Westminster Planning & Zoning Commission

CITY OF WESTMINSTER PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING SUMMARY Thursday, May 9, 2019, 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 May 9, 2019, at 7 PM. Commissioner Tom Herb, Commissioner Tiombe Paige, and Commissioner Tom Rio were present. City staff members Bill Mackey and Samantha Schlitzer were also present. No members of the public signed in. Commissioner Rio made a motion to approve Commissioner Herb as Acting Chair for the duration of the current meeting. Commissioner Paige seconded the motion. The motion passed. Commissioner Herb opened the meeting at 7:00 PM. Acting Chair Herb requested a motion to approve the meeting summary from April 11, 2019. Commissioner Rio made a motion to approve the meeting summary from April 11, 2019. Commissioner Paige seconded the motion. The motion passed. Acting Chair Herb opened Old Business Item A – Revised Landscape Plan for Fairlawn Tool in Westminster Technology Park. Mr. Mackey provided the Commission with background information and a brief overview of the staff report. Acting Chair Herb recognized Jeff Zigler of CLSI, who presented the new landscape design and provided a history of the changes. He stated that although the number of existing plantings was reduced, the total number remains higher than the minimum required by the City of Westminster Landscape Manual. Commissioner Paige asked what species of trees are represented on the site. Mr. Zigler replied he was unsure of the specific species, but there was a variety of deciduous trees along with different shrubs; this differed from the original plan that had less variety. Commissioner Paige motioned to table the decision so that the applicant can provide photographs of the existing site for Commission review. Commissioner Rio seconded the motion. The motion passed. Acting Chair Herb opened New Business Item A – Proposed new building signage for the Food Lion on MD 140. Mr. Mackey provided the Commission with background information and a brief overview of the staff report. Commissioner Paige asked what was being changed. Mr. Mackey stated it was primarily a change to LED fixtures. Commissioner Paige made a motion to approve the proposed new building signage for the Food Lion on MD 140. Commissioner Rio seconded the motion. The motion passed. Acting Chair Herb opened New Business Item B – Proposed Support Letter for Carroll County 2018 Annual Report. He recognized Bobbi Moser from Carroll County Planning to provide further information. Ms. Moser presented five revised pages of the Report and the redesigned cover page. Commissioner Rio motioned to approve the support letter to the State. Commissioner Paige seconded the motion. The motion passed. Mr. Mackey stated that the letter would be presented to Chair Kevin Beaver to sign the next day. Acting Chair Herb opened New Business Item C – County Liaison Report. Mr. Mackey requested that the item be presented at the next meeting. Acting Chair Herb approved the request. Ms. Moser agreed and confirmed that the item was informational only and not time-sensitive. Acting Chair Herb opened New Business Item D – Proposed Site Plan for New City Administrative Offices at 45 West Main. Mr. Mackey provided the Commission with background information and a brief overview of the staff report. Mr. Zigler presented the site plan as well as the architect’s rendering of the re-painted façade as information only. The site plan changes included replacing sidewalks with ADA-compliant ramps and additional landscaping. Mr. Mackey added that the Sprouts public art sculpture is already being installed, since the County confirmed that a permit would not be needed for this art installation or its footers. Mr. Mackey noted that the dedication ceremony will be held on Saturday, May, 18 at 1 pm, inviting all members of the Commission. Commissioner Rio inquired about the flag pole that had been removed. Mr. Mackey replied that the flag pole will be replaced with three flag poles elsewhere on the site. Acting Chair Herb asked if traffic flow will be one way on the site. Mr. Zigler replied affirmatively. Commissioner Rio moved to approve the proposed site plan for New City Administrative Offices at 45 West Main. Commissioner Paige seconded the motion. The motion passed. Commissioner Rio moved to adjourn. Commissioner Paige seconded. The Commission was adjourned at 7:37 PM. PZC Summary 2019-05-09 Page 2 of 2