TO: John Anthony Olszewski Jr., Baltimore County Executive Baltimore County Council
FROM: Angela D. Coleman, MBA, CNM Founder and President, Sisterhood Agenda, Inc.
RE: Grant Review and CZMP Issue Nos. 5-065 & 5-066; HUD Housing Discrimination Complaint, HUD File No. 03-24-4660-8; Title VI Case No. 03-24-4660-6; Section 109 Case No. 03-24-4660-9
Esteemed Members of Baltimore County Government:
Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this notice in its entirely. It is written to provide information that you may not know regarding the continuation of unlawful and unprecedented violations against Sisterhood Agenda, Inc.
Sisterhood Agenda’s mixed-income eco-friendly housing project has the support of the community, and always has since 2022 when we first began working with the County. We hope that you recognize more than 50 residents and several community organizations and homeowner associations that stood up in unity to support Sisterhood Agenda’s PARKS Holistic Housing in Middle River, a newly redistricted area for Councilman David Marks.
As a result of their support, many residents suffered from harassment and defamation that impacted employment, reputation, and residency.
Marks’ log of issues to downzone Sisterhood Agenda’s PARKS Holistic Housing properties and Marks’ improper call for a full Council grants review after the County approved Sisterhood Agenda’s grant are discriminatory actions against us, as outlined in the HUD Complaint.
If you vote with Councilman David Marks against us on these issues, unfortunately, you are also voting to support continued discrimination against Sisterhood Agenda, Inc. and continued violation of fair housing rights for us and residents of Baltimore County during a housing crisis.
You may be familiar with the CZMP downzoning issue on the legislative agenda for properties designated for Sisterhood Agenda’s PARKS Holistic Housing, CZMP Issue Nos. 5-065 & 5-066. Many residents in the area have been displaced and are living in hotel rooms paid by the American Red Cross after the tornedo on June 5, 2024 destroyed many mobile homes. PARKS Holistic Housing is climate-change resilient.
PARKS’ limited development has no negative environmental impact (water, sewer, or other). PARKS Holistic Housing’s positive environmental impact is actually expanded with a conservation plan to preserve 90% of the County parcel to maintain this previously neglected area as a preserved, beautiful, green neighborhood space. In close proximity to an MTA stop, public transportation is available as an eco-conscious alternative to individual car use.
Please note that County staff do not support Marks’ requested zoning change. The Planning Department says these changes do not align with DHCD objectives. DHCD recommends maintaining both issues’ existing zoning, which is “appropriate for the site and reflects the best and highest use of the property.” They add: the land is already protected by either environmental protection, covenants and restrictions, easements or similar legal mechanisms.
In addition to filing downzoning issues to prevent Sisterhood Agenda, Inc. from developing mixed-income housing in Middle River, I am also sharing information about Mark’s unprecedented request for a full Council grants review, only for Sisterhood Agenda, Inc.
Councilman David Marks is an elected member of Council who was required to submit his recommendation for a full Council review in writing to the Grants Administrator within the 14-day grant review period, if he felt it was warranted. He never did.
After failing to receive a recommendation for grants review from a member of Council within the 14-day review period, Sisterhood Agenda’s grant application was approved on July 10, 2024:
“8 (e)(1) Following review of the application, the Grant Administrator shall forward to the members of the County Council, the Council Secretary, and the County Auditor a recommendation for approval of a grant, a copy of the grant application, and a summary of the grant application. (2) Except as provided in § 10-1-108(b) of the Code, the Grant Administrator may approve the grant unless within 14 days after receipt of the recommendation, a member of the County Council requests in writing that the grant agreement be forwarded to the County Council for approval or disapproval by the County Council at a legislative meeting.”
Even after grant approval, Marks still insisted on trying to schedule a full Council legislative review of Sisterhood Agenda, Inc.’s grant, solely.
Importantly, at Sisterhood Agenda, Inc., we view Marks’ violations after our HUD Discrimination Complaint filing as retaliatory and unnecessary. Sisterhood Agenda, Inc., a HUD-certified CHDO, is treated as a HUD whistleblower after filing the HUD complaint. Retaliation against Sisterhood Agenda, Inc. constitutes further unlawful actions.
As a member of Council, we do not believe what Councilman Marks seems to believe: that, in the tradition of overdependence on councilman courtesy, he can use members of Council as pawns in his biased and misguided agenda that is not in the best interest of the community, the County, or the Council.
We think that the time is now to vote with heart, mind, and truth.
The fairness that Sisterhood Agenda seeks is the same that HUD, NAACP, ACLU, Public Justice Center, DOJ, and others have been fighting for decades. We would like to acquire County property and funding for PARKS Holistic Housing similar to the ease with which Perry Hall Mansion (County property) was conveyed with grant funding and no CZMP downzone filings to an individual owner a few months ago to turn a former slave plantation into a bed and breakfast.
We do not stand alone. As other agencies and organizations are becoming more aware of Sisterhood Agenda, Inc. and our experiences, new information is becoming available. We all have concerns regarding targeting and strategic downzoning, civil rights, property rights, federal protections, the County’s lack of specific information regarding a full Council grant review (why, when, where, and how), and the County’s adherence (or lack of) to local legislation, HUD grantee procedures and regulations. We think this makes sense and hope that you do, too.
As an award-winning nonprofit organization, Sisterhood Agenda, Inc. continues to educate, support, and advocate for those who need us most. Wishing you peace, love, and light.
Learn more
PARKS Holistic Housing is near and dear to Sisterhood Agenda because it represents what we strive for: protecting women and children and bringing women together to support and uplift each other.
Sisterhood Agenda’s PARKS Holistic Housing not only gives women housing but also gives them a safe and healthy place to stay and call home.
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