Westminster Planning & Zoning Commission

CITY OF WESTMINSTER PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING SUMMARY Tuesday, December 3, 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 December 3, 2019, at 7 PM. Chair Kevin Beaver, Vice-Chair Ross Albers, Commissioner Lyndi McNulty, and Councilmember Ben Yingling were present. City staff members Andrea Gerhard and Samantha Schlitzer were also present. Bobbi Moser and Cody Spaid from the Carroll County Department of Planning were also in attendance. The following members of the public signed in: Joe Heisler and John Randolph. Chair Beaver opened the meeting at 7:00 PM. Councilmember Yingling made a motion to approve the meeting summary from November 14, 2019. Vice- Chair Albers seconded. The motion passed. Chair Beaver opened New Business Item A – Emergency Ordinance No. 918 to amend Chapter 164, “Zoning”, of the Code of the City of Westminster. Ms. Gerhard provided the Commission with background information and a brief overview of the staff report. Commissioner Albers motioned to approve the proposed emergency ordinance as presented. Commissioner McNulty seconded. Councilmember Yingling abstained from voting due to the matter going before the Mayor and Common Council. The motion passed 3-0 with one abstention. Chair Beaver opened New Business Item B – Annexation No. 70 for 1117 Old New Windsor Road “The Westminster Livestock Auction Property”. Ms. Gerhard provided the Commission with background information and a brief overview of the staff report. Commissioner Albers motioned to approve the proposed annexation as presented. Commissioner McNulty seconded. Councilmember Yingling abstained from voting due to the matter going before the Mayor and Common Council. The motion passed 3-0 with one abstention. PZC Meeting Summary of December 3, 2019 Page 1 of 3 Chair Beaver opened New Business Item C – Annexation No. 71 for EOB, LLC and DASY Corporation. Ms. Gerhard provided the Commission with background information and a brief overview of the staff report. Commissioner Albers motioned to approve the proposed annexation as presented. Commissioner McNulty seconded. Councilmember Yingling abstained from voting due to the matter going before the Mayor and Common Council. The motion passed 3-0 with one abstention. Chair Beaver opened New Business Item D – Proposed Alteration to Building Signage for Heritage Honda. Ms. Gerhard provided the Commission with background information and a brief overview of the staff report, recommending that the Planning and Zoning Commission consider approval of the proposed building signage not to exceed 125 square feet. Vice-Chair Albers asked if the proposal pertained only to the business logo. Ms. Gerhard confirmed the same. Vice-Chair Albers found no safety issues and stated that the signage matched the existing exterior. Vice-Chair Albers moved to approve the Proposed Alteration to Building Signage for Heritage Honda. Commissioner McNulty seconded. The motion passed 4-0. Chair Beaver opened New Business Item E – Proposed Amended Exterior Site Improvements for the Westminster Library. Ms. Gerhard provided the Commission with background information and a brief overview of the staff report, recommending that the Commission consider approval of the removal of two street trees located along the public right-of-way, to the northwest of the library, with the following conditions: A permit must be obtained from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to remove the existing two street trees along the public right-of-way per § 148-11 A of the City Code and Two 2.5” caliper Eastern Redbud trees be planted in their place. Emily Ratzlaff, project architect, stated that removal of the existing trees would eliminate gutter drainage issues and prevent flooding inside the building. When designing the building renovations, another entrance will be installed, and removing the trees will allow for better access. The Library will replace the trees with a smaller variety. Vice-Chair Albers moved to approve the Proposed Amended Exterior Site Improvements for the Westminster Library. Councilmember Yingling seconded. The motion passed 4-0. Chair Beaver opened New Business Item F – County Liaison Report. Ms. Bobbi Moser provided the Commission with an update on the Bicycle-Pedestrian Master Plan, County Zoning Code revision, and Amended County Master Plan. Chair Beaver opened Commission Comments. Councilmember Yingling noted that the City finalized its purchase of the Stocksdale Property, located at 17-25 West Main Street. The City will likely retain a consulting firm to assist it with marketing the site for redevelopment. Chair Beaver requested a motion to approve the Report and Recommendation for New Business Item A – Public Hearing for Emergency Ordinance No. 918 to amend Chapter 164, “Zoning”, of the Code of the City of Westminster. PZC Meeting Summary of December 3, 2019 Page 2 of 3 Vice-Chair Albers motioned to approve the Report and Recommendation for New Business Item A – Public Hearing for Emergency Ordinance No. 918 to amend Chapter 164, “Zoning”, of the Code of the City of Westminster. Commissioner McNulty seconded. Councilmember Yingling abstained from voting due to the matter coming before the Mayor and Common Council. The motion passed 3-0 with one abstention. Chair Beaver requested a motion to approve the Report and Recommendation for New Business Item B – Public Hearing on Annexation No. 70 for 1117 Old New Windsor Road “The Westminster Livestock Auction Property.” Vice-Chair Albers motioned to approve the Report and Recommendation for New Business Item B – Public Hearing on Annexation No. 70 for 1117 Old New Windsor Road “The Westminster Livestock Auction Property.” Commissioner McNulty seconded. Councilmember Yingling abstained from voting due to the matter coming before the Mayor and Common Council. The motion passed 3-0 with one abstention. Chair Beaver requested a motion to approve the Report and Recommendation for New Business Item C – Public Hearing on Annexation No. 71 for EOB, LLC and DASY Corporation. Vice-Chair Albers motioned to approve the Report and Recommendation for New Business Item C – Public Hearing on Annexation No. 71 for EOB, LLC and DASY Corporation. Commissioner McNulty seconded. Councilmember Yingling abstained from voting due to the matter coming before the Mayor and Common Council. The motion passed 3-0 with one abstention. Vice-Chair Albers moved to adjourn. Commissioner McNulty seconded. The Commission adjourned at 7:36 PM. PZC Meeting Summary of December 3, 2019 Page 3 of 3