Westminster Planning & Zoning Commission

CITY OF WESTMINSTER PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION CONTINUATION MEETING SUMMARY Thursday, October 20, 2016, at 7 PM Family Center, Yoga Room, 11 Longwell Avenue A continuation meeting ofthe City of Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission was held at the Westminster Family Center, Yoga Room, 11 Longwell Avenue, Westminster, Maryland 21157, on October 20, 2016, at 7 PM. The original venue was changed due to conflict with space at City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane, Westminster. To alert the public ofthe new location, City Staff and posted signs were located at City Hall, directing attendees to the new location . Chair Peggy Bair, Council Member Suzanne Albert, Commissioner Kevin Beaver, Commissioner Lori Welsh-Graham and Commissioner Thomas J. Rio were present. City staff Bill Mackey and Andrew Gray were present. The following were present and signed-in: Mr. Brooks Leahy, Ms. Dawn Gordon, Mr. Bruce D' Anthony, Mr. Martin Schipper, Mr. Clark Shaffer, Mr. Dan Staley, Ms. Kelly Shaffer, Mr. Steven Weisman, Ms. Shari Saslaw, Mr. Brian Augustine, and Mr. Chris Mudd . Chair Peggy Bair opened the meeting at 7:15 PM in the Yoga Room at the Family Center. Chair Peggy Bair opened the discussion for proposed Annexation No. 67 Schulte for two parcels at MD 140 and Market Street. Mr. Mackey reviewed the staff memo including zoning and the process for recommendation. Staff recommended for approval of the petition, as presented. Mr. Brooks Leahy, representative for the applicant, concurred with the recommendation to approve annexation of the parcel with B-Business zoning. Commissioner Welsh-Graham made a motion to recommend the petition move forward as presented. Commissioner Rio seconded. The motion passed. Chair Peggy Bair opened the discussion for the proposed rezoning and simplified site plan for medical cannabis uses at 1234 Tech Court. Mr. Mackey presented the staff memo including the rezoning process. Mr. Mackey noted the proposal is for an existing facility and only for growing and processing. Staff recommends approval with the condition that the applicant successfully obtain licensure by the State of Maryland's Natalie M. Laprade Medical Cannabis Commission to operate a growing and/or a processing facility at 1234 Tech Court. Adopted November 17, 2016 Mr. Clark Shaffer, representative for the applicant, described the existing building and security requirements. The building would be used for growing and processing only, not for dispensing. The applicant, Steven Weisman, presented technical aspects of how the growing process will affect conditions inside the building. Mr. Mackey raised a concern mentioned by a member of the public on October 13, regarding the proximity to the Celebre day-care facility across the street. Mr. Mackey noted setback requirements were only in relation to County public schools. Commissioner Beaver made a motion for approval with the condition that the applicant successfully obtain licensure by the State of Maryland's Natalie M. Laprade Medical Cannabis Commission to operate a growing and/or a processing facility at 1234 Tech Court. Council Member Albert seconded. The motion passed. Chair Peggy Bair opened discussion for the proposed ordinance for wireless technology on certain commercial properties. Mr. Mackey reviewed the staff memo including screening and discussed proposed Ordinance 869. Staff recommends approval of the proposed ordinance with a revised definition to include screening and a recommendation for the screening approaches. Mr. Chris Mudd discussed proposed amendments by Verizon to the City's proposed Ordinance 869. Mr. Brian Augustine discussed Verizon's recommendations for proposed Ordinance 869. Mr. Augustine expressed the importance of small cell communications in dense areas, location in rights-of-way and the reasons against stealthing the antennas, citing changing the silhouettes of historic buildings and hampering the effectiveness of the signal. There was discussion on the definition and the locations of potential antennas on rooftops within the City's Historic District. Council Member Albert made a motion recommended approval with the following: (1) that text be added stating "with screening as needed" to the definition of TELECOMMUNICATIONS INSTALLATION, (2) that installations be allowed as permitted uses in the PRSC-Pianned Regional Shopping Center Zone and in the G-1 General Industrial Zone, (3) that installations be screened when they are located on rooftops to the satisfaction of the Director of the Department of Community Planning and Development and/or the Historic District Commission, and (4) that "on or within" be added to the proposed definition as follows: TELECOMMUNICATIONS INSTALLATION An unstaffed installation, excluding a satellite television dish antenna located at a private home for individual use, established for the purpose of providing wireless voice, data and image transmission within a designated service area and consisting of one or more antennas and related equipment, attached to or contained on or with in a building, where no portion of any antenna or equipment is visible from the public rights-of-way with screening as needed . Commissioner Rio Seconded . The motion passed. The Planning and Zon ing Commission explained its intent would be to allow nothing on the roof unless it were screened, with such screening to be reviewed by the Planning Director and/or the Historic District Commission. Adopted November 17, 2016 2 of3 Chair Peggy Bair opened discussion on proposed Ordinance No. 870 to amend the sign code to permit larger commercial signs than currently permitted under certain limited circumstances. Mr. Mackey reviewed the staff memo and recommended approval as proposed. Chair raised concerns over sign regulation changes. The Commission discussed sign clutter, various floor plate sizes, and examples of properties that could be eligible. Council Member Albert made a motion to approve. Commissioner Beaver seconded. The motion passed. Chair Peggy Bair requested a motion to move the regularly scheduled meeting in November to Thursday, November 17, 2016, starting at 7 PM in the John Street Quarters at 28 John Street. Commissioner Welsh-Graham moved. Council Member Albert seconded. The motion passed. Commissioner Beaver commented on the Starbucks traffic, the Verizon proposal, and the new homes at Wakefield Valley. It was noted that discussion may only occur at the public meeting. Chair Peggy Bair inquired of staff about the status of Five Guys. Staff mentioned that Five Guys is currently renovating and new signage is approved. The Chair also inquired about the former Harry's restaurant on Main Street. Staff reported the new restaurant will be called Rock Salt. Mr. Mackey reported to the Commission that representatives from Sheetz have submitted their site plan for review and the Len Stoler redevelopment is likely to return with a revised site plan. Council Member Albert made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Rio seconded. The Commission adjourned at 9:28 p.m. Adopted November 17, 2016 3 of3