Planning and Zoning Commission

June 13, 2002

A meeting of the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission was held in City Hall on the evening of June 13, 2002, at 7:00pm. Members Beaver, Bair, Palmer, and Ferguson; Chairman Wiskeman; Director of Planning and Public Works Beyard; Town Planner Siders; Technical Planner Fisher; City Attorney Walsh; County Planner Moser; and members of the public were present.

Mr. Siders welcomed Mr. Erik Fisher as the City's Technical Planner. Mr. Fisher will serve as secretary to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

On motion of Ms. Bair, seconded by Mrs. Palmer, the minutes of May 9, 2002 were approved as presented.

Chairman Wiskeman opened the Public Hearing regarding Annexation No. 49 Ridge Terrace/ Windsor Overlook at 7:03pm. Mr. Siders stated that the property is 10.26369 acres and is currently within the County's "R-10,000" Residential zone. Upon annexation, the property would be rezoned to the City's "R-10,000" Residential zone. Mr. Siders stated that 15 single-family units are proposed for the site and that Fitzhugh Avenue will terminate in a cul-de-sac. The Master Water and Sewer Plan would have to be amended concurrent with annexation to bring the property into the W-3/S-3 category. Ms. Bair asked if the strip of the property connecting to Ridge Road could be an access point. Mr. Siders stated that he believes the developer has no intention to place a roadway in this portion of the property. Chairman Wiskeman closed the Public Hearing and the record at 7:07pm.

Chairman Wiskeman opened the Public Hearing regarding Annexation No. 45 Emmert Property at 7:08pm. Mr. Siders introduced Mr. David Bowersox and Mr. Martin Hill of Masonry Homes. Mr. Siders stated that the property is 197 acres and is currently within the County's "C" Conservation, "R-20,000" Residential, and "I-R" Restricted Industrial zones. A portion of the property requires a waiver of zoning from the County Commissioners. Upon annexation, 17.07 acres of "R-40,000" Residential will be rezoned to "I-R" Restricted Industrial, 9.27 acres of "R-20,000" Residential will be rezoned to "I-R" Restricted Industrial, 5.24 acres of "C" Conservation will be rezoned to "I-R" Restricted Industrial, 0.66 acres of "R-40,000" Residential will be rezoned to "R-20,000" Residential, and 26.89 acres of "C" Conservation will be rezoned to "R-20,000" Residential. The remaining property will have City zoning comparable to its original zoning. These changes would place 118 acres in the City's "R-20,000" Residential zone, 35 acres in the City's "I-R" Restricted Industrial zone, and the remainder in the City's "C" Conservation zone. Access would be provided through the Koontz property and the realignment of Meadow Branch road. Kriders Church Road will be closed at MD 97. Mr. Siders stated that the applicant intends to develop under the provisions of the Cluster Subdivision Ordinance. Mr. Beyard stated that the annexation would form a sensible boundary for the City and represented the cooperation of Mr. Hill and the two churches in the area. Mr. Hill stated that there is no change in land character between the existing R-20,000 zone and the portion of the Conservation zone to be rezoned to R-20,000. Chairman Wiskeman closed the Public Hearing and the record at 7:18pm.

Mr. Siders presented Sign Permit Application No. 1101 for WAWA. Mr. Siders stated that the only sign proposed for the site requiring Commission approval is a pylon sign measuring 40 feet in height and totaling 180 square feet. Ms. Bair asked if this sign would be comparable in height to the sign directly across Market St. Mr. Siders stated that the sign would be shorter. Mr. Ferguson asked if the square footage would be comparable to the sign directly across Market St. Mr. Siders stated that the square footage of the proposed sign would also be smaller. On the motion of Ms. Bair, seconded by Mr. Ferguson, Sign Permit Application No. 1101 was approved as presented.

Ms. Bair stated that her status as a member of Grace Lutheran Church will not influence her judgment of that applicant's site plans. She has not served on any committees pertaining to the expansion of the church. Chairman Wiskeman stated that Ms. Bair's comments describe his situation as well. Mr. Siders presented the Site Plan for the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church New Multi-Purpose Building. Mr. Siders stated 59 new parking spaces and a multi-purpose building will be constructed. Staff is recommending approval subject to agency review and approval. Mr. Ferguson asked if the houses shown on the plan will be removed. Mr. Randy Bechtel of BPR, Inc. stated that the houses would be demolished. Mr. McGinnis stated that construction should be completed by Summer of 2003. Chairman Wiskeman asked if the parking lot is to be constructed first. Mr. McGinnis stated that part of the parking lot would be constructed first, followed by concurrent construction of the remainder of the lot and the multi-purpose building. Mr. Ferguson asked if the parking lot will be lighted. Mr. McGinnis stated that lights attached to the church building would direct light onto the parking lot. Ms. Bair asked if the playground across 18th Street will be demolished. Mr. McGinnis stated that the playground would be demolished, and then reconstructed so that children will not have to cross the street to access the playground. Mr. Beyard stated that the street had been closed at one point under the City's street closing procedures.

Mr. Siders presented the Site Plan for the Grace Lutheran Evangelical Church Parking Lot Extension. Mr. Siders stated that the lot currently contains 67 parking spaces, with 37 additional spaces to be added in the extension. Mr. Bechtel stated that the Shepherd's Staff building would be maintained, with parking built around the structure. Mr. Ferguson asked how many spaces would exist once construction is completed. Mr. McGinnis stated that there are currently 108 parking spaces, and there will be 191 spaces upon project completion. On motion of Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Ms. Bair, the Site Plan for the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church New Multi-Purpose Building and the Site Plan for the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Parking Lot Extension were conditionally approved, subject to agency review and approval.

Mr. Siders presented the Site Plan for the Western Maryland College Residence Halls. Mr. Siders stated that the applicant is proposing six multi-family units to house students. Five buildings would contain four units each, for a total of 20 units. Additionally, the sixth building would provide two units. Mr. Ferguson asked if all of the buildings are to be the same size. Mr. Siders stated that the five four-unit buildings would be the same size, while the two-unit building would be a different size. Mr. Hill stated that the buildings would be compatible with the architectural style of Pennsylvania Avenue. Mr. Ferguson asked if additional parking is to be constructed. Mr. Hill stated that a small amount of additional parking is to be constructed. On the motion of Ms. Bair, seconded by Mr. Beaver, the Site Plan for the Western Maryland College Residence Halls was conditionally approved subject to agency review and approval.

Mr. Siders presented the Preliminary Plan for the Koontz Property. Mr. Siders stated that the property has recently been renamed the Village of Meadow Creek. Mr. Siders stated that the plan includes a recreational trail consisting of a combination of sidewalk and trail segments. The developer is developing this property under the provisions of the Cluster Subdivision Ordinance. Access will be provided from two points in the Emmert Property as well as a single access point from MD 140. The applicant is proposing 188 single-family units. Mr. Siders stated that the property is currently in the City's "R-10,000" Residential zone, and staff is recommending conditional approval. Mr. Beyard stated that clustering allowed the developer to avoid environmentally sensitive areas and resulted in a reduction of over 20 units. Ms. Bair stated that heavy traffic is likely on Meadow Creek Drive. Meadow Creek Drive should include a concrete median to accommodate heavy traffic and ensure consistency with the design of Western Maryland College Drive. Mr. Beyard stated that the matter should be discussed with the SHA because the end of the roadway would be in SHA's right-of-way. Mr. Beaver asked Mr. Beyard if he is confident that the state will require widening MD 140. Mr. Beyard stated that there will be nothing less than shown on the plan, although there could be more. Mrs. Palmer stated that something other than concrete, would be a suitable surface for the trail. On motion of Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Mr. Ferguson, the Preliminary Plan for the Village of Meadow Creek was conditionally approved, subject to the satisfaction of any outstanding agency review comments and State Highway Administration comments as determined by the Director of Planning and Public Works.

Mr. Siders presented the Final Plat for Furnace Hills Section 4. Mr. Siders stated that the property is currently within the City's PD-4 zone. Mr. Siders stated that the applicant is seeking to develop 10 lots on the property, with access provided by a cul-de-sac. Staff is recommending approval. Mr. Beyard stated that this development will fix drainage and access issues on the site, and that previous work has eliminated a pumping station on the site. On the motion of Mr. Beaver, seconded by Mr. Ferguson, the Final Plat for Furnace Hills Section 4 was approved as presented.

Mr. Siders presented the Final Plat for the Church of Christ the Scientist. Mr. Siders stated that the applicant is seeking to reposition a drainage and utility easement on the applicant's property. The property boundaries will remain unchanged. On the motion of Ms. Bair, seconded by Mr. Beaver, the Final Plat for the Church of Christ the Scientist was approved as presented.

Mr. Siders presented the Final Plat for Mayor's Manor. Mr. Siders stated that the applicant is seeking a two-lot subdivision at the corner of West Green Street and Old New Windsor Road. Mr. Siders stated that the Commission had tabled the Final Plat at the Commission's previous meeting, and directed staff to study the issue and prepare a report. Mr. Siders stated that Section 164-193, Subsection H of the Westminster City Code allows the Commission to deny a Final Plat if it is not compatible with the surrounding area. Mr. Siders stated that the recommendation of staff is to deny the request. Mr. Beyard stated that while the Plat might meet the technical requirements, it is the Commission's responsibility to consider other aspects prior to rendering a decision. Ms. Bair stated that the proposed structure would back to West Green Street, which is not in character with the neighborhood. Ms. Bair also stated that she would have the same concern about a structure backing to Ridge Road. On motion of Ms. Bair, seconded by Mr. Ferguson, the Final Plat for Mayor's Manor was denied and a written decision was adopted. Mr. Fishpaugh of RTF, Inc. asked why he had received a letter of approval if the staff recommendation was denial. Mr. Beyard stated that the letter he received recommends approval based solely on the technical requirements as stated in the City Code.

Ms. Bair stated that she had received the notice of the certification course offered through the Maryland Department of Planning and the University of Maryland. Ms. Bair stated that she strongly urges new members to take advantage of the course.

Mr. Beyard stated that the inside of the Carroll Theatre has been stripped beyond recognition and that the renovations are very exciting for the City.

Ms. Bair asked if anything is happening at the old Goodwill site on West Main Street. Mr. Beyard stated that Mr. Harry Sirinakis acquired the property.

Mr. Siders asked if the Commission is in a position to take action on the proposed annexations. On motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Ms. Bair, Annexation No. 49 Ridge Terrace/Windsor Overlook was forwarded to the Mayor and Common Council with a favorable recommendation.

On the motion of Ms. Bair, seconded by Mrs. Palmer, Annexation No. 45 Emmert Property was forwarded to the Mayor and Common Council with a favorable recommendation.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:19pm on motion of Mr. Ferguson, seconded by Mrs. Palmer, and duly passed.

Respectfully submitted,

ERIK FISHER
Secretary