MEETING MINUTES Carroll County Planning and Zoning Commission March 18, 2025 Location: Reagan Room, 003 Members Present: Janice R. Kirkner, Chair Michael Kane, Vice Chair Ralph Robertson Steven Smith Peter Lester Matthew Hoff Richard J. Soisson, Alternate Members Absent: Tom Gordon III, Ex-officio Present with the Commission were the following persons: Laura Matyas, Bureau of Development Review, Clare Stewart, Tiffany Fossett, and Andrew Gray of Comprehensive Planning, Daphne Daly, Planning and Zoning Commission Secretary; and, Gail Hawkins, Clerk. CALL TO ORDER/WELCOME Madam Chair Kirkner called the meeting to order at approximately 9:00 AM. ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM Ms. Hawkins took attendance and noted that seven members were present, and a quorum was established. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA On motion ofMr. Lester, seconded by Mr. Kane and carried, the Revised Agenda deleting Item 8 and Item 9 was approved as proposed. REVIEW AND APPROVALOF MINUTES On motion of Mr. Kane, seconded by Mr. Smith and carried, the Minutes from January 21st and February 5th, 9 were approved. COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS COMMISSION CHAIR Madam Chair shared four final approvals were signed since her last meeting on February 18, 2025: Woodalls Wish, M-24-0004, one lot subdivision in the Agricultural Zone District, Hindman Property, M-21-0024, two lot subdivision in the Agricultural Zone District. On March 5, 2025, Madam Chair signed Friendship Valley Elementary School Pre-K Addition, S-23-0030, and Cranberry Station Elementary School Pre-K Addition, S-23-0029. Planning and Zoning Commission March 18, 2025 Official Minutes EX-OFFICIO There were none. OTHER COMMISSION MEMBERS There were no other reports. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Secretary Daly shared Bear Branch Solar project has received their CPCN (Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity). They have requested a pre-submittal meeting. This project is moving forward in the process. The State Legislative Session crossover happened on Monday, March 17, 2025. The Bills are moving through the process. Ms. Dinne will be back before the Commission on April 15th Business Meeting, to report on the Bills that were passed. Lastly, Ms. Daly reported the Commission will be receiving information they requested on the Master Plan. During their April 2nd evening Work Session, a presentation will be given on the Data Handbook, Part II and Growth Tiers. At the April 15th Business Meeting, a summary from the Open Houses and Survey feedback will be presented. At the May 7th evening Work Session, a summary from all the topics the Commission has discussed over the last six months will be presented. A presentation on Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit programs (MPDUS) also will be given. Ms. Daly reviewed a few topics the Commission wanted more information on. She noted the following: cost VS. benefits of the different solutions ofhousing; questions regarding the recharge credits associated with Agricultural Preservation Easements and how they are being used; how the County can support the municipalities regarding their traffic and parking concerns; and uses allowed in the Agricultural zone. EXTENSIONS Ms. Matyas shared with the Commission three project extensions since the last meeting: Braddock Estates, P-19-0051, 3 lots, they are working through their final phase. Crossroads Vehicle Repair Shop, S-15-0005, 6th extension request for this project. Abbot Acres, P-02-0298, 7 lots, their 15th extension. BZA CASES There were none. OTHER There were none. 2 Planning and Zoning Commission March 18, 2025 Official Minutes MASTER PLAN: MUNICIPAL PLANNING PRESENTATION Mr. John Breeding, Director of Planning and Zoning for the Town of Mt. Airy, Ralph Ghent, Chair oft the Planning and Zoning Commission, and Martina Hatley, Co-Chair ofthe Planning and Zoning Commission shared the Town of Mt. Airy Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Ghent stated the Town of Mt. Airy Master Plan emphasizes and capitalizes on a small-town feel. They want to maintain as much open space as possible for parks and recreation. Mr. Ghent continued by explaining the Town of Mt. Airy wants to put their emphasis on Transportation-related challenges, including the expansion of Center Street to Route 27, the completion ofthe traffic circle on South Main Street, and the widening of Route 27. The Town of Mt. Airy is number five out of five priority projects Carroll County submitted to the State of Maryland, regarding widening Route 27. The Town's Planning and Zoning Commission made an actionable Vision to the Town's Master Plan. Their Master Plan has five goals to accomplish, with 24 objectives underneath. For each objective, the Town has assigned a person from within the Town to be accountable for its implementation. Ms. Hatley explained re-zoning and annexation in the Town. The Town of Mt. Airy has identified one major development, The Greentree Development, 60 dwelling units. This project will break ground later in 2025. The Town's S biggest potential development is Mt. Airy Crossing, their first mixed-use development, which is currently in litigation. Mr. Ghent stated Mt. Airy anticipates changes in their public facilities: aj pedestrian crosswalk going across Route 27 to Watkins Park, property for their much-needed Police Department, and improvements to the library and senior center. Discussion: Mr. Soisson asked if the Harrison-Leishear property is owned by the County. Mr. Breeding stated that is correct, the County owns Harrison-Leishear. The Town wants to continue with their conversations with the County on annexation oft this property. Mr. Kane asked about the current zoning for the Harrison-Leishear property. Mr. Breeding explained the current zoning is R-20,000, two units per acre, and Conservation. Mr. Robertson asked if Mt. Airy's wastewater and water treatment plant is at capacity. Mr. Breeding deferred to the Town's Engineer. Mr. Hoff asked ifhotels or some kind of hospitality growth is in their plan. 3 Planning and Zoning Commission March 18, 2025 Official Minutes Mr. Ghent explained that because Mt. Airy is at the intersection of four counties and not close to medical facilities in any of them, the commercial growth Mt. Airy is looking into is the medical services industry. The other adjoining counties around them are reaching their hospital capacity with growth. Public Comment: There were none. MASTER PLAN: WORK GROUP OVERVIEW Continuing from the conversation at the March 5th meeting regarding the Agendas and Participation Affiliation for the Master Plan Work Groups, Ms. Daly presented changes to the Participant Affiliation in the Work Groups. She noted that for the Agricultural Work Group, the Amish community was added to the Citizens / Farmers section. Additions to the Economy Work Group included making sure Higher Education was presented (it was indicated in the Business Development category) and adding a Commercial Real Estate Professional to the list. Lastly, for the Housing Work Group, teachers or healthcare worker representatives were added, as way a Rental Housing Management Company representative. The Commission also talked about adding Citizens-at-Large (targeting the missing middle demographic) to the Citizens section. Ms. Daly explained, for the missing middle we should be looking at single people, teachers' union, healthcare workers, the baby boomers, and seniors who are downsizing. Ms. Kirkner stated we should be looking at the housing range from $300,000.00 to $500,000.00 for the missing middle. The next step will be to reach out to the Commission members participating on each Work Group to review possible participant names. The hope is to start the Work Group meetings in early May. Social media and the Master Plan mailing list will be used to spread the word about volunteering for a Work Group. Public Comment: There were none. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT There were none. ADJOURNMENT The Commission, on motion of Mr. Kane, seconded by Mr. Lester and carried the meeting was adjourned at 10:17 AM. 4 Planning and Zoning Commission March 18, 2025 Official Minutes ML 1 Secretary Approved 5