MINUTES OF THE

 

September 16, 2004

 

Planning & Zoning Commission

 

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

 

Members Absent: None.

 

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

 

Staff Absent:   None.

 

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 August 19th minutes.  Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mrs. Cheezum the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the August minutes.

 

The first item was a presentation by Jerry Adams, Water and Wastewater Manager of Easton Utilities.  Mr. Adams explained that the system would be used to allocate usage of water and waste water as well as sewer capacity.  Mr. Adams discussed the new facility and its capabilities and hopes that Easton Utilities will have the new sewer plant up and running by the summer of 2006.

 

The first item discussed was a project of Anthony and JoanneGenova located at 216 Dover Street and 11 S. Aurora Street requesting site plan review for 5,000 square feet of office/retail space. Mr. and Mrs. Genova were represented by Mr. Eric Booth, of AES Architech who explained that the site is currently improved with a masonry brick office building.  The applicant proposes to add three buildings to the site and a second floor to the existing office building.  Proposed uses are to be a mix of retail and office. 

Parking is not required within the CR district; however the applicant is showing parking on the interior of the site. The site plan and building elevations have been reviewed by the Historic District Commission.  The Commission was very favorable of the project and felt that it would be a great enhancement for the neighborhood.  Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Swann, the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the site plan conditioned on Historic District approvals and minor technical issues being resolved with the Town staff. 

 

            The next item was from staff concerning a parking waiver for Queenstown Bank located on Washington Street.  The applicant’s agent, Tom Davis, explained that the Bank will still maintain the first floor, but the second floor will become a mortgage company.  They are requesting a waiver of 8 parking spaces.  Mr. Davis presented traffic counts taken on a period of times, which demonstrated the availability of adequate parking of all uses.  Upon motion of Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Brownawell, the Commission voted 5-0 to waive 8 parking spaces for Queenstown Bank.  

 

 

 

 

Planning & Zoning Minutes

Page 2

September 16, 2004

 

The next item discussed was a sketch site plan review for 12,000 square feet of warehouse/flex space located on Lot 31, Carlton Business Park.  Bill Stagg, representing the owner Archie Gartrell explained that this project is located at the back portion of Carlton Business Park adjacent to the Crofton residential neighborhood.  Parking is located along each side of the building totaling 30 parking spaces.  Proposed parking would allow the mix of use in the building with 3,600 square feet of office and the remainder 8,400 square feet in warehouse use.  Mr. Stagg explained that the front of the building will be screened by landscaping.  Proposed building would be a one story metal building with metal roof similar to other buildings in the area.   The color of the building is still undecided but thought it would be of natural colors.  Upon motion of Mrs. Cheezum, seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the sketch site plan. 

 

The next item discussed was a PRD (Planned Re Development) review for a 3,060 square foot addition to an existing 12,600 square foot warehouse/manufacturing facility proposed at 503 South Street.  Bill Stagg, agent for South Street, LLC explained that the existing building is located directly behind Easton Wholesale Company between the Rail Trail and Kemp Lane.  The building is occupied by a manufacture/warehouse use which has grown into the entire building and requires additional space for expansion.  Using the provisions of the PRD the applicant would like to expand the building creating 3,060 square feet of existing space to accommodate their needs. Mr. Stagg explained that they will be losing 9 parking spaces, but felt they will still have enough parking to accommodate their needs.  Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Moore the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the PRD conditioned on landscaping being approved by the Town staff.

 

The next item was from the staff concerning 320 E. Dover Street.  Mr. Hamilton explained that the applicant, Sandra Flores would like to expand her grocery store to include carry out Taco & Tamale Corner Food with 2 tables and 8 chairs.  She will need a parking waiver to add the tables.  Upon motion of Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the waiver request.       

 

The next item discussed was the Annual Report.  Mr. Davis discussed with the Commission the Annual Report noting some changes that have been made.  The Commission was very pleased with the Annual Report and commended Mr. Davis.  Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mrs. Cheezum the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the Annual Report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planning & Zoning Minutes

Page 3

September 16, 2004

 

The next item was from staff concerning 306 Dover Street.  This building is located behind G&H Seafood.  The applicant, Joanne Genova is currently renovating the building.  The upstairs will remain residential apartments, and the ground floor will be a restaurant.  Mrs. Genova indicated that onsite parking was not possible, but she has tried to purchase nearby land for parking.   Therefore, she is requesting a parking waiver.  Mr. Hamilton supported the parking waiver and said that he felt the entire block was more similar to the adjacent CR district and recommended that the Commission consider rezoning to CR.   Upon motion of Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Brownawell the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the waiver request.    

 

The next item was from staff concerning Zoning Ordinance / Map Amendments.  Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Smith gave the Commission a presentation of the proposed changes and the comprehensive plans recommendation on each change.  The Commission supported all changes presented by the staff. 

 

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m. by motion of Mr. Atwood, seconded by Mr. Swann.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Stacie S. Rice

                                                                        Planning & Zoning Secretary