MEETING MINUTES Carroll County Planning and Zoning Commission February 5, 2025 Location: Reagan Room, 003 Members Present: Janice R. Kirkner, Chair Matthew Hoff Ralph Robertson Peter Lester Richard J. Soisson, Alternate Tom Gordon III, Ex-officio Members Absent: Michael Kane, Vice Chair Steven Smith Present with the Commission were the following persons: Mary Lane and Andrew Gray, Bureau of Comprehensive Planning; Elizabeth Moore, Assistant County Attorney; Daphne Daly, Planning Commission Secretary; and, Gail Hawkins, Clerk. CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME Madam Chair Kirkner called the meeting to order at approximately 6:00 PM. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM Ms. Hawkins took attendance and noted that five members were present, and a quorum was established. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA On motion of Mr. Robertson, seconded by Mr. Soisson and carried, the Agenda was approved. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion of Mr. Soisson, seconded by Mr. Robertson and carried, the Minutes from December 4 and December 17, 2024, were approved. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Secretary Daly shared the first Master Plan Open House is scheduled for Thursday, February 6th at Carroll County Community College. With the inclement weather in the forecast, we will follow Carroll Community College schedule. If the Community College is open by the time the Open House is scheduled, we will have the Open House. Ifthe Community College is closed, we will not have the Open House. We do have a snow day scheduled in case any of the Open Houses are cancelled. Mr. Heyn updated the Commission on the eight solar projects that are currently in review status. The Pine Rock Solar on Sullivan Road is the furthest in the process. The Law. Judge issued a draft denial decision based on the decommissioning plan. The judge is giving the applicant the Planning and Zoning Commission February 5, 2025 Official Minutes opportunity to amend the plan and resubmit. Once the plan is amended, the judge likely will approve the certificate. The second solar project is Bear Branch Solar, located offLamb Drive. The Law Judge has issued a preliminary approval. If no one appeals the decision between now and March 4th, it will be approved. Regarding the two solar projects on Fannie Dorsey Road, the Board ofCounty Commissioners has intervened. Mr. Heyn also provided an update on the Ethiopian Church. He said they are working on their final plan. Once the agencies review the final plan staff will bring the Ethiopian Church back before the Commission for final approval. There will be a site visit scheduled before they come back before the Commission with the final plan. Several citizens have appealed the final plan for Forest Conservation. There are some specimen trees on the property the builder wants to take down. A BZA Hearing started last week and will be continued to March. Mr. Robertson asked whether, when a Site Plan is in the Agricultural zone, there is an effort save as much agricultural land as possible. He stated that if there is land that is not farmable, this land should be used first. Mr. Heyn advised the Commission he is not allowed to comment on the active BZA case at this time. Ms. Kirkner asked if the specimen trees are in the way of construction or septic. Mr. Heyn confirmed the specimen trees are very close to a building the church wants to expand. Lastly, Ms. Daly informed the Commission that the Legislative Session is under way. The final day to file a bill with the House is Friday. Brenda Dinne will provide the Commission with a legislative update on February 18th. OTHER There were none. CITIZENS PLANNING ACADEMY Mr. Gray shared an overview ofthe County's Citizens Planning Academy, which will start in late March. Itis a six-week program. The application process will open online starting on February 9, 2025, for two weeks. The goals for the program are to: build understanding of planning among residents, encourage community advocacy in the planning process, and isnspire participation on boards, commissions, and elected offices. Public Comment There were none. 2 Planning and Zoning Commission February 5, 2025 Official Minutes MASTER PLAN: MUNICIPAL PLANNING PRESENTATION (UNION BRIDGE) Mr. Ned Cueman shared with the Commission Union Bridge's plans in the coming years. Union Bridge is almost finished with their 4th amendment to their 2008 Master Plan. The last time they amended the plan was 10 years ago. A lot has changed over the last 10 years. Currently, the Town Planning Commission submitted the amendment to the Town Council for approval. The Council meeting in February will include a discussion on the plan. They will decide to act on the plan after that meeting. The major change in the plan is the reconfiguring of the growth area boundary. Union Bridge is handicapped because it has no wastewater treatment capacity. On a positive side, the Town has a lot of room in the corporate limits for growth. Union Bridge is the smallest town in Carroll County. It has no banks, gas stations, the Buttersburg Inn has closed. The west portion, Mt. Pleasant area, also known as the Mary Clemson Wilson Farm, is a 200-acre farm, that will be outside of the growth area in the new plan. The zoning on the farm will need to be changed ifthe Council approves the plan. On the other side oft town, the Lease brothers' property is Industrial zoned land. Public water and sewer are not feasible in this area. No rezoning will be needed for this area. Discussion Mr. Hoff stated New Windsor is looking to rebuild their wastewater treatment plant. He asked if there is talk between the two towns in making one plant. Mr. Cueman explained the State did a study only for replacing the plant in Union Bridge, but there is no money to move forward. Mr. Robertson asked what the zoning on the Bowman property is. Mr. Cueman stated the zoning is R-10,000. Public Comment There were none. MASTER PLAN: DATA HANDBOOK, PART II Ms. Daly briefly gave an overview on the Data Handbook, Part II. Part II of the Data Handbook is focused on County services and County functions as they relate to development and land use in the County. The five key areas are: Transportation, Public Safety, Land Use and Development, Infrastructure, and Farm Demographics. Discussion 3 Planning and. Zoning Commission February 5, 2025 Official Minutes There were none. Public Comment There were none. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT There were none. ADJOURNMENT On a motion of Mr. Soisson, seconded by Mr. Luster and carried, the Commission adjourned at 7:30 PM. 40 Rkuhn Se Bui Seçretary Abproved 4