Westminster Planning & Zoning Commission

CITY OF WESTMINSTER PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING SUMMARY Tuesday, September 11, 2018, at 7 PM City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane A meeting of the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission was held at City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane in Westminster, Maryland 21157, on September 11, 2018, at 7 PM. Vice Chair Ross Albers, Commissioner Tom Rio, and Councilmember Ben Yingling were present. City staff Bill Mackey and Samantha Schlitzer were present. City staff Barbara Sardi was present as a member of the public. The following were present and signed in: Clark Shaffer, Esq. Acting Chair Ross Albers opened the meeting at 7:00 PM. Chair Albers requested a motion to amend the agenda to include the date of the last meeting minutes as August 9, 2018. Councilmember Yingling moved. Commissioner Rio seconded. The motion passed. Councilmember Yingling made a motion to approve the minutes from August 9, 2018. Commissioner Rio seconded. The motion passed. Chair Albers introduced New Business Item A – County Liaison Report. Ms. Moser distributed draft chapters 6 and 7 of the Carroll County Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan for the Commissioners to review. Councilmember Yingling asked if there was a market for a bicycle share program. Ms. Moser replied that she was unsure and would look into it further. Chair Albers introduced New Business Item B – Proposed updated signage location for Anne Arundel Dermatology at 410 Meadow Creek Drive. Mr. Mackey provided background information, stating that the sign approved by the Commission on July 12, 2018, was being proposed at another location on the same building. Chair Albers requested a motion to approve the change in location of the business signage approved by the Commission in July 2018. Commissioner Rio moved. Councilmember Yingling seconded. The motion passed. Chair Albers introduced New Business Item C – Proposed Ordinance No. 897. Mr. Mackey provided background information, stating that the proposed Ordinance was to amend Chapter 164. The purpose was to change the zoning text to allow the CN Zone to be proposed on land zoned R-10,000 Residential and to allow property owners to apply for such zoning changes on their own properties. Mr. Mackey stated that staff supports the proposed text amendment, since expanding the eligibility of land for the CN Zone supports the goals in the 2009 Comprehensive Plan related to expanded housing choices in conjunction with the 2018 Water and Sewer Allocation Policy that also supports a mix of housing types. Staff recommended that the Commission recommend approval of the Ordinance to the Mayor and Common Council. Chair Albers opened the Public Hearing for discussion of the Ordinance. Mr. Clark Shaffer, on behalf of the applicant, Conifer Realty, LLC, stated that it was an-applicant neutral proposal to change the City Code to give more applicants the opportunity to apply, with no guarantee of approval. Discussion ensued regarding whether or not the public hearing should be closed or left open. Chair Albers stated that due to no comment from members of the public, the Commission would close the public hearing. Chair Albers closed the public hearing at 7:32pm. Commissioner Rio moved to recommend approval of proposed Ordinance No. 897. Chair Albers seconded. Councilmember Yingling abstained from voting due to the matter going before the Mayor and Common Council. The motion passed 2-0. The PZC requested that staff expedite the process of approval for applicants by conducting live-editing of proposed recommendations during the PZC meetings. This would allow items to be approved at one meeting rather than across several. Chair Albers stated that the Commission’s goal was to streamline the process and avoid delays for applicants. Councilmember Yingling requested tabling the informal discussion of the site plan review process until all members of the Commission were present. The Chair tabled item. Councilmember Yingling moved to adjourn. Commissioner Rio seconded. The Commission adjourned at 7:38 PM. Page 2 of 2