MINUTES OF THE

 

April 17, 2003

 

Planning & Zoning Commission

 

Members Present:  John Atwood, Chairman, and members John White, Chris Brownawell, Linda Cheezum and Dan Swann.

 

Staff Present:  Tom Hamilton, Town Planner, Matt Davis, Assistant Town Planner, and Stacie Sauca, Planning Secretary.

 

            Mr. Atwood called the meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission to order at 1:00 p.m.  The first item of business was the approval of the March 20th minutes.  Upon motion of Mr. White seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the March minutes.

 

            The first item on the agenda was Lot 6, Easton Technology Center requesting sketch site plan review for a 20,896 square foot office/warehouse building for QAM International.  The property is located on Lot 6, Easton Technology Center, at the NE intersection of Technology Drive and Information Way.  Mr. Bill Stagg, agent, stated their request is to construct a new office/warehouse for QAM International.  Mr. Stagg also added that the site plan has changed since the original submittal.  The building will be moved closer to the street front to accommodate truck traffic.  Mr. Stagg explained that the architecture would be compatible to the existing business park. The building will be concrete with a blue metal roof. Ingress/egress to the site will be from a single entrance from Information Way into the parking and loading/unloading area of the facility.  All landscaping standards have been met for the site.  Mr. Stagg explained that QAM International will employ about 35 employees. Upon motion of Mr. White seconded by Mrs. Cheezum the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the sketch site plan subject to signage being shown on the site plan provided and the revised site plan be submitted, that it is in compliance with the Zoning Ordinance, and subject to all setback requirements on the site plan to shown 35 parking spaces. 

 

            The next item discussed was West Kennedy Street Annexation.  The property is located between Centreville Road and Route 50 on the west and east and lying south of Airport Road and North of Forest Street.  The Town is facilitating the annexation of this property at the request of the Talbot County Council to provide the Kennedy Street neighborhood with water and sewer services.  The area has failing septic systems and the County Council suggested that the neighborhood be annexed into the Town of Easton.  The County Zoning of the property is TR (Town Residential) which is comparable with proposed Town Zoning of R-10A (Residential).    The Easton Town Council has agreed to help and the Town Attorney is working on grants and loans to cover the costs.  The Town is also proposing to create a special taxing district which will include the 26 acre annexation area to pay for the extension of utilities.  Annexation of this property will not create any enclaves of County property and will create a more logical Town boundary.  Annexation of this property is supported by the Comprehensive Plan. Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell seconded by Mrs. Cheezum the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the annexation of West Kennedy Street with the zoning classification of R-10A. 

 

             

 

 

Planning & Zoning Meeting

Page 2

April 17, 2003

 

 

The next item discussed was a request by the Easton Club Community Association to open Easton Club Drive to Waverly Road. The Easton Club Drive is located in the Easton Club Subdivision which is zoned PUD (Planned Unit Development).   This request would require an amendment to PUD Ordinance No. 254.  In 1993 the PUD was approved with two entrances and one emergency access to Waverly Road.  The emergency entrance was to be gated and locked allowing only emergency vehicles. In order to open access to Waverly an amendment to the PUD must be approved and Talbot County would have to amend their access permit.  Being as this is a significant amendment to the PUD it will require a written recommendation forwarded from the Planning Commission to the Town Council which will then hold a Public Hearing.   There were several persons from the Waverly and Woodland Farms neighborhood present who objected to the amendment stating traffic safety as the primary reason.  Tom Hamilton, Town Planner, recommended that the Commission take no action until a traffic study could be conducted to determine the safety of and need for opening the entrance.  The vice president, of the Easton Club Homeowners Association indicated that there was a great deal of construction traffic which has to travel through the entire neighborhood to access the present area of construction in the south west side of the development.  Opening of the entrance would help alleviate traffic congestion and promote safety for children and pedestrians. She indicated that it was the overwhelming opinion of the Easton Club residents that the entrance should be opened and remain open permanently.  The Commission did not make a recommendation as they feel a traffic study should be done to determine the impacts if any at this intersection and the consent of the County Roads Department should be a prerequisite to a permanent access at this location.  It was suggested that the Homeowners Association facilitate a traffic study and to contact the Town Engineer or Town Planner to discuss the scope of the study.    The issue was tabled until a traffic study is completed.

 

            There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2:55 p.m. by motion of Mr. Brownawell seconded by Mrs. Cheezum.   

 

 

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                    Stacie M. Sauca

                                                                                    Planning Secretary