Westminster Board of Zoning Appeals

CITY OF WESTMINSTER BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS MEETING SUMMARY January 5, 2016, at 6 PM City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane A meeting of the City of Westminster Board of Zoning Appeals was held at City Hall, located at 1838 Emerald Hill Lane in Westminster, Maryland 21157, on January 5, 2016, at 6 PM. Chair Ed Cramer, Vice Chair Laura Matyas, Board Member Larry Berent, Board Attorney Eric Blitz of Web & Wolf, LLC, Mr. Al Betz of Al Betz & Associates, Inc., and City staff Bill Mackey were present. Mr. Eli Rosenbloom, Mr. Brooks Leahy, Mr. Paul Kluth, Mr. John Shaeffer, Mr. Larry Appel and Mr. Chris Mayfield were present. Vice Chair Matyas moved to approve the minutes of October 6, 2015. Board Member Berent seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Board Member Berent moved to approve the minutes of November 11, 2015. Vice Chair Matyas seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The Board conducted a public hearing on Case No. 16-01, an application by FR Conversions Inc., of 1231 Tech Court, Westminster, Maryland 21157, for approval of a special exception for a proposed Automobile Sales and Services use at 1231 Tech Court, Westminster, pursuant to Article X: I-R Restricted Industrial, Section 164-54.A, Special Exceptions, of the City Code. At 6:03 PM, Chair Cramer called the meeting to order and opened the public hearing. The Chair stated the purpose of the hearing and summarized Case No. 16-01. The Chair swore in parties who would be testifying. Mr. Mackey summarized the staff memo, dated December 18, 2015. Mr. Brooks Leahy, representing the applicant, made opening statements and called witnesses to testify and provide evidence to the Board. Exhibits were entered into the record. At 7:17 PM, Chair Cramer closed the public testimony portion of the meeting and opened the Board deliberations portion. Discussion ensued. Board Member Berent moved to approve the application with a condition to limit the proposed special exception use to what is needed by the applicant to accompany the manufacturing use, including second-stage manufacturing and necessary expansion to the site. Vice Chair Matyas seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The Board adjourned at 7:20 PM.