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2 May 2012 | Approved: 6 June 2012

Chairman Challstrom called the meeting to order at 7:29 p.m. In attendance were commissioners Samantha Beres, Brenda Gumula, Peter Nagrod and Steve Werts. Also in attendance were residents Mark Frederiksen and Kitty Seiferlein.

Approval of Agenda

Peter Nagrod moved to approve the agenda. Steve Werts seconded the motion. Chairman Challstrom asked for additions. There were none. Approved: 5-0.

Approval of the Minutes

Brenda Gumula moved to approve the minutes from April 4, 2012. Peter Nagrod seconded the motion. Approved: 5-0.

Public Appearances

There were no public appearances.

Building Permit Applications

  • 416 Center Street – Samantha Beres presented her review and recommendations for the plans to convert a screened porch to a sunroom. Brenda Gumula pointed out that there was no boundary survey presented with this application. Chairman Challstrom noted that a boundary survey of the property was completed when the developer built the house. The Town records have that boundary survey and it shows the existence of four iron pipes on the property corners. Because three (3) of the four (4) corner markers were located and because the setback distances for the construction are 39 ft., 46 ft. and 49 ft. from the property lines, the Commission decided that no newer boundary survey would be necessary for the approval of this permit application. Peter Nagrod moved to approve the building permit application for a sunroom at 416 Center Street. Samantha Beres seconded the motion. Approved: 5-0.
  • Solar Panels – The proposed installation of solar panels at 117 Washington Grove Lane brought up an inconsistency in the Town building permit process/requirements. The Commission discussed Article IV, Section 3 and concluded that a sign off procedure was necessary for permit applications that fall into this category.
  • Peter Nagrod moved to approve a process where two (2) Planning Commission members will approve a permit application as being in conformance with all Town requirements in situations that require a County permit but not a Town permit. This type of permit application will not be required to go through the entire Town process and this sign-off will keep the current working relationship with Montgomery County intact. Brenda Gumula seconded the motion. Approval: 5-0.

Block Surveys

  • Block 10 Plat Approval – Steve Werts moved to approve the Plat of Survey for Block 10 and for it to be placed in the land records of Montgomery County. Samantha Beres seconded the motion. Approval: 5-0.
  • Johnson Alley – Chairman Challstrom gave a brief history of the challenges with this area. Peter Nagrod moved to approve the Plat of Survey for Johnson Alley and for it to be placed in the land records of Montgomery County. Steve Werts seconded the motion. Approval: 5-0.
  • Block 3: Chairman Challstrom reported that the Mayor and Council approved moving forward with the Plat of Survey for Block 3. The Commission believes that because this area will be the recipient of a new sidewalk and because of the potential redevelopment of the Towne Crest property, moving ahead with Block 3 makes good sense. This will happen during the current fiscal year.
  • Annexation Proposal: Chairman Challstrom handed out a map from the 2009 Master Plan Growth Area and draft letters, with consent forms, to residents that would receive the invitation to annex. A discussion ensued. Samantha Beres moved to recommend to the Town Council that the annexation proposal for 126, 128 and 200 Washington Grove Lane move forward. Brenda Gumula seconded the motion. Approval: 5-0.

Towne Crest Redevelopment Update

It was reported that the attorneys for Towne Crest would like to meet with the Mayor and designated officials as soon as the week of May 14th.

Annual Report

Brenda Gumula suggested that language emphasizing the problems with the proposed Urban PD-60 Zone be added to the Annual Report.

Report from the Town Council

There was no report from the Town Council.

Other Business

There was a brief mention of the on-going CSX challenges. There was also a brief discussion about an expired building permit and the need for the resident to start the process over. Samantha made a phone call but no response was forthcoming. She will try again via e-mail.

The Commission agreed to review the building permit application instructions for clarity at the June meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

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