MINUTES OF PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING

March 9, 2006

A meeting of the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission was held at Westminster City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, on the evening of March 9, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.  Chairperson Bair; Members Albert, Beaver, Palmer, and Graham; City Attorney Walsh; Director of Planning and Public Works Beyard; Manager of Planning and Development Davis; Assistant Town Planner Fisher; GIS Technician Rogers; County Planner Graf; and members of the public were present.

On motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Ms. Graham and duly passed, the minutes of the meeting of February 9, 2006 were approved as presented.

Mr. Fisher presented the Site Plan for an addition to Weis Market.  The site is zoned ‘B’ Business and is located at the northeast corner of the intersection of MD 140 and Malcolm Drive.  Mr. Fisher stated that the applicants are proposing the construction of a 13,990 square-foot addition that would attach to the east side of the existing grocery store.  The original site design anticipated this expansion; thus, no additional parking is necessary and traffic circulation within the site will not be impacted.  Mr. Fisher noted that the parking lot would be enhanced with landscaped islands as part of the project.  Staff recommended conditional approval of the plan.  Representatives of Weis Markets, Inc. discussed the need for the addition and the proposed store layout.  In response to a question from Ms. Bair, the applicants stated that the addition would be compatible with the façade of the existing building.  The applicants remarked that some upgrades would be made to the store entrance.  On motion of Ms. Graham, seconded by Mrs. Palmer, the Site Plan for an addition to Weis Market was conditionally approved, subject to the satisfaction of agency review comments.

Mr. Fisher presented the Site Plan for Aileron Center.  The site is zoned ‘I-R’ Restricted Industrial and is located on the east side of Aileron Court in the Westminster Air Business Center.  Mr. Fisher stated that the applicants are proposing the construction of two 22,500 square-foot warehouse/flex-space buildings on the 3.5 acre parcel.  The building facades would front on Aileron Court and MD 97 with loading areas oriented toward the center of the property.  Traffic would circulate around the perimeter of the site and access would be restricted to Aileron Court.  Staff recommended conditional approval of the plan.  At the request of the Commission, Mr. Randy Bachtel of B.P.R., Inc. (a representative of the applicant) described the facing materials and potential uses of the building.  On motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mrs. Palmer, the Site Plan for Aileron Center was conditionally approved, subject to the satisfaction of agency review comments.

The Commission then considered the Final Plat for the R.J. Maring Property.  Mr. Fisher recounted that the Commission had tabled approval of the plat to allow for review of prior presentations and approvals in regard to fire protection and access to Uniontown Road.  Mr. Fisher stated that the applicant had addressed the adequacy of the design at the Preliminary Plan stage.  In addition, the Westminster Fire & Engine Hose Company, No. 1 did not return comments on either the Preliminary Plan or the Construction Drawings.  Ms. Bair stated that a site visit convinced her that site distances on Uniontown Road would be adequate given normal traffic speeds.  In response to a question from Ms. Bair, Mr. Greg Hull of CLSI, Inc. (a representative of the applicant) stated that pairs of houses would be oriented toward each other and the use-in-common driveway.  On motion of Ms. Graham, seconded by Mr. Beaver, the Final Plat for the R.J. Maring Property was conditionally approved, subject to the satisfaction of agency review comments.

Mr. Fisher presented the Preliminary Plan and Final Plat for the Resubdivision of Lot 21 – West Branch Trade Center.  The site is zoned ‘I-R’ Restricted Industrial and is located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Magna Way and Old Bachman Valley Road.  Mr. Fisher stated that the plan would subdivide existing Lot 21 into three separate lots of approximately two acres each.  All lots would access Magna way from a shared entrance and no access would be allowed on Old Bachman Valley Road.  Staff recommended conditional approval of the Preliminary Plan and Final Plat.  Mr. Jack Lyburn (a representative of the applicant) outlined the vision for the industrial park.  On motion of Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Ms. Graham, the Preliminary Plan for the Resubdivision of Lot 21 – West Branch Trade Center was conditionally approved, subject to the satisfaction of agency review comments.  On motion of Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Mr. Beaver, the Final Plat for the same project was conditionally approved, subject to the satisfaction of agency review comments.

Mrs. Albert made a motion pursuant to Section 10-508(a)(7) of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland to conduct a closed meeting to confer with counsel to obtain legal advice.  Mrs. Albert noted that matters relating to the discharge of the Commission’s executive functions would also be discussed.  Mrs. Palmer seconded the motion, which was duly passed.  The Commission decided to conclude the regular meeting before moving into closed session.

County Planner Graf updated the Commission on the County Master Plan update process.

Mr. Davis reported that letters had gone out to two property owners regarding potential signage violations.  Ms. Bair mentioned abandoned signs at Enterprise Rent-A-Car and the old Lowes property, and noted the proliferation of shipping containers on shopping center parking lots.

The regular meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m. on motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Ms. Graham, and duly passed.