Meeting minutes of Town Council Meeting on September 5, 2006                     

As reviewed, approved, and accepted by the Town Council on October 3, 2006  

 

Mayor Oland opened the Public Hearing at 7:30 p.m. to consider a proposed Ordinance to repeal and re-enact with Amendments the Town of Laytonsville, Maryland Sign Ordinance to provide definitions, regulations, standards and enforcement pertaining to the erection and maintenance of signs generally and further to place such Ordinance as part of the Town Zoning Ordinance as new Section 121A thereof.

Mayor Oland asked for public comment.

Pete Stadler

P.O. Box 5009

Laytonsville, MD                                             

Mr. Stadler inquired as to the status of special, one- time signs. Mayor Oland responded that if the signs

were posted no more than two weeks, it would not be a problem.

Sheree Wenger

6715 Maples Knoll Dr

Laytonsville, MD         

Mrs. Wenger wanted to review Section 121A.3, Section E and questioned the language should say “whether permanent or temporary.”

 

Mrs. Wenger questioned Section K regarding finished grade of 14 feet.  Mayor Oland responded that that was the lowest point of any sign.

 

Mrs. Wenger questioned Section 121A.7 “Non-conforming” and thought the length of three years was too long.

 

Mayor Oland responded that if a sign was non-conforming, it would remain non-conforming if not expanded.

 

Mrs. Wenger also recommended a permitting process be developed for the Town.

 

Phyllis Sterling

21401 S. Montgomery

Laytonsville, MD

Mrs. Sterling questioned  page 9 (d) and the “Town Planning Commission”.  Mayor Oland commented that the Mayor and Council will continue to act as the Town’s Planning Commission.

 

Mrs. Sterling questioned page 9 (d) “Permanent identification signs. . .”  last sentence stating  that all permanent identification signs shall be compatible in appearance and design with the surrounding landscape or buildings to which they may be affixed.

 

Mrs. Sterling noted that since the Historic District Commission has the authority to review signs in the

Historic District, it would be better to define this sentence.

 

 

 

Mayor Oland noted that this Ordinance will become part of the Zoning Ordinance.

 

With no further comments, the Public Hearing was closed at 7:40 p.m.

 

Mayor Oland opened the Public Hearing to consider amending the language in Ordinance #01-04 regarding a temporary parking permit  the Parking Ordinance at 7:41 p.m.

 

With no discussion being presented, the hearing was closed at 7:42 p.m.

 

The regular meeting of the Mayor and Town Council was called to order by Mayor Oland at 7:45 p.m.  The Mayor, Council Members Frank Bennett, David Preusch, and Tom Wilkinson were present.  Council Members Charles Bradsher was absent.  The Clerk and Treasurer were present.  There were four citizens present.

The minutes of the regular Town Council Meeting on August 1, 2006 were approved as submitted.

Treasurer’s Report:  Reviewing the Profit and Loss Report for the month of August, 2006, total income for the month of August 2006 was $15,569.00.  Major expenses for August, 2006 were $ 1,615.00  for accounting services.; $1,160.00 for general repairs and maintenance; $2,575.00 for legal expenses; $2,568.00 for picnic expenses; and; $2,568.00 for waste management. Total expenses for the month of August, 2006 were $12,091.00 for a net income of $4,887.00.  Looking at the Balance Sheet for the month of  August, 2006, the fund balance for the general fund is $186,656.00; for the CIP account, the balance is $67,455.00 and the balance for the fixed assets fund is $384,904.00.  The total assets for the Town of Laytonsville for the month of August, 2006 are $639.015.00.    Council Member David Preusch made the motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as submitted, subject to audit.  Council Member Frank Bennett seconded.  Unanimously approved.

Discussion/Action Items:

Proposed Sign Ordinance:  A proposed Ordinance to repeal and re-enact with Amendments the Town of Laytonsville, Maryland Sign Ordinance was discussed.

Proposed Parking Ordinance Amendment:  A proposed Ordinance to amend the language in Ordinance #01-04 was discussed.

Town Picnic:  Mayor Oland reported that the Town Picnic:  Laytonsville Homecoming 2006, is scheduled for September 16, 2006.  Invitations have been sent to Senator Kramer and Delegates and the Montgomery County Council and we anticipate approximately 250 in attendance.  Jim O’Hair is Chair of the picnic again this year and is doing an outstanding job.  Safeway, Inc. has come forward to supply food and materials.  Chief Dave Peto from the Gulf Park Estates (MS) VFD will be a guest of the Town at the picnic.  Ornaments commissioned through Hail’s Fine Art Gallery depicting the Bell House (Town Hall) will be sold at the picnic.

Dorothy G. Techter Property:  Mayor Oland reported that interest continues in this property listed for sale.  Mayor Oland reiterated that residency requirement is mandatory.

State Highway Administration:  Mayor Oland reported that a letter had been sent to Senator Rona Kramer regarding the sidewalk at Route 108 (southern entrance) and the round-about at Route 108 and Brink/Sundown Roads.  Mayor Oland welcomed Council Member Mike Knapp who was attending this meeting and welcomed any comments he might have.

Town Pavilion:  Mayor Oland reported that three difference style quotes were requested from Taylor Spots and Recreation.

Work Session, September 19, 2006:  The Mayor and Council have cancelled the Work Session for this date.

Heather Young:  Mayor Oland reported that former Council Member David Halperin’s step-daughter had been named Miss Teen Maryland.

Laytonsville District Volunteer Fire Department Sidewalk Easement:  Mayor Oland discussed a draft letter to the Laytonsville VFD regarding the Town’s agreement to the following:

Action Items:

Proposed Sign Ordinance:  Council Member Tom Wilkinson made the motion to adopt the submitted Sign Ordinance to repeal and re-enact with Amendments the Town’s Sign Ordinance to provide definitions, regulations, standards and enforcement pertaining to the erection and maintenance of signs generally and further to place such Ordinance as part of the Town’s Zoning Ordinance.  Council Member Frank Bennett seconded.  Unanimously approved.

Proposed Amendment to Parking Ordinance:  Council Member Dave Preusch made the motion to adopt the proposed Ordinance to Amend Ordinance #01-04 Section 8 (a) to allow a 15 day maximum Temporary Permit with one  15 day renewal.  Council Member Frank Bennett seconded.  Unanimously approved.

Council:  Council Member Dave Preusch discussed Council Member Silverman’s email regarding the landfill on Laytonsville Road.  Council Member Preusch reminded the meeting that the OLAC committee negotiated an agreement that the landfill would return to its natural state after the landfill was closed.

Citizens:

Carol Boyland , a resident on Hawkins Creamery Road attended the meeting and stated that she and her husband were interested in opening a boutique and operating a two employee office on the property at 21415 Laytonsville Road.  Mayor Oland stated the owner residence was required.  Mayor Oland further reported that Montgomery County’s Department of Permitting Services would also require a very limited septic requirement on the white house on this property.

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to adjourn at 8:35 p.m.  Council Member Dave Preusch seconded.  Unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Cathryn D. Buit

Clerk

September 5, 2006

 

REMINDER:   PORCELAIN ORNAMENTS FEATURING THE TOWN HALL (BELL HOUSE) ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE TOWN HALL.