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2 February 2005 | Approved: 2 March 2005

Chairman John McClelland called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. In attendance were Commissioners Darrell Anderson, Peggy Ebner, Bob Evans and Bud O’Connor. Also in attendance were town residents Bob Booher, Carolyn Feinglass, Chris and Terry Kirtz, David Neumann, Bruce Rothrock and property owners Mel Cakmak and Al Ergul.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes for January were approved unanimously, Chairman McClelland abstained.

Building Permits

The following building permits were discussed and voted on by the Planning Commission: 350 Ridge Road A detached garage was approved unanimously.
406 Grove Avenue A deer fence was denied unanimously.
103 Grove Avenue Chairman McClelland measured the lattice fence at 103 Brown Avenue and found that it is approximately 4 feet from the existing chain link fence on the Brown Street side. Therefore, the fence continues to be out of compliance with Town Ordinances. In addition, no permit for the fence has been submitted to the Planning Commission by the property owner. A letter updating the situation was sent by Chairman McClelland to Mayor Compton on February 2, 2005.

Building Permit Time Limits

The Planning Commission discussed adding a time limitation to an active building permit from six (6) months to start a project and two (2) years to complete a project. The concept will be forwarded to the Town Council and Town attorney Bill Roberts for comment.

Building Permit Approval Process and Forms

Members of the Historic Preservation Commission attended the meeting to discuss with the PC the document being developed for applicants requesting a building permit entitled, The Town of Washington Grove – Information for Applicants for a Building Permit. (See attached.) Revisions were made to the document and the updated document will be presented by the Town Clerk to all applicants seeking building permits. Trees and Shrubs Near Intersections – Concerned resident(s) have asked about the shrubs at 102 Grove Avenue and whether they violate Town Ordinances by restricting site at the intersection of Chestnut Road and Brown Street. The Chairman McClelland measured from the center of the intersection to the shrubs and determined that the shrubs do not violate the Town Ordinance regarding fence restriction.

315 Grove Avenue Propane Tank

Chris and Terry Kirtz brought a house survey that shows that the 500 gallon propane tank that has been installed at 315 Grove Avenue is not on Town property and therefore is not in violation of Town Ordinances. The Kirtz’s explained that they intend to bury the tank in the Spring. The Commissioners discussed whether fuel tanks should be treated as structures and therefore bound by setback limitations and whether that would be applicable if the tank is buried. Commissioner O’Connor volunteered to research Montgomery County’s requirements for presentation at the next meeting.

Ordinance Review

Pools and Fences – Commissioner O’Connor presented a definition of "pool" from Montgomery County that the Commissioners amended to better fit Town Ordinances (see attached). Chairman McClelland motioned to modify Town Ordinances by:

  • Adding the definition of "pool" to Article 7, Section 4.2 Definitions,
  • Adding "e. Swimming Pools" to Article 4, Section 1, and
  • Adding "c. Pools require a five (5) foot fence (this does not supersede Section 3.328a.)" The motion was unanimously approved.

Missy Yachup – Secretary

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

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