118 WASHINGTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING - JANUARY 6, 1992 The Washington County Planning Commission held its regular monthly meeting on Monday, January 6, 1992 in the first floor conference room of the County Administration Building. Members present were: Chairman; Donald E. Zombro, Vice-Chairman; Bertrand L. Iseminger, Carol Johnson, Bernard Moser, and Donald Spickler. Staff: Senior Planner; Stephen T. Goodrich, Associate Planners; Timothy A. Lung, Lisa Kelly Pietro, and Edward Schreiber and Secretary, Janet L. Walkley. Absent were: Ex­ Officio; Ronald L. Bowers, Steven West and Planning Director, Robert C. Arch. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 7:00 P.M. MINUTES: Mr. Moser made a motion to adopt the minutes of the Special Meeting of October 21, 1991 as written. Seconded by Mr. Iseminger. So ordered. Mr. Iseminger made a motion to adopt the minutes of the Special Meeting of November 18, 1991 as written. Seconded by Mrs. Johnson. So ordered. Mrs. Johnson made a motion to adopt the minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 2, 1991 as written. Seconded by Mr. Iseminger. So ordered. Items to be Withdrawn from the Agenda: Mr. Goodrich informed Commission members that requests have been made to withdraw the following items from this evening's agenda: the Steve Bushey Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance roadway determination, the Crawford/Sipes and David Fitzwater variance requests, and the demolition permit for Mark D. Thomas. Item to be Added to the Agenda: Mr. Goodrich informed Commission members that a request has been made to add the preliminary consultation for Terry Karn to this evening's agenda. Mr. Spickler made a motion to add the Terry Karn consultation to the agenda. Seconded by Mrs. Johnson. So ordered. NEW BUSINESS: Variances: Ernest Younker: Mr. Schreiber presented the variance request for Ernest Younker. The subject site is located along Millstone Circle in the area of Orchard Ridge Road in Hancock. The variance is being requested from Section 405.11.B which requires all new lots to have frontage and access to streets owned and maintained by the County. The applicant is proposing to create a 3 acre lot to be located on a County owned but not maintained right-of-way. The portion of Millstone Circle that the proposed lot would front is dirt and gravel with steep topographic conditions. Mr. Iseminger suggested that the County Engineer look at Millstone Circle to determine if the entire road should be maintained by the County. 1'19 After a discussion, Mr. Iseminger made a motion to table the variance request until the February meeting so the county Engineer can review the condition of Millstone Circle and to determine whether the County should maintain the entire roadway. Seconded by Mrs. Johnson. So ordered. Subdivisions: Cross Creek: Mrs. Pietro presented the preliminary subdivision plat for Cross Creek Phase I. The subject site is located along the east side of the Sharpsburg Pike, just south of the 1-70 interchange. l Zoning is Highway Interchange. Phase I will consist of a residential area and a business/office park on approximately 56 acres. The residential section will consist of 52 single-family lots and 150 duplex lots on 43 acres. The business/office park will encompass 13.3 acres. A total of 163 acres will remain. The residential lots will be served by an internal public street system which will link with Battle Creek Boulevard which will connect with Maryland Route 65. A proposed future road will be <0 constructed upon development of any lands behind the railroad ~ tracks. It will also connect with Maryland Route 65. The site ,.- will be served by public water and sewer. The Water Department has issued approval for 100 dwelling units and after that, the OJ developer must upgrade the mains to the Sharpsburg Pike. Total z area of open space is 15 acres and will include two play fields, a play lot, a multi-purpose court, a softball field, macadam :2: .walkway and a fibar fitness trail. There is floodplain and wetlands on the site, however, this area will not be constructed upon. If any development should occur within these areas, all floodplain and wetland requirements must be met. Two 10 x 10 bus waiting areas are provided throughout the residential portion of the site. The business/office park is located along the south side of Battle Creek Boulevard and will include four new lots in addition to the one previously approved in July 1991. All these lots will have access onto Battle Creek Boulevard; there will be l no access permitted onto poffenberger Road. These lots will also be served by public water and sewer. All agencies have responded and approved with conditions that changes be made at the final plat stage. Mrs. Johnson suggested that fencing be constructed along the railroad tracks to the rear of the duplex units for safety purposes. After a discussion, Mr. Hilton Smith, developer, agreed to provide a fence and said he will work with the staff on the type of fence to be constructed. Mr. Moser asked what type of screening would be installed on lot #1 in the business/office park. Mr. Lung said that vegetative screening will be installed along the northern property line between the residential and commercial sections with the screening installed during the phase that is constructed first. The screening should be on the commercial side of the property line. Mr. Iseminger said that due to the steep ravine, the pool was removed and a play lot will be added. He asked what improvements will be made to construct the play lot. Mr. William Weikert, Fox and Associates, said the play lot will be moved to the west since the topography is less severe. Mr. Iseminger added that the proposed ball court is located within the floodplain area and asked how grading will be handled. Mr. Weikert said grading will not be required except for the backstop. Mrs. Johnson suggested that a bus waiting area be constructed to the rear of the residential area. Mr. Smith said he has no problem adding another bus waiting area if it will be needed. 120 Mr. Spickler ask~d if sidewalks are proposed since the trails are not connected. Mrs. Pietro replied no. Mr. Goodrich added that County street standards require paved shoulders which are suitable for walking. Mr. Spickler said that the fibar trail crosses the proposed future access road. He suggested that the Planning Commission should require a bridge to be constructed once the road is constructed. Mr. Iseminger said there should be some type of crossing from the residential area to the commercial area. Mr. Weikert had no problem with installing a crosswalk to the commercial from the residential. Mr. Moser asked how many swings or play equipment are proposed for the play lot to adequately serve this development. Mrs. Pietro added that the developer is proposing swings, slides and climbers for the play area. After a discussion, the Commission requested that the Recreation Department be contacted to determine the adequate number of play equipment to be installed for this development. Mr. Iseminger said that due to the allocation for public water service, will this development be constructed in phases? Mr. Bruce Cubbage, developer, said appro~imately 25 to 30 units will be constructed at one time. Mr. Is·eminger said that he does not want to see the play areas get tied Up with the allocation of lots. He added that the pl~y lot should be constructed during the first phase of construction. Mr. Iseminger added that the developer can submit a phasing plan to the COmmission for future use. Mr. Iseminger made a motion to grant preliminary plat approval for both the residential and commercial areas with the following conditions: the final plat come back to the Planning Commission prior to approval, the pedestrian crosswalk from the residential ~ section to the commercial section be added to the plan, the developer work with the Planning staff on the construction of the fence along the railroad tracks to the rear of the duplex units, the developer work with the Parks and Recreation Department regarding the adequate amount of play equipment for the play lot, a future delineation for the crossing of the fibar trail be shown, and that the amenities for the play areas be constructed during the first phase of construction. Seconded by Mr. Moser. So ordered. Site Plans: s: z Washington County Hospital A~sociation Medical Center: OJ Mr. Lung presented the site plan for the Washington County --I. Hospital Association Medical Center. The site is located in the .J::::.. Airport Business Park along the north side of Breezehill Drive. 0) Zoning is Highway Interchange. The developer is proposing to construct a 60' x 100' building on 1.2 acres. Public water and sewer serve the site. The County Engineer has waived stormwater management requirements for this site plan. Due to an existing house located on the adjacent property to the west and the property being zoned HI, a 75 foot buffer is. required. The Board of Zoning Appeals granted a variance for a reduction in the buffer yard from 75 feet to 15 feet in March 1991. The Planning Commission has the authority to establish additional setbacks if "" necessary. Based on the landscaping and vegetative screening that is proposed, the staff is not recommending any additional requirements. Two entrances are proposed onto Breezehill Drive. A total of 54 parking spaces are provided around the building. Hours of operation will be 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday and 8:00 A.M.