MINUTES OF THE
March 18, 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: Matt Davis, Assistant Town Planner, Zach Smith, GIS Analyst, Stacie Sauca, Planning Secretary and Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney.
Staff Absent: Tom Hamilton, Town Planner.
Mr. Atwood called the meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission to order at 1:00 p.m. The first order of business was the approval of the February 19th minutes. Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mrs. Cheezum the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the February minutes.
The first item of business was 9630 Technology Drive Lot 50, Easton Technology Center requesting sketch site plan review for a 12,366 square foot banquet / event hall. The applicant’s agent, Bill Stagg, with Lane Engineering explained that the site is currently undeveloped and that ingress/egress to the site will be from a single entrance from Technology Drive into the parking area. Required parking is 1 space per 3 seats of rated capacity, therefore 100 spaces minimum is required, however, the applicant is proposing 152 which they feel is necessary for this type of use. Landscaping and Forest Conservation requirements have been met. The applicant proposes to seek a Special Exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals as the proposed use is not identified in the Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Grant, with Becker Morgan Architects, explained that the building would be of stucco material, and would have a standing seam roof. The building would be a soft natural color. The architecture for this building has been reviewed by the Easton Technology Center Design Board. Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mrs. Cheezum the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the sketch site plan and forward a favorable recommendation to the Board of Zoning Appeals in the matter of a Special Exception.
The next item discussed was Lots 58/59, Carlton Business 29520 Canvasback Drive requesting sketch site plan review for two, two-story buildings that will combine office/warehouse users with climate controlled storage on the second floors. The applicant’s agent, Bill Stagg, explained that this property is located on 2 undeveloped lots and the site is limited by the existence of wetlands on much of the site. A permit to impact up to 10,000 square feet of the wetlands is required from the Maryland Department of the Environment.
A multiple use Special Exception is necessary for the project. Landscaping and Forest Conservation requirements have been met. A portion of the stormwater management area is off-site and the Town Engineer has directed that this area be located on the subject property. Mr., Stagg, explained that the architecture is consistent with the
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business park. Applicant is proposing a masonry building, with a gable roof. There will be very little site lighting. Ingress/egress to the site will be from three access points along Canvasback Drive. Parking is in excess of the required 36 spaces. Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the sketch site plan and make a favorable recommendation to the Board of Appeals in the matter of a Special Exception. Approval was conditioned upon receiving a copy of the wetland permit, and abandoning the interior lot line.
The next application reviewed was Lot 57, Carlton Business Park 29516 Canvasback Drive requesting sketch site plan review for a two story office building. Mr. Stagg, the applicant’s agent, explained the lot is 1.0 acres in size and development is severely limited due to the existence of wetlands on half of the lot. A wetland impact permit will be required from Maryland Department of the Environment. Due to constraints on the property, the parking lot will be located on the front of the site. Access will be via a driveway along Canvasback Drive. Landscaping and Forest Conservation requirements have been met. The Town Staff would like to see additional plantings on the northern side of the parking lot to provide screening. Applicant is proposing 30 parking spaces which is required. Mr. Stagg explained that the architecture would be clapboard siding and a deck on the rear is proposed. Upon motion of Mrs. Cheezum, seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the sketch site plan conditioned upon receiving a copy of the wetland permit, and landscaping being added to the northern side of the parking lot.
The next item discussed was 247 Brookwood Avenue Lot 13 requesting PUD review of four two-story duplex units. Mr. Stagg, the applicant’s agent, explained that the property is 21,600 square feet in size and that the minimum lot size for a PUD is 5 acres. The existing neighborhood is a mix of single-family and multi-family dwellings. Proposed parking is provided by single parking area designed to serve both structures. Applicant is proposing a trash enclosure for the front of the site which will be fenced and landscaping for screening purposes. Landscaping is minimal; however, the applicant has provided additional plantings to screen parking areas. Mr. Stagg stated that a subdivision of the property is possible. Should this occur, a parking easement across the two lots would be required. A portion of the Rail Trail is to the rear of this property. A contribution toward the cost of the Rail Trail from the developer is suggested in exchange for the increased density that will be obtained from the PUD. The architecture submitted appears to be comparable to the existing architecture in the neighborhood. Upon motion of Mrs. Cheezum, seconded by Mr. Brownawell the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the four two-story duplexes conditioned on additional screening to be added to the trash enclosure and the developer making a contribution to the Rail Trail (Amount of contribution to be determined by the Town Council).
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The next item discussed was Memorial Hospital at Easton requesting an amendment to CM approval to allow expansion of existing hospital facility. The Commission has already approved the sketch site plan for the proposed expansion of the hospital. The applicant is requesting approval of the preliminary site plan. The applicant has made some changes to the site plan. Mr. Showalter, the applicant’s agent, explained that the turnaround at Biery Street has been revised to be a circle turnaround, rather than a “T” turnaround. The Commission would like to see some of the on-street parking at Washington Street and the hospital entrance be eliminated to allow better sight distances. Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the preliminary site plan conditioned on technical issues being resolved with the Town Staff / Town Engineer.
The next item was from staff concerning Patriot Square and Cooke’s Hope. Mr. Stagg explained that the owner of Patriot Square is proposing to change the name of the subdivision to Douglass Landing and change all the street names. Also, in Cookes Hope the developer would like to change Magdalene Court to Heather Court. Upon motion of Mr. Swann, seconded by Mr. Moore, the Commission voted 5-0 to approve this request.
Another item from staff was Simply Furniture store requesting to temporarily place a storage trailer behind their building. Storage trailer would be used to house overflow merchandise. The applicant does have approval from the shopping center to house such trailer. Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the temporary storage trailer for 6 months.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2:15 p.m. by Motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Atwood.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacie M. Sauca
Planning & Zoning Secretary