MINUTES OF THE

 

February 19, 2004

 

Planning & Zoning Commission

 

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

 

Members Absent: None.

 

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

 

Staff Absent:   None.

 

Mr. Atwood called the meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission to order at 1:00 p.m.  The first item was the election of 2004 officers.   Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to re-appoint Mr. Atwood as Chairman.  Also, upon motion of Mr. Atwood, seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to appoint Mr. Brownawell as Vice-Chairman.

 

The next order of business was the approval of the January 15th minutes.  Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the January minutes.

 

The first item of old business was the Easton Motor Inn.  Ken Christenbury, applicant explained that he had sent a letter to the adjoining neighbors.  The Commission discussed at length the issue of Brainard Lane.  Mr. Glass is not in favor of widening Brainard Lane.  One neighbor spoke out against the opening of Brainard Lane to traffic and another neighbor was concerned with the height of the building.  The Commission decided that Brainard Lane would remain limited access and be blocked with a gated fence to allow delivery truck and garbage pickup only.        

 

The next item discussed was old business concerning Sts. Peter & Paul Church.  Mr. Bill Stagg, the applicant’s agent, explained that this is an amendment to the recently approved Church facility.  The site plan is to remain the same however; a revised Church building is requested.  The architect, Shawn Mackey explained that the Church will be brick, and the number of seats has decreased from 800 to 700 seats.  The Commission was favorable to the architectural changes.    

 

The next item of old business was Bob Evans restaurant.  The applicant’s agent, Ryan Showalter, explained the revisions to the architecture.  They have changed the color brick for the proposed building and also showed the Commission renderings which showed the landscaping.  Upon motion of Mr. Swann, seconded by Mr. Moore the Commission voted 4-1 (Mrs. Cheezum opposed) to approve the revised sketch site plan as submitted.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planning & Zoning Minutes

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February 19, 2004

 

 

The first item of new business was Lot 52, Easton Technology Center requesting sketch site plan for a 36,250 square foot climate controlled storage and roll-up storage facility.    The applicant’s agent, Bill Stagg, explained the site plan and pointed out the photos submitted reflect the type of building proposed.  The Commission did not vote on this application as they would like to see architecture for the proposed storage units. 

 

The next item discussed was 8900 Glebe Park Drive requesting special exception and sketch site plan review for a 22,400 square foot manufacturing facility.  Bill Stagg, the applicant’s agent, explained that the new architecture will match the existing building and will have roof breaks which will give it character.  There will be no outside storage.  Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the sketch site plan and made a favorable recommendation to the Board of Zoning Appeals in the matter a rear Variance.  The Commission further recommended that a multiple use Special Exception was not necessary as the use was a similar manufacturing operation.   

 

The next item was a proposed Eckerd’s Pharmacy.  The applicant’s agent, Bill Stagg, explained that this is a revised sketch site plan. Mr. Stagg  explained that site has been enlarged with the addition of the Enterprise Rental Car lot, the drive-thru has been moved from the north end of the building to the east side adjacent to Route 50.  All delivery and trash removal has been relocated from the front of the building and one tier of parking has been removed from the south side of building moving the building southward.  All landscaping and signage is in compliance with the Ordinance.  Low brick walls have been added on the Dover Road & Route 50 elevations which will help to screen parking.  Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the revised Sketch Site plan as submitted.    

 

            The next item discussed was Lot 4 Easton Marketplace requesting a 92 unit, mixed residential PUD.  This project is located behind Easton Marketplace shopping center).  Mr. Stagg described the project and proposed units.  Mr. Hamilton was concerned with the cookie cutter architecture and streetscape appearance.  Mr. Brownawell was in agreement and felt there should be some type of architectural mix.  Mr. Moore felt that a waiver of the 30% open space requirement was not appropriate and the majority of open space shown was the storm water management area.  The Commission instructed the applicant to revise the architecture and resubmit.  

 

The next item was Milford Street Associates requesting sketch site plan for a medical office complex. Property is located at 1 Idlewild Avenue (rear portion of Southern States site).  Mr. Stagg made a presentation of a proposal to put two medical office buildings and associated parking on the site.  The site plan utilizes a portion of the right-of-way for Commerce Street.  Mr. Bruce Armistead, representing the applicant explained that since the Town had never accepted or used the street the applicant retained ownership of this area, but Mr. Armistead also acknowledged the Town right to the utility easement use of a portion.  Mr. Glass, Town Engineer, stated that there should be no construction or parking over the utility easement.  The applicant was instructed to resubmit a complete site plan which minimized the pavement over the utility lines. 

 

 

 

Planning & Zoning Meeting

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February 19, 2004

 

The next item was from staff concerning a temporary use for Lowe's Garden Center.  They are requesting to place a temporary fence to be used as a garden center from now until October.  Similar approval was granted last year.    It was the consensus of the Commission to approve request as submitted.

 

Mr. Hamilton presented a staff item concerning the rebuilding of the Pasco business located on Route 50.  Mr. Hamilton explained that in order for the staff to approve the site plan it would require Planning Commission waiver of 17 parking spaces.  It was discussed that there were approximately 10 spaces available on site and the Zoning requirement is 27

spaces.  It was determined that the business has operated with the 10 spaces without problem since the operation began.  Upon motion of Mr. Swann, seconded by Mrs. Cheezum the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the parking waiver. 

 

The next item also from staff was a brief discussion of the Comprehensive Plan Growth Map.  Mr. Hamilton explained that he recently met with the County Planning Commission who was reviewing the Growth Area boundary around Easton.  With one minor adjustment the Town’s and County’s Comprehensive Plan growth boundary will be identical.  Mr. Hamilton showed the Commission a map which depicted the compromise boundary line.  The unanimous consensus of the Commission was to adopt the line as proposed by Mr. Hamilton and forward a favorable recommendation to the Town Council. 

 

The Commission next discussed the process by which projects are reviewed and the issue of adding a public notice requirement to certain projects.  The Commission took no action but agreed to discuss this issue again. 

 

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m. by Motion of Mr. Swann, seconded by Mrs. Cheezum.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Stacie M. Sauca

                                                                        Planning & Zoning Secretary