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HomeMy WebLinkAbout190204 - Minutes, Planning CommissionWASHINGTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING February 4, 2019 3 The Washington County Planning Commission held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, February 4, 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, Andrew Bowen, Jeremiah Weddle, Denny Reeder, Robert Goetz, Jr., David Kline and Ex-Officio Randall Wagner. Staff members present were: Washington County Department of Planning & Zoning: Stephen Goodrich, Director; Jill Baker, Deputy Director; Travis Allen, Comprehensive Planner; and Debra Eckard, Administrative Assistant; Washington County Department of Plan Review & Permitting: Ashley Holloway, Director; 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 IYIINUTES Motion and Vote: Mr. Bowen made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 7, 2019 meeting as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kline and unanimously approved. MODIFICATIONS C:ascade Community Center -Lot 1 [OM-19-001) Mr. Shaw presented for review and approval a modification request to allow the creation of a lot without public road frontage. The 3.77 acre property is located at 14421 Lake Royer Drive and is currently zoned SED (Special Economic Development). The Cascade Community Center is currently existing on this property. The proposed application would put the community center on its own stand-alone parcel. The parent parcel has an existing private road network that has a signalized intersection with a state road. The plan proposes placing an easement on the parent tract to give the right to current and future occupants to travel over and across the existing road network. All reviewing agencies had no comment and no objection to the modification request. Mr. Shaw stated that if the modification request is granted, a subdivision plat will be forthcoming. Motion and Vote: Mr. Reeder made a motion to approve the modification request as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Goetz and unanimously approved. Sara Rall -Lot 1 [OM-18-012) Ms. Kelly presented for review and approval a modification request to create a lot without public road frontage for an immediate family member. The existing lane that serves the farmhouse crosses other property before it connects to the public right-of-way. The applicant intends to utilize the same lane to access the public right-of-way. Pere tests have been performed and approved. The two acre parcel being subdivided is currently within an agricultural preservation easement. The State Ag Preservation Board has approved the subdivision and location of the acreage to be released from the preservation easement. In addition to the modification request, a preliminary/final plat has been submitted to Plan Review & Permitting. Discussion and Comments: Mr. Schreiber of Frederick, Seibert & Associates, the consultant, gave a brief explanation of the shared lane. Ms. Rall, the applicant, stated that maintenance and upkeep of the lane is shared by all property owners. Mr. Schreiber suggested creating a recorded ingress/egress easement over the farm property to insure there is always access. Motion and Vote: Mr. Weddle made a motion to approve the modification request as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Reeder and unanimously approved with Mr. Goetz abstaining from the vote. 4 SUBDIVISIONS Ganesh Ill LLC -Lot 3 [S-18-013] Ms. Kelly presented for review and approval a preliminary/final plat for a proposed single commercial lot along the south side of Mason Dixon Road. The property is currently zoned HI (Highway Interchange). The developer is proposing to create a 5 acre commercial parcel for future development. In the future, the site will be served by public water from the City of Hagerstown and public sewer from Washington County. A site plan will be required for any development that occurs on the site. All agency approvals have been received. Forest conservation requirements were addressed under the Forest Conservation Master Plan for the lands of the Hagerstown-Washington County Industrial Foundation, the previous owner of the property. Motion and Vote: Mr. Bowen made a motion to approve the preliminary/final plat as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Goetz and unanimously approved. SITE PLANS Drosdak Farm Banquet & Reception Facility [SP-18-034] Ms. Kelly presented for review and approval a site plan for a proposed event center in an existing barn situated on a 35 acre parcel. The property is located along the east side of Mount Carmel Church Road and is currently zoned P (Preservation). Total square footage in the barn is 3,449 square feet. An outdoor tent (30 x 60 feet) is also to be used. The Board of Zoning Appeals approved this proposal on July 11, 2018 with the following conditions: • "Proposed use is limited to operation from April 1 to October 31 each year; • Proposed use shall operate from Tuesday to Sunday and shall maintain hours of 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.; and • Proposed use shall not exceed 125 guests for an event." The Board granted approval in the reduction of the front yard setback from 50 feet to O feet; parking requirements were reduced from 105 spaces to 63 spaces and parking can be on grass surfaces. These notes and conditions have been listed on the site plan. There will be no new employees and no freight and delivery services. The site is served by a private well. Portable restrooms will be provided for events. The Health Department restricts the facility to 14 events per year for a maximum duration of 14 days each when using temporary restroom facilities. There will be no new permanent lighting; temporary lighting will be used outside. Proposed signage will be building and pole mounted. The use is exempt from forest conservation requirements because there will be less than 20,000 square feet of disturbance. All agency approvals have been received. Motion and Vote: Mr. Reeder made a motion to approve the site plan as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weddle and unanimously approved. Evan Blumfield [SO-18-042] Ms. Kelly presented for review and approval a site plan for a proposed landscape contractors business. The property is located along Rock Bottom Lane south of Mt. Aenta Road and is currently zoned EC (Envir- onmental Conservation). The property owner is proposing to construct a 2,400 square foot building on his residential parcel for a landscape contractors business. An existing 2,600 square foot building is currently on the site and will be demolished. The total parcel area is 1.80 acres. There will be 4 employees. The hours of operation will be 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekdays. Four parking spaces are required; 8 spaces will be provided. The site is served by existing well and septic. There is no proposed signage. Lighting will be building mounted. Forest Conservation requirements will be met using the payment in lieu. All agency approvals have been received. Motion and Vote: Mr. Weddle made a motion to approve the site plan as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kline and unanimously approved. Vinny's Towing and Recovery fSP-18-037] Ms. Kelly presented for review and approval a site plan for a proposed towing and recovery business including an office on 18.72 acres located along the north side of Beaver Creek Road. The property is currently zoned HI (Highway Interchange). There will be one access off of Beaver Creek Road. Phase 1 will include the construction of a 32 foot high, 9,000 square foot building which will contain an office and 4 service bays. In the future, Phase 2 will be a building addition of 9,000 square feet. A gravel parking lot 5 will provide areas for parked and towed vehicles and will be surrounded by an 8 foot high chain link fence with gate. The hours of operation will be 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The site will be served by individual well and septic. A total of 13 parking spaces will be provided. Lighting will be building mounted; no signage is proposed. The site is surrounded by trees/woods and no additional trees will be planted. Forest Conservation requirements will be addressed by retaining 1.97 acres of existing forest on site. All agency approvals have been received. Motion and Vote: Mr. Reeder made a motion to approve the site plan as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weddle and unanimously approved with Mr. Goetz abstaining from the vote. FOREST CONSERVATION Blooming Meadows [S-12-003) Mr. Allen presented for review and approval a request to use natural re-generation to meet Forest Conservation Ordinance requirements for the Blooming Meadows subdivision. The property is located along the west side of Alternate Route 40 at Blooming Meadows Court. The property is 73.5 acres in size and is currently zoned A(R) -Agricultural Rural. Preliminary plats have been reviewed at various times throughout the past several years. The subdivision plat is for 9 lots and a simplified plat of subdivision for 3 lots; Blooming Meadows is shown as the remaining lands of The Pines subdivision. Mr. Allen noted that natural re-generation is listed in Article 10.1 of the Washington County Forest Conservation Ordinance as one of the less preferred methods afforest mitigation, but is still a viable option in the right circumstances. He stated that the applicant has made a good faith effort to retain as much forest on site as possible with a minimal amount of clearing. It was noted that the proposed natural re-generation area in question already nearly qualifies as forest, and will likely achieve that level of maturity without the need for supplemental planting by the property owner. Discussion and Comments: Members of the Commission expressed their opinions that natural re- generation is a preferable method of mitigation. There was some concern that property owners will clear the areas; however, staff will be responsible to inspect the property for appropriate signage indicating the forest conservation easement. Motion and Vote: Mr. Kline made a motion to approve the use of natural re-generation as mitigation to fulfill the Forest Conservation requirement for the Blooming Meadows subdivision. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bowen and unanimously approved with Mr. Weddle abstaining from the vote. -OTHER BUSINESS Demolition Permit 2018-05724 -18461 Manor Church Road Mr. Goodrich presented a demolition permit application for a two-story single-family dwelling and two storage barns on property located at 18461 Manor Church Road. He explained the policy adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in 1989 and the role of the Planning Commission when a demolition permit for properties listed on the Washington County Historic Sites Survey has been applied for. The Planning Commission's recommendation will not stop the demolition permit from being issued; however, the policy allows staff the time to discuss alternatives with the property owner, such as tax credits, historic preservation, etc. Mr. Goodrich noted that the Historic District Commission reviewed this application at its January meeting. The HDC recommended that the demolition permit should not be issued because, in its opinion, the house was too important as a record of the stone vernacular architecture and the relationship of this property to the Emmert family and their relationship to the nearby Manor Church. Alternatives to demolition were discussed during the HDC meeting in the presence of Mr. Householder, the property owner. Discussion and Comments: Mr. Weddle stated that he is very familiar with this property; he was renting it before it was sold and considered purchasing the property himself. He was inside the house several times and he expressed his opinion that only the limestone rocks were worth saving. Mr. Weddle believes the inside of the house needs to be gutted; there is a lot of water standing in the basement. Mr. Goodrich explained that during the Historic District Commission's meeting, Mr. Household presented photographs of the inside of the house. Mr. Douglass Reed, an experienced restoration contractor, expressed his opinion that the house could be saved and was not a lost cause. He acknowledged that rehabilitation and restoration of the house could be costly and time-consuming. Mr. Goodrich addressed the issue of water in the basement stating that the rainfall this year has been extraordinary; and, also, it is believed that this home was purposedly built over a spring. 6 Mr. Kline believes that historic buildings should be preserved; however, he is also a firm believer in personal property rights. He asked if the property being listed in the Historic Sites Survey would preclude it from being demolished. Mr. Goodrich stated that being listed in the inventory does not allow or disallow the property owner from doing things to the structure. It is Mr. Kline's opinion that the property owner has the right to do whatever he wants with his property and if the County wants to save historic structures it should consider purchasing those properties itself. Mr. Householder discussed the deteriorated condition of the barn and house. It is his desire to build a new home that is handicap accessible for his grandson. He expressed his opinion that the barn is not built to today's standards and way of farming. Mr. Wiley asked if the owner has considered any of the alternatives suggested by the HDC. Mr. Householder believes that the house could not be updated to current standards. Mr. Wiley stated that he has preserved historic homes; however, he does not believe that every historic structure needs to be preserved at all cost. Mr. Weddle concurred with Mr. Kline's comment that the County needs to find a way to purchase historic homes if they want them preserved. Motion and Vote: Mr. Kline made a recommendation to approve the demolition permit. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weddle and unanimously approved with Commission Wagner abstaining from the vote. Update of Staff Approvals Mr. Holloway presented the following update for January: approvals included 11 subdivision plats; 10 forest conservation plans; 7 storm water concept plans; 3 grading plans; 3 red line revisions, 1 ordinance modification; 1 site plan; and 1 standard storm water management plan. Projects submitted for review included 29 Land Development reviews and 12 building permit applications. -ADJOURNMENT Mr. Bowen made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kline and so ordered by the Chairman. -UPCOMING MEETINGS 1. Monday, February 4, 2019, 7:00 p.m., Washington County Planning Commission regular meeting, Washington County Administration Building, 100 W. Washington Street, Room 2000, Hagerstown, MD 21740