HomeMy WebLinkAbout190603 - Minutes, Planning CommissionWASHINGTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
June 3, 2019
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The Washington County Planning Commission held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, June 3, 2019
at 7:00 p.m. at the Washington County Administration Building, 100 W. Washington Street, Room 2000,
Hagerstown, MD.
Commission members present at the meeting were: Clint Wiley, Denny Reeder, Andrew Bowen, and
Jeremiah Weddle. Staff members present were: Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning:
Jill Baker, Deputy Director; and Debra Eckard, Administrative Assistant; Washington County Department
of Plan Review & Permitting: Cody Shaw, Chief of Plan Review; and Lisa Kelly, Senior Planner.
CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
-NEW BUSINESS
MINUTE5_
Motion and Vote: Mr. Reeder made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 6, 2019 meeting as
presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weddle and unanimously approved.
MODIFICATIONS
PR Valley Limited Partnership [OM-19-003}
Mr. Shaw presented for review and approval a modification request to allow the creation of three lots
without public road frontage. Section 405.11.B of the Washington County Subdivision Ordinance states
that every lot shall abut a minimum of 25 feet and have access to a public road. The three proposed lots
have existing businesses located on them (Olive Garden, Firestone, Golden Corral). The purpose of this
modification is to create a standalone lot for each of these businesses. If the modification request is
approved, a subdivision plat will be submitted for approval. All approving agencies have reviewed the
request and have no objection or comments. The owner is requesting that, if the modification request is
approved, staff be given the authority to approve the final plat.
Motion and Vote: Mr. Reeder made a motion to approve the modification request and to grant staff the
authority to approve the final plat pending receipt of all agency approvals. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Weddle and unanimously approved.
5_1TE PLAl'!_S
GTR Auto Transport [SP-19-011)
Ms. Kelly presented for review and approval a site plan for a proposed 4,120 square foot truck terminal
with maintenance shop. The property is located at 13535 Label Lane and is currently zoned HI (Highway
Interchange). There will be 4 employees on the site. Hours of operation will be Monday thru Friday, 9 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Total parking required for cars is 11 spaces; 11 spaces will be provided. There will be 12 truck
parking spaces provided for the future. The site will be surrounded by an 8 foot chain link fence with a
gate at the entrance onto Label Lane. Trash will be collected inside the facility. Signage will be building
mounted; lighting will be building and pole mounted. Landscaping is proposed for the bio-retention
ponds. Forestation was previously addressed during the subdivision which occurred in 2004.
Motion and Vote: Mr. Weddle made a motion to approve the site plan as presented. The motion was
seconded by Mr. Bowen and unanimously approved.
OTHER BUSINESS
Update of Staff Approval~
Mr. Shaw presented the following update for May: Land Development -1 forest stand delineation; 5 site
plans, 2 storm water management concept plans, 1 ordinance modification, 3 preliminary/final plats, 1
preliminary consultation, 2 simplified plats, 3 standard storm water management plans, 11 standard
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grading plans, 10 red-line revisions; Permits -19 grading permits, 28 entrance permits, 3 utility permits
and 1 flood plain permit.
Forest Conservation
Ms. Baker reported that Washington County now has approximately 25 years of history in forest
conservation efforts. Recently there have been some issues relative to compliance. Most of the issues are
failure to plant trees within the time limits specified in the Ordinance, which is two planting seasons after
final approval of a project. Other issues are relative to forest easements established on the back of
properties and owners are using these easements for activities inappropriately. In the near future, staff
will be discussing the use of non-compliance fees with the Commission.
Discussion and Comments: There was a brief discussion regarding the monitoring of these easements,
which is currently on a three year cycle. When a non-compliance activity is discovered, staff sends three
letters to the property owners seeking cooperation to bring the easement back into compliance. Mr.
Weddle expressed his opinion that a stricter policy should be enforced. Mr. Bowen concurred.
Land Preservation Program
There was a brief discussion regarding the retirement of the Rural Preservation Administrator, budgetary
constraints, and the effects both could have on the County's land preservation goals.
Motion and Vote: Mr. Reeder made a motion for Mr. Weddle to attend and speak on behalf of the
Planning Commission in support of filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Rural Preservation
Administrator at the Board of County Commissioners' budget public hearing on June 4th_ The motion was
seconded by Mr. Bowen and unanimously approved.
Election_ of Officers
Motion and Vote: Mr. Reeder made a motion to elect Mr. Wiley as Chairman and Mr. Bowen as Vice-
Chairman for the upcoming year. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weddle and unanimously approved.
cADJOURNMENT
Mr. Bowen made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weddle
and so ordered by the Chairman.
-UPCOMING MEETINGS
1. Monday, July 1, 2019, 7:00 p.m., Washington County Planning Commission regular meeting,
Washington County Administration Building, 100 W. Washington Street, Room 2000,
Hagerstown, MD 21740
submitted,