Planning and Zoning Commission

MINUTES OF PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

November 8, 2007

A meeting of the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission was held in City Hall on the evening of November 8, 2007, at 7:00 p.m.  Chairperson Bair; Members Albert, Palmer, Beaver, and Graham; City Attorney Walsh; Manager of Planning & Development Davis; Comprehensive Planner Hynes and County Planner Graf were present.

On motion of Ms. Palmer, seconded by Ms. Graham, the minutes of the meeting of October 11, 2007 were approved as presented.

Mr. Davis presented a sign permit for the Weis grocery store, located on 630 Baltimore Boulevard for approval of the Commission. Mr. Davis said that the proposed sign meets the requirements for a sign. The signs are part of an approved store expansion. The main sign will simply state “Weis” over the vestibule and another will read “Pharmacy” along the building wall. The total square feet will not exceed 200 feet, well below the maximum 300 square feet. Upon a motion by Ms. Graham and second by Ms. Palmer, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the site plan for the sign permit for the Weis grocery store.

The next agenda item was an update on the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Davis reported to the Commission that he and Tim Rogers, the Natural and Cultural Resources Planner, attended a seminar on November 2, 2007 about the Water Resources Element of the Comprehensive Plan. House Bill 1141 added two required planning elements that local governments must include in their comprehensive plans by October 1, 2009. These are the Municipal Growth Element and the Water Resources Element. Mr. Davis went on to explain the City is also required to update the entire Comprehensive Plan within 6 months after the these two new elements are due. In order to complete these important tasks on time and in an organized manner, Staff will begin updating the entire Comprehensive Plan, including the addition of the 2 new elements, to be adopted by October 2009.

Mr. Graf updated the Commission on the status of the Use and Occupancy Permits for Carroll County. He said that over the past few years, on average, 1200 permits were issued in a given year. However, as of now, only 400 permits have been issued in Carroll County. Mr. Graf believes that this significant decrease is due to the current water issues facing many of the towns within the county as well as the recent troubles in the housing market.

Mr. Walsh updated the Commission that he also met with municipal attorneys of Maryland and the State Planning Director to discuss House Bill 1141 and the new required elements. He said that he is in agreement with Mr. Davis that the City of Westminster is capable of getting the new additions and updates completed on time especially since the City would not want to ask for an extension.

Mr. Davis updated the Commission on the upcoming move of the Planning and Public Works staff from 1828 Emerald Hill Lane to 56 West Main Street during late November and early December. This move will create a stronger working environment between the Planning and Public Works Staff and the Community and Economic Development Staff. Mr. Davis explained that the Planning Department’s new location would not affect the meetings of the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission. The WPZC will continue to meet in the Council Chambers at its regularly scheduled date and time.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 P.M. on motion of Ms. Bair with a second from Ms. Albert.

Respectfully submitted,

Melissa K. Hynes

Comprehensive Planner