TOWN Op AAH T GAFTONSVILNE 1892 Public Hearing Minutes ofTown Council on April 1, 2025 As reviewed, approved, and accepted by the Town Council on May 1, 2025 There being a quorum, Mayor Charles Hendricks called to order at 7:35 p.m. a Public Hearing on draft Ordinance 01-25, a proposed Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to amend Sections 104 (Definitions), 105.03 (Special Exception Uses, Agricultural Zone), 106.03 (Special Exception Uses, R-1), 106.6 (Bulk Regulations, R-1), 107.03 (Special Exception Uses, R-2), 108.03 (Special Exception Uses R-3), 116.04 (Decision of Board, Appeals from Board decisions, Board of Appeals), 126 (Decision), 127 (Preservation of Historic Resources), 128.02 (Definitions, Signs), 128.08 (Permits; authorization; removal; abandonment and maintenance, Signs), 128.09 (Violations; Enforcement, Signs), 129 (Text Amendment), 130 (Non-Conforming Uses), 131 (Site Development Plans), 132.03 (Powers and Duties, Town Planning Commission), 132.04 (Transitory Provisions, Town Planning Commission), 134 (Violations and Penalties), and 135 (Appeals) of the Town's Zoning Ordinance. The Public Hearing was held using video conferencing. Council Members Charles Bradsher, Tom Burke, Amy Koval and Christina Pellegrino were present. Town Clerk Mary Burke, Assistant Clerk James Schneider, Historic District Commission Chair Jennifer Sizemore, and approximately 22 residents or guests were also present. Mayor Hendricks explained that this was the first Public Hearing on draft Ordinance 01-25, a proposed zoning text amendment that amends the various sections listed in the agenda. The amendment is about 19 pages long in legal format, but it has many technical aspects to it. It was introduced at the last Town Council meeting, and the Town Council then scheduled a Public Hearing on it for tonight. Public Testimony: Historic District Commission (HDC) Chair Sizemore explained the HDC's recommendations included in the draft ordinance. These related to the work of the commission. www.laytonsvill-mdus Post Office Box 5158 e Laytonsville, Maryland 20882 e Office 301-869-0042 1 Town Hall e 21607 Laytonsville Road e Laytonsville, Maryland Mayor Hendricks explained that he had followed up on what the HDC recommended by proposing to update other outdated references that did not relate to the HDC and to adjust a few items such as fence height limits. Mr. Kevin Gutowski of21204 Cracklin Road stated that the Montgomery County code for any water features requires a five-foot fence. Mr. Eric Wenger of 6715 Maple Knoll Drive commented that the wording in one section on page 4 of the draft ordinance requiring some editing. Mayor Hendricks responded that Council Member Koval had brought this problem to his attention and that he had prepared an amendment that would address it. Mr. Jim Ruspi of 7111 Brink Road asked for an explanation for what the edited wording "screened parking" means. Mayor Hendricks explained that it is in the definition section for a private club. Mr. Jim Ruspi asked if the Fire Department is considered a private club that owns property across from Atco. He wondered if a fire department auxiliary owns that lot. Mayor Hendricks stated that he believed the Fire Department owns that property outright. Chair Sizemore explained that a substantial part of the 19 pages in the proposed ordinance just involves changing the numbering within the current Ordinance after eliminating one item in a long list. Mayor Hendricks explained that references to the "Mayor and Town Council" were edited to read the "Mayor and Council" to match the name given to the town's governing body in the Town Charter. Ms. Jill Ruspi of7111 Brink Road asked about the language change removing the words "visible from the public right of way." 99 Chair Sizemore explained that the HDC recommended removing "visible from the public right of way" SO that the ordinance will securely protect all exteriors of a historic structure. As no additional testimony was offered, Mayor Hendricks closed the Public Hearing at 7:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted, X James Schneider, Assistant Clerk Town ofLaytonsville 2