Montgomery News

City of Gaithersburg Planning Commission met October 3.

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; Present

Philip Wessell; Alternate Commissioner; Present

Staff present: City Attorney Frank Johnson, Planners Greg Mann, Ray Roakes, and Caroline Seiden.

2. Approval Of Minutes

A. Regular Session held September 5, 2018

Motion was made to Approve the above Minutes.

Result: Approved [4 To 0]

Mover: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

Seconder: Danielle Winborne, Commissioner

For: John Bauer, Lloyd Kaufman, Danielle Winborne, Philip Wessell

Abstain: Matthew Hopkins

Absent: Ruthzaly Weich

B. Regular Session held September 20, 2018

Motion was made to Approve the above Minutes.

Result: Approved [Unanimous]

Mover: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

Seconder: Danielle Winborne, Commissioner

For: Bauer, Hopkins, Kaufman, Winborne, Wessell

Absent: Ruthzaly Weich

3. Consent

A. AFP-8037-2018: Washingtonian/Rio Sign Package - Amendment to Sign Package to allow an electronic sign on the parking garage located at 9801 Washingtonian Boulevard, in the MXD (Mixed Use Development) zone. Amendment To Final Site Plan

Motion was made to Approve the Consent Agenda.

Result: Passed [Unanimous]

Mover: Danielle Winborne, Commissioner

Seconder: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

For: Bauer, Hopkins, Kaufman, Winborne, Wessell

Absent: Ruthzaly Weich

4. Sign Permits

A. Sign-17482-2018: Washingtonian Center Garage Sign - Electronic garage sign approval for the property located at 9801 Washingtonian Boulevard in the MXD (Mixed Use Development) Zone, Electronic Sign Approval

Planner Roakes presented this application, located the site, and presented renderings of the existing and proposed signs and its specific location on the garage.

There was no testimony from the audience.

Mr. Roakes voiced staff's recommendation for approval, as the application meets the approval criteria of the Sign Ordinance, with no conditions. The Commission asked questions for clarification. Commissioner Hopkins voiced support of the proposal.

Motion was made to grant Sign-17482-2018 - Washingtonian Parking Garage, Electronic Sign Approval, based on the exhibits submitted, the applicant’s testimony, 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: Danielle Winborne, Commissioner

For: Bauer, Hopkins, Kaufman, Winborne, Wessell

Absent: Ruthzaly Weich

B. Sign-17602-2018: The Woodhouse Day Spa canopy sign located at 217 Ellington Blvd in the MXD (Mixed Use Development) zone, Modification To Sign Guidelines

Planner Seiden presented this sign application for an identity sign, presented a rendering of the proposed signage, briefly discussed the specific details and the basis for staff's support of this proposal, although it does not comply with the Crown Design Guidelines for size of sign and letter height.

Commissioner Winborne agreed with staff's comments, but voiced a concern with establishing an undesired precedent. Commissioner Hopkins pointed out that considering the proposed sign within the context of the facade, it is proportionate and its scale is appropriate for conditions the Design Guidelines could not anticipate. Commissioner Kaufman agreed, adding it is located in an urban environment and totally appropriate.

There was no testimony from the audience. Ms. Seiden voiced staff's recommendation for approval with no conditions. The Commission concurred with staff's findings, noting the proposed signage is proportionate to the canopy and in a pedestrian environment.

Motion was made to grant Sign-17602-2018 - The Woodhouse Day Spa, 217 Ellington Boulevard, 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: Danielle Winborne, Commissioner

Seconder: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

For: Bauer, Hopkins, Kaufman, Winborne, Wessell

Absent: Ruthzaly Weich

5. Tree Removal Waivers

A. ENV-8050-2018: Tree Removal Waiver for HOA property located along Still Creek Lane in the MXD (Mixed Use Development) zone: Tree Removal Waiver

Planner Benjamin presented this tree removal application of a specimen tree on a homeowners association property, located the site, and reported an inspection of the tree revealed it is dead. He presented photographs and answered questions for clarification purposes. Mr. Benjamin voiced staff's recommendation for approval of the application, as it meets the approval criteria of the City Code. The Commission voiced no objections.

Motion was made to grant Variance ENV-8050-2018 - Tree Removal on HOA median across from 842 Still Creek Lane, for a 34-inch caliper tree, based on the exhibits submitted, and staff’s findings and recommendations, and finding it in compliance with Zoning Ordinance Section 22-12, with no conditions.

Result: Passed [Unanimous]

Mover: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

Seconder: Danielle Winborne, Commissioner

For: Bauer, Hopkins, Kaufman, Winborne, Wessell

Absent: Ruthzaly Weich

6. Site Plans

A. AFP-8025-2018: Silver Diner, Exterior building renovations for new Silver Diner located at 9811 Washingtonian Boulevard in the MXD (Mixed Use Development) zone. Amendment To Final Site Plan

Planner Roakes located the property and introduced this application and the applicant.

Applicant, Jeff Parana, Peterson Companies, noted the exterior renovation is for a new Silver Diner in the space previously occupied by Hamburger Hamlet in the Rio Building. He presented proposed engineered elevations and renderings and briefly described the proposed exterior modifications, including the screening of the stairwell.

Mark Russell, Real Estate Development, answered questions regarding the new tenant's operations, hours, signage and materials.

Michael Borrisow, Core Architecture and Design, discussed the proposed materials and screen details.

Planner Roakes voiced staff's recommendation for approval, as the application meets the approval criteria of the Zoning Ordinance, with one condition. Following discussion of the signage and facade details, the Commission recommended a second condition. Staff listed the conditions as follows:

1. Applicant is to work with staff to explore integration of the sign location into the tenant facade prior to issuance of any permits; and

2. Applicant is to work with staff for integration of the facade features into the tenant's signage prior to the issuance of any permits.

Commissioner Hopkins commented favorably on the architectural modifications.

Result: Passed [Unanimous]

Mover: Philip Wessell, Alternate Commissioner

Seconder: Danielle Winborne, Commissioner

For: Bauer, Hopkins, Kaufman, Winborne, Wessell

Absent: Ruthzaly Weich

B. AFP-8024-2018: DoubleTree Hotel - Amendment to Final Plan Approval for new sign package located at 620 Perry Parkway in the C-2 (General Commercial) zone

Planner Roakes located the property and introduced this application.

Attorney for the applicant, Nancy Regelin, Esq., Shulman Rogers, representing Gaithersburg Owners, LLC, stated this proposal to renovate the hotel's public spaces includes re-flagging to Double Tree by Hilton and amend the sign package to reflect the name change, necessitating several sign adjustments, which she discussed. Ms. Regelin pointed out the proposal seeks to improve way finding. She added that several internal upgrades and other improvements are planned, which are not part of this review. She presented renderings of the proposed signage and discussed specific details.

There was no testimony from the audience. Mr. Roakes voiced staff's recommendation for approval, as the plan meets the approval criteria of the Sign Ordinance, with no conditions.

Chair Bauer suggested simplifying the second monument sign by eliminating some of the text, e.g., address. Staff noted that due to the size, the sign had to be considered a monument sign and subject to monument sign regulations. Commissioner Hopkins suggested waiving the address requirement to keep the proposed lettering size. The Commission had no objections to the building signage due to the location of the property. The Commission recommended a condition to address the comments, as follows:

1. Applicant is to work with staff to revise Monument Sign E to allow for lettering to be seven inches in height.

Motion was made to grant AFP-8024-2018 - DoubleTree Hotel, 620 Perry Parkway, Amendment To Final Plan Approval for a Sign Package, based on the exhibits submitted, the applicant’s testimony, and staff’s findings and recommendations, and finding it in compliance with Zoning Ordinance Sections 24-172A and 24-212, with the condition listed above.

Result: Passed [Unanimous]

Mover: Philip Wessell, Alternate Commissioner

Seconder: Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

For: Bauer, Hopkins, Kaufman, Winborne, Wessell

Absent: Ruthzaly Weich

7. From Commission

Danny Winborne-

•Reminded the Commission of the Maryland Planning Commissioners Association Annual Conference, which will be held October 25-26, 2018, in Gaithersburg, and invited them to participate.

Lloyd Kaufman-

•Reminded all of the Kentlands Octoberfest will be on Sunday, October 14, 2018, from Noon to 5:00 pm.

8. From Staff

Planner Mann

•Announced the Kentlands Community Foundation will conduct a lecture on How To Plan for Longevity on October 23, 2018, at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn at 7:00 pm.

•Announced a Joint Work Session with the City Council on Monday, October 8, 2018, regarding Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) School Test.

•Stated the next Planning Commission Regular Meeting is scheduled for October 17, 2018.

9. Adjournment

There being no further business, the session was adjourned at 8:33 pm

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