Planning Commission

Minutes Walkersville Planning Commission Meeting March 25, 2025 Commission Chairman David Ennis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with members Mike Kuster, Jeremy Peterson, Russ Winch, Nathan Shatto, Nick Thompson, and John Merando present. Also present were Town Planner Susan Hauver and Communications Specialist Crystal Feaga. The meeting was also live-streamed on the Town’s website. 1. Minutes Member Winch made a motion, seconded by Member Merando to approve the minutes of the February 25, 2025 meeting. The motion passed on a vote of 5-0-2 (Shatto and Thompson abstained). 2. Lonza, 8830 Biggs Ford Rd, Discussion of Industrial zoning standards, including height restrictions Mr. Charlie Scherr, facilities engineer at Lonza, spoke to the Commission about the industrial zoning regulations in relation to their facility and future plans. They would like to be able to bid on opportunities for expansion within their company. Most manufacturing/research facilities are more than 45 feet tall, which is the Town height restriction. They would like to see the height restriction increased to 100 feet. It would put them in a position to compete with other sites. It could bring jobs and site and infrastructure improvements to the Town. Mr. Scherr noted their commitment to adding a second entrance that is outside the floodplain. Commission members discussed the following with Mr. Scherr: • Current number of employees: 500, with about 300 on site. • Potential building footprint of new building, as well as the height • Fire/rescue capability with regard to a larger structure • Development potential of increasing the height restriction—impact on other properties • Actual height of the grain tower and Town water towers Member Winch, made a motion, seconded by Member Merando, that they proceed positively on this request, review the impacts on the whole Town, and decide the best approach. The motion was passed unanimously. Mr. Scherr offered to come back to the meeting on April 8 to continue the discussion. 3. Comprehensive Plan Implementation: Draft zoning text amendments to Industrial Districts Commission members continued their review of the industrial zoning districts. Commission members offered their comments on the proposed amendments: • Move “Bus repair, maintenance and storage facility” from 88-52.1 D to 88-52.1 C. • 88-52.2 C take out second part of sentence, starting at word “provided” and refer to Section 88-58 for exceptions to height requirements. • 88-52.3 reformat the table so that the footnotes are legible. • 88-54 add “in all districts” after the words “site plan” in the second sentence of the first paragraph. • 88-54 B change “will” to “shall”. • 88-54 C, note an exception for agritourism, since farms are served by wells and septic systems. • 88-54 D, change width of planting strips from 5 to 10 feet. 1  • 88-54 I, separate the first sentence and the rest of the paragraph. Add “whichever is stricter” to the second sentence. • 88-54 K, remove, since air quality is address in Chapter 5 of the Code. 4. Commission and Public Comments Member Peterson asked about the lighting at the Rock Creek School, noting how bright it is and that it is not turned down or off at night. Ms. Hauver said she could pull the lighting plan, which was approved by the Town Engineer. 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. Ms. Hauver said she would send him information about filing for zoning text amendment and the associated fee. He can file for an amendment if he wants the issue to be considered immediately by the Town. Otherwise, it will be done as other higher priority projects are completed by the staff and Commission. There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Susan Hauver 2