MINUTES OF THE
September 25, 2003
Planning & Zoning Commission
Members Present: John Atwood, Chairman, and members John White, Chris Brownawell, Linda Cheezum and Dan Swann.
Members Absent: None.
Staff Present: Tom Hamilton, Town Planner, Matt Davis, Assistant Town Planner, Chris Kehoe, and Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorneys, 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 of business was the approval of the July17th and August 21st minutes. Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the July 17th minutes. Upon motion of Mr. Swann, seconded by Mrs. Cheezum the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the August 21st minutes.
The first item discussed was Memorial Hospital at Easton. The Planning Commission had previously approved their request to expand the existing emergency room facility. Due to minor changes to the site plan the applicant returned to the Commission for approval once again. The applicant’s architect explained the revisions to the site plan and showed new building elevations to the Commission. Mrs. Cheezum was concerned with “t” turn on Biery Street. Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mrs. Cheezum the Commission voted 5-0 to approve modifications, forward a favorable recommendation to the Town Council conditioned on the Town Engineer’s review and satisfaction regarding traffic and utility issues.
The next item discussed was the Eisner Building requesting sketch site plan review for a 9,999 square foot multiple use building located on Lot 3, Elliott Road. The Planning Commission previously approved the site plan in 1999 during its review of the Staples store with the understanding that the architecture must be brought to the Commission for review. The new building will be located to the left of the existing Staples building. Additional landscaping will be added to screen the building from adjacent property and comply with the Zoning ordinance requirements. The proposed architecture would be split faced block with a canopy and display windows along the front façade. Upon motion of Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Atwood the Commission voted 4-1 to approve the elevations and site plan.
Planning & Zoning Meeting
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September 25, 2003
The next item discussed was from staff concerning the expansion of the Planned Re Development District (PRD). Mr. Davis explained that the request came from the Mayor to expand the PR district to include the properties identified on the map which was distributed to the Commission. The area to be expanded would be the 600 block of Dover Road. Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the expansion to the PRD district as presented, conditioned on the staff obtaining the required support of 51% of the property owners.
The next item on the agenda was an application from Remco Properties LLC for the Dudrow Farm requesting a PMR (Planned Major Retail) project. Bill Stagg of Lane Engineering explained that the project was to be the same as the previous Dudrow Farm PUD limited to the portion of the site zoned CL. Mr. Stagg added that the street system on the I-1 portion of the farm was also included and they would be returning with a subdivision of the site. The project proposes a campus shopping center, office complex, hotel, restaurants, and a bank.
Clayton Mitchell, of Hoon & Associates, LLC Law firm representing the Tred Avon Shopping Center questioned the review process and application and filed a letter describing his objections and outlining reasons why the Commission should not be reviewing the application. Mr. Mitchell stated that he felt that a new presentation of all the evidence was required. The Commission on advice from legal council determined that they would review the project and would adopt the testimony and information presented during the review of the Dudrow Farm PUD application.
Upon motion of Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the PMR request and forward a favorable recommendation to the Town Council with the understanding that the PUD earlier applied is withdrawn and that the development concept earlier proposed for the land zoned I1 is now essential to today’s decision. The size, scale, use, location for PMR overlay are and as shown in past consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 3:10 p.m. by motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mrs. Cheezum.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacie M. Sauca
Planning Secretary