Work Session Meeting minutes of
Town Council Meeting on November 18, 2003
As reviewed, approved, and
accepted by the Town Council on December 2, 2003
November 18, 2003
The Work Session was opened
by Mayor Charles W. Oland at 7:35 p.m.
Council Members Frank Bennett, Tom Wilkinson, David Preusch and Charles
Bradsher were present. The Town Planner, Mr. Stan Benning, was present. The Clerk was present. There were five citizens present.
Stadler Pre-Preliminary
Plan: Mr. Stan Benning reported that generally speaking, a review such
as this is very preliminary and is used to elicit a consensus of opinion abut
how the Mayor and Council view the submission as presented. In Montgomery County, the first step is to
submit a plan to Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services – Well and
Septic with comments from the approval agency, the Mayor and Council. The Stadler Pre-Preliminary Plan is in
the category of water service Level 6 which requires individual wells and
septic systems. This pre-preliminary
plan encompasses approximately 107 acres with 53 developable lots. Mr. Benning referred to a sketch of street
alignments from the Town’s Comprehensive Plan onto the Pre-Preliminary Stadler
Plan. A traffic circle at the
intersection of Route 108 and Warfield was discussed. A Southeast By Pass was discussed.
Mayor Oland reported that in
discussing the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, it would be unfair to the applicant
to not be clear about the Town’s intent regarding road alignments. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the Town to
make a decision regarding a By Pass alignment.
Pete Stadler, resident,
commented that several scenarios were reviewed relative to access to the
developable property: through the
commercial portion; through lots via an ingress/egress easement at Sundown
Road; right of way through Second Street; access through Maple Knoll.
Council Member Bennett
reminded the meeting that the Town could not allow another dead-end street in
the Town.
Council Member Preusch felt
the addition of foot trails would be of benefit to the Town.
Resident Phyllis Sterling
posed the question who would own the trails, and who would enforce usage of the
trails.
The Mayor and Council agreed
that the applicant, Pete Stadler, could proceed with the drilling of test
sites.
Mayor Oland reminded Eric
Wenger, Chair of the Citizens Advisory Board, that any new development should
be considered by the Citizens Advisory Board in their review.
Parking Regulations: A memorandum
from Stan Abrams dated October 29, 2003 was distributed regarding proposed
parking regulations for the Town. Mr.
Abrams has drafted an Ordinance. Mayor
Oland commented that any enforcement of the regulations was an issue. He will contact Pete Ayton to see if he has
any interest in serving as the Town’s code enforcement officer.
Resident Phyllis Sterling has
spoken with 7 of the 15 property owners on Howard Street/Montgomery Street
regarding parking on Howard Street specifically. Six of the seven agreed that there was a problem with overflow parking
on Howard and that a no parking zone would be acceptable.
Citizens Advisory Board
Update: Chair Eric Wenger presented the Session with an updated that
requested any changes in the Town’s Comprehensive Plan include an accommodation
for a By Pass and that the Board would like to formally request an Ordinance
governing any new development relative to the style and architecture of the
development. It was recommended that
another meeting with John Clarke, Vice President of Elm Street Development was
in order. Mr. Clarke will be invited to
the January 20, 2004 Work Session.
Council Member Dave Preusch
pointed out that he feels that the Mayor and Council should draft an Ordinance
to address any style and architectural requirements as a guideline for the
Citizens Advisory Board. Mayor Oland
responded that he will request that Stan Abrams, Town Attorney, draft an
Ordinance required that any new development follow the character of the Town in
its style and architecture.
Mayor Oland reported that
there would not be a Work Session on
December 16, 2003.
Model Regulations – Open
Meetings: A model Ordinance was received by the Maryland Municipal League
and addresses video/audio recording of any public meeting; disruptive conduct;
and recordings not part of the record.
Mayor Oland requested that the Council review this material and it will
be further discussed at the January 20, 2004 Work Session..
The Work Session was
adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Cathryn D. Buit
Clerk
November 18, 2003