MINUTES OF PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING

June 9, 2005

A meeting of the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission was held at Westminster City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, on the evening of June 9, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.  Chairperson Bair; Members Albert, Graham, and Palmer; Manager of Planning and Development Davis; Assistant Town Planner Fisher; County Planner Graf; and members of the public were present.

On motion of Ms. Graham, seconded by Mrs. Albert and duly passed, the minutes of the meeting of May 12, 2005 were approved as presented.

Mr. Fisher presented the Final Plat for #6-8 Webster Street.  Mr. Fisher stated that #6 and #8 Webster Street are both existing dwellings located on a single lot in the R-7,500 Residential zone.  Mr. Fisher stated that the plat proposes the creation of two lots to allow for separate ownership of the two structures.  Mr. Fisher stated that the applicant has received administrative adjustments to several of the setback requirements, but that the lots meet the minimum square footage requirement for the zone.  In response to a question from Mrs. Bair, Mr. Fisher stated that property owners had been notified prior to the Administrative Adjustment Hearing.  Mrs. Palmer remarked that the purpose of this plat is almost identical to those that split a property along the party wall of a duplex.  On motion of Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Ms. Graham, the Final Plat for #6-8 Webster Street was conditionally approved, subject to agency review and comment.

Mr. Fisher presented the Site Plan for New Cut Center.  Mr. Fisher stated that the applicant is proposing a 20,000 square-foot warehouse/office building at the rear of an improved property.  Mr. Fisher stated that the site is located in the City’s I-R Restricted Industrial zone.  In response to a question from Mrs. Palmer, Mr. Fisher described the circulation pattern through the site.  Mrs. Palmer stated that the development was consistent with the goals for the industrial park.  On motion of Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Ms. Graham, the Site Plan for New Cut Center was conditionally approved, subject to agency review and comment.

Mr. Fisher presented the Preliminary Plan and Final Plat for the Whitfield Property.  Mr. Fisher stated that the applicant is proposing the subdivision of the property into three lots.  Mr. Fisher noted that the layout of the lots had not changed from an informational presentation given by the applicant at a previous meeting of the Commission.  Mr. Fisher stated that the configuration would encourage compatibility with the adjacent Dukehart subdivision.  Mr. Fisher stated that the applicant would deed an eight-foot strip of land at the rear of the property to the City to preserve its current use as an alley.  Mr. Graf inquired about a paper alley, shown on the County property map for this site, that appears to run along the west side of the project.  Mr. Fisher stated that staff would review available property information and request that the applicant reflect the alley’s existence on the plans if appropriate.  On motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Ms. Graham, the Preliminary Plan for the Whitfield Property was conditionally approved, subject to a determination on the paper alley and subject to agency review and comment.  On motion of Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Ms. Graham, the Final Plat for the Whitfield Property was conditionally approved, subject to a determination on the paper alley and subject to agency review and comment.

Ms. Bair requested a new copy of Chapter 164 of the City Code.

Mrs. Albert requested that the City explore options for removing and/or preventing signage from appearing on utility poles, citing safety concerns for workers and motorists.

Ms. Bair expressed concern regarding the potential loss of several large trees on Willis Street.  Mr. Fisher stated that the City and State jurisdiction for tree removal is generally limited to the public right-of-way.

On the motion of Ms. Graham, seconded by Mrs. Albert and duly passed, the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

ERIK N. FISHER
SECRETARY