The August 19, 2009 Centreville Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Christopher Frank, Chairman in Meeting Room B of the County Annex Building. The following members and staff were present: Christopher Frank, Chair; Elizabeth Brice, Vice-Chair; Penny Lins, Secretary; Jim Cooke, member; Nick Barbalace, member; Norma Coursey, member; and Kara Snyder, member. Bob McGrory, Town Manager; Tim McCluskey, Council liaison; Chris Rogers, URS/Town Planner.; Steve Kehoe, Town Attorney; PJ. Townsend, Town Clerk; and Jane Saulsbury, Administrative Aide, were also present.
Review of Minutes from Previous Meetings
Jim Cooke made a motion to approve the work session minutes of July 9, 2009. Nick Barbalace seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Elizabeth Brice made a motion to approve the July 15, 2009 Planning Commission meeting minutes as amended. Kara Snyder seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Citizen Comment
Mary Roby, 203 South Liberty Street, and Mary Margaret Goodwin, 221 North Commerce Street, offered comments.
Appearances - None
Old Business
a. Corsica Creek Commons – Request for One-Year Extension of Site Plan Approval
* Patrick Thompson, attorney representing Corsica Creek Commons, presented a history of the proposed construction on the site dating back to 2002 and urged granting of the requested extension of a one-year extension of the site plan approval. The extension is requested from November 17, 2009 until November 17, 2010.
* Ms. Brice agreed that Corsica Creek Commons had met suggestions made by the Planning Commission at its November 2008 meeting and advised that extenuating circumstances and common sense warrant granting of the requested extension. Ms. Lins expressed some concern that applicants may request another extension next year.
* Mr. Frank referred to Steve Kehoe, Town Attorney, for his opinion. Mr. Kehoe advised, based on information from Mr. McGrory, that Mr. Thompson had accurately defined the situation and concurred that the current application is a “new” plan and that the extension may be approved by the Planning Commission under authority of Section 170-47, G of the Centreville Code. Mr. McGrory noted an additional site plan fee has been made.
* Ms. Brice made a motion that Corsica Creek Commons be granted a one-year extension of site plan approval commencing from November 17, 2009 and expiring November 17, 2010. Mr. Barbalace seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of 6-0. Mr. Frank abstained from voting. Mr. McGrory advised that the request is being made 91 days from the expiration date.
* The code stated the request must be made within 90 days of expiration. It was agreed that the Planning Commission would re-vote on this extension request at the next meeting.
b. Municipal Growth Element - Discussion
* The Maryland Department of Planning approved the Planning Commission’s request for a deadline extension to complete the Town of Centreville’s Municipal Growth Element (MGE) and its Water Resources Element (WRE). The deadline has been extended to April 1, 2010. Maryland Department of Planning reported that their staff is available to help with any questions the Town may have.
* Mr. Frank suggested that the Planning Commission schedule two work sessions to discuss these required elements, one on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 and one on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, topics to be determined based on availability of material.
New Business
a. Providence Farm Dwelling Parcel – Tentative Sketch Plan Subdivision (Annexation)
* Donald Braden, attorney representing the Queen Anne’s County Historical Society, described Mr. Peter Sheaffer’s proposed agreement to deed 1.44 acres of land, and the historical farm house upon which it sits, to the Queen Anne’s County Historical Society as a charitable gift, in the event that the Town agrees to annex this parcel of land. The property which is in Town limits is zoned R-2 and will be accessed by a forty foot “stem” driveway, necessitated by the requirement that the lot front on a Town street. Mr. Braden requested that the Planning Commission approve the tentative sketch plan for the Providence Subdivision which illustrates the annexation of the Providence Farm dwelling parcel.
* Barry Griffith, Lane Engineering, advised that the proposed annexation is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and is identified as Growth Area #4. He reported there will be no future development of this lot. Mr. Griffith explained that the flag is temporary and that the flag will be eliminated with the future subdivision and development of adjacent parcels.
* Bob McGrory advised that the Town Council wishes to know if the Planning Commission is comfortable with the subdivision. The ultimate outcome of the proposed subdivision is the donation of the newly created parcel to the Queen Anne’s County Historical Society.
* Kara Snyder made a motion that the Planning Commission approve the tentative sketch plan given that the ultimate outcome is the annexation petition being submitted regarding the lands of Mr. Peter Shaeffer and the Queen Anne’s County Historical Society, and that the annexation is achievable as presented. Jim Cooke seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
b. Board of Education – Portable Classroom
* Norma Coursey recused herself from consideration of this matter.
* Vito Tinelli, III, President of the Queen Anne’s County Board of Education; Dr. Carol A. Williamson, Superintendent of Schools; and Toni Schelts, Coordinator of Supporting Services, apologized for not knowing that the Planning Commission is the agency to be contacted regarding addition of portable classrooms. Mr. Frank advised of the importance of following the required guidelines for construction projects within the Town limits. Mr. Tinelli said they would work with the Town and follow the guidelines. Dr. Williamson described the expanding school population necessitating the need for the addition of a portable at Kennard this year and said that another portable will be needed next year.
* The URS letter concerning the Kennard School portable classroom, dated August 18, 2009, was reviewed and it was noted that the Board of Education’s reliance on portable classrooms is relevant to the Town’s soon-to-be considered Municipal Growth Element.
* Ms. Brice made a motion to grant permission for the portable classroom at Kennard School and to approve the simplified site plan presented. Nick Barbalace seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of 6-0 with Ms. Coursey recused from the voting.
* Mr. McGrory inquired about the status of the portable classrooms housing the alternative education program behind the Board of Education on Chesterfield Avenue and asked if there is a goal to have a building to house these students. Dr. Williamson said the Board of Education would like to have a building between the high school and the middle school for the alternative program. Mr. Tinelli advised he would suggest this idea for a long range plan.
* Mr. Cooke asked if the County is considering construction of another high school. Dr. Williamson replied that a magnet school housing 800 to 900 students in either Sudlersville or Queenstown is a possibility.
Zoning Issues – Discussion
* Mr. Frank reported some citizen questions about the proposed Design Standards.
* Regarding the Board of Appeals Decision concerning Mr. and Ms. William Conley’s request for a variance, Mr. Frank found the language of the decision to be confusing. Steve Kehoe remarked that some jurisdictions view a variance as inherently inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan, but that the Zoning Code requires that all requests for variances be reviewed by the Planning Commission.
* Bob McGrory suggested defining the structure of Planning Commission meetings.
Miscellaneous Business/Correspondence
Citizen Comment
Mary Margaret Goodwin, 221 North Commerce Street, offered comments.
Council Liaison Report
Tim McCluskey thanked the Planning Commission for approving the Providence Farm tentative sketch plan.
There being no further business, Elizabeth Brice made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Penny Lins and the August 19, 2009 regular meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m., by unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Saulsbury, Administrative Aide