One of the several historical buildings on the Fort Howard site burned to the ground

I can’t say that this news comes as a shocker, folks.

The Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections issued a code enforcement citation to Fort Howard Development, LLC, which was served to Resident Agent Timothy S. Munshell in Brinklow, MD.

The information was posted on the FortHoward.org website in PDF format, including Councilman Todd Crandell’s statement that he rejected a PUD from Fort Howard LLC. (See below for my take on this)

The county formally charges that Fort Howard, LLC failed to comply with a 12/24/14 order to repair and/or replace any damaged or otherwise defective fire hydrants by 1/2/15.

The citation also refers to have such work tested and inspected per NFPA 25 (2008) and maintain a fire watch 24 hours a day.

The have been numerous fires at the old veterans hospital, including several historical buildings that burned to the ground or seriously damaged.

Mr. Munshell is involved in the controversial Enhanced Use Lease program that is run by the VA, which has been severely criticized by the GAO in a scathing investigation.

The fines levied by the county total $43,800, along with an order to repair the property to its original condition.

Here is what was posted to the Fort Howard website. You can read the document from the county by clicking the link.

Mr. Brady Locher is the county attorney prosecuting the violation and is seeking witness testimony and can be reached at 410-887-3251. Copies of the citation, Baltimore County Fire Department Investigative Report, and the Baltimore County Building Engineer letter will be available to FHCA members.

I will say that the Fort Howard group seems to be taking a more aggressive and cohesive effort to organize and communicate with its community.

There is one area of controversy involving 7th District Councilman Todd Crandell, who announced that he turned down a PUD submitted by Fort Howard, LLC. Since I have uncovered previous issues with Mr. Crandell’s candor regarding such remarks, I contacted Baltimore County for a copy of the PUD. However, they had no knowledge of what I was seeking.

In addition to Mr. Crandell’s remarks to the FH group, he also wrote a similar comment in the Dundalk Eagle.

In order to get to the bottom of this issue, I filled a PIA with Mr. Crandell’s office on 9/25/2015. As of this posting, I have not received a response.

I’ll keep you posted as soon as I hear from Mr. Crandell’s office.

Stay tuned…