Westminster Planning & Zoning Commission

CITY OF WESTMINSTER PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING SUMMARY Thursday, August 3, 2017, at 7 PM City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane A meeting of the City of Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission was held at City Hall, located at 1838 Emerald Hill Lane in Westminster, Maryland 21157, on Thursday, August 3, 2017, at 7 PM. Vice Chair Kevin Beaver, Councilmember Benjamin Yingling, Commissioner Thomas Rio and Commissioner Lori Welsh-Graham were present. City staff members Jeff Glass, Barb Sardi and Bill Mackey were present. The following were present and signed-in: Mr. Tom Smith, Ms. Judy Smith, Ms. Nanci Franzesi, Dr. Neil Borelli, Mr. Domenico Capuano, Ms. Jennifer Harless, and Mr. L. Kevin Wagman. Vice Chair Kevin Beaver opened the meeting at 7 PM. Vice Chair Beaver requested a motion regarding the summary of the previous meeting. Commissioner Welsh-Graham moved approval of the summary of the meeting on July 13, 2017. Councilmember Ben Yingling seconded. The motion passed. Vice Chair Beaver initiated the discussion of Item B regarding a proposed site plan for Sheetz Retail Store on MD 140. Ms. Sardi presented the staff memo and staff recommendation. Mr. Martin Rickell of CLSI responded to the staff recommendation for additional trees, stating that is was not possible to add tree screening on top of the proposed retaining wall. Mr. Brent Brubaker cited comments from emergency responders in support of the curb-less entry to the interior of the building. Mr. Brubaker requested that the proposed trees be located elsewhere on the site in the proposed open space area at the rear. Commissioner Welsh-Graham moved to approve with changes to the trees as discussed. Commissioner Rio seconded. The motion passed. Vice Chair Beaver initiated the discussion of Item A regarding a proposed Site Plan for City’s Waste Water Treatment Plant. Ms. Sardi presented the staff memo and staff recommendation. Mr. Jeff Glass noted that this was the largest project ever undertaken by the City at an estimated cost of $55,000,000. There are a number of new buildings to be built as part of the project; a listing was presented to the Commission. Commissioner Rio moved for approval. Commissioner Welsh-Graham seconded. The motion passed. Vice Chair Beaver opened Planning Commission and Public Comments. Dr. Neil Borelli representing the business owner/property owner of Mediterraneo Ristorante Italiano 132 West Main Street, Mr. Domenico Capuano, spoke to the Commission regarding the project currently under construction. Dr. Borelli stated that the project was more expensive than first anticipated, citing water line and electrical improvements. Dr. Borelli summarized the changes from the plans submitted previously and stated that these were primarily undertaken as cost-saving measures, noting that the County had required additional seating. It was also noted that the architect who design the project had not been involved in the construction phase. Vice Chair Beaver questioned the seating situation. The applicant responded that increased seating was driven by building size, stating that the amount of building occupants was determined by Carroll County. Councilmember Yingling noted that the façade was dramatically different than what originally had been approved by the Commission. Councilmember expressed concern about fairness, since other businesses in the City comply with the law on these matters, while this business did not comply with approved plans. Councilmember requested that the applicant work with staff to provide façade treatments that would simulate the mansard roof, add awnings along Pennsylvania Avenue, and/or additional landscaping items. Vice Chair Beaver asked for the applicant to contact the project architect to document the ideas. Commissioner Welsh-Graham recommended that the applicant look at other projects in the area. Ms. Judy Smith, Mr. Tom Smith, Ms. Nanci Franzesi, and L. Kevin Wagman spoke as members of the public. Ms. Smith and Mr. Smith spoke in support of the restaurant as a desirable new business. Ms. Franzesi spoke in support of the changed appearance. Mr. Wagman spoke of his concern that the law be followed. The Commission instructed staff to meet on site with Dr. Borelli, Mr. Capuano, the design architect, and Mrs. Smith (if available) to discuss aesthetic remedies. Staff would then report back to the Commission. Commissioner Welsh-Graham moved to amend the order of the agenda for public comments to allow the County liaison to address the Commission. Commissioner Rio seconded. The motion passed. Ms. Andrea Gerhard of Carroll County Planning informed the Commission that the bicycle-pedestrian plan changes would be presented to the Commission in September, and the plan would return for certification. Commissioner Welsh-Graham made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Rio seconded. The Commission adjourned at 8:16 PM. Adopted November 9, 2017 Page 2 of 2