Planning and Zoning Commission

MINUTES OF PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING

February 13, 2003

            A meeting of the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission was held in City Hall on the evening of February 13, 2003, at 7:00pm.  Members Beaver, Bair, Palmer, and Ferguson; Chairman Wiskeman; Director of Planning and Public Works Beyard; Town Planner Siders; Technical Planner Fisher; County Planner Moser; and members of the public were present.

            On motion of Ms. Bair, seconded by Ms. Palmer, the minutes of January 9, 2003 were approved as amended.

            Mr. Siders presented Sign Permit Application No. 1045 – Gold’s Gym.  Mr. Siders stated that the proposed 63.9 square-foot sign would hang at the Maryland Route 27 entrance to the mall.  Mr. Siders stated that the permit application requires Commission approval because Gold’s Gym would exceed the one exterior sign permitted in the City’s “PRSC” Planned Regional Shopping Center zone.  Mr. Siders stated that staff recommends approval of the permit.   Ms. Bair asked if the mall was in favor of the proposed sign.  Mr. Siders replied that the mall was in favor of the proposed sign.  On motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Ms. Bair, Sign Permit Application No. 1045 – Gold’s Gym was unanimously approved.

            Mr. Siders presented the Preliminary Plan for Lots 1-4 Carroll County Air Business Center.  Mr. Siders introduced Mr. Randy Bechtel of BPR, Inc. and Mr. Morgan, the developer of the property.  Mr. Siders stated that the plan proposes four lots served by Business Parkway South, accessed via a left turn on Airport Drive similar to the Tevis property.  The veterinary hospital would be the only lot with direct access to MD 97.  Mr. Siders stated that staff recommends approval due to the elimination of access points on MD 97 and the proposed improvement of Airport Drive at no cost to the City.  Ms. Palmer asked why the veterinary hospital would retain direct access to MD 97.  Mr. Morgan stated that the applicant felt the access was important to the hospital’s clientele, and that changing the access would be expensive.  In response to a question from Ms. Bair, Mr. Bechtel stated that the proposed plan leaves an easement for alternate access to the site in the future.  Mr. Beyard remarked that this plan allows five more businesses the opportunity to operate within the City.  Mr. Morgan stated that the businesses would be approximately 28,000 square feet each.  On motion of Ms. Bair, seconded by Ms. Palmer, the Preliminary Plan for Lots 1-4 Carroll County Air Business Center was unanimously approved.

            Mr. Siders presented the revised Final Plat of Mayor’s Manor.  Mr. Siders briefly reviewed the history of the Commission’s actions regarding the property.  Mr. Siders then stated that the applicant has placed two restrictions on the plat itself and a third on a covenant to run with the land.  Mr. Titus, representing the applicant, stated that Note 7 on the revised Plat sets the minimum square footage of a potential structure on the lot at 1,800 square feet.  Note 8 requires that the surfaces of any exterior walls of the first floor of a residential structure on Lot 2 must be at least 75% masonry materials.  Note 9 states that restrictions applicable to the plat are being simultaneously recorded with the plat.  Mr. Titus stated that this note refers to requiring architectural approval of a new structure by the owners of Lot 1.  Mr. Siders stated that the property would front Old New Windsor Road parallel to the Keener Property.  In response to a question from Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Siders stated that due to the size of the building envelope, the 1,800 minimum square footage requirement would force a two-story structure to be constructed.  On motion of Ms. Bair, seconded by Mr. Ferguson, the Final Plat of Mayor’s Manor was unanimously approved.

            Mr. Siders introduced Mr. Martin Hill, developer, and Mr. Martin Hackett of CLSI, Inc. for a courtesy presentation of Bolton Hill, formerly the Emmert Property.  Mr. Hackett stated that plans will call for the closure of Krider’s Church Road at Maryland Route 97 and reflect planned modifications to MD 97, including the extension of a second lane from Maryland Route 140 to Airport Drive.  Krider’s Church Road will then tie in to Meadow Branch Road and the adjacent industrial park.  Mr. Hackett noted that the churches will have access to MD 97 using the revised Krider’s Church Road to Meadow Branch Road.  Mr. Hackett stated that 189 lots are currently planned for the property.  A series of cul-de-sacs and use-in-common driveways will be utilized to access the lots.  The land is in the City’s “R-20,000” Residential zone, and the developer intends to utilize the City’s Cluster Subdivision ordinance.  Mr. Hackett stated that the lots bordering Cliveden Reach will be larger to maintain neighborhood compatibility.  Ms. Bair stated that some of the houses shown at the South end of Road ‘B’ face the rear of other houses.  Mr. Hackett stated that the houses could be turned.  Ms. Bair asked what screening would be provided with development of the property.  Mr. Hackett stated that the provisions of the City’s Landscape Ordinance would apply to the development, including screening along Meadow Branch Road.  The adjacent industrial property will screen on their site plan.  In response to a question from Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Hill stated that the old section of Meadow Branch Road will terminate in a cul-de-sac.  Ms. Moser stated that the lack of driveway entrances on Meadow Branch Road is a strength of the plan.  Mr. Beyard stated that the MD 97 improvements are very important in avoiding a funnel effect that would add to congestion on the road.

            Ms. Moser briefed the Commission on the status of the Triennial Update to the Carroll County Master Plan for Water and Sewerage.  Ms. Moser stated that the Maryland Department of the Environment has extended the review period for the Plan, and the County is therefore awaiting approval from the State.

            Mr. Beaver asked Ms. Moser to clarify the status of the Transportation Element of the Westminster Comprehensive Plan.  Ms. Moser stated that the Commissioners have remanded the plan to the County Planning and Zoning Commission for their reconsideration of previously deleted extensions of Kate Wagner Road, Arnold Road, and Bollinger Road.  Mr. Beaver stated that the West side of Westminster should be remembered in planning for the future of the transportation system near the City.

            Ms. Moser reminded the Commission of the State Highway Administration Alternates Public Workshop for Maryland Route 140 scheduled for February 27, 2003 at the Hahn Armory.

            Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. on motion of Ms. Bair, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and duly passed.

                                                                        Respectfully Submitted,

                                                                         ERIK FISHER

                                                                        Secretary