City Council
Minutes of City Council Meetings | Agenda for next City Council Meeting

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
OCTOBER 28, 2002

QUORUM:

A meeting of The Mayor and Common Council was held in the City Hall Council Chambers, located at 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, on the evening of October 28, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Dayhoff; Council President Halstad; Council Members Chiavacci, Albert, Pecoraro, and Ferguson; Department Heads Beyard and Dutterer; City Attorney Walsh; Westminster City Police Chief Joneckis; and City Clerk Taylor were present.

MINUTES:

The Minutes of the Meeting of October 14, 2002, were approved on Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro, and duly passed.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Mayor Dayhoff conducted two Public Hearings. The first involved Zoning Text Amendment No. TA02-2, Ordinance No. 688 – Final Plat Approval. At Mayor Dayhoff’s request, Mr. Beyard summarized the proposed legislation. Under existing law, a developer may acquire no more than 20 permits per quarter for a subdivision, for a total of 80 permits annually. The proposed Amendment would reduce that number to 50 permits annually and remove the quarterly restriction. Mr. Pecoraro noted that the Ordinance takes effect 10 days after passage and that it applies to all plats that have not received final approval as of the effective date. No unapproved plats will be grandfathered. Mayor Dayhoff emphasized that the future pipeline from the Medford Quarry to the City water system will not be used to support new development: the pipeline will furnish water on an emergency basis only. Mr. Pecoraro remarked on the importance of clarifying that Ordinance 688 is completely independent of the recently-approved Water Allocation Policy. Until the City lifts the water allocation restrictions, developers cannot even begin to apply for permits. Having received no further comment, Mayor Dayhoff closed the Hearing at 7:30 p.m.

Mayor Dayhoff next conducted a Public Hearing on proposed Zoning Text Amendment No. TA02-3 – Electronic Signs. At the Mayor’s request, Mr. Walsh introduced the proposed Amendment. The Code currently forbids signs utilizing blinking, flashing or fluttering illumination, with the exception of signs indicating the date, time, and weather. A question concerning the constitutionality of the exception has arisen, and a proposed solution is to eliminate the exception. Mr. Ray Wenger of 455 Hilltop Road, Gardners, Pennsylvania, expressed concern on behalf of the sign industry that the proposed amendment could be applied over-broadly to signs with changing logos that do not blink, flash or flutter. The Mayor closed the Hearing at 7:44 p.m.

CONSENT CALENDAR:

Mr. Pecoraro moved to approve the Consent Calendar, consisting of Good Cause Waiver Case No. GCW02-8 – Habitat for Humanity House; a Parade Permit for the annual Halloween Parade; and the September Departmental Operating Reports. Mr. Ferguson seconded the Motion, and it passed unanimously.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:

… Complimented the work of the Westside Community Committee.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Mr. Pecoraro observed that the Arts Council Holiday Wreath Auction would begin on December 3, 2002. He further noted that the Arts Council had hired a new gallery coordinator.

Council President Halstad advised that the raw reservoir level stood at 40.8 percent.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

On Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, the Council passed Ordinance No. 688 – Final Plat Approval. Mr. Pecoraro remarked that the Ordinance was based solely on the objective of growth control and did not result from the recent drought.

Mr. Ferguson moved for the Introduction of Ordinance No. 690 – Electronic Signs. Mr. Chiavacci, Council President Halstad, and Mr. Pecoraro indicated they would like further information about regulation of electronic signs. In light of Mr. Wenger’s comments during the Public Hearing, the Council Members wanted assurance that the Ordinance would not inhibit the use of technology and would only prevent the kind of electronic motion that could pose danger for pedestrians and traffic. Mr. Walsh stated that he would work with staff.

At the request of Council President Halstad, Mr. Beyard summarized proposed Ordinance No. 689 – Adoption of 2002 Code. Mr. Chiavacci moved for Introduction of the Ordinance, Mr. Pecoraro seconded the Motion, and it passed unanimously.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Council President Halstad introduced the Report and Recommendations of the Advisory Task Force Committee on the Lower Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative. The Committee met biweekly from June to September and concentrated on five topics: Municipal Code Enforcement; Crime Prevention; Landlord Accountability; Local Zoning Code/Smart Codes; and Homeownership Initiative/Neighborhood Aesthetics. The Council President thanked the Committee members for their major time and effort commitments. He further thanked the State of Maryland for its extensive help throughout the process. Council President Halstad summarized the Committee recommendations with regard to Municipal Code Enforcement; Landlord Accountability; and Homeownership Initiative/Neighborhood Aesthetics. Mr. Chiavacci presented the recommendations concerning Crime Prevention and Mr. Pecoraro presented the recommendations concerning Zoning Code/Smart Codes.

Mr. Halstad observed that the Initiative would serve as a model for other areas of the City. He thanked Mr. Beyard and Mr. Siders for their considerable contribution to the project. After some discussion, it was agreed that Committee members would receive notice and have their comments solicited whenever the City considered action on Committee recommendations. Mr. Ferguson suggested that the Westminster Town Center Corporation become involved with the future sale of homes to occupant owners. Mr. Chiavacci noted that the banking industry might consider offering bridge loans. Mayor Dayhoff and Mrs. Jackie Finch expressed a desire that the boundary of the study area extend to Union Alley. Mrs. Orenstein thanked the Council. She offered her opinion that adding commercial uses would not help the neighborhood and that the City should begin licensing landlords.

NEW BUSINESS:

Mayor Dayhoff announced that Halloween trick-or-treating would take place on October 31 from dusk until 8:00 p.m.

On Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and unanimously passed, the Council approved the reappointments of Mr. Richard Wilbur and Mr. David Humphrey to the Tree Commission.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:

Chief Joneckis announced with regret the death of Ms. Mary Dorm, a former school crossing guard and the City’s first meter maid, from 1977 to 1986.

The Council President adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.

Laurell E. Taylor

City Clerk