MINUTES OF THE

August 15, 2002

Planning & Zoning Commission

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

Staff Present: Tom Hamilton, Town Planner, Mike Kenney, Current 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 on the agenda was the approval of the July 18^th minutes. Upon motion Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. White the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the July minutes.

The first item on the agenda was Wal-Mart requesting a 4,304 square foot additon to the existing garden center. This would expand the existing garden center from 5,605 square feet to 9,907 square feet which almost doubles its size. The expansion will reduce the parking by 14 spaces from 669 to 655. The actual appearance of the garden center will not change as they are simply rebuilding the same wall with awnings and a new sidewalk approximately 40’ into the driveway and parking space area. Said drive and parking spaces along with their landscaping islands will be reconstructed so as to allow traffic circulation as it is today.

Mr. White and Mr. Brownawell were both concerned with the storage of plant material/merchandise in the parking lot and hoped that this would cease once the addition was built. Upon motion of Mr. White seconded by Mrs. Cheezum the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the request for an additon to the garden center with the condition on Mr. Hamilton receiving a letter of agreement from Wal-Mart stating that they will discontinue storing merchandise/plant material in their parking lot. This letter will also be attached to the building permit.

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The next item on the agenda was Department of Social Services Building at the Easton Utilities Gas Plant. The applicant is proposing a 32,790 square foot 3 story brick office building to be located at 1 S. West Street. The applicant, Tim Glass explained that this is a Town of Easton project to build an office building to house the Department of Social Services (DSS). The applicants plan to demolish the old gas plant located at the corner of Dover & West Streets and replace it with a 2 story masonry office building. The MDE (Maryland Department of Environment) is working with the Town of Easton to clean up the environmental problems on the site which were created when the Town had a manufactured gas plant which operated there. The site plan indicates the proposed building will be located on the site with a parking area between the building and Dover Street. This location with the building setback from the street is due to the fact that the site is currently being cleaned up by MDE and the most hazardous portion of the lot will be covered with parking rather than buildings.

The parking proposed for the site totals 124 spaces although the parking standard requires 164 spaces. The parking being provided complies with the needs of the DSS. This project falls within the CR district and the Commission has previously recommended the off street parking requirement within the CR district be eliminated. Proposed parking does not meet the 10’ setback required in the zoning ordinance. Mr. Swann would like to see the driveway entrance closest to the intersection of Dover & West Streets be eliminated to enhance the green space areas. Mr. Glass was in agreement. Upon motion of Mr. White seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the site plan and make a favorable recommendation to the Board of Zoning Appeals for two variances and a special exception.

The following items from staff were discussed.

• Lot 17 Canvasback Drive - The applicant is proposing to locate a daycare center in a portion of the building and is requesting the Commission to address parking with regards to the new use. Since the applicant was not present the Commission tabled the request until the applicant supplies more information.

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• Patriot Square (formally Parkway East) – The PUD has been purchased by Lenfest and they are proposing new architecture which Mr. Hamilton displayed at the meeting. Mr. Jon Braithwaite, architect for the project, explained that the townhouses will be staggered and there will be 4 or 5 units per building when constructed. The units will have vinyl clapboard style siding. There will be 92 townhouses and 41 single family houses constructed. This is an affordable housing project. The townhouse units will sell for approximately $120,000 and the single family will sell for approximately $135,000. Mr. Swann was concerned that the rear and sides of the homes do not have shutters. Mr. Roane, the developer, explained that they will be improving the design of the windows therefore shutters wouldn’t be needed. Upon motion of Mr. Swann, seconded by Mr. Atwood the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the new architectural design for Patriot Square.

• Railway Market – Railway Market is requesting that the Commission consider amending the Zoning Ordinance to allow multiple flag displays. There being no one present to explain and justify the request no discussion or action was taken.

• Pier 1 – The site plan approval for Pier 1 included a brick wall connecting Pier 1 with Boaters World. They are now proposing to replace the brick wall with a white vinyl fence supported by brick columns. Upon motion of Mr. White, seconded by Mrs. Cheezum the Commission voted 5-0 to approve Pier 1’s request to construct a picket fence which would have brick columns.

• Matthewstown Run, Section 6 – The applicants are seeking final plat approval for Matthewstown Run Section 6. The staff informed the Commission that all requirements of the preliminary plat approval have been fulfilled. Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mrs. Cheezum the Commission voted 5-0 to approve resolution 02-02 authorizing their Chairman to sign the Matthewstown Run Section 6 final plats.

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• The Easton Club Phase 2 Lots 42-52 – The applicants are seeking final plat approval for The Easton Club Phase 2 Lots 42-52. Upon motion of Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Brownawell the Commission voted 5-0 to approve resolution 03-02 authorizing their Chairman to sign the Easton Club Phase 2 Lots 42-52 final plats.

• Amendment to PUD Section of Zoning Ordinance - The Commission upon discussion voted to recommend to the Town Council that it consider the following amendments to the Zoning Ordinance:

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m. by Motion of Mr. Swann seconded by Mrs. Cheezum.