October 11, 2001

A meeting of the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission was held in City Hall on the evening of October 11, 2001, at 7:00 p.m. Members Bair and Beaver; 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.

Mr. Beyard welcomed Mr. Kevin W. Beaver as the newly appointed member to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Beaver is filling the term of Mr. Roy Chiavacci who resigned his appointment upon election to the Common Council. Mr. Beyard stated Mr. Beaver is the Vice-President of Thomas, Bennett, and Hunter.

Ms. Tucker presented Sign Permit Application No. 996 for the BJ's Wholesale Club. Ms. Tucker stated that the entire package contains four signs. Of these four signs, two signs are 50.73 square feet and can be approved by the Zoning Administrator. The other two signs exceed sixty-four (64) square feet and need to be considered by the Commission. Ms. Tucker presented Mr. David Campbell representing BJ's Wholesale Club and Mr. Charles Erwin representing Ark Signs, Incorporated. Mr. Erwin stated that the total square footage of all four signs is three hundred eleven (311) square feet and while that is large, the square footage of the building is also quite large. Mr. Erwin stated these signs are comparable in size to the signage that was installed by the adjacent property owners in the Westminster Marketplace. After discussion on placement of the signs and visibility, on motion of Ms. Bair, seconded by Mr. Beaver, Sign Permit Application No. 996 was approved as presented.

Ms. Tucker presented the Preliminary Plan for Royer Terrace. Ms. Tucker stated the applicant is proposing the creation of four panhandle lots located at the southeast corner of the intersection at Royer Road and Meadow Branch Road. These lots will be served by a use in common driveway, with the entrance located on Buck Cash Drive. Ms. Bair asked if there the use in common driveway was wide enough for emergency service vehicles to be able to turn around. Mr. Randy Bachtel with BPR, Inc., stated that the use in common driveway was designed to accommodate emergency service vehicles. Ms. Tucker stated that the Commission was considering the Preliminary Plan and approval of this plan allows the applicant to file the Final Subdivision Plat which is also subject to the review of the Commission. On motion of Ms. Bair, seconded by Mr. Beaver, the Preliminary Plan for Royer Terrace was approved as presented.

The minutes of the August 28, 2001 meeting were approved on motion of Ms. Bair, seconded Mr. Wiskeman, and duly passed. Mr. Beaver abstained from the vote since he did not attend the August 28, 2001 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

Ms. Moser stated that the Carroll County Department of Planning will be holding an informal public workshop on the Westminster and Environs Transportation Plan. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, October 24, 2001 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Carroll County Office Building.

Mr. Siders stated that the University of Maryland and Maryland Department of Planning is offering its Fall 2001 Certification Course in Urban Planning. It is scheduled for Saturday, November 10th & 17th at Frostburg State University Hagerstown Campus. Mr. Siders asked the Commission to contact him if they were interested in attending the workshop.

Ms. Tucker stated that at a future meeting the Planning and Zoning Commission will be holding public hearings on Zoning Text Amendments to the "PRSC" Planned Regional Shopping Center Zone, as well as the "B" Business Zone.

Ms. Tucker stated the Wakefield Community Trail is under construction and is progressing well.

Ms. Bair asked about the paving project that is occurring on MD Route 31 and West Main Street. Ms. Tucker stated this project is being completed by SHA and they will be adding a left turn lane onto MD Route 31 from West Main Street.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 on motion of Ms. Bair, seconded by Mr. Beaver and duly passed.

Respectfully submitted,

SHAWN SIDERS
Secretary