Westminster Board of Zoning Appeals

CITY OF WESTMINSTER BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS MEETING SUMMARY October 6, 2015, at 6 PM City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane A work session of the City of Westminster Board of Zoning Appeals was held at 56 West Main Street in Westminster, Maryland 21157, on October 6, 2015, at 6 PM. No applications or cases were heard or deliberated upon during the work session. Chair Ed Cramer, Board Member Laura Matyas, Board Member Larry Berent, Board Attorney Eric Blitz of Web & Wolf, LLC, and City staff Bill Mackey were present. At 6:10 PM, Chair Cramer called the meeting to order. Pursuant to request by the Chair for this work session and for additional training for the Chair and Board Members, Board Attorney Blitz briefed the Board on the processes and standards of practice utilized throughout the State of Maryland, for the education of the Board as required by Section 1-206 of the Land Use Article. Board Attorney Blitz presented materials in a training packet prepared by Mr. Blitz and entitled, Education Work Session for the Westminster Zoning Board of Appeals, dated October 6, 2015. Additional materials provided to the Board included Module One: Introduction to Planning 101 and Module Two: The Comprehensive Plan from the Planning Commission, Planning Board and Board of Appeals Education Course, developed pursuant to Section 1-206 of the Land Use Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, by the Maryland Department of Planning in 2015. The Board received the 2009 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Westminster in advance, and the Board received and reviewed with Board Attorney Blitz the Rules of Order and Procedure for the Board of Zoning Appeals of Westminster, effective November 10, 2009. Board Attorney Blitz presented concepts related to the Comprehensive Plan in zoning decisions, administrative appeals, applications and requirements, testimony, appeals from administrative decisions, evidence, cross examination, variances, special exceptions and case law, appealable and non-appealable matters, specific and general criteria, administrative rules, exhibits, sign-in sheets and various matters realted to the materials provided to and questions from the Board. The Board adjourned at approximately 9:00 PM.