Planning Commission

Minutes Walkersville Planning Commission Workshop January 28, 2025 Commission Chairman David Ennis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with members Mike Kuster, Jeremy Peterson, Nathan Shatto, Nick Thompson, and John Merando present. Also present were Town Planner Susan Hauver and Communications Specialist Crystal Feaga. Member Russ Winch was absent. The meeting was also live-streamed on the Town’s website. 1. Election of Officers Member Merando made a motion to seconded by Member Shatto, to nominate David Ennis to be Chairman of the Commission. There were no other nominations and Mr. Ennis was elected Chairman on a vote of 5-0-1 (Ennis abstained). Member Peterson made a motion to seconded by Member Merando, to nominate Mike Kuster to be Vice Chairman of the Commission. There were no other nominations and Mr. Kuster was elected Vice Chairman on a vote of 5-0-1 (Kuster abstained). Member Peterson made a motion to seconded by Member Kuster, to nominate Nathan Shatto to be Secretary of the Commission. There were no other nominations and Mr. Shatto was elected Secretary on a vote of 5-0-1 (Shatto abstained). 2. Minutes Member Peterson made a motion, seconded by Member Kuster to approved the minutes of the December 10, 2024 meeting and January 14, 2025 workshop. The motion passed on a vote of 4-0-2 (Shatto, Thompson abstained). 3. Comprehensive Plan Implementation: Draft zoning text amendments to Industrial Districts Commission members continued their review of the industrial zoning districts. Ms. Hauver presented proposed amendments. Comments on the draft included: • The districts should be consolidated into two districts labeled as Light Industrial (LI) and General Industrial (GI). • Bowling Alley should be added to the LI District as a permitted use. • Stadium or outdoor stage should be deleted as a permitted use and added as a Special Exception use. • Agribusiness needs to be defined. Chairman Ennis offered definitions from his research. • Performance standard B—all proposed uses should be served by public water and sewer. • Performance standard E with regard to outdoor storage needs a closer look. 4. Comprehensive Plan Implementation: Commercial District Planner Hauver noted properties that might be rezoned in accordance with the Neighborhood Business designation on the Comprehensive Plan map. 5. Upcoming Projects/Agenda Items Planner Hauver reviewed a memo listing future issues and projects for the Commission to consider, beginning with the zoning text and map amendments currently under consideration. 1 Direction as to priorities or adding items needs to come through the Burgess and Commissioners. 6. Public Comments Mr. David Delisio, 311 Silver Crest Drive, requested that the Commission address the issue of blighted properties. He recommended that the Brunswick ordinance be used as a starting point. The Brunswick Code adds surcharge on property taxes for properties with abandoned commercial buildings. Mr. Richard Greenwood noted his previous request to the Commission to consider a Code amendment to allow him to build an accessory dwelling unit in an accessory structure on his property on W. Frederick Street. There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Susan Hauver 2