Planning Commission Minutes — 2016-09-07

Town of Queenstown, Maryland Planning Commission Minutes September 7, 2016 Members present:

Hogie Schuster, Chairman Phil Snyder Al Hardee Don Regenhardt Guests present:

Mike Bowell, Town Commissioner Peter Johnston, Town Planner Loretta Hohmann Hilda Hohmann George Law Barry Waterman Sean Glass Kellee Glass Pat Bowell Eugenie Fitzgerald John Fitzgerald Guests, Visitors and Public Comment

1. Bowlingly Events Center: There was a general discussion with Mr. and Mrs. Glass

regarding the details of their proposal. They clarified that the maximum number of attendees they envision is 300. In response to a question they assured the Planning Commission that there will be someone in charge of every event, that is, someone who can be contacted to resolve any issues.

There were two motions regarding the “Events Center”. Mr. Regenhardt moved that the Planning Commission recommends the Board of Appeals approve the Bowlingly request. The motion carried with all ayes. Then Mr. Regenhardt moved that the Planning Commission recommends that the Board of Appeals require of the Bowlingly owners the following:

A Transportation Plan, including parking locations A Site Plan with the location of all event equipment and facilities Contact information for the person in charge of the event The second motion also carried with all ayes.

2. George Law, Business in Garage: Mr. George Law of 654 Del Rhodes asked the

Planning Commission if he could run a parts business from his home since it is zoned residential. He further asked if zoning does not permit running a parts business could he conduct internet sales. Members and the Town Planner were uncertain of the zoning of Mr. Law’s property, so the Town Planner will determine the zoning and advise Mr. Law.

3. Town Commissioner Update: A contract has been awarded to Wickersham to

tear down the building on the Wastewater Treatment Plant site that has been used by the Director of Public Works and to replace it with a new building on the lower part of the Treatment Plant Site.

He said the job of repaving Melvin Avenue is out on bid.

Project Open Space has approved funding for development of a park at the Wastewater Treatment Plant site, but Ms. Bowell added that there remains another step in the allocation of funds.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Community Plan Update: The Town Planner provided a draft update that

includes the Dudley Home Farm in the category of properties appropriate for annexation in order to bring the Salt House Cove area into the Town’s near term growth area.

There followed a discussion of the appropriate use of the Dudley South property (property south of Rt. 301 between Del Rhodes and Greenspring Road). The Town Planner remarked that this property is a long term growth area in the Draft Comprehensive Plan .

The Planning Commission agreed to incorporation of this draft revision into the Draft Comprehensive Plan.

2. Petition for Wheatlands Growth Allocation: The Planning Commission

directed the Town Planner to prepare a letter from the Planning Commission to the Town Commissioners addressing all the findings required for Wheatlands Growth Allocation.

3. Discussion of the Sustainable Community Designation for the Town of

Queenstown: The Town Planner advised that the next step is to decide on a specific project before he carries out any further work in this area.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Pending Requests and Permits: The Planning Commission was advised that

Mr. Kevin Day wants the Planning Commission to guarantee that he can build on his property adjacent to the Ebb Tide site. The Town Planner stated that it is the property owner’s responsibility to do the necessary research into the Zoning Ordinance to determine what is permitted. It was agreed that the Planning Commission does not provide such guarantees.

2. Update on the Town Park: No new information was provided.

3. Minutes from August 3, 2016: The minutes were approved as corrected with

three ayes and one abstention.

A motion to adjourn was made approved unanimously.

Don Regenhardt Acting Secretary