Russett, Maryland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Russett, Maryland
Unincorporated community
Downtown Russett, Maryland in November 2007
Russett, Maryland Location in Maryland Show map of Maryland Russett, Maryland Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Maryland
County	Anne Arundel
Established	1992
Government
• Type	Homeowners' association (7-member elected board of directors)
Area
• Total	2.48 km2 (0.96 sq mi)
Population
• Total	13,000
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
Website	www.russett.org

Russett is an unincorporated planned community of 613 acres (2.48 km²) within the Maryland City CDP in far-western Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States, near the city of Laurel. It is situated in a park-like setting complemented by 12 miles (19 km) of walking trails and a 70-acre (280,000 m²) lake nature preserve.

Approximately 13,000 residents live in Russett, which is divided into 21 residential neighborhoods, including four condominium communities, 11 town homes, and six single-family home neighborhoods. Three apartment rental properties on four sites pay assessments to Russett, as do several on-site commercial properties, including a Walmart and Sam's Club. The community is built out to a capacity of 3,600 units.

Organization

The Russett Community Association, Inc. (RCA) is the homeowners' association (HOA), 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 15,000 square feet (1,400 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 (8,100 m²) donated by the developer, Russett Community Limited Partnership (RCLP).

Geography

Russett is bordered by the Little Patuxent River and 70-acre (280,000 m²) Oxbow Lake Nature Preserve, which attracts waterfowl and birds. Part of Russett’s land holdings is an undisturbed 78-acre (320,000 m²) parcel under the control of the Anne Arundel County Board of Education.

History

Today, even with a downturn in the real-estate market, condominiums are selling for more than $250,000; townhouses for at least $325,000; 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 is within the 20724 ZIP Code and falls within Maryland State Senate and House of Delegates District 32. The community also lies within Maryland's Third Congressional District and Anne Arundel County's 4th Council District.

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