Westminster Board of Zoning Appeals

CITY OF WESTMINSTER BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS MEETING SUMMARY Tuesday, May, 2, 2017, 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, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane in Westminster, Maryland 21157, on May 2, 2017, at 6 PM. Chair Ed Cramer and Vice-Chair Larry Berent were present. Board Attorney Eric Blitz was present. City staff Andrew Gray was present. Mr. Al Betz of Al Betz & Associates, Inc. was present. The following were present and signed-in: Cammy Hipp. At 6:00 PM, Chair Cramer called the meeting to order. Vice-Chair Berent moved to approve the meeting summary of March'7, 2017. Chair"Cramer seconded. The motion passed . Chair Cramer opened the public hearing. The Chair stated the purpose of the hearing and read the title of Case No. 17-02 into the record . The Chair swore in Ms. Cammy Hipp. Vice Chair Berent wanted staff to clarify that notices were sent out to all adjacent property owners and not just the three properties the applicant listed on the back of the application. Mr. Gray presented the Board a list and GIS map of all the adjacent property owners who received certified hearing notices in the mail. The application was entered into the record as exhibit one. The list and GIS map were entered into the record as exhibit two. Mr. Gray summarized the staff memo, dated April 28, 2017, as amended, clarifying the updated date from 4-4-95 to 4-2-95 in order to reflect the correct title for the attachment in the staff memo, and the omission of the word two on the bottom of page number one. The staff memo was entered into the record as exhibit three. Ms. Cammy Hipp, the applicant, presented testimony regarding the application for a variance . Ms. Hipp explained the reason for the signage change was to comply with the updated branding of Best Western . There was discussion regarding the impact on revenue for this particular Best Western location and benefits to adjacent businesses related to the visibility of the sign. Ms. Hipp presented an email from Ms. Renee Willis, dated Monday, November 30, 2015, which discusses the logo refresh. This letter was submitted into the record as exhibit four. Adopted on July 11, 2017 Ms. Hipp testified that the percentage of revenue from walk-ins, and the proposed renovation, will hopefully bring people ~ack to the Best Western in Westminster, instead of going to hotels located in adjacent communities. Vice Chair Berent inquired about the impacts the proposed sign will have on the surrounding neighborhood; the studies addressing these impacts; the possibility of lowering the height of the pole, since the overall height of the current sign appears to be sufficient; and the current lack of evidence to make a decision. Chair Cramer mentioned the visibility of the existing sign. He inquired about the date Best Western is requiring the sign to be updated for the Westminster location. Ms. Hipp indicated she will discuss modifications with the sign designer. At 6:55 PM, Chair Cramer closed the public testimony portion of the meeting and opened the Board deliberations portion. Discussion ensued about moving forward with a lack of evidence. Board attorney Blitz advised the Board on their options to move forward with Case #17-02. The Board asked Ms. Hipp when she could be back with sufficient evidence. Ms. Hipp replied that she could provide sufficient evidence by July. Mr. Gray indicated the first Tuesday in the month of July is the fourth, a City Holiday. Vice Chair Berent made a motion for a continuance to July 11, 2017. Chair Cramer seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The Board adjourned at 7:04 PM. Edwardrn;:, Chair Westminster Board of Zoning Appeals Adopted on July 11, 2017 Page 2 of 2