Westminster Planning & Zoning Commission

CITY OF WESTMINSTER PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING SUMMARY Thursday, October 10, 2019, at 7 PM City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane Westminster, Maryland 21157 A meeting of the Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission was held at City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane in Westminster, Maryland 21157, on October 10, 2019, at 7 PM. Chair Kevin Beaver, Vice-Chair Ross Albers, Commissioner Tom Herb, Commissioner Tiombe Paige, and Councilmember Ben Yingling were present. City staff members Andrea Gerhard, Andrew Gray, and Samantha Schlitzer were also present. No members of the public signed in. Chair Beaver opened the meeting at 7:00 PM. He introduced Lyndi McNulty as the newest Commission member, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Common Council on September 23, 2019. Chair Beaver requested a motion to approve the meeting summary from September 12, 2019. Councilmember Yingling made a motion to approve the meeting summary from September 12, 2019. Chair Beaver requested clarification in the meeting summary that the Commission had suggested that the developer move the proposed building closer to the required setback distance. Vice-Chair Albers seconded the motion to approve the meeting summary from September 12, 2019. The motion passed. Chair Beaver opened New Business Item A – Proposed new building signs for Walgreens at 551 Jermor Lane. Mr. Gray provided the Commission with background information and a brief overview of the staff report, with a recommendation to consider approval of the proposed two wall mounted business signs not to exceed 125 square feet and for the total site signage to not exceed 210 square feet with the following condition: “The size of the attachment method for the proposed front wall mounted sign is to be provided to the City.” Vice-Chair Albers moved to approve the proposed new building signs for Walgreens at 551 Jermor Lane, as recommended by staff. Councilmember Yingling seconded the motion. The motion passed. PZC Meeting Summary of October 10, 2019 Page 1 of 4 Chair Beaver opened New Business Item B – Proposed Final Plat of K&G Properties, LLC. Mr. Gray provided the Commission with background information and a brief overview of the staff report, adding that a revision to the staff recommendation was made that day and sent to the Commissioners for review. This recommendation is approval of the proposed plat with the following conditions: 1. That the plat include the correct Owner’s Certification Statement per § 164-200 of the City Code and add the following language “Use of the City of Westminster water supply and City sewerage system is in conformance with the Carroll County Water and Sewer Master Plan. Public water and sewer facilities will be available to all lots offered for sale.” 2. Add the following note “At the time of plat approval lot 1 as shown hereon is unimproved and no site development plan has been submitted for review and approval. At such time in the future that a site development plan for specific improvements to lot 1 is submitted for review and approval said site development plan must comply with all applicable provisions of State and local law including the Code of the City of Westminster and will include information required by City Code § 164-198 A and § 164-198 B as may be modified from time to time.” 3. Indicate the required water allocations, if any, and state that the property is subject to the City’s Water Allocation Policy, as it is constituted at the time of site plan approval. Vice-Chair Albers moved to approve the proposed Final Plat of K&G Properties, LLC with the conditions listed in the revised staff recommendation memo. Councilmember Yingling seconded. The motion passed. Chair Beaver deferred New Business Item C – County Liaison Report to later in the meeting in order to accommodate guests present at the meeting for later items on the agenda. Chair Beaver opened Information Item BZA Case No. 19-06. Mr. Gray stated that the applicant withdrew its request and, as a result, the Board will not meet in November. Chair Beaver opened Informal Review of proposed Site Plan for CFT Plaza (Panda Express). Chair Beaver recognized Mr. Valentino Mancini, architect of record for Panda Express, who provided an explanation of the proposed development. The proposed site plan includes a five-unit, multi-tenant building comprised of two restaurants and three retail businesses. Chair Beaver asked for clarification on the size of the proposed building compared to the existing structure. Mr. Mancini stated that the current building is 5,447 square feet. Plans currently show the proposed new building will be between 8,000 and 9,000 square feet. Councilmember Yingling advised Mr. Mancini to confirm water allocation requirements. Mr. Mancini stated that he had been in conversation with the previous Director of Community Planning and Development to confirm water availability. He added that a traffic study is currently underway as well, and the proposed number of parking spaces on the site exceeds City requirements. Vice-Chair Albers noted the landscaping requirements as shown on the proposed site plan. Mr. Mancini confirmed that they have met City Landscape Manual requirements and plan to up-limb existing trees for better visibility. PZC Meeting Summary of October 10, 2019 Page 2 of 4 Chair Beaver opened Informal Review of the proposed Site Plan for Clark Farm Properties. Chair Beaver recognized Mr. Jeff Zigler, on behalf of CLSI, representing the developer and owner. Mr. Zigler reviewed the plan to develop a multi-family building, adding that the building was shifted further from Mulligan Lane residences to comply with required setbacks; however, variances will be requested to lessen those requirements. Mr. Gray clarified that the Commission would not make any decisions based on the presentation, but could offer suggestions for how the applicant may proceed with the site plan submittal. Councilmember Yingling thanked Mr. Zigler for his presentation, adding that the City’s adopted Strategic Plan highlights high-density housing and the water allocation policy was designed to allow for such as well. Vice-Chair Albers noted the close proximity of the proposed multi-family building to existing single-family homes in the area, and whether those property owners might raise concerns during the site development process. Commissioner Paige thanked Mr. Zigler for his presentation and making good adjustments to the building location to better comply with setback requirements. Chair Beaver opened Informal Review of proposed Site Development Plan for Conifer Westminster Way, LLC. Westminster Way Apartments. Chair Beaver recognized Ms. Kelly Shaffer, present on behalf of the applicant and owner, who presented scaled drawings of the site plan that were submitted to City staff for review. She stated that some comments have already been addressed, and the plans are now awaiting final agency reviews before coming to the Commission for review and consideration of approval. Councilmember Yingling inquired if the Fire Department would have adequate access to the property. Ms. Shaffer replied that the Fire Department had already reviewed and approved the plan as it pertains to equipment access. Councilmember Yingling requested confirmation that the building would have central air conditioning and that there were no plans for visible window units; Ms. Shaffer confirmed that to be true. Chair Beaver requested clarification that the first floor would contain the parking area. Mr. Andrew Hanson, on behalf of the developer, confirmed that the rear of the building would be graded in such a way that the parking garage would be located in the rear, under the building. Chair Beaver inquired of Mr. Gray if staff had reviewed the plan submission. Mr. Gray replied that the first round of plans had been reviewed and comments provided to the applicant. Ms. Shaffer added that the landscaping buffer requirement could not fully be met due to the adjacent property, so a waiver request would be submitted as well. Mr. Eduardo Intriago, Maser Consulting P.A., provided additional information on the landscaping and buffers; due to site constraints, the Planning and Zoning Commission has the ability to approve a waiver of the Landscape Manual requirements. Ms. Shaffer added that the developer plans to extend the sidewalk to the right-of-way adjacent to the shopping center property so that new residents would have easy access to the retail area. PZC Meeting Summary of October 10, 2019 Page 3 of 4 Chair Beaver inquired if the utilities located on the roof would be screened or otherwise concealed. Ms. Shaffer confirmed the utilities would be concealed. She also provided architectural renderings in color of the proposed structure for the Commission to review. Commissioner McNulty noted that Shaffer and Shaffer had represented her in the past; therefore, it may affect her ability to vote on the current issue. Chair Beaver opened New Business Item C – County Liaison Report. Ms. Bobbi Moser updated the Commission on the status of the Carroll County Water/Sewer Master Plan, and provided a general summary of Comprehensive Rezoning Amendments to Chapter 158 of the Carroll County Zoning Code. She added that the proposed changes would make the process more user friendly. Chair Beaver opened Commission Comments. Councilmember Yingling noted that the City will be meeting with technical staff from the Maryland Department of the Environment regarding the water re-use project. Councilmember Yingling also reported on the City’s sewer capacity issue, stating that funding is being provided over a six-year period to perform necessary inflow and infiltration work. Mayor Dominick suggested and approved the expediting of funding from the out-years of the City’s Capital Improvement Program in order to remediate current issues with sewer capacity. Ms. Gerhard provided Commission members with updated copies of Chapter 164 of the City Code. Vice-Chair Albers moved to adjourn. Councilmember Yingling seconded. The Commission adjourned at 8:03 PM. PZC Meeting Summary of October 10, 2019 Page 4 of 4