Town of Emmitsburg
300A S. Seton Ave Emmitsburg, Maryland
21727
301-600-6300

Planning Commission Minutes
Meeting Minutes

November 29, 2004
 

Agenda Items:

Southgate Subdivision Final Plat Approval

Presentation by Mr. Lucas

Mr. Briggs asked Mr. Carolyn when people would be able to move in. Mr. Carolyn responded perhaps as soon as the following Wednesday pending completion of the permanent fence around the storm water management pond.

Chairman Staiger asked if there were any additional questions from the Commission or any public comment. There were none. He requested a motion.

Motion by Commissioner Walbrecker and seconded by Mr. Briggs to approve the correction plat as submitted.

Vote: Approved 4-0

Proposed Free Standing Sign for Chronicle Press – Commission Review

Presentation by Mr. Lucas

Mr. Briggs asked Mr. Lucas if only one sign was allowed per user in the building. Mr. Lucas responded that that was correct.

Chairman Staiger asked if there were any additional questions from the Commission or any public comment. There were none. He requested a motion.

Motion by Commissioner Walbrecker and seconded by Mr. Henry to approve the sign proposal as submitted.

Vote: Approved 4-0

Proposed Text Amendment: Home Occupation Signage – Recommendation to the Mayor and Board of Commissioners.

Presentation by Mr. Lucas: see attached.

Mr. Henry asked Mr. Lucas if this would affect existing signs. Mr. Lucas responded that it would not. Pre-existing signs would be considered legal, non-conforming uses.

Mr. Briggs asked if the sign would have to be attached to the building. Mr. Lucas responded that it would.

Commissioner Walbrecker reviewed the discrepancy between the zoning ordinance and the sign ordinance.

Chairman Staiger asked if there were any additional questions from the Commission or any public comment. There were none. He requested a motion.

Motion: by Mr. Briggs and seconded by Mr. Henry to make a positive recommendation to the Mayor and Board of Commissioners on the changes proposed by staff.

Vote: Approved 4-0

Proposed Text Amendment: Home Occupation in Residential Districts – Recommendation to the Mayor and Board of Commissioners.

Presentation by Mr. Lucas

Commissioner Walbrecker asked if “Home (business) Occupation” would be a permitted use in each section of the zoning code. Mr. Lucas responded that this would be a permitted use pending review by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Mr. Briggs asked what types of activities would require approval. Mr. Lucas responded that theoretically, anyone working from home could be affected. He stated that although the Town might not actively police for this use, some mechanism would be necessary to review, approve, or address potentially disruptive activities in residential neighborhoods or issues such as parking, which might arise.

Chairman Staiger asked if there were any additional questions from the Commission or any public comment. There were none. He requested a motion.

Motion: by Commissioner Walbrecker and seconded by Mr. Briggs to make a positive recommendation to the Mayor and Board of Commissioners on the changes proposed by staff.

Vote: Approved 4-0

Meeting Date for December 2004

The fourth Monday of December, December 27, will be a Town Holiday, so, an alternate date of Tuesday December 28 was unanimously agreed to by the Commission members present.

Chairman Staiger requested that “Continuing Review of the Comprehensive Plan” be added as a Regular Monthly Meeting Agenda Item

Chairman Staiger asked if there was any Public Comment. There was none.

There being no more business to discuss, Chairman Staiger requested a motion to adjourn.

Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Walbrecker and seconded Mr. Briggs.

Vote: Approved 5-0

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM