April 20, 2005

            Mrs. Elizabeth Brice, Chairman, called the April 20, 2005 meeting of the Centreville Planning Commission to order at 7:05 p.m. in Meeting Room A. of the County Annex Building.  The following members were present:  Elizabeth Brice, Penny Lins, Rob Babbitt, James Starkey and John Beskid.  Royden Powell, Town Manager, Donna Turner, Council (non-voting) liaison, Judge Porter, Zoning Inspector and Jane Saulsbury, Administrative Aide, were also present.

Review of Minutes from Last Meeting  -  The minutes of the March 16, 2005 meeting were approved with the following corrections:  (1)  Second paragraph on page 2, 7^th line should read:  “Mr. Powell reported that the Park Advisory Board  has recommended that the Town own the trail easement….”  (2)  Last paragraph on page 2, last line should read:  “Mr. Babbitt suggested input is needed from U.R.S. to confirm the amount of fill required.”

Appearances 

            Mr. Jack Kirby RE:  Proposed Improvements to Kathy Draper Property, 114 Front Street   Mr.  Kirby was not present and Mrs. Draper elected to delay the presentation until he is available with drawings and site plan, etc.

            Mr. Rick Keith, RE:  Proposed Commercial Construction at the Centreville Business Park (behind Chesapeake Auto)  Mr. Rick Keith, contractor, and Mr. Rick Davis of DMS & Associates were both present.  It was decided that Mr. Davis would combine agenda topics and present the proposed commercial construction behind Chesapeake Auto AND the proposed subdivision of Lots “I” and “J” and the Right-of-way for the “Loop Road.”  The review this evening is a preliminary review of the two lots in question which are one (1) acre lots.  Public water and sewer is available and the access off Maryland Route 213 will be reconfigured to meet State Highway Administration requirements.  The SHA has approved, at their expense, a traffic light at the intersection of Coursevall Drive and Route 213, with future plans for a second signal.  Chris Rogers noted that road construction plans will be given to all pertinent agencies for review, after which a final site plan will be presented to the Planning Commission for their approval.  Coursevall Drive, as it stands now, has been dedicated to the Town.  It was moved and seconded by Mr. Babbitt and Mr. Starkey, respectively, to accept the preliminary site plan of Lots “I” and “J” as presented, conditional upon technical review by U.R.S.  All being in favor, the motion passed.

            Jon Hodgson, Wharf Condominium Project  Mr. Hodgson reported that the concept plan for the Wharf Condominium Project was filed in November, 2003 and was approved.  He came before the Commission to proceed relative to the U.R.S. review in a letter received April 20, 2005.  Mrs. Brice read the letter for the record.  Primary is the need for the applicant to request a variance from the Town’s Floodplain Ordinance.  Mr. Hodgson gave the members of the Planning Commission his written response to the points in the U.R.S. letter signed by Mr. Chris Rogers, consultant.  The Planning Commission advised they would like to confirm some of the responses from McCrone, Inc.  Mr. Babbitt was not in favor of sending the Board of Zoning Appeals a favorable recommendation as the project “does not fulfill any public purpose.”  Mr. Hodgson responded that the additional fill needed will improve stormwater management control and would accomplish what is desired for the site.  The use is permitted by the zone and it is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.  Mr. Rogers advised that a study is needed to see if there is a negative impact on adjacent properties.  Mrs. Brice read from the Comprehensive Plan relative to this site which notes that this site can contribute many positive possibilities to the Town park system, etc.  Dave Powers of McCrone, Inc. explained how the fill would be distributed on the site and how drainage would be improved. 

            After discussion, it was moved and seconded by Mr. Babbitt and Mrs. Lins, respectively, to forward the request for a variance to the Board of Zoning Appeals with a recommendation against approving the project as it serves no public purpose to grant the variance. Upon call of the vote two voted in favor, three opposed.  The motion was defeated.  It was then moved and seconded by Mr. Starkey and Mr. Beskid, respectively, to send the request for a variance to the Board of Zoning Appeals with no comment or recommendation.  Mr. Babbitt and Mrs. Lins were opposed.  Mr. Beskid, Mr. Starkey and Mrs. Brice were in favor.  The majority being in favor, the motion carried.

            Cal Gray, RE:  Landscape Plans for Office Building at 211 East Water Street  Mr. Gray described his plan to remove some of the concrete in front of the building to provide room for landscaping.  He advised that old-fashioned street lights are proposed.  It was a consensus of the members to approve the proposed landscaping. 

            Tom Davis, DMS, RE: Final Site Plan for Proposed Commercial Office Building and Apartments, Lands of Centreville Land Holdings, LLC,  Water Street  Mr. Rick Davis of DMS and Associates presented the final site plan for the referenced project and request approval by the Commission.  He reviewed parking provisions, explaining that the number has been reduced from thirty-two to eighteen as off-site parking is available.  Stormwater management will be handled underground with a filtration devise at the rear of the property which can be cleansed to avoid clogging.  Mr. Torchio presented the architectural design, being a two-story building similar to those on Pennsylvania Avenue and requested final site plan approval pending review by U.R.S.  It was moved and seconded by Mr. Starkey and Mrs. Lins, respectively, to approve the final site plan of Centreville Land Holdings, LLC presented by Rick Davis under the condition that it meets/satisfies the technical review of U.R.S.  All being in favor, the motion carried.

            Greg Torchio RE:  Final Site Plan for Proposed Office Building and Apartments, 205 East Water Street  Mr. Torchio presented the final site plan for the proposed Torchio Office Building at 205 East Water Street.  The building meets all of the set back requirements and will manage stormwater by a cistern located in the basement.  It was moved and seconded by Mr. Babbitt and Mr. Beskid, respectively, to approve the final site plan presented by Mr. Torchio subject to technical review by U.R.S.  All being in favor, the motion passed.

            Mrs. Evelyn Gardner, RE: Proposed Subdivision of Lot on the Corner of Pine Street and Hope Road   Mrs. Gardner presented documents showing the proposed subdivision of the corner lot above referenced.  There is adequate footage for creation of another lot, which will front on Pine Street.  Mrs. Janet Skinner, resident at 304 Holly Street, expressed concern about the subdivision.  The side lot line of the new lot created will be adjacent to alley-way defining the rear lot line of her property.  The Planning Commission deferred the question of rear lot lines and set-backs to Mr. Kehoe, the Town attorney.  Mrs. Gardner was very satisfied for the Town to handle this question.

Old Business   None

New Business

            Mr. Roby Hurley, Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Circuit Rider for the Town of Centreville, presented the legislative amendments proposed for the Town’s Critical Area Program.  He advised that the map should be amended at this time, if map amendments are needed.  There was a discussion about the requirements for public hearings.  The Commission will defer to the Town attorney to see if the Planning Commission is required to hold a public hearing.  Mr. Hurley suggested that Town ordinance could be amended so that the Planning Commission doesn’t have to hold its own Public Hearing, that a hearing by the Town Council would be sufficient.

Zoning Issues – Discussion 

            The building permits issued in March through April 20th were listed.

Miscellaneous Business/Correspondence 

            Mrs. Turner, Council liaison, reported that three new members have been appointed to the Planning Commission, Mrs. Mary Roby, Mr. Dan Worth and Mr. Ed Novak.

            There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Jane Saulsbury, Administrative Aide

101 Lawyer's Row

Centreville, MD  21617

Phone: (410) 758-1180

Fax:     (410) 758-4741