Centreville Planning Commission

September 21, 2005

Mrs. Elizabeth Brice, Chairman, called the September 21, 2005 meeting of the Centreville Planning Commission to order at 7:03 p.m. in Meeting Room A. of the County Annex Building. The following members were present: Elizabeth Brice, Penny Lins, Rob Babbitt, John Beskid, Mary Roby and Dan Worth. Royden Powell, Town Manager, was absent. Donna Turner, , Council liaison, Steve Kehoe, Town attorney, Judge Porter, Zoning Inspector and Jane Saulsbury, Administrative Aide, and Chris Rogers of URS were also present.

Review of Minutes from Last Meeting - The minutes for the August 17, 2005 meeting were approved after correction. (Mr. Porter did not attend the August meeting.)

Appearances

Jonathan Hodgson, Esquire, Update on Wharf Landing Condo Project - Mr. Hodgson came before the Planning Commission to provide an update of the condo project. He gave the members a copy of the application packet prepared for the Maryland Department of the Environment requesting a permit for a boardwalk around the perimeter of the property. A plat depicting the proposed boardwalk and 18 boat slips was shown. Each of the 14 units will be deeded a slip, as well as the two properties on the east side of Watson Road. There will be three slips designated for the Town’s use as transient slips for citizens to use for temporary tie-up. MDE has advised Mr. Hodgson that the success of the project will be enhanced if the Town Council endorses the project. Mr. Hodgson reported that Roby Hurley, Critical Area Commission Circuit Rider, is pleased that the plan does not disturb the buffer. The rubble lining the shoreline will be replaced with 10” to 15” riparian rip-rap. Chris Rogers would like input from Mr. Hurley as to the slips. Mr. Hodgson advised that they would meet any required specifications. After discussion, it was moved and seconded by Mrs. Roby and Mr. Babbitt, respectively, to approve the application to MDE and to recommend that the Town Council endorse it, contingent on their being transient slips reserved for the Town. All being in favor, the motion passed.

Rick Davis, DMS, Final Subdivision Plat and Revised Improvement Plans for the Proposed Phase III of the Centreville Business Park - Mr. Davis submitted the Final Subdivision Plat for approval by the Planning Commission. Mr. Rogers advised that he has reviewed the revised plan and had faxed a letter with comments. He summarized the comments contained in that letter, as follows: (1) all agency approvals have been received; (2) various agreements have been signed; (3) a landscape agreement and a stormwater management agreement will be signed; (4) water/sewer allocations will be subject to the Town Council; (5) the code requires that the Planning Commission advise the developer in writing that the final plat has been approved; (6) the infrastructure will be dedicated to the Town upon completion; (7) it is recommended that the SHA provide written approval for installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Courseval Drive and Route 213.

Mr. Walter Woodford, P.E., stated on behalf of Mr. Stoney Duffy that it is wrong to tie in the traffic light with approval of the Final Subdivision Plat. He stated this is an issue between the Town and SHA; he added that the loop road must be developed before future development of the business park can be done and that, in fact, the loop road will lessen the amount of truck traffic in and out of the business park as they will use the new entrance. Mrs. Brice agreed, noting that concern about the traffic light has existed since the beginning of the development. She said the Town should provide impetus and make every effort to see that a traffic light is installed. It has not been determined who will pay for the traffic light. Mr. Babbitt agreed that it is not fair to hold the developer up because of this issue. Mr. Kehoe advised that there are “jurisdictional” issues, i.e. the Planning Commission cannot tell the Town Council what to do. He suggested that the Town Council can work out the details in a public works agreement. Mr. Davis stressed the importance of starting the road now and not when winter is upon us. It was moved and seconded by Mr. Babbitt and Mr. Worth to approve the Final Subdivision Plat and Revised Improvement Plans for the Proposed Phase III of the Centreville Business Park contingent upon following all of the recommendations in the URS letter dated September 19, 2005. Further, a recommendation will be conveyed to the Town Council to pursue commitment with the State Highway Administration for a traffic light at the intersection of Coursevall Drive and Route 213. All being in favor, the motion passed.

Mr. Robert Pino, Optical Galleria, Proposed Relocation to 335-337 North Liberty Street - Mr. Pino expressed his interest in purchasing property at 335-337 North Liberty Street and relocating his Optical Galleria which currently located at 111 West Water Street. They proposed to provide nine angled parking spaces. Mr. Babbitt explained how the number of required spaces is calculated and said there is also a concern for traffic flow and safety. Based on the square footage of the building, seven spaces are required. After discussion, it was determined that no formal site plan is required and that he should meet with Judge Porter to discuss parking.

Old Business - Mrs. Brice asked about the status of the Comprehensive Plan update. Mr. Powell advised that a draft contract from U.R.S. has been sent to the County Commissioners for acceptance.

New Business - Mrs. Brice expressed concern about recent commercial buildings that have not come before the Planning Commission for review. She referenced Section 170-47. Site Plans of the Zoning Ordinance which prescribes standards to assure compliance with required standards. It is requested that the Planning Commission review all new non-residential development, including any demolition and subsequent construction. A letter stating this requirement will be sent to the Zoning Administrator.

Zoning Issues – Discussion

Mrs. Brice referred the commission members to Mr. Dan Worth’s letter to the editor in the September 16^th Record Observer. He reported on the Growth Forum he attended at Chesapeake College on August 25, 2005. She commended him for his letter which was very informative and well-written.

Mrs. Lins reported that the grass at the Wharf Project is very long and in need of cutting. The owner has been informed. She added that when the Comprehensive Plan is reviewed and updated, she would like for her property to be included in the Critical Area buffer exemption area. She was advised that her request can be considered at that time. The map showing the areas that are buffer exempt are incorporated in the Zoning Code by reference. Mr. Kehoe explained that it is a map change, not a code change.

Mr. Babbitt asked what the administrative procedure is relative to the disbursement of sewer allocations. Mr. Kehoe discussed the procedures as described in the Capacity Management Plan. He explained that a project may be on hold if it needs more allocations than are currently available. He noted that the County has its own master water/sewer plan.

Mrs. Roby asked if there is a time limit on renovations. It was noted that it needs to be clarified in the Zoning Ordinance. There are a number of projects in Town that have been ongoing for years.

Building permits issued in the month of September were listed for members’ review.

Miscellaneous Business/Correspondence. None

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jane Saulsbury, Administrative Aide

Town of Centreville

101 Lawyer's Row

Centreville, MD 21617

Phone: (410) 758-1180

Fax: (410) 758-4741

townhall@centreville-md.gov