Montgomery News

City of Gaithersburg Planning Commission met May 1.

Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:

1. Call To Order

The Regular Session of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:30 pm with Chair John Bauer presiding.

Attendee Name; Title; Status; Arrived:

John Bauer Chair Present

Matthew Hopkins Commissioner Absent

Lloyd Kaufman Commissioner Present

Ruthzaly Weich Commissioner Present

Danny Winborne Commissioner Present

Philip Wessell Alternate Commissioner Present

Staff present: Assistant City Attorney Frank Johnson, Planning and Code Administration Director John Schlichting, Planning Division Chief Trudy Schwarz, Planners Greg Mann, Jasmine Forbes and Ray Roakes, and Administrative Technician Myriam Gonzalez.

2. Approval Of Minutes

A. Regular Session held April 4, 2018

B. Regular Session held April 18, 2018

Motion was made to approve the Minutes Agenda.

Result: Approved [Unanimous]

Mover: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

Seconder: Danielle Winborne, Commissioner

For: Bauer, Kaufman, Weich, Winborne, Wessell

Absent: Matthew Hopkins

3. Consent

A. AFP-7891-2018: 130 Mission Drive - 750 square foot addition to an existing single- family detached residential home in the R-6 (Medium Density Residential) Zone: Amendment To Final Site Plan

Motion was made to grant AFP-7891-2018 - 130 Mission Drive, Amendment to Final Plan Approval, based on the exhibits submitted, and staff’s findings and recommendations, and finding it in compliance with Zoning Ordinance §§ 24-170 and 24-172A.

Result: Passed [Unanimous]

Mover: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

Seconder: Philip Wessell, Alternate Commissioner

For: Bauer, Kaufman, Weich, Winborne, Wessell

Absent: Matthew Hopkins

B. AFP-7863-2018: 930 Clopper Road - Changes to the parking lot, new landscaping, and expansion of an existing exterior mechanical area, in the E-1 (Urban Employment) Zone: Amendment To Final Site Plan

Motion was made to grant AFP-7863-2018 - 930 Clopper Road, Amendment to Final Plan Approval, based on the exhibits submitted, and staff’s findings and recommendations, and finding it in compliance with Zoning Ordinance §§ 24-170 and 24-172A, with one condition as listed in the Staff Comments.

Result: Passed [Unanimous]

Mover: Danielle Winborne, Commissioner

Seconder: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

For: Bauer, Kaufman, Weich, Winborne, Wessell

Absent: Matthew Hopkins

4. Site Plans

A. AFP-7864-2018: 700 Quince Orchard Road, Convert the ground floor of the existing building to a parking facility and renovate the building facade in the MXD (Mixed Use Development) Zone: Amendment To Final Site Plan

Planner Forbes introduced this application, noting this is Phase 1 of a multi-phase process to meet lease obligations for a new tenant. Subsequently, a schematic development plan for Phase 2 will be submitted, which will include the property subdivision, construction of a street and a parking structure to the south of the office building. She briefly located the property and noted the site access.

Attorney for the applicant, Philip Hummel, Esq., Linowes & Blocher, LLC, introduced the applicant's team. He noted the project will be a multi-phase process for re-tenanting of the vacant building and advance the 2016 approved sketch plan (Z-7262-2016) of the property. He stated the applicant agrees with staff's recommendations and conditions.

Property owner Andrew Glick, Rock Creek Property Group and Woodside Ventures, thanked staff for their assistance and noted that a full building lease has been executed with a pharmaceutical firm (Supernus) to house its corporate headquarters. He briefly discussed the proposed changes for the office building and the development of the future residential use is important to support the economic viability of their investment in the re-tenanting the office building.

Engineer for the applicant, Mike Goodman, VIKA Maryland, discussed the process of the redevelopment project, noting the subject final plan amendment reduces the square footage, re-faces the structure, and re-purposes the bottom floor for parking, with construction to begin by the end of this year. He noted the site improvements of the subject plan include grade adjustments that necessitate the removal of ten trees, which would be replaced as part of the landscaping plan. Mr. Goodman thanked staff for their guidance and reported that work on the schematic development plan has begun. He answered questions regarding the garage doors, noting that roll up doors will be installed during the first phase as they are needed for security during construction.

Architect for the applicant, Gary Yuan, DVA Architects, presented renderings of the existing and proposed elevations, and discussed the process to change windows, floor plan, entrance design, etc. He answered questions relating to building access.

Commissioner Wessell recommended a finished treatment of the facade facing Quince Orchard Road, particularly at the ground level. It was noted the Quince Orchard Road facade will be the same as the facade facing the residential portion of the project, excepting the entrance door. Commissioner Weich voiced a concern with the parking garage facing Quince Orchard Road. Mr. Goodman noted the garage will be below the grade level of Quince Orchard Road and would have limited visibility.

Planning & Code Administration Director Schlichting commented on the multifaceted benefits of this project to the City, particularly, for its visual improvement of the streetscape and economic development.

There was no testimony from the audience.

Ms. Forbes voiced staff's recommendation for approval of the site plan amendment, as it meets the approval criteria of the City Code, with conditions as listed in the Staff Comments.

Chair Bauer was complimentary of the building re-facing project. Commissioner Wessell had a concern with the appearance of the property, if development of Phase 2 takes longer than anticipated. A condition was suggested for a landscaping plan for the side facing Quince Orchard Road if completion of subsequent phases of the project takes longer than projected. The applicant commented on their projected phasing schedule. Another condition was suggested to paint the garage doors to blend with the building, or use a mesh treatment. In response to Chair Bauer, Mr. Yuan noted there is no proposed change to the existing roof penthouse. The Commission concurred on the language of two additional conditions. The Commission commented favorably on the project.

Ms. Forbes listed the following approval conditions:

1. The Applicant is to submit revised final site plans to address minor labeling errors and omissions, to be approved by Planning and Department of Public Works staff, prior to the issuance of any permits;

2. The Applicant is to submit revised site plans to address vehicle turning movements, to be approved by Department of Public Works staff prior to the issuance of any permits;

3. The Applicant shall submit a landscape plan for staff review and approval, prior to the issuance of any permits for the Applicant to implement within three years should the next phases not be approved or constructed; and

4. The Applicant shall submit revised architectural plans to blend the garage doors with the building or to include temporary infill materials, prior to the issuance of any permits.

Motion was made to grant AFP-7864-2018 - 700 Quince Orchard Road, Amendment to Final Plan Approval, based on the exhibits submitted, the applicant’s testimony, and staff’s findings and recommendations, and finding it in compliance with Zoning Ordinance §§ 24-170 and 172.A, with conditions as listed above.

Result: Passed [Unanimous]

Mover: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

Seconder: Danielle Winborne, Commissioner

For: Bauer, Kaufman, Weich, Winborne, Wessell

Absent: Matthew Hopkins

5. From Commission-

Danny Winborne

•Reported that Morgan State University has asked him to join their Planning Advisory Committee, and noted that several professors of that institution gave kudos to Planner Jasmine Forbes.

Ruthzaly Weich-

•Announced the Kentlands Community Foundation (KCF) will hold a town hall meeting on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, to discuss the findings of the Kentlands Main Street study. She added the KCF will make a presentation before the Mayor and City Council at the June 4, 2018, Council Session.

6. From Staff

Planner Mann-

•Reported the Planning Division is conducting a survey on the Commercial Development Zone to collect information on the effectiveness of the CD Zone, whether it effectively services the Frederick Avenue Corridor. He provided guidance on how to access the survey at the City's website and noted the survey will close on May 31, 2018. Director Schlichting reported that close to 3000 notification postcards were mailed on May 4, 2018, to property owners and residents along the corridor; and a press release and electronic notifications to various City commissions, committees and boards were sent today.

Planning Division Chief Schwarz-

•Noted the Commission received a report on Best Practices for Drive-Through Lanes, prepared by planner Alyssa Roff, using as a base recent developments in the United States and Canada. She noted if the Commission wishes to discuss the findings, it can be scheduled at the next regular session. Chair Bauer noted the catalyst for this report is a development application that includes a drive-through facility, which is currently undergoing the City’s review process.

•Noted the next sessions of the Commission will follow the regular schedule.

Planning and Code Administration Director Schlichting-

•Announced that a joint work session with the City Council on SDP-7712-2017, Kentlands Square Infill Sites, which had been tentatively scheduled on May 14, 2018, has been cancelled. He reported the applicant intends to submit an alternative plan shortly for Commission review, tentatively at its June 6 meeting agenda.

•Reported he attended the American Planning Association’s National Conference in New Orleans, along with Commissioner Wessell and planners Robinson, Roff and Roakes, noting the Conference was characterized by a forward-thinking approach, which he hoped will transpire in implementations in the City. Mr. Wessell commented he was impressed by how advanced the City is in comparison to many other municipalities.

A. 704 Quince Orchard Road - Staff Request for Delegated Authority from the Planning Commission for a Minor Amendment to Final Site Plan in the E-1 (Urban Employment) Zone

Planner Mann provided a brief background on a minor plan amendment application for increasing the vestibule to the building by approximately 594 square feet. He presented the site plan and showed the area under consideration. He requested the Commission delegate to staff authority to review/approve the proposal. The Commission consented.

7. Adjournment

There being no further business, the session was adjourned at 8:54 am

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