Category: Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

Town of Brookeville
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
7:30 PM

Planning Commission Members:
Present: Chris Scanlon, Debbie Wagner, Bruce Evans, Miche Booz, Stefan Syski, and Fred Teal
Absent: Andy Spagnolo
Quorum present? Yes
Others Present: Commissioner Sue Daley, and Chris Haris

Proceedings: Meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chair, Chris Scanlon
Minutes: The December BPC Meeting Minutes were approved with edits
Permits: No permits were submitted for approval

Preliminary permit discussion: Chris Haris, 301 Market Street, came to have a discussion with the BPC about the potential to change the location of the barn like building that he is looking to build. The building would have a 3 bay garage with room for storage and office room plus an additional 16 x 20 shed structure. Chris Haris has a HAWP but no permits from Brookeville or Montgomery County. There are no existing structures and he has a water color drawing of his concept from a few years ago but no building schematics. There is a 25 ft. easement located on Rebecca’s property (104 Water St.). Per Chris Haris, the easement is in its natural state and is not being maintained. Chris Scanlon said the BPC envisioned the easement as a private agreement between property owners and the cost of clearing the easement would be to the person who wants to use the easement. It is not the Town’s responsibility to maintain the easement. The easement is for public use for the Residents of Market Street to access their property.
Chris Haris said the location from his HAWP is the only spot in his yard that gets sunlight and is located across from Rebecca’s (104 Water owner) garage. He wants to move the garage to front Water Street where his firewood is located. He wants 2 structures: 16 x 20 shed plus a barn.
There was a discussion about having 2 accessory buildings, how they would be oriented, and would the garage doors face Rebecca’s property.
Chris Scanlon suggested the option of one structure with separate entrances. There would trees that would need to be removed. Also, there is a Town lamp post and a septic field to consider.
Chris Haris’s current HAWP is for a 24 x 30 garage but he wants to build a bigger barn – 35 x 40.
Chris Scanlon said it would be helpful to know where the trees, lamp post, and septic field are located and map the structures. Once this is complete, come back to BPC for another preliminary permit discussion before Chris Haris applies to change his HAWP. Chris Scanlon advised Chris Haris to check with MoCo about setbacks from well and septic system. He said he may need to bring his septic system up to to code before a permit is issued. WSSC and MoCo regulations must be followed before a permit is issued.

Semi-Annual Town Meeting
The Town is holding a meeting Jan. 11 and Chris Scanlon has been asked to give a review of what the BPC worked on during 2015 and the Comprehensive Plan.
Bruce Evans and Debbie Wagner were reappointed for no less than one year; BPC will be 7 members in order to update the Comprehensive Plan.
Year in review: Pollock garage; ground source heat pump; ByPass
Forward to 2016 focus:
Bypass; updating Comprehensive Plan; BBTF input; pedestrian access; road surface; parking; street scape.
Miche has an informal discussion with Scott Whipple and he did not think tar & chip surface for the Town roads would be a problem.

Comprehensive Plan
The updated Comprehensive Plan is due to the State in October 2016. BPC will work with BBTF to update the Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is carved up and the following BPC will work on these sections:
– Bruce Evans & Andy Spagnolo – Purpose of Plan, Look at the Past, Dealing with the present, Framework for Community Goals
– Stefan Syski, Chris Scanlon & Miche Booz – Transportation Plan & Community Facilities Plan
– Fred Teal & Debbie Wagner – Sensitive Areas Protection Plan & Mineral Resources Plan
– Unassigned – Land Use Plan & Plan Implementation – Policies & Programs

The Land Use section may not change much,
Transportation: This will be a large section to update.
Fred suggested we may need to have a section on sustainability and resiliency (climate change).

Will work with the BBTF for overall community goals.

BPC members were asked to review their sections in detail; to have an understanding of the big picture and have an outline for next months meeting.

Need to find out the deadline dates for the Comprehensive Plan.
Chris Scanlon will ask the MDP for help / resource.

Open Discussion: none

Meeting adjourned at 9:12p.m.
Minutes submitted by Cate McDonald, Town Clerk

Town of Brookeville
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
7:30 PM

Planning Commission Members:
Present: Chris Scanlon, Debbie Wagner, Bruce Evans, Miche Booz and Fred Teal
Absent: none
Quorum present? Yes
Others Present: incoming BPC members Stefan Syski and Andy Spagnolo; Commissioner Katherine Farquhar

Proceedings: Meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chair, Chris Scanlon
Minutes: The November BPC Meeting Minutes were approved. There was a discussion regarding quorum, which is ½ the BPC plus 1. It was determined that the BPC will round down for 3 to be a quorum.
Permits: No permits were submitted for approval

Walkability: a document was shared from the Beyond the ByPass Taskforce (BBT) on walkability. The walkability document was created by Leszek. Syski. Debbie Wagner made comments regarding walkability directly to Leszek. Syski: he was not aware of Back Street and Spring Alley and they were not included in his document. She also included more history about the trail and the way things were in the past.
Chris Scanlon thought the document was a good starting point and asked if the BBT will turn this into a map or is this just the starting point. Debbie Wagner said it was discussed about turning this document into a map. She also would like an update from SHA about the High St sidewalk project. Commissioner Farquhar said the sidewalk project was on hold until we find out what is happening with the ByPass. Stefan Syski said the recent SHA presentation at Longwood showed a sidewalk on High St to the 19500 Georgia Ave. Commissioner Farquhar will asked Commissioner Bartley check with SHA.
The BPC does not want to duplicate the work of BBT – will need to see what BBT has done to see if it can be incorporated in the Comprehensive Plan. Fred and Debbie will attend the next BBT meeting and report that a map would be helpful. The goal of the document is the beginning of discussion for all of Brookeville; find information and keep the walkability document with the BBT for more development. Will need to add the Mill Race; what about biking and disable people. Fred and Debbie were asked to keep the BPC in the information loop.
Also – how to keep the Town informed about the Comprehensive Plan? Need to share information and get community feedback early so people do not derail the process later on.
There is a slot for the BPC at the upcoming Semi-annual Town Meeting to speak and present information.
One thing to add to the Comprehensive Plan is potential trails.
The BPC will asked the BBT to get the walkability document into to draft, send to the Town for feedback, then send to BPC for review / comment, then hold a public meeting.
Commissioner Farquhar would like Chris Scanlon and Don Moore (BBT) to speak the Jan. 10th Semi-Annual Town Meeting.

There was a discussion regarding Leszek Syski, 19500 Georgia Ave, and annexation. Would Leszek Syski be open to annexation by the Town since he has become more involved with the Town? Stefan Syski said he would bring the topic up with his father. There was a discussion about the annexation process; the Town would need to consul the Town’s attorney. There was discussion about if 19500 Georgia Ave would be part of the Historic District if annexed – Miche will talk with Scott Whipple about that topic. If both the Town and property owner are open to annexation, now would be a good time to include in the Master Plan update.

SHA / ByPass:
Chris Scanlon reviewed the 65% complete SHA drawings. What he found missing is what happens to MD97 through Town after the ByPass. The Master Plan needs to show what Market and High Streets will look like. The Town will get to get that information from SHA ASAP to incorporate in the upcoming Master Plan. Planning Chair would like to see all roads tar & chips and narrower.

Planning Commission: Duties and Responsibilities
Planning Chair emailed a document from the MD Department of Planning (MDP) which explains the purpose of planning commissions and the specific authority entrusted to them via Article 66B of the Maryland Annotated Code. BPC members were asked to review the document prior to the meeting,
By law, the Town’s Comprehensive Plan needs to be updated and submitted to the State in October 2016. The BPC needs to prioritize what’s first: road, sidewalks, and paths.

Sustainable Maryland
Commissioner Farquhar asked Fred Teal to look at the Sustainable Maryland program and advise if Brookeville should pursue this endeavor. Fred talked to the Commissioner about this program at their Nov. 9th meeting. While the program looks interesting it would be way too much work for a small Town like Brookeville. We would need to get a total of 150 points and establish a Green Team of 5-6 people who will meet monthly for 3-4 years.
The Sustainable Maryland concept is based on larger communities. Some sections just do not apply to Brookeville. Also, there would be a large amount of reporting required to earn points. Fred reports we should do what will work for Brookeville in conjunction with BBT.
BPC – focus on planning (ie – Natural Resources)
BBT – non-planning items
Commissioners’ level – purchasing green
Commissioner Farquhar will advise Sustainable Maryland that Brookeville will not be pursuing certification due to paperwork requirements.

There was a discussion about energy audits. Bruce Evan just had an energy audit performed on his house and shared his positive experience. If the Town paid for residents to have energy audits done, would the residents have the work performed? What are ways to reduce energy consumption? Residents may get part of the money back in historic credits. Bruce Evans is willing to write an article for the Brookeville Times with his experience and hopefully inspire others in Town.

Pesticides Usage:
Is this an issue for the BTB or BPC?
Fred Teal shared a bill that was introduce in Congress several years ago that bans 3 chemicals. The bill failed to pass. Does the BPC duties fall into the category of the character of the Town; Does the BPC have thoughts on the kind of Town Brookeville wants to be? Don Moore has reported a decline in the bee population on his property which he attributes to the use of pesticides on the Academy lawn. In the past, the BPC has not veered off into solar energy, etc. and concentrates on planning. Should the Town adopt MoCo ban on pesticides? Should the Master Plan have a section about the environment similar to walkability? The emerging picture of the Town and how it deals with environmental issues. Or just a natural environment section (preserve open space). The BPC could have a section in the Master Plan called Sustainable Practices. BPC wants to preserve Green Space but feel a pesticide ban goes beyond the scope of the BPC – this should be at the Commissioner level of government.
There was a discussion about including an aerial view of the Town in the revised Master Plan. Miche will work on getting an aerial map.
The 1994 Master Plan has a Natural Resource section.

There is a need for an accurate map with boundaries for the Master Plan. Miche will work on getting an updated map from SHA. That map, combined with the survey the Town is conducting in conjunction with the road work in the Eastern portion of Town, should gave the BPC accurate boundaries to include in the Master Plan.
Commissioner Farquhar suggested that a member of the BPC make a personal contact with someone at MDP in case of questions / concerns.

Budget for Comprehensive Plan: BPC Chair asked Commissioner Farquhar have much money is in the Town’s budget for experts. Commissioner Farquhar said the Town has a budget for Professional Services. She asked that the BPC let the Commissioner know an estimated amount that the BPC will need.

Town Roads: Commissioner Farquhar asked if the BPC had any concerns about tar & chips road surface. BPC Chair said the BPC has no objection to tar & chip to replace gravel. The BPC would like to see the gravel road to be narrower. The Town will consult with the HPC for a preliminary approval on tar & chip as a road surface within the Town. The preliminary consultation meeting with HPC where be where Residents can come and give testimony, if needed. There was a discussion about pending permits and notification to the Town. Commissioner Farquhar would like the BPC to advise Town Residence when a permit comes up for approval for a large project (new house, major renovations). The BPC feels that current system of notify adjoining property owners is sufficient and no other notification needs to happen.

Open Discussion: none

Meeting adjourned at 9:10p.m.
Minutes submitted by Cate McDonald, Town Clerk

Town of Brookeville
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
7:30 PM

Planning Commission Members:
Present: Chris Scanlon, Debbie Wagner, and Fred Teal
Absent: Bruce Evans, Miche Booz
Quorum present? Yes
Others Present: incoming BPC members Stefan Syski and Andy Spagnolo; Commissioner Sue Daley

Proceedings: Meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chair, Chris Scanlon
Minutes: The October BPC Meeting Minutes were approved.
Permits: No permits were submitted for approval

Parking Pad concern: Chris Scanlon reported that an inspector came out from MoCo regarding the parking pad issue at 301 Market St and found no issue.

SHA: Commissioner Daley gave an update on the ByPass – the 65 percent complete drawings have been issued. The SHA contractor, Kiewit, have a timeline and construction is proposed to be done in phases. A formal timeline will not be issued until all the permits have been issued. Next week’s SHA meeting will be a review of the 65 percent drawings with a cost estimate.
There was a discussion about streams and the proposed bridge over Meadow Branch stream.

Sustainable Maryland: Fred Teal was asked by the Commissioners to review the Sustainable Maryland program and to get Brookeville registered with Sustainable Maryland. Brookeville would need to get 150 points from activities to be deemed a sustainable community.
The Beyond the ByPass taskforce may be interested and Fred will share the information at the taskforce next meeting.

Streets: the Town Commissioners signed a contract with cph and would like to regrade Water and North Streets with tar and chip. The Town would need to get HPC approval for this. The BPC is in favor of tar and chip and would like to see all the Town maintained roads redone with this pavement, including Market Street after the ByPass.

Open Discussion: none

Meeting adjourned at 8:00p.m.
Minutes submitted by Cate McDonald, Town Clerk

Town of Brookeville
Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
7:30 PM

Planning Commission Members:
Present: Chris Scanlon, Miche Booz, Bruce Evans, Debbie Wagner, and Fred Teal
Absent: none
Quorum present? Yes

Others Present:
Town Commissioner President Katherine Farquhar, incoming BPC member Andy Spagnolo
Others: Chris Haris, Leszek Syski

Proceedings:
· Meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chair, Chris Scanlon

Town Charter was reviewed

Permits: 2 Permits for review

1. Pepco Tree Removal: Pepco submitted a permit to remove 28 tress across 8 properties. Pepco contacted the private home owners directly. Tress for removal are marked with pink tape. Discussion about what criteria Pepco uses to decided what trees to take down.
Permits were approved pending receipt of the permit fee
2. 4 North Street Garage: homeowner submitted plans for a garage; HPC approval was granted. There was some discussion about the tight turning radius for accessing the garage. Brookeville has no zoning requirement for turning radius as some municipalities do.
Permit was approved as submitted.

BPC Update
BPC members Debbie Wagner and Bruce Evans terms will end December 31, 2015.
Andy Spagnolo will join the BPC starting Jan. 1, 2016 for a 3 year term: Jan 2016 – Jan 2019. Commissioner President Katherine Farquhar administers the Oath of Office to Andy Spagnolo.
Commissioner President Katherine Farquhar reports that the Town Commissioners are not in favor of a 9 person BPC. They want a Planning Commission made up of no more than 7 members and no fewer than 5 members. Quorum will be one more than half the BPC for a binding vote.
Debbie Wagner’s term cannot be extended because she is a member of 2 commissions and per the Town Charter she can be a member of only one commission. The Town Commissioners are working on appointing a 5th town resident to the BPC.

The Town Commissioners will work with BPC Chair Chris Scanlon on a more formal charter for the BPC. Chris Scanlon will report to the Commissioners on the BPC duties.
Commissioner President Farquhar wants the BPC to work in an advisory role for Town Residents for the permitting process: let them know the HAWP procedures, advice on the procedures to apply for a permit, when a permit is needed. She would like the BPC to make the information available in the upcoming Town Directory that will be published in December. Also, provide the information to all new Town Residents.
Commissioner President Farquhar would like the BPC to get together one day to go through all the files. The filing cabinet is over flowing with paper. The BPC would have a sense of what needs to be saved and what can be trashed

Other business: Chair Chris Scanlon asks the guest present if they have any items / issues for the BPC before the discussions continues. None at this time.

ByPass
Discussion about the various options the SHA and Park & Planning are considering for the Brookeville ByPass. Commissioner President Farquhar wants at least 75 people to attend the SHA’s informational meeting a Longwood September 29th. October 22 is the Mandatory Referral meeting. The Town’s attorney, Jody Kline will attend this meeting. There will be a closed door strategy meeting before next week’s Commissioner meeting with Jody Kline and Commissioner President Farquhar extended an invitation to the BPC to attend. The meeting will start at 6:30pm.

Town Roads
Commissioner President Farquhar reports:
The road in front of 204 Market was patched today.
There has been discussion about the width of the gravel roads and how the gravel roads are now higher.
The Town Commissioners are talking to engineering firms about the roads and drainage and refreshing Market Street – pothole and speed bump repair – to make it safer.
Commissioner Bartley talking with MoCo about reducing the speed limits to slow the approach into Town at each end of the Town.
Recent road maintenance projects caused a lot of distress with residents. Seems more gravel was added this year than in years past. She requested that the BPC come up with a standard for the Town’s gravel roads.
The Town Commissioners are focusing on engineering, hydrological study, and storm water management.
Questions for the BPC to consider: what is in the character for our Town – rural, natural? Are there other alternatives for gravel, for example tar & chip? The Commissioners will advise the BPC about any changes to the roads.

Open Discussion
Fred Teal reports that he is working on a solar co-op with Debbie Wagner and Jeff Johnson. They will need 1-2 acres and hope more people from Brookeville will sign up for solar power. Estimated 10K-30K investment for the panels and 7 ½ years breakeven point.

Chris Haris advised he has gotten financing for his barn. He want to make sure he knows what he needs for the Brookeville permits. He has an HAWP, which does not expire. Chairman Scanlon gave Chris Haris the specifics he need to apply for a Brookeville permit and the forms are available on the Town’s website.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00p.m.
Minutes submitted by Cate McDonald, Town Clerk