David Marks Gives Update on Holly Hill Landscaping Issue

by Coucilman David Marks-

Two days after my inauguration, I convened a meeting between Holly Hill Memorial Gardens, the Bird River Road Neighborhood Association, and the developers of the office buildings near MD 43 and Campbell Boulevard.

Attached is an enhanced landscape plan that will be implemented. The comments are from Tom Pilon, Executive Vice President for Development at St. John Properties:

“1. Buffer planting, along the boundary between Greenleigh Highlands and Holly Hills Memorial Garden, is scheduled for spring 2023

2. Full site build out is scheduled for fall 2024

3. Upsizing of plants and/or fast growing plants

a. Evergreen material – Baltimore County Landscape Manual requires 6’ min height at installation. SJP planting plan specs 8’-10’ min.

b. Deciduous trees – manual requires 2”- 2 ½” caliper at planting. SJP planting plan specs 2”- 2 ½” caliper. SJP opted to stay with the manual’s spec due to concerns about “shock” associated with oversize tree transplanting, which can arrest the growth of a tree after planting.

4. “Construction by St. John Properties” signs – to be installed in locations indicated on the Enhanced Landscape Plan, dated 1/11/23 (attached)

5. Weekend construction – per Holly Hills Memorial Garden’s request, SJP did not allow onsite work during the weekend of 12/17/22. SJP does allow weekend work normally but, with prior notice, will consider prohibiting weekend work for events such as national holidays, and veteran memorial related events.”

Benjamin Joseph

Benjamin Joesph has covered news in Eastern Baltimore County since 2006. He started as a reporter with the original East County Times in 2006. He started East Baltco News and later Eastcountytimes.com in 2022.

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