MINUTES OF THE

August 16, 2001

Planning & Zoning Commission

Members Present: John Atwood, Chairman, and members John White, Charles Goebel, and Chris Brownawell. (Mr. Dan Swann perspective commissioner attended the meeting to observe)

The fifth chair on the Commission is vacant.

Staff Present: Tom Hamilton, Town Planner, Lynn Thomas Assistant 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 was the approval of the July 19^th minutes. Upon motion of Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Brownawell the Commission voted 4-0 to approve the July minutes.

The next item on the agenda was Easton Club East requesting special exception and site plan review of community center building as well as subdivision review of 14 lots. The applicant requests a special exception to locate a community center /recreation complex adjacent to the entrance to Easton Club East Subdivision; a variance from the minimum site size to allow the facility on a lot less than five acres; as well as a 14 lot subdivision. Bob Rauch, applicant explained that this proposal involves a change to the layout of the Easton Club East subdivision plat. The sketch plat for Easton Club East included several small parks one of which was a community common area which was to include a recreation facility. It was purposefully to be located roughly in the center of the subdivision. They are proposing to relocate the community center adjacent to the entrance to the community on part of what was previously a commercial PUD. A representative for Pulte Homes, explained that if relocated the recreational facility would impact only 8 lots instead of the 25 lots impacted at the original location. A discussion followed to determine whether a special exception and variance was necessary. Mr. White argued that the special exception and variance was required and felt the Commission could not decide on the site plan until the Board of Appeals had reviewed and approved the special exception and variance. A motion was made by Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Atwood to approve the application as an amendment to the approved subdivision with lot 416 being added to the open space. That motion failed on a 2-2 vote. A second motion was made to determine whether the Commission supports the re-location of the recreation facility. Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. White the Commission voted 3-1 Mr. Goebel opposed. A third motion offered by Mr. Brownawell to determine whether the request was an amendment to the subdivision eliminating the necessity of a special exception. This motion was seconded by Mr. Goebel and passed 3-1 Mr. White opposed. The final motion to approve the site plan was made by Mr. Brownawell seconded by Mr. Atwood the Commission voted 3-1 in favor Mr. Goebel opposed. This motion included the applicant abandoning lot 416. No action was taken with regard to the re-subdivision of the original common open space lot, which was to contain the recreational facility.

Planning & Zoning Minutes

Page 2

August 16, 2001

The next item on the agenda was Easton Village on the Tred Avon River. The applicant is requesting sketch subdivision review of 340 lot PUD residential subdivision. This application represents an amendment to a previously approved PUD, which allowed for the development of 15 large waterfront lots at Ratcliffe Manor Farms, with one large (204.756 acres) remnant parcel. The original site plan reviewed by the Commission several months earlier has changed for a number of reasons. Some changes were made as a result of the discovery of Delmarva Fox squirrel habitat on the property. Also, changes were made to address concerns of the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission. The applicant has now provided a 300-foot critical areas buffer in nearly every portion of the site. Mr. White was pleased with the new layout and felt that it was much more inviting to the public. Upon motion of Mr. white, seconded by Mr. Goebel the Commission voted 4-0 to determine that the drawings dated 8/3/01 were consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. No action was taken regarding approval or disapproval of the site plan. More detail and new responses to the Commission's continuing concerns will be required before the Commission will consider the site plan for approval.

The Planning Commission was given a draft copy of the Historic District Guidelines. After review of the guidelines, the Commission upon motion of Charles Goebel, seconded by Chris Brownawell voted 4-0 to approve the Historic District Guidelines and make a favorable recommendation to the Town Council to adopt the guidelines as part of the Zoning Ordinance.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m. by motion of Mr. Goebel, seconded by Mr. Brownawell.

Respectfully submitted,

Stacie M. Sauca Planning Secretary