Planning and Zoning Commission

August 28, 2001

A special meeting of the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission was held in City Hall on the evening of August 28, 2001, at 7:30 p.m. Members Bair, Palmer, and Ferguson; Chairman Wiskeman; Director of Planning and Public Works Beyard; Town Planner Tucker; Assistant Town Planner Siders; City Attorney Walsh; County Planner Moser; and members of the public were present.

The minutes of the August 9, 2001 meeting were approved as presented on motion of Ms. Bair, seconded by Mrs. Palmer, and duly passed.

Ms. Tucker presented the 4th Amended Development Plan for Carroll Lutheran Village. Ms. Tucker stated that the design of this plan is in accordance with the principles of neo-traditional town planning which incorporate a grid street pattern with alleys located behind the homes. Ms. Tucker stated the Third Amended Development Plan provided three access points to Bell Road in addition to the existing access from Luther Drive. Under the proposed Fourth Amended Development Plan, Carroll Lutheran Village has deleted the planned extension of Luther Drive to Bell Road. Ms. Tucker stated this extension was planned to allow emergency services vehicles an alternate access point into the development. Ms. Tucker stated the applicant is not in favor of this access point because of poor site distance at this intersection as well as a concern that non-residents would utilize Luther Drive. Ms. Beverly Brandon with Cochran, Stephenson, and Donkervoet, Inc., stated that Carroll Lutheran Village has discussed the proposed deletion of the extension of Luther Drive with the Fire Marshall and that person is comfortable with the deletion of the Luther Drive access at Bell Road. Ms. Brandon stated that Carroll Lutheran Village has twenty-four hour staff and in the incident of an emergency are prepared to respond. Ms. Bair questioned why Carroll Lutheran Village did not want to extend Luther Drive to intersect with Bell Road. Ms. Brandon stated that the proposed intersection has poor site distance and Carroll Lutheran Village staff do not want non-residents using Luther Drive. Mr. Ferguson stated he visited the site and agreed that the point at which Luther Drive would intersect Bell Road does have poor site distance and that such intersection may be unsafe. Mr. Wiskeman agreed and stated that an access point at the previously proposed Luther Drive extension and Bell Road intersection is not necessary at this time. Mr. Walsh stated the Commission could favorably forward the 4th Amended Development Plan to The Mayor and Common Council with conditions. Mr. Walsh stated that if the Commission agreed, it could conditionally approve the 4th Amended Development Plan to specify "Future Emergency Service Access Only Point" where the Luther Drive Extension was previously planned under the 3rd Amended Development Plan. Mr. Walsh stated this condition would ensure that the strip of land designated for the Luther Drive Extension could not be developed, however, Carroll Lutheran Village would not have to construct the Luther Drive extension unless it is deemed it necessary in the future. Ms. Brandon stated that Carroll Lutheran Village would be comfortable with that condition. On motion of Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Mr. Ferguson, the 4th Amended Development Plan for Carroll Lutheran Village was favorably forwarded to The Mayor and Common Council with the following conditions: 1.) Include signature block; 2.) Add to the plan title "Fourth Amended Development Plan"; 3.) Add the updated density unit tabulation, and clearly identify the non-residential uses; 4.) Modification of the May 11, 1989 Agreement between the City and Carroll Lutheran Village, as it was amended in November of 1993 and revalidated in July of 1996, wherein the public road extension of Luther Drive to connect to Bell Road is not required as a public road, but is to be labeled as "Future Emergency Service Access Only."

Under Commission Members Report, Ms. Bair stated she is concerned with the proliferation of signs in front of Maria's Restaurant on MD Route 140. Ms. Tucker stated that property is in the County and the City has no authority to address this issue. Ms. Bair also stated she was concerned with the number of tractor-trailers parked on the old Lowe's site. Mr. Beyard stated that is an issue left to the property owner to decide how they want to handle vehicles parked on their property. Mr. Walsh stated it is possible to draft a Zoning Text Amendment to address this issue. Mr. Beyard stated he is concerned with the enforcement of such a regulation and stated he hopes that this site will be revitalized in the near future.

Mr. Beyard stated that The Mayor and Common Council have appointed Mr. Kevin Beaver to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Beaver will complete the term of Mr. Roy Chiavacci who resigned his appointment to the Commission upon his election to The Westminster Common Council. Mr. Beaver will attend the October 11, 2001 Commission meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 on motion of Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Mr. Ferguson and duly passed.
Respectfully submitted,

SHAWN SIDERS
Secretary