MINUTES OF THE

September 20, 2001

Planning & Zoning Commission

Members Present: John Atwood, Chairman, and members Charles Goebel and Chris Brownawell.

Members Absent: John White 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 1:00 p.m. Mr. Atwood asked for a moment of silence for John White and his family and all involved is last weeks terrorist attacks. The first item was the approval of the August 16^th minutes. Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Goebel the Commission voted 3-0 to approve the August minutes.

The next item on the agenda was Brant Court Properties requesting PUD and CM review of proposed mixed use development. This project is a sketch site plan review for a project, which includes a 295-bedroom retirement community and 40,000 square feet of leaseable office space. The applicant has creatively used two zoning classifications (PUD & CM) to create their project. Mr. Bill Stagg, the applicant's agent explained that the proposed CM portion of the site is a 243-bedroom retirement complex with two four stories buildings. The PUD portion of the site is a mixed-use development, which includes 61 additional bedroom and 40,000 square feet of rental office space. The parking proposed for the project is adequate provided that the entire project is approved. Some of the parking required for the PUD is located within the CM portion of the site. Building "B" on the PUD side of the site is a four story building, which is close to the boundary of the site. Opposite this building are rear yards for single family lots in the Wayands Subdivision. The staff recommends more screening and perhaps more separation. The landscaping shown is conceptual in nature and is inadequate for comment. Mr. Stagg mentioned that trash collection would be private.

The applicants have been working with the MDE and Army Corps of Engineers to obtain necessary permits to develop the portions of the site on which this project is proposed. This site is subject to a previous application for a CM project, which disclosed that there were non-tidal wetlands, which precluded the previous project. Mr. Hoppy Stafford, applicant, explained that the units will mainly be rental. There may be 1 or 2 units for sale but at this time that is undecided. He feels as though there is a demand for senior housing in the Town of Easton. He also stated that this would most likely be a 5-year project, which would be phased.

Mr. Hamilton stated that the Town Engineer wanted to see a traffic study for the project. Mr. Goebel stated that he was pleased with the brick architecture of the buildings and felt that it is aesthetically pleasing to the Town of Easton. He was concerned with the fact that there are no sidewalks within the area and would like to see this further looked into. Mr. Atwood was also very pleased with the project and liked the fact the applicant is preserving as many trees as possible. The Commission did not make a motion on this project but requested that a traffic study be conducted under the guidance of the Town Engineer and secondly, the Commission requested that balloons be placed at the project site to allow the Commission to visually determine whether the location of building "B" would impact the adjacent Waylands Subdivision.

Planning & Zoning Meeting

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September 20, 2001

The next item on the agenda was Easton Utilities Commission requesting sketch site plan approval of a 6,960 square foot Inventory Storage Warehouse. Mr. Hugh Grunden, General Manager for Easton Utilities explained that the proposed building is located at 219 N. Washington Street behind the power plant building. The landscaping plan indicates screening made up of evergreen trees between the proposed building and an adjacent office complex to the west and the back of Marlboro Shopping Center to the north. The landscaping plan is in compliance with the zoning ordinance and exceeds the requirements. Mr. Grunden stated the SWM meets the Town of Easton and Maryland Department of the Environment regulations. Mr. Grunden stated that there would be no signage on the site. The applicant is proposing 5 parking spaces, which are shown on the site plan. They are requesting that two spaces be deferred. One being a handi-cap space. Mr. Hamilton was concerned that the commission and the building inspector lacked the ability to defer the handicap parking space. Upon motion of Mr. Brownawell, seconded by Mr. Goebel the Commission voted 3-0 to approve the sketch site plan conditioned on the modification of landscaping proposed to create a more natural setting, and the Commission agreed to defer 2 parking spaces, one being a handicap space, provided it is determined by the staff that Maryland State Law gives the Commission the authority to make that determination. Otherwise a handi-cap space must be provided.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2:05 p.m. by motion of Mr. Atwood seconded, by Mr. Brownawell.

Respectfully submitted,

Stacie M. Sauca

Planning Secretary