Land Acquisition

What You Should Know

• Judge Rules Key's Proposed Uses Acceptable

  Posted April 26, 2013

  On Tuesday, April 23, 2013, a county judge ruled in favor of Key School, stating the School's intended uses for the golf course property are indeed consistent with those outlined in the neighborhood's land use covenants. We are very happy with this outcome and look forward to moving ahead with our plans for this exquisite property.
  
  Key's Board of Trustees and Administration remain committed to stewarding this property responsibly and, over time, to forging amicable relationships with the residents of Annapolis Roads.
  
  Key students will surely benefit from the varied recreational and co-curricular opportunities this property makes possible. Tuesday's legal rendering is truly extending to Key yet another transformative milestone in its fifty-five year history.
  
  Click here for a transcript of the trial with Judge Goetzke's opinion.

• Revised Site Plan Filed

  Posted March 26, 2013

  On January 28, 2013, Key School filed a revised site plan with the County Office of Planning and Zoning. This plan reflects an evolution in the design resulting from input from the County, residents of Annapolis Roads, and our own Key School Buildings and Grounds team. Stay tuned here for future news!

• January 2013 Update

  Posted January 31, 2013

  The School continues to move forward enthusiastically with its plans to purchase the 70-acre parcel of land in Annapolis Roads. Updated concept plans for the property, taking into account both feedback received from residents and the Anne Arundel County Office of Planning and Zoning, have been submitted to the County for further review. The revised plans will be posted soon!
  
  On January 25, an Order denying Key’s Motion to Dismiss a lawsuit brought by four members of Annapolis Roads was announced. This decision is not an indication of the merits of the claims but rather acknowledges the right of the individuals to have their claims heard in court. From Key’s perspective, a decision regarding what constitutes “recreation” will enable the heart of the matter to be addressed in a timely way. We believe our proposed uses comply with the legal requirements. The School looks forward to the judge’s adjudication of this matter as well as to a prompt resolution of the plaintiff’s claims. The trial will take place in late April 2013.

• Informational Meeting Scheduled

  Posted September 27, 2012

  In accordance with Anne Arundel County regulations and County Council Bill No. 15-12, Key School’s engineering team has scheduled an informational meeting about the School plans for the redevelopment of the property in Annapolis Roads for September 27, 2012, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Georgetown East Elementary School located at 111 Dogwood Road, Annapolis, MD 21403. Per County requirements, property owners within 175 feet of the boundary line of the land Key has under contract were notified of the meeting.

• Lawsuit Dismissed

  Posted July 26, 2012

  On July 24 the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County granted Key’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit brought against Key by four residents of Annapolis Roads. A PDF of the Court’s Memorandum Opinion is available under “About Key’s Plans.”
  
  Members of the School’s board of trustees and administration are enthusiastic about the purchase of the land in Annapolis Roads and remain committed to ensuring the responsible stewardship of this magnificent property. We are confident that our proposed uses for recreational, environmental and conservation activities fall squarely within the community covenants and zoning requirements. Additionally, we intend to continue our efforts to work constructively with the residents of Annapolis Roads.
  

• Bill No. 15-12 Signed into Law

  Posted May 18, 2012

  On May 18, 2012, County Executive Leopold signed Bill No. 15-12 into law.
  
  We are pleased with this decision as the legislation clarifies how privately held Open Space lands can be used for active recreation, including our proposed uses for the seventy acres in Annapolis Roads, while also providing significant environmental and community protections that did not exist in the prior law. Click here to view a factual comparison between the previous code and Bill No. 15-12.
  
  As for next steps, before the September 1 effective date of the Bill, the County Office of Planning and Zoning will undertake a review of Open Space lands and the new law to ensure that all appropriate measures have been included. We are in full support of this review.

• A Call to Action

  Posted May 8, 2012

  The County Executive will either support the County Council’s decision to pass Bill No. 15-12 or veto the legislation within the next few days, so it is important for those who are in favor of the Bill to express their support to the County Executive now. Those who are opposed to this Bill are attempting to secure a veto. Click here to email the County Executive, if you are so inclined. Words of thank you and support to the County Council members, particularly to Council members Peter Smith, Derek Fink, James Benoit, Dick Ladd, and Jerry Walker who voted to approve the Bill, would also be beneficial; click here for their contact information.

• Bill No. 15-12 Passes 5-2

  Posted May 8, 2012

  The Anne Arundel County Council passed Bill No. 15-12 with a final vote of 5-2 on May 7. This well-amended Bill addresses the inconsistencies of a confusing County code and establishes a new standard for environmental and community protection on privately owned Open Space District land while also appropriately limiting the scope of its development. From doubling the required setbacks from streams, rivers and waterways to placing a limit on tree clearing, and from enhancing reforestation requirements to mandating soil conservation and water quality plans, Bill No. 15-12 significantly improves the existing code and adds environmental protections that were not in place before. Click here to view a comparison between the existing Open Space zoning requirements and those enacted by Bill No. 15-12. This compilation was considered during the Council deliberations on May 7.

• County Council Contact Information

  Posted April 26, 2012

  Members of the Key community have asked what they can do to support Bill 15-12 and Key in this endeavor. Writing County Council members and/or attending the May 7 meeting would be very beneficial.

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• Update on Bill No. 15-12

  Posted April 20, 2012

  During the Anne Arundel County Council meeting on April 16, four additional amendments were proposed and unanimously approved for inclusion in the existing legislation. Click here for an updated Fact Sheet about the Bill. The Council will vote on Bill No. 15-12 on May 7. Key School continues to support this amended legislation.
  
  Many thanks to the parents, students, faculty and staff, and members of the Board of Trustees who attended the April 16 meeting to show support for the Bill. Your presence did make an impact.

• Video from April 16 County Council Meeting

  Posted April 20, 2012

  In addition to the Key community members in attendance, several members of our community provided testimony in support of Open Space Bill No. 15-12 on April 16. Video from the full two-hour discussion is available below.
  
  Board of Trustees President Wes Jones speaks from 20:48 – 26:30.
  
  Key parent Ken Kissell ’86, Jack Anthony ’12 and Outdoor Education program director Brian Michaels speak from 27:06 – 34:02.
  
  David Plott and former parent Niels Holch speak from 1:19.47 – 1:26.46.
  
  County Council discussion of the new amendments and voting begins at 1:35:30.
  
  Click here for video from the April 16 County Council meeting.