MINUTES OF THE
October 18, 2001
Planning & Zoning Commission
Members present: John Atwood, Chairman, and members John White, Charles Goebel, Chris Brownawell and Dan Swann.
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Tom Hamiltion, 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 was the approval of the September 20th minutes. Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Goebel the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the September minutes.
The first item was from staff concerning 8105 Teal Drive. Kevin Shearon represented Mr. Sedghi the applicant. At a prior planning commission meeting the Commission approved a site plan for an expansion of the building with the condition that the applicant have a tire shredder on the property. After some research Mr. Sedghi found that tire shredders are very expensive and has come back today with another alternative. Kevin Shearon explained that the applicant will increase the size of the fenced outside storage area to accommodate the storage of used tires which would have otherwise been shredded and removed from the premise. He would also like to relocate the storm water management pond. He proposes additional landscaping to the SWM pond which will have to be located in the front yard of the property instead of the approved location in the rear yard. There will be about a foot and a half of wet storage. Upon motion of Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to delete from the prior approval the requirement that a tire shredder be purchased and used for the shredding of tires in exchange for which the outdoor storage area will be enlarged. The Commission also approved the relocation of the swm pond to the front yard.
The next item was also from staff concerning the Easton Club requesting 2 temporary construction/sales office trailers on lot 37 Masters Village until a model home is constructed. Both trailers will be placed on one lot. Upon motion of Mr. Goebel, seconded by Mr. White the Commission voted 5-0 to approve 2 temporary trailers at the Easton Club which must be removed within one year from this date or within 30 days of occupancy of a model home which ever comes first. The approval was also conditioned on the applicant complying with the building code requirements.
The next item was also from staff concerning a temporary use trailer at the Woods at Stoney Ridge. The temporary trailer will be used for a sales and administrative office. Mr. Corbin has sold the house which he has been using for a sales office. Upon motion of Mr. Goebel, seconded by Mr. Brownawell the Commission approved a temporary use trailer, which must be removed in 1 year from this date. The Building Inspection Department must approve the trailers.
The next item on the agenda was Brant Court Properties requesting PUD/CM review of proposed mixed-use development. This application is a sketch site plan review for a project which includes a 295-bedroom retirement community and 40,000 square feet of leasable office space. The Commission at their September meeting tabled the project and asked the applicant to place marker balloons at the site to determine the impact of the height of building "B" for neighboring properties. On October 10th the Planning Staff visited the site and observed a balloon had been placed adjacent to the Waylands Subdivision. This balloon was screened by existing vegetation, however without leaves the building would be very visible. Mr. Bill Stagg explained the height of the buildings would be approximately 46 - 48 feet. The applicant is proposing brick architecture. Mr. Hamilton has spoken to Mr. Atkiss, the developer of the neighboring property and he mentioned that he would make the homeowners of Waylands aware of the proposed project. There were no homeowners present at the meeting. Mr. Hamilton stated that he would post the property as public notice for the Town Council hearing. Mr. Hamilton stated that the applicant has submitted a traffic analysis study. Mr. Hamilton mentioned that Mr. Glass has a few technical issues which he will discuss with the SHA. There are no other traffic concerns to the Town Engineer. The Commission was concerned with lots 38-40 in the Waylands Subdivision, which backs up to Brant Court. The Commission wanted to make sure that the homeowners were aware of the possible impacts. Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Swann the Commission voted 5-0 to approve the PUD/CM sketch site plan and to forward a positive recommendation to the Town Council with the condition that actual notice is given to the lot owners 38-40 in Waylands. The Commission asked that the applicant send the notice by certified mail.
The next application on the agenda was Magnolia Meadows requesting sketch site plan approval of 99-unit apartment complex. Mr. Goebel recused himself from this application because of possible conflicts of interest. The project is located on the west side of MD. Route 322, at the south end of Town adjacent to Chatham Village. In September of 1998 the Planning Commission approved a similar application which was subsequently approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals. The Special Exception approval had no expiration date and therefore is still active. The Commission's site plan approval has expired and there have been amendments the zoning ordinance which will alter the site plan approval process. Mr. Hamilton instructed the applicant to resubmit for site plan review.
Mr. Brett Brasite, with Delaware Valley Development Company, explained that they are proposing virtually the same site plan submitted before with those changes required to meet the current development standards. Photographs were distributed to the Commissioners of similar buildings, which they had built elsewhere. Vinyl siding is proposed for the buildings. Each unit will have its own entrance from the outside of the buildings. Mr. White asked whether the project would be converted to a condominium at some time in the future so the units could be individually owned and cared for. He is concerned that after thirty years of depreciation, the developer will stop repairing the duplex and it will become a blighted housing project. George Beer also with Delaware Valley Development Company, responded that they had a financing package with the State of Maryland, which insured that they would be the owners of the project for 30-40 years and would keep the project in good repair. Mr. Brownawell was concerned with the architecture of the buildings and suggested the applicant use brick instead of vinyl siding in some places. The applicants stated that if they used brick they would be getting away from affordable housing. The Commission was in agreement that they would like to see a new design of the buildings with architecture more fitting to Easton and requested that the applicant provide artist renderings of the newly designed buildings. Upon motion of Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Brownawell the Commission voted 4-0 to give partial approval to the site plan relative to the foot print subject to the applicant returning to the Commission to present architectural drawings for final approval.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2:50 p.m. by motion of Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Brownawell.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacie M. Sauca
Planning Secretary