Montgomery News

City of Gaithersburg Planning Commission met November 07.

Here is the minutes as 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, Parks, Recreation & Culture Director Michele Potter, Planning Division Chief Trudy Schwarz, Planners Jasmine Forbes, Greg Mann, and Ray Roakes, and Administrative Technician Myriam Gonzalez.

2. Approval of Minutes

A. Regular Session held October 17, 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. Record Plats

A. Subdivision Plat RP-8008-2018: Parcel D Northover Center (McDonald's Restaurant)

     Motion was made to Approve the Record Plat Agenda.

     RESULT:          PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

     MOVER:          Danielle Winborne, Commissioner

     SECONDER:   Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

     FOR:                Bauer, Kaufman, Weich, Winborne, Wessell

     ABSENT:          Matthew Hopkins

4. Public Hearings

A. ASDP-8040-2018: Allow childcare as a permitted use for the property located at 4 Kent Gardens Circle in the MXD (Mixed Use Development) zone, AMENDMENT TO SCHEMATIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Planner Roakes announced this item is being considered in conjunction with Site Plan AFP8054-2018, listed on tonight’s agenda immediately following this hearing. He noted this application had been the subject of a courtesy review by the City Council, who directed it to the Planning Commission for public hearing and final action, as the application is a minor amendment for a reuse of the property. Mr. Roakes located the property and reported this hearing was properly advertised and the property posted.

Latisha Gasaway, applicant, identified herself as co-owner of Minds In Motion Childcare. She briefly discussed the parking provided, ages of children and hours of operation. She noted there would be a maximum of 12 children, answered questions about fencing, parking restrictions and lighting. She also noted no site improvements are necessary.

There was no testimony from the audience.

Mr. Roakes voiced staff's recommendation for closing of the record and approval of the Resolution granting SDP amendment approval. He also recommended approval of the site plan amendment with no conditions.

The Commission had no objections or concerns about the new use. Regarding the site plan, Commissioner Kaufman commented favorably on the application, noting the hours of operation are not expected to pose problems to the neighbors.

     Motion was made to close the record on ASDP-8040-2018.

     RESULT:           PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

     MOVER:           Philip Wessell, Alternate Commissioner

     SECONDER:    Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

     FOR:                 Bauer, Kaufman, Weich, Winborne, Wessell

     ABSENT:           Matthew Hopkins

Motion was made to Approve Resolution PCR-ASDP-8040-2018, granting Amendment to Schematic Development Plan Approval to SDP-1-88 - Kentlands, Section 4, Phase I, to allow commercial childcare uses on the specified properties zoned MXD, based on the evidence and testimony submitted into the record and the findings in the staff analysis, and finding it in compliance with $ 24-160d.10(b) with no conditions.

     RESULT:           PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

     MOVER:            Philip Wessell, Alternate Commissioner

     SECONDER:    Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

     FOR:                 Bauer, Kaufman, Weich, Winborne, Wessell

     ABSENT:           Matthew Hopkins

5. Site Plans

A. AFP-8054-2018: Allow childcare as a permitted use for the property located at 4 Kent Gardens Circle in the MXD (Mixed Use Development) zone, AMENDMENT TO FINAL SITE PLAN

Motion was made to grant AFP-8054-2018 - Minds In Motion Childcare, 4 Kent Gardens Circle, Amendment to Final Plan Approval, for a commercial childcare use, based on the exhibits submitted, the applicant’s testimony, and staff’s findings and recommendations, and finding it in compliance with Zoning Ordinance Sections 24-170 and 24-172A, with no conditions.

     RESULT:          PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

     MOVER:           Philip Wessell, Alternate Commissioner

     SECONDER:    Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

     FOR:                 Bauer, Kaufman, Weich, Winborne, Wessell

     ABSENT:           Matthew Hopkins

B. SP-7975-2018: Discovery Park, a 14.95-acre City Park located at 601 Orchard Ridge Drive in the MXD (Mixed Use Development0 Zone. FINAL SITE PLAN

Planner Seiden located the property and provided a brief background on this application. She noted there have been no changes, since the schematic development plan was approved.

Landscape Architect for the applicant, Lydia Kimball, Floura Teeter, made a presentation that included background about the park and its existing vegetation, the proposed design, park equipment, and trail and picnic areas. She answered questions for clarification purposes, including parking availability and access

Parks, Recreation & Culture Director Potter answered questions regarding sheltered picnic tables, and City cleanup of pet waste, trash pickup and recycling. She noted there is no lighting, as all parks close at sunset, and no grilling at this park.

There was no testimony from the audience.

Mrs. Seiden voiced staff's recommendation for approval, with the following conditions:

1. Applicant is to prepare and record a new plat combining Parcels N550 and N600; and

2. Applicant is to provide materials spec sheets to be reviewed and approved by Planning staff prior to the issuance of a site development permit.

Commissioner Winborne commented favorably. The Commission concurred.

Motion was made to grant SP-7975-2018 - Discovery Park, 601 Orchard Ridge Drive, 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 Sections 24-170 and 24-171, with the conditions listed above.

     RESULT:         PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

     MOVER:         Lloyd Kaufman, Commissioner

     SECONDER:  Danielle Winborne, Commissioner

     FOR:               Bauer, Kaufman, Weich, Winborne, Wessell

     ABSENT:         Matthew Hopkins

C. AFP-8015-2018: 666 Quince Orchard Road, Exterior building renovations and minor site improvements for the McDonalds at 666 Quince Orchard Road in the C-2 (General Commercial) Zone. AMENDMENT TO FINAL SITE PLAN

Planner Forbes presented this plan for renovations to the existing building, noting this is the last McDonald's building to be renovated. She located the property by drone video.

Applicant representative Joe DiMarco, Bohler Engineering, indicated this plan is very similar to other approved plans for renovation of McDonald's buildings in the City. He presented the site plan and building elevations, and discussed the architectural design, building materials, new signage and minor parking changes. He answered questions regarding circulation and signage.

There was no testimony from the audience.

Ms. Forbes voiced staff's recommendation for approval with no conditions. Also recommended for approval was the ancillary sign and the electronic message board.

Chair Bauer favored a landscaped island instead of striping for circulation purposes on the Bank Street side. Mr. DiMarco noted that adding an island would surpass the stormwater management threshold, which would impact the project. He addressed Commissioner Winborne's concern over the handicap parking. Chair Bauer asked the applicant to make sure that the parapet wall will screen the roof equipment. Staff suggested the following condition:

1. Applicant is to work with staff to ensure the roof equipment is screened in accordance with Chapter 5 of the City Code, prior to the issuance of the building permit.

The Commission had no concerns with the signage proposal.

Motion was made to grant AFP-8015-2018 - McDonald's, 666 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 Sections 24-170 and 24-172A, with the condition listed above.

     RESULT:         PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

     MOVER:         Philip Wessell, Alternate Commissioner

     SECONDER:  Ruthzaly Weich, Commissioner

     FOR:               Bauer, Kaufman, Weich, Winborne, Wessell

     ABSENT:         Matthew Hopkins

Motion was made to grant AFP-8015-2018 - McDonald's, 666 Quince Orchard Road, Approval for 42-inch tall ancillary signs, based on the exhibits submitted, the applicant’s testimony, and staff’s findings and recommendations, and finding it in compliance with Section 24-213a(f) of the City Code.

     RESULT:          PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

     MOVER:           Philip Wessell, Alternate Commissioner

     FOR:                Bauer, Kaufman, Weich, Winborne, Wessell

     ABSENT:          Matthew Hopkins

Motion was made to grant AFP-8015-2018 - McDonald's, 666 Quince Orchard Rod, Approval for an electronic message board, 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.

     RESULT:           PASSED [UNANIMOUS]

     MOVER:            Philip Wessell, Alternate Commissioner

     SECONDER:     Ruthzaly Weich, Commissioner

     FOR:                  Bauer, Kaufman, Weich, Winborne, Wessell

     ABSENT:            Matthew Hopkins

6. From Commission

Danny Winborne

· Reported the Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) Annual Conference, held in Gaithersburg, was a success. He thanked all who attended, and gave kudos to Planning Division Chief Schwarz.

Lloyd Kaufman

· Thanked Commissioner Winborne for organizing the APCA Conference in Gaithersburg and the Planning staff for their participation.

· Reported he attended a well-attended discussion on the Aging Population in the Community, hosted by the Kentlands Community Foundation and the City Planning Department, on October 23.

· Recommended an article in the New York Sunday Times October 28, 2018, issue, entitled, Driverless Cars Won't Help Traffic Congestion.

Ruthzaly Weich

· Commented favorably on the Aging Population in the Community presentation, and its relevance in terms of planning, transportation and housing.

7. From Staff

Planner Mann

· Pointed out the next regular of the Planning Commission will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Planning Division Chief Schwarz

· Presented Commissioner Weich with a Certificate of Compliance with the Maryland Department of Planning's requirement for the Planning Commission Course.

8. Adjournment

There being no further business, the session was adjourned at 8:56 pm

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