Westminster Planning & Zoning Commission

CITY OF WESTMINSTER PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Minutes September 10, 2015, at 7:00 PM, City Hall I. Call to Order Commissioners in attendance: Chairperson Peggy Bair, Commissioner Kevin Beaver and Commissioner Lori Welsh Graham. City Staff in attendance: City Administrator Marge Wolf, Community Planning and Development Director Bill Mackey and Comprehensive Planner Andrew Gray. County Staff in attendance: Comprehensive Planner Scott Graf. II. Approval of Minutes Approval of minutes for the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting in August was deferred. III. Old Business 1. Zoning Text Amendment – Indoor Recreational Facilities A petitioner is seeking to add “Indoor Recreational Facilities” as a special exception in the I-R Restricted Industrial Zone. The Commission tabled the item at their August 2015 meeting. Mr. Mackey opened the discussion on the proposed text amendment, per the Chair’s request. Mr. Clark Shaffer, attorney for the petitioner, and Mr. Gary Troy, the petitioner, presented the concept. Mr. Troy explained the types of activities that could be associated with an indoor volleyball facility that Mr. Troy would like to propose and how such a facility could provide indirect economic benefits to the City. The proposed volleyball facility would be comprised of four courts in total. There would be two courts on each side of a snack bar/restroom/office area. The Commission discussed adding the special exception as a new category and how that might affect special exception requests in the I-R Restricted Industrial Zone. Commissioner Beaver made a motion to approve the conceptual text amendment as a special exception in the I-R Restricted Industrial Zone with the recommendation that wording regarding the size of the lot be considered by the Mayor and Council. Commissioner Graham seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 1 of 3 IV. New Business 1. Carroll County Planning Liaison, Mr. Scott Graf Mr. Graf reported that the Maryland Department of Transportation pre-tour would take place at the Carroll County Office Building on Monday, October 5, 2015, at 1:00 pm. The Secretary of the Department of Transportation would be in attendance on October 15, 2015, for the annual tour regarding the prioritization of transportation projects for Carroll County and municipalities. 2. Special Purpose Plat, Lot Line Adjustment at Wakefield Valley Property Ms. Wolf presented to the Commission the lot line adjustment for three parcels at Wakefield Valley. The largest of the parcels would be deeded to the City. Another lot would be for Carroll Lutheran Village, and a third lot could be considered in the future for potential redevelopment. Ms. Wolf explained that there are two working wells included on the Wakefield Valley property. These wells were part of the Wakefield Valley Golf Course irrigation system. The wells would be fitted with on-site treatment and then be used to help supply the Westminster Water System. Commissioner Graham made a motion to accept the lot line adjustment. Commissioner Beaver seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Bolton Hill, Section 3, Final Plat Approval Mr. Mackey reported to the Commission that the water allocations have been approved and the plat is ready for final approval by the Commission. Ms. Wolf informed the Commission that the final phase of development would be supplemented with water from Wakefield Valley. Chairperson Bair made a motion to approve Bolton Hill Section 3. Commissioner Graham seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Site Plan Review, Starbucks Restaurant/Café (MD Route 140 and MD Route 97). Mr. Mackey introduced the project to the Commission. Mr. Mackey explained that the property is located in the B Business Zone, and the plans are in accordance with the City of Westminster’s Development Design Preferences except for the proposed signage. The staff recommendation is for conditional approval, contingent on sign compliance with the adopted sign regulations, as well as a design in keeping with this signature location. Mr. Clark Shaffer, attorney for the applicant, expressed that in his opinion the approval process has been long for Starbucks. Mr. Shaffer explained that the proposed signage has been approved all over the United States, and this signage is consistent with the corporate brand for Starbucks. 2 of 3  The applicant opined that the signage would need to be elevated, so people driving east and west on MD Route 140 as well as north and south on MD Route 97 could see the sign. A lower sign might not be visible to people on highways, where numerous pole signs compete for attention. Mr. Shaffer showed the Commission new signage that had not been submitted to City staff prior to the Commission meeting. Mr. Shaffer asked the Commission for site plan approval and for an administrative adjustment regarding the signage. Mr. Mackey informed the Commission that the primary concern was the height of the sign. Mr. John Bell, Starbucks Mid-Atlantic Manager, mentioned to the Commission that this signage is installed across the United States. Mr. Bell concluded by stating in his opinion the signage should be consistent, represent the corporate brand, and also be seen by potential customers. Commission members agreed they did not want to approve something that staff had not seen or had time to review. Mr. Mackey confirmed to the Commission that a 20-foot height limit is part of the sign regulations, and planning staff could work with Starbucks to resolve signage issues. Regarding the proposed site plan for the property, the Commission discussed the site’s visibility. Commissioner Graham moved for approval of the site plan with the condition that staff review signage. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Beaver. The motion passed unanimously. V. Planning Commission and Public Comments Commissioner Graham provided information and rack cards for the Commission and the public regarding Midnight Madness and Fall Fest. Commissioner Graham mentioned that Dutterer Park will have new playground equipment soon. Commissioner Beaver inquired about the trimming of trees and shrubs at the corner of MD Route 31 and Tahoma Farm Road. Commissioner Beaver inquired about rumble strips on the roadway to alert drivers of the dangerous intersection. Public Comment – Mr. Selig expressed that the meeting was well run. Mr. Selig also expressed that he would like to be more involved with his community. VI. Adjournment Motion to adjourn was made by Chairperson Bair and seconded by Commissioner Graham. 3 of 3