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Upper Allen board grants Tolman Street HOA extra time to develop planting plan for steep slope
Summary
After the Orchard Glenn HOA said steep grades make planting difficult, the board extended a stay on mowing enforcement for the Tolman Street slope appeal until Sept. 30 so the HOA can submit a native-planting proposal; one commissioner recused because of HOA membership.
The Upper Allen Board of Commissioners authorized an extension of the enforcement stay for an appeal related to slope maintenance at a Tolman Street open space lot, giving the Orchard Glenn Homeowners Association additional time to present a remediation plan that could eliminate the need for mechanical mowing.
Bob Patec, representing the Orchard Glenn HOA, told the board that the Chesapeake Bay Alliance inspected the steep slope and concluded plantings on the steepest portion would not survive with their standard methods; the HOA asked permission to temporarily cease mowing that specific area to prevent erosion caused by heavy mowing operations. Staff and the solicitor explained that an exception to the mowing ordinance requires a formal process and that the appeal stay preserves the status quo while a plan is developed.
A commissioner moved to extend the stay until Sept. 30 to allow the HOA time to prepare a fall planting proposal and to work with staff; the motion passed and one commissioner recused from that vote because they live in the affected development and pay HOA dues.
The board asked the HOA to return with a planting proposal by the end of August or September and noted that any long-term exception would require a public hearing and a formal decision by the commissioners.
