Montgomery News

City of Gaithersburg Planning Commission met Aug. 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

Danielle Winborne Commissioner Present

Philip Wessell Alternate Commissioner Present

Staff present: Assistant City Attorney Frank Johnson, Planning Division Chief Trudy Schwarz, Long-Range Planning Manager Rob Robinson, Planners Jasmine Forbes, Laura Howell, and Greg Mann, and Administrative Assistant Myriam Gonzalez.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Regular Session held June 20, 2018

Motion was made to approve the Minutes referenced above.

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

SECONDER: Danielle Winborne, Commissioner

FOR: Bauer, Kaufman, Weich, Winborne, Wessell

ABSENT: Matthew Hopkins

B. Regular Session held July 5, 2018

Motion was made to approve the Minutes referenced above.

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

SECONDER: Danielle Winborne, Commissioner

FOR: Bauer, Kaufman, Weich, Winborne, Wessell

ABSENT: Matthew Hopkins

3. CONSENT

A. AFP-7964-2018: Discovery Meadows Child Care Center Solar Canopy - Addition of a new solar canopy for the property located at 501 Orchard Ridge Drive in the MXD (Mixed Use Development) Zone: AMENDMENT TO FINAL SITE PLAN

B. AFP-7833-2018 : At Home Store - Exterior building renovations and minor site improvements to accommodate a new At Home Store located at 209 Kentlands Blvd in the MXD (Mixed Use Development) Zone: AMENDMENT TO FINAL SITE PLAN

Motion was made to Approve the Consent Agenda.

RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Philip Wessell, Alternate Commissioner

SECONDER: Danielle Winborne, Commissioner

FOR: Bauer, Kaufman, Weich, Winborne, Wessell

ABSENT: Matthew Hopkins

4. SIGN PERMITS

1. SIGN-17140-2018 and SIGN-17141-2018: BoBaPop Tea Bar, 312 Main Street, Icon Sign  Approval in MXD (Mixed Use Development) Zone

Planner Forbes introduced this application for two icon signs and stated the basis for this review. She presented renderings and provided details of the signage.

There was no testimony from the audience.

Ms. Forbes voiced staff's recommendation for approval. The Commission had no concerns.

Motion was made to grant Sign-17140-2018 & Sign-17141-2018 - BobaPop Tea Bar, Icon Signage Approval, based on the exhibits submitted, and staff’s findings and recommendations, and finding it in compliance with Zoning Ordinance Section 24-212.

RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Danielle Winborne, Commissioner

SECONDER: Philip Wessell, Alternate Commissioner

FOR: Bauer, Kaufman, Weich, Winborne, Wessell

ABSENT: Matthew Hopkins

5. RECOMMENDATIONS TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

A. CTAM-7950-2018: Zoning Text Amendment to Amend Restrictions on Automotive and Self-storage Uses in the CBD Zone

Planner Howell provided a brief background on this application, noting the proposed ordinance would allow automotive services and repair uses by special exception within the CBD Zone, but prohibit them and self-storage facilities in the Olde Towne District. Selfstorage uses would still be allowed by right outside the Olde Towne District. She reported the application was the subject of a joint public hearing with the City Council on July 2, 2018, during which the Commission had raised the possibility of allowing automobile sales as an accessory use and storage facilities as a special exception. She voiced staff's support of sales as an accessory use only. Ms. Howell noted that if the Commission wished the City Council to consider the auto sales as an accessory use, the Commission needs to recommend the inclusion of the use in the ordinance. She briefly discussed the basis for allowing self-storage facilities to remain a by-right use, except in the Olde Towne District.

Ms. Howell answered questions of the Commission and voiced staff's recommendation for adoption of the ordinance, as the Text Amendment conforms to the purposes of the CBD Zone and the Olde Towne District Master Plan. The Commission discussed several possible instances relating to auto sales and self-storage facilities and concurred with staff's recommendations. The Commission noted that further restricting self-storage facilities in the CBD Zone in general could be considered at a later date, subject to additional pertinent information. Vice-Chair Winborne noted that although he was absent at the public hearing, he had watched the televised proceedings.

Motion was made to recommend to the City Council Adoption of CTAM-7950-2018. They further recommended amending the ordinance to include automobile sales as an accessory use only to automobile service and repair.

RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

SECONDER: Ruthzaly Weich, Commissioner

FOR: Bauer, Kaufman, Weich, Winborne, Wessell

ABSENT: Matthew Hopkins

6. FROM COMMISSION

Danny Winborne

· Reminded the Commissioners of the Maryland Planning Commissioners Association Conference on October 25-26, 2018, at the Gaithersburg Holiday Inn. He noted that

required training for Commissioners will be available as well.

· Commented favorably on improvements to the cemetery on North Frederick Avenue. 

Ruthzaly Weich

· Announced the 25th anniversary of the 5K Race in Kentlands will take place on Saturday, September 1. She invited all to sign up.

7. FROM STAFF

Planner Mann

· Announced upcoming joint public hearings with the City Council on August 20 and September 17, 2018.

· Noted the September regular meetings of the Commission will be held on Wednesday, September 5, and Thursday, September 20, 2018.

Planning Division Chief Schwarz

· Announced that repair work of crosswalks on Kentlands Boulevard is to start August 13, 2018, weather permitting. Lighting will be included.

Assistant City Attorney Johnson

· Announced that an Open Meetings Training will be provided as part of the Maryland Planning Commissioners Association October conference, referenced above.

8. ADJOURNMENT

http://gaithersburgmd.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=12&ID=3743&Inline=True