MINUTES OF PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING

December 11, 2003          

A meeting of the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission was held in City Hall on the evening of December 11, 2003, at 7:00 p.m.  Members Beaver, Bair, and Albert; Chairman Wiskeman; City Attorney Walsh; Manager of Planning & Development Siders; Technical Planner Fisher; and County Planner Graf were present.

The minutes of November 13, 2003 were approved by consensus of the Commission.

Mr. Siders presented ZTA 03 – 4 “MUI” Mixed Use Infill zone for a recommendation by the Commission.  Mr. Siders stated that the purpose of the zone was to implement recommendations from the Maryland Route 27 Corridor Study to reinforce the character of Main Street with sensitive infill development on select parcels.  The zone requires a mix of retail and office or residential uses, and provides for a density of up to 25 units per acre with an additional 20% increase subject to the approval of the Commission.  The zone also provides a provision for shared parking.  Mr. Siders stated that the text amendment was subject to a public hearing on September 11, 2003 and the written comment period remained open through November 3, 2003.  Mr. Siders noted that the Maryland Department of Planning was in general agreement with the text amendment and that the Greater Westminster Development Corporation requested that the zone include a modification provision to the design standards similar to the provision in the “N-C” neighborhood commercial zone.  Staff recommends that the Commission favorably recommend the text amendment with the modification provision included.  Mr. Beaver asked why the zone would be targeted to specific parcels.  Mr. Siders responded that the City wanted to encourage redevelopment of underutilized parcels while not adding incentive for historically valuable structures to be demolished.  Chairman Wiskeman and Mrs. Albert expressed their support for the zone.  On Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Ms. Bair, ZTA No. 03 – 4 “MUI” Mixed Use Infill zone was forwarded to The Mayor and Common Council with a favorable recommendation.

Mr. Graf presented the site plan for an unnamed development by Green Builders, Inc., located in the County along Old Washington Road.  Ms. Bair expressed concern about the lack of auxiliary lanes for turning movements into and out of the development.  The Commission requested that a letter be drafted to the County recommending the installation of an accel/deccel lane on Old Washington Road.

Ms. Bair congratulated Chairman Wiskeman for his recent appointment to the Maryland Citizen Planners Association.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:14 p.m. by consensus of the Commission.

  Respectfully Submitted,

ERIK N. FISHER
SECRETARY