Church sign is rejected on appeal
The state Court of Special Appeals upheld yesterday the county's denial of a request by Trinity Assembly of God to erect a large sign on church property at Interstate 83 and the Baltimore Beltway.
The court said the rejection of a variance for the proposed 25-foot-high, 250-square-foot electronic sign, which was four times higher and 10 times bigger than regulations allow, did not infringe on the church's ability to exercise its constitutional rights.
"The Church has not been denied any use of a sign as a means of evangelism, but only the non-conforming use of a sign that cannot be as large and eye-catching as the Church might desire," wrote Judge Deborah S. Eyler.
The church asked for a variance in 2002. It appealed to the state court after the Baltimore County Circuit Court twice upheld the Board of Appeals' denials of the variance.
County officials and community activists said they feared the sign with changeable messages would lead to visual clutter and distract motorists. Witnesses for the church said there was no evidence that the sign would cause problems.
Halethorpe
Romney to speak at GOP dinner
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will speak at the Baltimore County Republican Party's annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner at 6:30 p.m. today at the Dewey Lowman American Legion Post 109, 1610 Old Sulphur Spring Road in Halethorpe.
Also expected to attend are candidates for the Republican nomination in the 1st Congressional District.
Tickets are $75 per person or $300 for groups of five.
Information: 410-239-7200.
Towson
Input sought at two public hearings
Two public hearings will be held after today's county planning board meeting.
The board is seeking public input on proposed changes in regulations for business signs that flash and scroll. Residents will also have a chance to comment on the triennial review of the Master Water and Sewerage Plan.
The hearings will begin at 5 p.m., after the regularly scheduled planning board meeting in Room 407 of the Baltimore County Circuit Court Building, 401 Bosley Ave. in Towson.
Information: 410-887-3495.
Health Department
Free HIV/AIDS testing offered
The county Health Department will offer free HIV/AIDS testing today to residents in recognition of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
Testing will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at Essex Health Center, 1538 Country Ridge Lane; 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Eastern Family Resource Center, 9100 Franklin Square Drive, White Marsh; and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Liberty Family Resource Center, 3525 Resource Center Drive, Randallstown.
Free and confidential rapid testing is available, with results within 20 minutes.
Information: 410-887-2437.
I-95 construction
Closings, slowing planned on Beltway
The Maryland Transportation Authority has planned overnight temporary closings and slowdowns on the eastbound Baltimore Beltway at Interstate 95 (Exit 33), weather permitting, as part of the construction of the new I-95/I-895 split.
All eastbound lanes of the Beltway at I-95 and the ramp from the eastbound Beltway to southbound I-95 will be closed from midnight to 5 a.m. tomorrow, and next week from 10:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Detours will be posted.
Planned slowdowns will take place periodically next week on northbound I-95 before the Beltway (Exit 64) during the Beltway closings.
Information: 410-537-1017.
Brooklandville
Film director Kahn to visit Park School
Nathaniel Kahn, director of the award-winning documentary film My Architect: A Son's Journey, will give a lecture at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Park School, 2425 Old Court Road.
The film looks at Kahn's five-year quest to understand his long-dead father, internationally acclaimed architect Louis Kahn.
The talk and film are free.
Information: 410-339-4145.
Countywide
Financial aid form help available
College Goal Sunday, an event to help students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for scholarships, grants and loans, will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at three county locations.
The Community College of Baltimore County will hold the event on the second floor of the K Building on the Catonsville campus and in the K Building cafeteria on the Dundalk campus. Goucher College will hold it in the Van Meter Building in Towson.
Applicants must bring proof of 2007 income and benefits information, such as completed or estimated federal income tax returns and W-2 forms, or year-end pay stubs and proof of untaxed income, for students and parents.
Information: 866-GO2GOAL or www.GO2GOAL.org.
Events or news items for the Baltimore County Digest may be submitted to baltco.news@baltsun.com. Information should be sent at least 10 days in advance of the event.