MINUTES OF THE
March 21, 2002
Planning & Zoning Commission
Members Present: John Atwood, Chairman, and members John White, Charles Goebel, Chris Brownawell, and Dan Swann.
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 1:05 p.m. The first item of business was the approval of the February 21st minutes. Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell seconded by Mr. Goebel the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the February minutes.
The first item on the agenda was 507 Dover Road requesting PRD (planned re-development) review of commercial site where the owner proposes to construct a 10, 500 square foot office building. The property is owned by Michael W. Peterson and is zoned CG, it also falls within the PRD district. The applicant, Scott Saunders, explained that this was the former Simpkins Roofing property and is improved with 3 metal buildings. Mr. Saunders proposes to demolish the storage shed and construct a 10,500 square foot commercial office and warehouse building in its place. The building is to be metal sided with a metal roof and is of "pole barn" construction. Mr. Saunders explained that the access to the site is shown utilizing the existing entrance from Dover Road, which is between two existing buildings and another access is shown for Park Street. Mr. Hamilton stated that the Town Engineer was not in favor of the "pole barn" construction at this location in the downtown section of Easton. The Commission was in agreement that this project is too intense for the site and would like fewer units on the site equating to less parking spaces required. The Commission would also like to see better architectural features and larger setbacks. The applicant is to resubmit, modifying the site plan in accordance with the Commissions comments.
The next item on the agenda was 29085 Glebe Park Drive requesting sketch site plan review of a 20,000 square foot manufacturing facility and a favorable recommendation to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a Special Exception for multiple use on a single lot. The Richard Bernstein Family Limited Partnership is the owner of the property. The site is zoned I1 (Select Industrial District). Bill Stagg, representing the owner explained that they are proposing to construct a 20,000 square foot manufacturing facility. The facility would be a new manufacturing facility added to the site, which is improved with Salisbury Pewter. Mr. Bernstein is building the structure on anticipation of receiving government contracts related to his BAI business. The architecture proposed is a metal pre-engineered building similar to other buildings in the industrial park. The Commission was in agreement that this design is appropriate for the site. Upon motion of Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Brownawell, the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the sketch site plan with the condition that all roof top utilities be screened appropriately and to make a favorable recommendation to the Board of Zoning Appeals for the Special Exception.
Planning & Zoning Meeting
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March 21, 2002
The next item was from staff concerning a temporary use for Lowe's Garden Center. They are requesting to place a fence off the row of parking nearest to the south end of the building to be used as a garden center from now until October 15, 2002. This will temporarily eliminate 22 parking spaces. Upon motion of Mr. Geoebl, seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 4-1 (Mr. Brownawell opposed) to approve Lowe's request subject to the garden center being enclosed a chain link fence.
The next item on the agenda was old business concerning the Norris Ford Annexation. The property is owned by UP Associates, a Maryland General Partnership. The property is located on the east side of Rt. 50 at Black Dog Alley. At the February 21st Planning Commission meeting the Commission requested the applicants to submit drawings at its March meeting showing landscaping and improvements to the site. The Commission was pleased with the architecture and landscaping proposed for the site during this meeting. Upon motion of Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Brownawell the Commission voted 5-0 to make a favorable recommendation to the Town Council to approve the requested annexation subject to site plan upgrades being forwarded to the Town Council and it further recommended that the annexed property be zoned CG (General Commercial).
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2:35 p.m. by motion of Mr. Goebel, seconded by Mr. White.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacie M. Sauca
Planning Secretary