Russett, Maryland
Encyclopedia
Russett is an unincorporated
planned community of 613 acres (2.5 km²) near Laurel
, Maryland
in far-western Anne Arundel County, situated in a park-like setting complemented by 12 miles (19.3 km) of walking trails and a 70 acres (283,280.2 m²) lake nature preserve.
About 13,000 residents live in Russett, which is divided into 20 residential
neighborhoods and includes three commercial rental properties. The community of single-family home
s, condominium
s, and townhouse
s is nearly built out to a capacity of 3,600 units. Two neighborhoods are under construction.
The Russett Community Association, Inc. (RCA) is the homeowners' association, and all homeowners are members. Annual HOA fees paid by homeowners fund an annual $2.5 million budget, which goes toward maintenance of playgrounds; a tot lot; tennis, basketball and beach volleyball courts; four pools and a pool house; walking trails; a community center; and private security. The county opened a police substation near the community in 2006.
Except for condominiums, which have their own board of directors
, each neighborhood has a committee
with up to three members (elected at the annual RCA meeting). These three elect a chairperson who serves as the voting
member. Representatives from all neighborhoods meet monthly and advise on community
issues, with voting members deciding on changes to community documents, special fee assessments, and membership in the Board of Directors.
Within Russett is a $4.3 million library operated by Anne Arundel County Public Library. Completed in 1998, The Maryland City
at Russett Branch is more than 15000 square feet (1,393.5 m²) – or four times the size of its shuttered predecessor – with an initial collection of 80,000 items. The project was built on 2 acres (8,093.7 m²) donated by the developer, Russett Community Limited Partnership (RCLP).
Russett is bordered by the Little Patuxent River and 70 acres (283,280.2 m²) Oxbow Lake
Nature Preserve, which attracts waterfowl and birds. Part of Russett’s land holdings is an undisturbed 78 acres (315,655.1 m²) parcel under the control of the county’s Board of Education.
At the inception of the project, home prices ranged from $90,000 for a condominium to $250,000 for a single-family home. Today, even with a downturn in the real-estate market, condominiums are selling for more than $200,000; townhouses for at least $250,000; and larger single-family homes for more than $500,000.
Russett faces growth pressures triggered by the 2005 base realignment and closure
process (known as BRAC). About 22,000 defense workers are expected to relocate to nearby Fort Meade over the next several years. About 100 to 150 households will move to Russett over that period because of BRAC, according to state projections.
Russett uses ZIP code 20724 and falls within Maryland State Senate
and House of Delegates
District 21. The community also lies within Maryland's Third Congressional District
and Anne Arundel County's 4th Council District.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
planned community of 613 acres (2.5 km²) near Laurel
Laurel, Maryland
Laurel is a city in northern Prince George's County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County, Maryland, United States, located midway between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Incorporated in 1870, the city maintains a historic district including its Main Street...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
in far-western Anne Arundel County, situated in a park-like setting complemented by 12 miles (19.3 km) of walking trails and a 70 acres (283,280.2 m²) lake nature preserve.
About 13,000 residents live in Russett, which is divided into 20 residential
Residential area
A residential area is a land use in which housing predominates, as opposed to industrial and commercial areas.Housing may vary significantly between, and through, residential areas. These include single family housing, multi-family residential, or mobile homes. Zoning for residential use may permit...
neighborhoods and includes three commercial rental properties. The community of single-family home
Single-family home
A single-family detached home, also called a single-detached dwelling or separate house is a free-standing residential building. It is defined in opposition to a multi-family dwelling.- Definitions :...
s, condominium
Condominium
A condominium, or condo, is the form of housing tenure and other real property where a specified part of a piece of real estate is individually owned while use of and access to common facilities in the piece such as hallways, heating system, elevators, exterior areas is executed under legal rights...
s, and townhouse
Townhouse
A townhouse is the term historically used in the United Kingdom, Ireland and in many other countries to describe a residence of a peer or member of the aristocracy in the capital or major city. Most such figures owned one or more country houses in which they lived for much of the year...
s is nearly built out to a capacity of 3,600 units. Two neighborhoods are under construction.
The Russett Community Association, Inc. (RCA) is the homeowners' association, and all homeowners are members. Annual HOA fees paid by homeowners fund an annual $2.5 million budget, which goes toward maintenance of playgrounds; a tot lot; tennis, basketball and beach volleyball courts; four pools and a pool house; walking trails; a community center; and private security. The county opened a police substation near the community in 2006.
Except for condominiums, which have their own board of directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
, each neighborhood has a committee
Committee
A committee is a type of small deliberative assembly that is usually intended to remain subordinate to another, larger deliberative assembly—which when organized so that action on committee requires a vote by all its entitled members, is called the "Committee of the Whole"...
with up to three members (elected at the annual RCA meeting). These three elect a chairperson who serves as the voting
Voting
Voting is a method for a group such as a meeting or an electorate to make a decision or express an opinion—often following discussions, debates, or election campaigns. It is often found in democracies and republics.- Reasons for voting :...
member. Representatives from all neighborhoods meet monthly and advise on community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
issues, with voting members deciding on changes to community documents, special fee assessments, and membership in the Board of Directors.
Within Russett is a $4.3 million library operated by Anne Arundel County Public Library. Completed in 1998, The Maryland City
Maryland City, Maryland
Maryland City is a census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, a suburb of Washington, DC. The population was 6,814 at the 2000 census. It is located east of Laurel, just over the border with Prince George's County, and it has a Laurel zip code...
at Russett Branch is more than 15000 square feet (1,393.5 m²) – or four times the size of its shuttered predecessor – with an initial collection of 80,000 items. The project was built on 2 acres (8,093.7 m²) donated by the developer, Russett Community Limited Partnership (RCLP).
Russett is bordered by the Little Patuxent River and 70 acres (283,280.2 m²) Oxbow Lake
Oxbow lake
An oxbow lake is a U-shaped body of water formed when a wide meander from the main stem of a river is cut off to create a lake. This landform is called an oxbow lake for the distinctive curved shape, named after part of a yoke for oxen. In Australia, an oxbow lake is called a billabong, derived...
Nature Preserve, which attracts waterfowl and birds. Part of Russett’s land holdings is an undisturbed 78 acres (315,655.1 m²) parcel under the control of the county’s Board of Education.
At the inception of the project, home prices ranged from $90,000 for a condominium to $250,000 for a single-family home. Today, even with a downturn in the real-estate market, condominiums are selling for more than $200,000; townhouses for at least $250,000; and larger single-family homes for more than $500,000.
Russett faces growth pressures triggered by the 2005 base realignment and closure
Base Realignment and Closure, 2005
The preliminary 2005 Base Realignment and Closure list was released by the United States Department of Defense on May 13, 2005. It is the fifth Base Realignment and Closure proposal generated since the process was created in 1988. It recommends closing 33 major United States military bases and...
process (known as BRAC). About 22,000 defense workers are expected to relocate to nearby Fort Meade over the next several years. About 100 to 150 households will move to Russett over that period because of BRAC, according to state projections.
Russett uses ZIP code 20724 and falls within Maryland State Senate
Maryland State Senate
The Maryland Senate, sometimes referred to as the Maryland State Senate, is the upper house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland...
and House of Delegates
Maryland House of Delegates
The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland, and is composed of 141 Delegates elected from 47 districts. The House chamber is located in the state capitol building on State Circle in Annapolis...
District 21. The community also lies within Maryland's Third Congressional District
Maryland's 3rd congressional district
Maryland's 3rd congressional district is a congressional district from the state of Maryland. It comprises portions of Baltimore, Howard and Anne Arundel counties, as well as a significant part of the independent city of Baltimore...
and Anne Arundel County's 4th Council District.
External links
- Russett Community Association
- Maryland City at Russett Branch of the Anne Arundel County Public Library