MINUTES OF PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING

September 8, 2005

A meeting of the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission was held at Westminster City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, on the evening of September 8, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.  Chairwoman Bair; Members Albert, Beaver, Palmer, and Graham; City Attorney Walsh; Manager of Planning and Development Davis; Assistant Town Planner Fisher; County Planner Graf; and members of the public were present.

On motion of Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Ms. Graham and duly passed, the minutes of the meeting of August 11, 2005 were approved as presented.

Chairwoman Bair opened the Public Hearing for Annexation No. 58 – Stoler Property at 7:02 p.m.  Mr. Davis stated that the petition requests that 8.9 acres of land along the north side of MD 140 be annexed into the City.  The applicant is requesting ‘B’ Business zoning for the land.  Mr. Davis noted that a waiver of zoning will be required from the County Commissioners because the property is designated for industrial use on the 1985 Westminster and Environs Comprehensive Plan.  He stated that the draft update to that plan would reclassify the land to a business classification that is consistent with the requested zoning.  Mr. Davis stated that the land is currently undeveloped and is classified in the W-1/S-1 water and sewer service categories in the Carroll County Master Plan for Water and Sewerage.  Mr. Davis remarked that, if zoned for commercial development, the annexation would have no impact on school capacity and would strengthen the ratio of commercial/industrial land to residential land within the City.  In response to a question from Ms. Graham, Mr. Walsh stated that the land is within the City’s Future Corporate Limits as designated on the 1985 plan.  Ms. Graham noted the jagged nature of the property line and questioned who would maintain Leidy Road.  Mr. Fisher stated that one jurisdiction would maintain the entire road.  Ms. Bair stated that development on the site should access the road network from secondary roads rather than MD 140.  There being no further comment, Chairwoman Bair closed the public hearing and the record at 7:11 p.m.  On motion of Ms. Graham, seconded by Mrs. Palmer, the Commission forwarded Annexation No. 58 – Stoler Property to The Mayor and Common Council with a favorable recommendation for ‘B’ Business Zoning.

Mr. Fisher presented Sign Permit No. 1144 for Spirit Halloween Superstores.  After some uncertainty regarding the location of the sign, Mr. Walsh stated that the location indicated on the sign permit application stands as the request on which the Commission must act.  Mr. Fisher stated that the permit is for a temporary banner sign at the Westminster Shopping Center.  Mr. Fisher stated that the sign meets the requirements of the ‘B’ Business zone and that staff recommends approval of the permit.  Mrs. Palmer reiterated the temporary nature of the sign.  On motion of Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Mrs. Albert, Sign Permit No. 1144 was approved.

Ms. Bair commented on traffic congestion in the downtown area and suggested that staff could review the timing of traffic lights along Main Street.

Mr. Beaver inquired about the status of road improvement plans for MD 97.  Mr. Davis stated that staff is currently working with developers and the State Highway Administration to produce a phasing plan for improvements.  Ms. Bair noted that the Commission previously acted to withhold further approvals in the Meadowbranch Industrial Park until certain conditions are met by the developer.

Mr. Beaver asked what uses are permitted for land owned by the Wakefield Valley Golf Course.  Mr. Fisher stated that the Amended Development Plan for Wakefield Valley, approved prior to the introduction of zoning in the City, controls permitted uses and density on the land.  Mr. Fisher stated that any development on the site would be limited to residential uses under the current approved plan.  Any proposed amendment to the plan would be reviewed by the Commission and The Mayor and Common Council.

On the motion of Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Ms. Graham and duly passed, the meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

ERIK N. FISHER
SECRETARY