Westminster Planning & Zoning Commission

CITY OF WESTMINSTER PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Minutes August 13, 2015, at 7:00 PM, City Hall I. Call to Order Commissioners in attendance: Chairperson Peggy Bair, Council Member Suzanne Albert, Commissioner Kevin Beaver, Commissioner Lori Welsh Graham and Commissioner Nancy Palmer. City Staff in attendance: Community Planning and Development Director Chris Jakubiak (acting) and Comprehensive Planner Andrew Gray. County Staff in attendance: Comprehensive Planner Scott Graf. II. Approval of Minutes The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the minutes from the meeting of July 9, 2015. III. Old Business 1. Zoning Text Amendment – Small Cell Telecommunications Installation Mr. Jakubiak explained the background and summarized the staff memorandum he provided to the Commission. He indicated staff favors proceeding with the regulation of small cell facilities in two parts. Tonight’s discussion would focus on the zoning text amendment to address public and private properties excluding rights-of-way. Another ordinance would be needed to address those facilities located in the public rights-of-way. Mr. Jakubiak noted that the version of the ordinance presented this evening would not be applicable to facilities in the public rights-of-way. Mr. Jakubiak also clarified that draft ordinance presented is not yet ready for final review. Mr. Brian Augustine, Verizon representative, presented a booklet of photographs of stealth installations located in the cities of Baltimore and Frederick. Discussion of photos ensued. Commissioner Welsh Graham made a motion to table the item. Commissioner Palmer seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 1 of 3 IV. New Business 1. Carroll County Planning Liaison, Mr. Scott Graf Mr. Graf informed the Planning and Zoning Commission that Carroll County has reorganized the planning department. Phil Hager is now the Director of the Department of Planning. Scott announced that State Highway Administration has scheduled the Fall Tour on the Consolidated Transportation Plan (CTP) tentatively for October 15, 2015. Referring to Mr. Graf’s comments from the Commission meeting of July 9, 2015, Commissioner Beaver inquired whether Carroll County would proceed with reviewing the environs plan. Mr. Graf replied there is no pressing need for review at this time. Mr. Graf indicated he could coordinate it, when the time was right. 2. Annexation #62 Barron (pre-submission discussion only) Mr. Jakubiak presented the background of a proposed annexation for discussion purposes only, referring to his staff report, maps, annexation petition, and a proposed resolution. Mr. John Maguire, the attorney for the property owners, spoke about the proposal and its history. Mr. Jakubiak indicated that upon the introduction of a resolution by the Mayor and Common Council, the proposed annexation would be presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission pursuant to City Code. At that time, staff would prepare a preliminary annexation plan and also preliminary findings concerning both the annexation and proposed zoning. He noted that the Planning and Zoning Commission would then hold a public hearing per § 164-6 of City Code. 3. Annexation #63 Bollinger (pre-submission discussion only) Mr. Jakubiak presented the background of a proposed annexation for discussion purposes only, referring to his staff report and annexation materials supplied by Mr. John Maguire, the attorney for the property owners. The proposal would be formally presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission following the future introduction of a resolution by Mayor and Common Council. Chairperson Bair questioned the need for road access to the property, given the increased potential for ambulance service related to the assisted living component of the annexation. 4. Discussion of Industrial Land Uses (work session) Mr. Gray presented the staff report. The Commission discussed the land uses permitted by right and by special exception in the three industrial zoning districts and the number of parcels of land available within City boundaries for indusial development. The Commission members thanked Mr. Gray and requested staff to continue to explore questions of land availability, as appropriate. 2 of 3  5. Zoning Text Amendment – Indoor Recreational Facilities Mr. Jakubiak summarized his staff report on the conceptual proposal to add Indoor Recreational Facilities as a special exception in the I-R Restricted Industrial Zone. The applicant is seeking to amend § 164-54 of the City Code to allow for a private indoor volleyball facility, requesting that the Commission transmit a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and Common Council. Mr. Clark Schaefer, attorney for the applicant, the applicant (the contract purchaser of property) and the property owner discussed the proposed use and its operation, the availability of property for such uses in commercial zones, the history of expanding the uses permitted in the industrial districts and the types of uses, which are presently allowed by right and by special exception. The Commission tabled the matter until the next meeting, so staff could evaluate alternative approaches such as designating the proposed new use as a special exception with conditions. 6. City Code Amendment – Chapter 83 Floodplain Management Mr. Jakubiak summarized the discussion from the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting of July 9, 2015, describing the new FEMA floodplain maps. The Commission voted to recommend that the Mayor and Common Council formally adopt the new floodplain maps created by FEMA. V. Planning Commission Discussion Commissioner Beaver described concerns related to the intersection of MD Route 31 and Tahoma Farm Rd. Commissioner Beaver requested further evaluation of the intersection. VI. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:30 pm. 3 of 3