MEETING MINUTES Carroll County Planning and Zoning Commission March 5, 2025 Location: Reagan Room, 003 Members Present: Janice R. Kirkner, Chair Michael Kane, Vice Chair Ralph Robertson Peter Lester Steven Smith Richard J. Soisson, Alternate Tom Gordon III, Ex-officio Members Absent: Matthew Hoff Present with the Commission were the following persons: Tiffany Fossett, Clare Stewart, and Andrew Gray of Comprehensive Planning; Elizabeth Moore County Attorney Office; 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 seven members were present, and a quorum was established. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA On motion of Mr. Kane, seconded by Mr. Robertson and carried, the Agenda was approved. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Secretary Daly shared the final Master Plan Open House is scheduled for Thursday, March 6th at Eldersburg Branch Library from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Ms. Daly stated the Commission should have received an email from Ms. Hawkins' on the Annual Financial Disclosure Statement. The form needs to be completed and returned to Jo Vance by April 30, 2025. OTHER There were none. Planning and Zoning Commission March 5, 2025 Official Minutes MASTER PLAN: MUNICIPAL PLANNING PRESENTATION MANCHESTER) Ms. Michelle Wilder, Zoning Manager, Mr. Henry Leskinen, Chair, Manchester's Planning and Zoning Commission, and Matt Leister, Town Administrator, shared an overview of the Town of Manchester Comprehensive Plan. The Town's growth is limited due to the Water and Sewer capacity. Manchester's potable water comes from 13 wells. The Town's wastewater treatment plant has a limited capacity of 500,000 gallons. Once the wastewater capacity reaches 400,000 gallons, the Town would need a plan in place for expansion. The Main Street business district is hindered by traffic issues. The Route 30 bypass is more than likely not going to occur, but Route 30 is a major road for Southern PA commuters. The Town's public parking is limited and the ability to park on Main Street during peak traffic times is difficult. The Town of Manchester is promoting protection of wetlands, waterways, and stormwater management collection areas in their Master Plan. Currently, the Townis working with the County on a Manchester East Stormwater Management facility. Manchester has one ofthe biggest open land and park areas in the County. The Town has changed their R-40 zoning to keep these open spaces available. Currently, the Town of Manchester has several developments in process: Equine Meadows, consisting of 30 lots, is being reviewed at this time; Patriots Overlook, residential development, recently annexed into the Town, consisting of 36 lots; Patapsco91 LLC, consisting of 14 lots; Maverick Community Solar, which is in the beginning stage, on 10 acres in Town limits; and, PFAS Treatment Project, which is out for design, and Manchester Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade. Discussion Mr. Kane asked if the Maverick Solar project is one of the eight solar projects Ms. Daly updated the Commission on. Ms. Daly explained the Maverick Solar project is a separate project. Mr. Robertson asked for clarification on the contracting of Manchester's plan. Ms. Wilder explained they are contracting the municipal growth area because the Town cannot handle the growth based on their wastewater treatment plant. Mr. Robertson asked the size of the population of Manchester. Ms. Wilder explained the population is 5,500 people. The population on sewer is 4,200 people. Mr. Kane asked what their plan is for the traffic and parking issues. 2 Planning and Zoning Commission March 5, 2025 Official Minutes Ms. Wilder explained the Town ofManchester has public parking lots, but the traffic is SO bad you cannot access these lots during rush hour. Manchester discussed with the County about making a turn lane from Route 30 onto Route 27, for the traffic coming down from Pennsylvania. Ms. Wilder went on to say, the project fell through because the utilities at the intersection needed to be relocated. Mr. Kane asked if the other municipalities use consultants to help improve their traffic and parking issues. Ms. Daly explained she is unaware of any programs the other municipalities use to help with their traffic and parking issues. Ms. Kirkner asked if Route 27 and Route 30 were State Highway roads. Mr. Gray explained yes, Route 27 and Route 30 are State Highway roads. Mr. Gray stated he is unaware if the State ofMaryland has any plans to widening Route 27 or Route 30. Mr. Robertson asked if Manchester could address their traffic problem, what would they like to see - to have no parking on Main Street? Mr. Leskinen explained they would like to have the bypass, which would eliminate a lot of the traffic problems. The Town does not anticipate the bypass being built. The Town is looking for answers but right now they do not have any. Mr. Lester asked why the Town of Manchester thinks the bypass will not occur. Mr. Leskinen explained funding is the issue and environmental concerns is another issue. The bog turtles are numerous in the Manchester area. Public Comment There were none. MASTER PLAN: WORK GROUP OVERVIEW Ms. Daly gave a brief overview on the Work Group meeting topics and participant affiliations developed back in January. Each Work Group will have study topics and provide a report back to the Commission to consider with respect to land use, regulatory, policy, and capital / financial recommendations. There is strong interest in having citizens from the Finksburg and Freedom District to be a part of each of these Work Groups. The Work Group meetings will be open meetings. The Master Plan website will have posted when and where these meetings will take place. Ms. Daly introduced Clare Stewart who will be the facilitator of the Agriculture Work Group, Andrew Gray who will be the facilitator of the Economy Work Group, and Tiffany Fossett who will be the facilitator of the Housing Work Group. Ms. Stewart, Mr. Gray, and Ms. Fossett went 3 Planning and Zoning Commission March. 5, 2025 Official Minutes over their Work Group's purpose, meeting topics, and participant affiliations. Each Work Group will meet midway through to discuss what each Work Group has been talking about and see if there are any similarities. Discussion Mr. Kane asked where industrial development might be represented on the Economy Work Group, especially in terms of the Business Management affiliation. He also asked about representation from higher education institutions. Ms. Daly explained we have several opportunities where an industrial development representatives could fit in. She also pointed out where higher education, including someone from McDaniel College or Carroll Community College, would be able to serve on the Work Group. Mr. Daly asked for Mr. Kane to clarify if he was thinking in terms ofindustrial or business park property developers similar to St. John's Property Management. Mr. Kane stated yes, St. John's Property Management or a similar representative would be good to have on the Work Group. Ms. Kirkner stated she will share with Ms. Daly some names ofl Real Estate Professionals after her March seminar. Commissioner Gordon asked if Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit programs (MPDUS) will be explored in this process. Ms. Daly explained the information that came out of the Housing Study would help prompt discussion on MPDUS. Commissioner Gordon stated non-profit groups, low-income, aging and disabilities are listed in the Housing Work Group affiliations. The missing middle demographic needs to be added and add one or two growth areas, such as Westminster or Mt. Airy, to the list. Ifnot, we are only going to hear from Freedom and Finksburg. Mr. Smith added he would like to see someone from the Manchester / Hampstead area added to the list to get their insight on growth. Commissioner Gordon stated he would like to add rental property management companies to the stakeholders. Ms. Daly recommended the revisions to the Work Group lists be brought back to the March 18th Business Meeting to discuss further. Ifthe Commission has any names they would like to add to the Work Groups, please forward them. Public Comment There were none. 4 Planning and Zoning Commission March 5, 2025 Official Minutes GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT There were none. ADJOURNMENT On a motion of Mr. Kane, seconded by Mr. Lester and carried, the Commission adjourned at 7:40 PM. - Kkubw 20 Spllh Bie Secretary Approved 5