and Concerns
Planning Commissioners Work Session on August 2

ANPF and ECA submitted comments and concerns on the May 31 draft of the Sector Study. Many of these were not addressed in the July 26 version. We still have a number of issues and unanswered questions. Read more.

BOARD MEMBERS & OFFICERS

President: Vic Pascoe
Vice President: Diane Butler
Treasurer: Debbie Dillon
Secretary: Jackie Wells
Member #1: Judith Billage
Member #2: Daniel Orr
Member #3: Holly Foster
Member #4: Ben Goldeen
Member #5: Pat Shaughnessy
Immediate Past President: Marcia Marshall

before after

Prepare Me Annapolis Mobile App: Notifications of what's affecting the Annapolis area, including severe weather alerts, traffic reports, school & government closings, and more.

On July 16 we cleaned up parts of Fourth Street. What a change an hour can make!

ECA invites all members to get together for our annual barbecue picnic. Adam's Ribs is providing the BBQ and sides. Beer, wine, sodas and water will be served, together with dessert. The picnic is a fun time to catch up with old and new neighbors and friends! Police, fire and elected officials from the City are invited. When you click on the Buy Now button you'll have the option of paying through PayPal or with a credit card.

Tickets/Reservations: $20 in advance; $25 at the door. We need to give a count to Adam's Ribs in advance so registration is extremely helpful and strongly urged. Last year, due to the number of people who purchased tickets at the door, we nearly ran out of food!

We need volunteers on half hour shifts. Let us know If you can volunteer to help with setting up, cleaning up, beverage sales or registration. Email eca@eastportcivic.org.

The entire Eastport Civic Association community sends its love and support to the family and friends of those we lost in the June 28 senseless tragedy. Many of us knew or associated with one or more of those lost and we are all very much involved in the Capital newspaper as being our main and continual source of news. All will be fondly remembered.

ECA donated $500 to the Capital Gazette Families Fund. See the acknowledgment letter.

Follow Us on Twitter

Eastport Development

SAVE THE DATES FOR UPCOMING ECA MEETINGS

August 23
Annual Picnic
Mears Marina

NeatStreets is here and making a difference!

ECA COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Architecture & Zoning: Ben Goldeen
Communications: Marie King
Eco-Action: Diane Butler
Grants: Deborah Dillon
Home & Garden Tour: Mike Leonard
Membership: Jane Lawrence
Nominating: Being formed
Safety: Daniel Orr

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR $25

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