Westminster Planning & Zoning Commission

CITY OF WESTMINSTER PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING SUMMARY Thursday, January 11, 2018, 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, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane in Westminster, Maryland 21157, on January 11, 2018, at 7 PM. Chair Peggy Bair, Vice Chair Kevin Beaver, Councilmember Benjamin Yingling, Commissioner Tom Rio, and Commissioner Lori Welsh-Graham were present. City staff Andrew Gray, Bill Mackey, and Samantha Parthree were present. Carroll County Planning Liaison and Comprehensive Planner Bobbi Moser was present. Mayor Joe Dominick and City staff Barbara Sardi were present, as members of the public. The following were present and signed in: Ms. Diane Davison, Mr. Marc Ellison, and Mr. Matthew Keel. There were other members of the public present; however, they did not sign in. Chair Peggy Bair opened the meeting at 7:01 PM. Councilmember Yingling requested a change to the summary of the meeting on December 14, 2017, in order to correct the statement that he had recused himself, when he had actually abstained from voting. Vice Chair Beaver requested a correction regarding the postponement of voting due to Commissioner Rio’s absence, not his own. Chair Peggy Bair requested a motion to approve the minutes from December 14, 2017, with the requested edits. Commissioner Welsh-Graham moved for approval of the minutes. Vice Chair Beaver seconded. The motion passed. Chair Peggy Bair opened discussion of Old Business – Report and Recommendation on ZMA 17-01. Commissioner Welsh-Graham inquired if there was any additional information for the Commission. Mr. Mackey responded there was no additional information and public comment was closed. Councilmember Yingling abstained from voting on the matter due to the fact that it would be going before the Mayor and Common Council for a final vote. Commissioner Welsh-Graham moved to approve the submitted Report that recommended denial. Commissioner Rio seconded. The motion passed with one abstention. Chair Peggy Bair opened discussion of Old Business – Report and Recommendation on Medical Cannabis Dispensary at 700-K Corporate Center Court. Councilmember Yingling abstained from voting on the matter due to the fact that it would be going before the Mayor and Common Council for a final vote. Vice Chair Beaver moved to approve the application. Commissioner Welsh-Graham seconded. The motion passed with one abstention. Chair Peggy Bair asked Ms. Moser to take the public’s comments regarding the nearby trail to Carroll County officials. Chair Peggy Bair introduced Item A – County Liaison Report. Ms. Moser distributed statistics on the use and occupancy and population estimates for the end of Calendar Year 2017. Ms. Moser mentioned that the County would host five public meetings during the Zoning Code update process, and the public is encouraged to attend. For more information, citizens may visit the website CarrollRezoning.org for scheduled meeting dates. Ms. Moser also mentioned the 2017 Annual Report, required by the State, includes information from all municipalities in Carroll County on development activity, updates, plan amendments, annexations, and other topics within one document. Chair Peggy Bair opened discussion on Item B –Proposed Annual Report materials for submittal to Carroll County. Mr. Gray briefed the Commission on the Annual Report and presented proposed City materials that were prepared for inclusion in the 2017 Planning Annual Report. Councilmember Yingling moved to approve the materials as presented. Commissioner Rio seconded. The motion passed. Chair Peggy Bair opened discussion on Item C – Ordinance No. 885 re Firearms Safety Training School. Councilmember Yingling asked for clarification on whether the ordinance did not allow for a live-fire shooting range. Mr. Mackey confirmed that the ordinance did not allow for a live-fire shooting range. Vice Chair Beaver inquired if there were any reasons to limit the proposed use to only the zoning district listed in the ordinance. Mr. Mackey stated that the ordinance was in response to an application received, and the Commission could suggest other zones in which these types of schools could operate. Chair Peggy Bair mentioned that as an educational site, this type of use should be allowed in all the zones where other educational facilities are allowed. Vice Chair Beaver moved to approve Ordinance No. 885 with the addition of other zones in which special schools were permitted. Councilmember Yingling abstained from voting on the matter due to the fact that it would be going before the Mayor and Common Council for a final vote. Commissioner Rio seconded. The motion passed with one abstention. Chair Peggy Bair initiated the discussion of Item D – Ordinance No. 886 re Tattoo Parlors in Business Zones. Mr. Mackey stated the proposed ordinance would allow tattoo parlors in a variety of zones as permitted uses and remove prohibitions against tattoo parlors being proposed with special exceptions. Chair Peggy Bair noted this use has evolved over time, and the Chair stated that she is in support of the ordinance. Commissioner Welsh-Graham asked if all business zones were included. Mr. Mackey stated only certain business zones were listed in the ordinance. Councilmember Yingling abstained from voting on the matter due to the fact that it would be going before the Mayor and Common Council for a final vote. Commissioner Welsh-Graham moved to approve Ordinance 886. Commissioner Rio seconded. The motion passed with one abstention. Mr. Mackey presented a Report and Recommendation on Medical Cannabis Dispensary at 700-K Corporate Center Court, which included an excerpt from the summary of the Commission meeting on December 14, 2017. The Report also included information from earlier in the meeting, so the Commission could provide a timely recommendation to the Mayor and Common Council. Commissioner Rio moved to approve the Report as presented. Commissioner Welsh-Graham seconded. The motion passed with one abstention. Mr. Gray noted that the Board of Zoning Appeals approved Case #18-01 for a day-care facility for up to eight children. He also mentioned there had been no new applications received for the Board at this time. Mr. L. Kevin Wagman, 153 East Green Street, asked the Chair if there was a proposed site for the use in proposed Ordinance 885. Chair inquired of staff. Mr. Mackey responded that the ordinance was related to a proposed business to be located on North Court Street across from the Episcopal Church. Commissioner Welsh-Graham moved to adjourn. Commissioner Rio seconded. The Commission adjourned at 7:49 PM. Adopted February 8, 2018 Page 2 of 2