MINUTES OF PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING

March 10, 2005                        

A meeting of the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission was held at Westminster City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane on the evening of March 10, 2005, at 7:00 p.m.  Members Beaver, Graham, Albert and Chairperson Bair; Director of Planning and Public Works Beyard; Manager of Planning and Development Davis; City Attorney Walsh; County Planner Graf and members of the public were present.

On motion of Ms. Albert, seconded by Ms. Graham, the minutes of January 13, 2005, were approved.

Mr. Beyard provided an overview of the 2006 Fiscal Year Capital Improvement Program.  Highlights of the CIP included the reconstruction of Green Street and the continued work on the walls at the City Park.  Mr. Beyard also stressed that the CIP is a six year planning document but that only the current (FY 06) budget year is funded and projects can be added or dropped or delayed in each subsequent budget cycle.  On a motion by Ms. Graham, seconded by Mr. Beaver, the FY 06 Capital Improvement Program was recommended to the Mayor and Common Council for their consideration. 

Mr. Davis presented Sign Permit Application No. 1116 Gavigan’s Home Furnishings.  Mr. Davis noted that the signage would all be building mounted and totaled 229 square feet and that the requested signs appeared to be in a scale appropriate to the building size.  Upon a motion of Ms. Graham, seconded by Mr. Beaver, Sign Permit No. 1116 was approved as submitted.

Mr. Davis presented a site plan for David’s Diamond Center located on Cranberry Road in Center Street Station.  A single-story, 10,000 square feet building was proposed.  The building would have space for three tenants, including David’s Diamond Center jewelry store as well as space for additional users.  Of significant note was the sharing of one entrance onto Cranberry Road by the subject project as well as the Pizza Hut under construction and the Texas Steakhouse.  All standards including parking and landscaping were satisfied.  Upon a motion by Ms. Graham, seconded by Mr. Beaver, the David’s Diamond Center Site Plan was approved as submitted.

Mr. Davis presented a site plan for the Union Street Community Center.  This infill project, located at 25 Union Street is approximately 7,000 square feet in size and is a two-story structure with a basement.  The building architecture is complimentary of the existing development on the street.  Parking requirements will be satisfied by utilizing a parking lot across Union Street and owned by the Union Street United Methodist Church.  Additional handicap parking is located to the rear of the building and an easement must be obtained from the adjacent property owner to the north in order to access this parking.  Upon motion of Ms. Albert, seconded by Mr. Beaver, the site plan for the Union Street Community Center was approved with the condition that an access easement be obtained from the neighboring property in order to utilize the handicap parking in the rear of the property. 

A concept plan for a project known as the Whitfield Property and located along Uniontown Road was discussed.  The proposal is to subdivide the property into three lots, one which would include the existing dwelling and two new lots that would both exceed 20,000 square feet for the purpose of residential construction.  The Commission noted no outstanding issues with the proposal. 

Mr. Davis presented an annexation request from the Tractor Supply Company No. 57 located on the north side of MD 140 adjacent to the existing Wawa Convenience Store and comprising 3.57 acres.  The current county zoning is IR and the requested City zoning is B.  This request is consistent both with the current use of the property and the draft Westminster Environs Land Use Map currently review by Carroll County staff.  Upon a motion of Ms. Graham, seconded by Ms. Albert, the annexation request of Tractor Supply Company was favorably recommended to the Mayor and Common Council. 

Mr. Davis presented a Water & Sewer Master Plan Amendment request filed by Tractor Supply Company for a 5.94 acre site located along the south side of MD 140 between Hemlock Lane and the County landfill.  The request is to reclassify from a W-7/S-7 Future Service designation to W-3/S-3 Priority Service.  The staff report on the requested was reviewed with the Commission.  Upon the motion of Mr. Beaver, seconded by Ms. Graham, the request for an amendment to the Water & Sewer Master Plan was favorably recommended to the Mayor and Common Council.

Finally, Chairperson Bair signed a plat of subdivision creating a new parcel behind 46-56 ½ John Street.  This parcel will be owned by Thomas, Bennett & Hunter, Inc. and is 9,239 square feet in size.  This property was the subject of a rezoning request that had been under review by the City but upon further examination it was determined that a change in zoning was not necessary for the use proposed, which is a parking area for Thomas, Bennett & Hunter, Inc. equipment. 

On motion of Ms. Graham, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted,

Matthew B. Davis, AICP
Secretary