Citing Deed Clause, Dundalk Residents Ask for Delay on Govt. Center Vote

The Baltimore County Council is scheduled to vote tonight on contracts of sale for county-owned properties that Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz wants sold for private development.

But some Dundalk residents are asking for a delay of that vote, at least as it pertains to the North Point Government Center sale.

Members of Dundalk United, a grassroots organization formed early this year to fight the closure of Eastwood Elementary School as well as the government center sale, say a deed on the land forbids its sale or any portion of it without approval from the Maryland State Board of Public Works.

Letter co-writer Karen Cruz said today she has been told that county attorneys were looking into their claim that the Public Works board needs to agree to the sale, but had heard nothing beyond that.

Dundalk resident Bob Staab, the other co-writer of the Dundalk United letter, said today the deed's covenant is "absolutely" enough reason to postpone the council vote, at least as it pertains to the North Point property.

Baltimore County Council Legislative Counsel/Secretary Thomas J. Peddicord Jr. did not return a call asking for comment on the group's claim by publication time.

Below is the letter the organization sent to council members:

Members of the County Council,

We feel it is important to bring the following information to your attention BEFORE your scheduled vote on the proposal to sell the North Point Government Center park. Please review the October, 1981 deed in which the Board of Education transferred this property to Baltimore County government (liber 6408, page 342). On page 3 of this deed (next to last paragraph) you will note an express COVENANT that provides that  Baltimore County cannot convey this property or any portion of this property or any interest in this property without FIRST having received WRITTEN consent from the state BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.

We are requesting that before voting on the sale of this property  that you confirm that the BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS has given the REQUIRED WRITTEN CONSENT called for in this deed.

In the event this required written approval has not been granted it is our position that the Council should not vote on this matter until the BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS provides the WRITTEN consent that is LEGALLY required. As Council approval on this proposed contract will convey certain legal rights (with attendant potential legal consequences) we feel it is essential and in the best interest of all citizens that this matter be clarified BEFORE a vote. 

Thank you for your consideration,

Bob Staab and Karen Cruz for Dundalk United

Editor's Note: The upper case emphasis used throughout the letter is that of the writers and not Patch editors.