Montgomery News

City of Gaithersburg Planning Commission met September 20.

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; Present

Lloyd Kaufman; Commissioner; Present

Ruthzaly Weich; Commissioner; Absent

Danielle Winborne; Commissioner; Absent

Philip Wessell Alternate; Commissioner; Present

Staff present: Assistant City Attorney Frank Johnson, Planning Division Chief Trudy Schwarz, Planners Chris Berger, Jasmine Forbes, and Greg Mann, and Administrative Technician Myriam Gonzalez.

2. Sign Permits

A. Sign-17335-2018: Taco Daddy icon sign located at 555 Quince Orchard in the C-2 (General Commercial) zone, Icon Sign Approval

Planner Mann stated the basis for the review of this application for an icon sign. He presented the elevation of the sign and briefly discussed its specifications and location. It was noted there is only one sign for the business.

There were no speakers from the audience.

Mr. Mann voiced staff's recommendation for approval, as the application meets the approval criteria of the City Code, with no conditions. The Commission had no objections to the sign, noting the limited visibility of the business justified the size of the sign.

Motion was made to grant Sign-17335-2018 - Taco Daddy at 555 Quince Orchard Road, Icon Sign Approval, based on the exhibits submitted, and staff’s findings and recommendations, and finding it in compliance with Zoning Ordinance Section 24-212, with no conditions.

Result: Passed [Unanimous]

Mover: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

Seconder: Matthew Hopkins, Commissioner

For: John Bauer, Matthew Hopkins, Lloyd Kaufman, Philip Wessell

Absent: Ruthzaly Weich, Danielle Winborne

B. Sign-17392-2018: Kids Play Gallery, 217 Muddy Branch Road, Icon Sign Approval in the C-2 (General Commercial) Zone

Planner Berger presented this application for an icon sign, located the property, and noted it is consistent with other signage in the shopping center. He presented the elevation of the sign and provided specifications.

There were no speakers from the audience. Mr. Berger voiced staff's recommendation for approval, with no conditions, as the application meets the approval criteria of the City Code. The Commission had no objections.

Motion was made to grant Sign-17392-2018 - Kids Play Gallery at 217 Muddy Branch Road, Icon Sign Approval, based on the exhibits submitted, and staff’s findings and recommendations, and finding it in compliance with Zoning Ordinance Section 24-212, with no conditions.

Result: Passed [Unanimous]

Mover: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

Seconder: Philip Wessell, Alternate Commissioner

For: John Bauer, Matthew Hopkins, Lloyd Kaufman, Philip Wessell

Absent: Ruthzaly Weich, Danielle Winborne

C. Sign-17278-2018, Sign-17281-2018 and Sign-17282-2018: Hillside Senior Living Apartments, 200 Skidmore Blvd, Icon Sign Approval in the CD (Corridor Development) Zone

Planner Forbes presented this application for three icon signs and refacing two existing monument signs with lettering that is less than seven inches tall. She cited the basis for this review.

Applicant representative Max Aronow, SMI Sign Systems Inc., presented elevations of the signs, noting the logo is the corporate logo. He discussed the signage specifications, for both building and monument signs. It was noted the monument signs will use the existing structures. He answered questions regarding the need for signage, noting the rental business has no street exposure and signage would serve for way finding.

There were no speakers from the audience. Ms. Forbes voiced staff's recommendation for approval, with no conditions, as the application meets the approval criteria of the City Code.

Commissioner Hopkins supported the sign as the logo helps identify the business from the street and the street numbering is easily seen. Chair Bauer commented that the lettering size inside the logo of one of the signs might distract motorists trying to read it. It was noted, however, the small lettering is part of the logo.

Motion was made to grant Sign-17278, Sign-17281-2018 & Sign-17282-2018 - Hillside Senior Living Apartments at 200 Skidmore Boulevard, Signage Approval, based on the exhibits submitted, and staff’s findings and recommendations, and finding it in compliance with Zoning Ordinance Section 24-212, with no conditions

Result: Passed [Unanimous]

Mover: Philip Wessell, Alternate Commissioner

Seconder: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

For: John Bauer, Matthew Hopkins, Lloyd Kaufman, Philip Wessell

Absent: Ruthzaly Weich, Danielle Winborne

D. Sign-17405-2018, Sign-17406-2018, Sign-17407-2018, Sign-17408-2018: CVS Signage, Icon sign approval and sign adjustments located at 12215 Darnestown Road in the MXD (Mixed Use Development) zone, Icon Sign And Adjustments

Planner Mann presented these applications, located the property and briefly described the proposed signage for CVS Pharmacy on Darnestown Road. He noted that two of the signs need adjustment approval due to the lettering size (Sign-17405-2018) and the location not facing the right-of-way (Sign-17406-2018).

Applicant Rick Pepper, Service Neon Signs, presented elevations of the signs and photographs at their locations, noting their limited visibility. In response to Chair Bauer, he noted the white background is internally illuminated. It noted that the white background must be opaque to comply with the Sign Ordinance.

Testimony from the public:

Kevin Kelly, Graphcom, opined the sign would be less effective if only the red lettering lit up.

Mr. Mann voiced staff's recommendation for approval, as the application meets the approval criteria of the City Code with the following one condition:

1. Applicant is to revise Sign-17405-2018 to have an opaque white background, prior to the issuance of a sign permit.

Commissioner Hopkins had no objections to the oversized sign, since it is an existing condition. Chair Bauer considered that making the white background opaque would improve the appearance of the sign and reduce the visual clatter. Commissioner Wessell voiced no objection to the sign not facing the right-of-way as it acts as way finding. The Commission favored the icon signage.

Motion was made to grant Sign-17405-2018, Sign-17406-2018, Sign-17407-2018 & Sign- 17408-2018 - CVS Pharmacy at 12215 Darnestown Road, Signage Approval, based on the exhibits submitted and staff’s findings and recommendations, and finding it in compliance with Zoning Ordinance Section 24-212, with the condition listed above.

Result: Passed [Unanimous]

Mover: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

Seconder: Philip Wessell, Alternate Commissioner

For: John Bauer, Matthew Hopkins, Lloyd Kaufman, Philip Wessell

Absent: Ruthzaly Weich, Danielle Winborne

E. Sign-17498-2018, SIGN-17499-2018, Sign-17500-2018: Care Matters, Icon sign approval and to allow business names on directional signage located at 518 South Frederick Avenue in the R-A (low density residential) zone, Icon Sign And Sign Permit

Planner Mann presented these applications for three icon signs and directional signage with the name/logo of the organization.

Applicant Kevin Kelly, Graphcom, discussed the specifications, presented the elevations of the signage and photographs of the site, showing the difficulties of the site and tree growth that limit visibility.

There was no testimony from the audience.

Mr. Mann voiced staff's recommendation for approval, as the applications meet the approval criteria, with the following condition:

1. Applicant is to submit a sign permit application for second private directional sign prior to installation.

The Commission commented favorably on this proposal and moved as follows:

Motion was made to grant Sign-17498-2018, Sign-17499 & Sign-17500-2018 - Caring Matters at 518 South Frederick Avenue, Signage Approval, based on the exhibits submitted, and staff’s findings and recommendations, and finding it in compliance with Zoning Ordinance Section 24-212, with the condition listed above.

Result: Passed [Unanimous]

Mover: Philip Wessell, Alternate Commissioner

Seconder: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

For: John Bauer, Matthew Hopkins, Lloyd Kaufman, Philip Wessell

Absent: Ruthzaly Weich, Danielle Winborne

3. From Commission

Lloyd Kaufman

•Announced the City's Octoberfest is October 14 in Kentlands and invited all to attend.

Matthew Hopkins

•Noted that from a planning perspective, the Octoberfest is a good use of public rights-of-way and shared space.

4. From Staff

Planner Mann

•Announced the Commission meetings in October will follow the regular schedule, as well as two joint work sessions on September 24 and October 8.

Planning Division Chief Schwarz

•Announced the City, in conjunction with the Environmental Affairs Committee, is having a Community Shredding Event on Saturday, September 22, from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Participants are encouraged to bring donations of nonperishable food items to benefit the Gaithersburg Help food pantry.

A. SDP-7362-2016: Kentlands Apartments, Construction of Two Six-Story Apartment Buildings and a Seven-Level Parking Garage located at 913 and 917 Quince Orchard Road in the MXD (Mixed Use Development) Zone : Staff Recommends Closing the Planning Commission Record on October 10, 2018

Planner Forbes provided background about this application, noting several work sessions were held after the February 6, 2018, joint public hearing. She indicated the record was held open indefinitely due to issues raised at the hearing and during the work sessions. She reported that the applicant has submitted revised plans and a vehicle weaving analysis to address comments by the City Council and Planning Commission. The Applicant also received a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Colonnade Condominium Association.

Ms. Forbes stated that staff is of opinion that the applicant has responded to all of the questions raised by both the Council and Planning Commission and recommends the Commission make a motion to announce the closing of their record at 5:00 p.m. on October 10, 2018, with anticipated recommendation on October 17, 2018.

Motion was made to hold the Planning Commission' record open on SDP-7362-2016 - Kentlands Apartments at 913 and 917 Quince Orchard Road, until 5:00 p.m., October 10, 2018.

Result: Passed [Unanimous]

Mover: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

Seconder: Philip Wessell, Alternate Commissioner

For: John Bauer, Matthew Hopkins, Lloyd Kaufman, Philip Wessell

Absent: Ruthzaly Weich, Danielle Winborne

5. Adjournment

There being no further business, the session was adjourned at 8:13 pm

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