Agenda
FIVE HUNDRED FORTY-EIGHTH MEETING
TUESDAY–MAY 9, 2017– 7:00 P.M.
AGENDA
PLEASE NOTE: If you wish to be heard at this meeting please sign the speaker list provided on the table at the side of the Council Chamber. The Chairman reserves the right to limit the amount of time each speaker has for each agenda item.
- Roll Call
- Approval of Minutes from the April 11, 2017 meeting
- Special Exception Application No. 869- 13700 Baltimore Avenue (Fairfield Inn) filed by T-Mobile for recommendationto the Board of Appeals
- Final Plan of M-X-T Application No. 870 and Resolution No. 17-03-PC- 6901 Van Dusen Road filed by Ribera Anderson’s Corner LLC.
Public Hearing on Application
Final Action by the Planning Commission
- Special Exception Application No. 871- 6901 Van Dusen Road- Royal Farms Gas Station- filed by Ribera Anderson’s Corner LLC. for recommendation to the Board of Appeals
- Sign Waiver Application and Resolution No. 17-04-PC– Royal Farms Gas Station- 6901 Van Dusen Road, filed by Ribera Anderson’s Corner LLC.
Public Hearing on Application
Final Action by Planning Commission
- Adjourn
Minutes
FIVE HUNDRED FORTY-EIGHTH MEETING
CITY OF LAUREL PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY- MAY 9, 2017
…
Chairman Kish stated that the final three agenda items were for the same project and that Ms. Pulley would make a presentation that addressed all three applications. First, Ms. Pulley provided a summary of the Technical Staff Report dated April 20, 2017 regarding Final Plan of Mixed Use Transportation Oriented zone (M-X-T) No. 870 for 6901 Van Dusen Road (Andersons Corner) filed by Ribera Andersons Corner, LLC., 2661 Riva Road Building 300 Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Ms. Pulley stated that the Applicant was requesting M-X-T Final Site and Landscape Plan approval to construct an automobile filling station and convenience store use in a 5,370 square foot structure, to be known as Royal Farms. Further, Ms. Pulley stated that the Applicant was requesting approval of Special Exception Application No. 871 for Royal Farms at 6901 Van Dusen Road. Ms. Pulley provided a brief summary of the Technical Staff Report dated April 24, 2017 noting that a convenience store was a permitted use in the M-X-T Zone; however, automobile filling stations were not an allowed use by right in the zone and could only be allowed by Special Exception.
Lastly, Ms. Pulley provided a brief summary of the Applicant’s request for a Sign Waiver stating that the applicant was requesting approval to install a 25 ft. freestanding sign on the proposed Royal Farms automobile filling station and convenience store site. Ms. Pulley explained that Section 20-17.4 of the Unified Land Development Code only allowed for signs up to 20 ft. in height. The proposed sign would read “Royal Farms” and illustrate the gas prices for the station. Further, Ms. Pulley explained that the proposed sign was consistent with other Royal Farms properties in similar proximity to highways that usually allowed for better visibility to commuters.
Councilman Smalls asked Ms. Pulley how the comments from the Chief of Police and Fire Marshal as mentioned in the Technical Staff Report relating to ingress and egress to the site had been addressed to their satisfaction. Ms. Pulley stated that the concerns were addressed when she explained to the Chief and Fire Marshal that a portion of the existing island on Andersons Way would be removed, thus providing ingress and egress for the site. Councilman Smalls asked if the application and plan had been reviewed by the City’s Transportation and Public Safety Committee. Ms. Pulley stated that the Committee had not reviewed the application or plan.
Next, Eric DeVito, Esquire, Stone, Mattheis, Xenopoulos & Brew, PC, 1025 Thomas Jefferson Street Washington, DC 20007, Attorney for the Applicant addressed the Commission and provided a brief history of the property and summary of the Applicant’s request. Mr. DeVito provided the Commission with an Exhibit Package (Planning Commission Exhibit “A”) of information listing the team of professionals working on behalf of the developer and statements of justification for each application.
Councilman Smalls stated that he had researched the façades of other Royal Farms and wanted to know if the Applicant would be willing to work with Staff regarding possible façade improvements. A brief discussion regarding the façade and architecture of the proposed building ensued between the Commissioners, Mr. DeVito and Mr. Jeff Bainbridge, Royal Farms.
Mr. Wilson asked if the trash enclosure for the proposed site was shown on the site plan. Ms. Pulley stated that the trash enclosure was on the plan. Mr. Bainbridge stated that the enclosure would be made of brick.
Mr. Wilson stated that he was concerned about the requested Sign Waiver and felt that the sign was too big for the site. A lengthy discussion between Mr. Wilson, Mr. DeVito, and Mr. Bainbridge ensued regarding the proposed sign. Mr. Tim Longfellow, PE, Gutschick, Little, and Weber, P.A., Engineer for the Applicant was also involved in the conversation and provided technical answers to Mr. Wilson’s questions regarding the grade and elevation of the site and sign. Mr. Bainbridge stated that the proposed height of the sign was very important to the Applicant and that Royal Farms would be willing to provide stonework around the base of the sign if the Commission were agreeable to approving the five (5) foot waiver.
Chairman Kish opened the public hearing at approximately 7:44 p.m. and asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to speak regarding the applications. No one came forward and Chairman Kish closed the public hearing at approximately 7:45 p.m.
Mr. Wilson made a motion to approve Final Plan of M-X-T No. 870 for Andersons Corner, 6901 Van Dusen Road, Royal Farms with the conditions listed in the Technical Staff Report dated April 20, 2017 and included approval of Resolution No. 17-03-PC as presented. Mr. Wellford seconded the motion and Acting Chairman Kish cast the final vote of “Yes”.
Mr. Wilson made a motion to recommend approval of Special Exception Application No. 871 for 6901 Van Dusen Road for a Royal Farms to the Board of Appeals with the conditions listed in the Technical Staff Report dated April 24, 2017 and with the addition of the following condition:
“The Applicant shall work with staff to make adjustments to the fit and finish (façade) of the building as deemed necessary by staff.”
Mr. Wellford seconded the motion and Chairman Kish cast the final vote of “Yes”.
Next, Mr. Wilson made a motion to approve the Sign Waiver Application for Royal Farms at Andersons Corner-6901 Van Dusen Road as presented in the Technical Staff Report dated April 20, 2017 and included Resolution No. 17-04-PC with the addition of the following condition:
“The Applicant shall adjust the pylon sign to provide stonework around the base of the sign.”
Mr. Wellford seconded the motion and Chairman Kish cast the final vote of “Yes”.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Approved: Sara Green, Secretary to the Commission Date: June 13, 2017