FAQs
What does the CL do? The CL represents residents on issues affecting the quality of life in Roland Park, including land use, infrastructure, traffic, transportation, public safety and crime, proposed developments in our community, representing the community to the various Baltimore City government agencies and support of important local institutions. For example, in the early 2000s, the Civic League and Community Foundation were involved heavily in saving and expanding the Roland Park Library. For more information, visit the Civic League page.
Can anyone join? Yes, all residents of Roland Park are strongly encouraged to join the Civic League and get involved on those issues that are important to them. When we speak together as a community, our “voice” is much more powerful than that of each of us alone. Visit the dues page to join the CL.
How much are the CL dues? A family or individual pays only $40 for an annual membership. Each membership entitles you to one vote. You can purchase separate memberships for each adult in your family for $10 each. Each additional membership entitles you to one additional vote.
Where do my dues go? Over the past few years, the Civic League has addressed many important issues, including the Roland Park Library renovation, speeding along our streets, crime, the Stony Run stream restoration and zoning issues along Falls Road. RPCL shares some of the expenses of maintaining the green spaces in the neighborhood, supports the local public schools, keeps the community informed of important events and protects the community from development that encroaches on the historic and architectural character of the neighborhood. The Civic League also pays for the maintenance of the Roland Park website.
What is the structure of the CL? The CL board is comprised of various officers and plat-specific and at-large representatives. The board meets on the first Wednesday of each month at the Roland Park Presbyterian Church (4801 Roland Avenue). All Roland Parkers are welcome. For a list of current board members, visit the contacts page. For information about becoming a CL board member, email CivicL[email protected]. To view minutes of CL meetings, visit the Meeting Minutes page.
NOTE: During construction at the Presbyterian Church, the September 2017 through April 2018 meetings of the Civic League will be held at the North Baltimore Mennonite Church, 4615 Roland Ave. Meetings will be held at the regular time (first Wednesday of the month, 7 PM.)
What does the Roads & Maintenance Corporation do? R&M is responsible for enforcing Roland Park’s covenants and reviewing applications from property owners for changes to the exterior of the property to ensure they meet R&M’s architectural and historical standards. As a legacy of the time in the early 20th century when it owned all public land and infrastructure in Roland Park, R&M still owns the neighborhood’s lanes & footpaths. Most of the infrastructure, such as sewerage, water, lighting, and roads was turned over to Baltimore City in the 1920s. R&M still maintains public spaces including mowing the grass in the medians on Roland Ave. and Falls Rd. Terrace, maintaining the beds at the intersections throughout the neighborhood, repairing the footpaths and mowing Centennial Park. R&M also collects organic debris, and removes substantial snowfalls from lanes. For more information about R&M, and for a guide to the convenants in Roland Park, visit the Roads & Maintenance page.
What are R&M’s fees? R&M’s “basic” required maintenance fee was established more than a century ago and is part of deeds to Roland Park properties. The purpose was to fund the private infrastructure. This fee was set in real turn of the 20th-century dollars with no allowance for increase. These fees are not longer adequate to maintain the public spaces throughout the neighborhood.In 1985, R&M began asking for a voluntary “full-service” fee of eight times the basic fee in order to cover increases in operational costs. R&M’s annual budget is approximately $130,000.
What is the structure of R&M? The R&M board is comprised of a number of officers and plat representatives, all volunteers from the community. For a list of current board members, visit the contacts page. For information about becoming an R&M board member, email [email protected] .
I am planning renovations to my home in Roland Park, what should I do? If the renovations will affect the exterior of a home in Roland Park, please visit our Design Guidelines & Applications page for information about standards for design and materials, a guide to the Covenants, and the necessary application for approval.
What does the Community Foundation do? The Roland Park Community Foundation (RPCF) is a non-profit 501c (3) organization established in 1986 to preserve, maintain and improve the parks, streams, squares, trees, and other green spaces in our community. The Community Foundation supports the Civic League, R&M and other neighborhood organizations by raising money for projects benefit present and future generations of residents and stay true to the Olmsted Brother’s vision for this community. For more details, visit the Community Foundation page.
How can I contribute? The Community Foundation raises money by making an annual appeal to residents and friends of Roland Park, hosting fundraising events and accepting tax-deductible donations from residents (or anyone else).
What is the structure of the CF? The CF board is comprised of a number of officers and general directors. For a list of current board members, visit the Community Foundation page. For information about becoming a CF board member, email [email protected].
Where can I find the “Word Of Mouth” contractor list? The latest version of the list is linked from the “Roland Park News” page.
