Work Session Meeting minutes of the Town Council

Work Session on October 21, 2008

As reviewed, approved and accepted by the Town Council on November 4, 2008

Mayor Oland opened the Work Session at 7:35 p.m. Council Members Frank Bennett, Kris Bradsher, and David Preusch were present. The Clerk was present. Five citizens were present.

Mayor Oland stated that the purpose of the Work Session was to review the definitions of self-storage buildings and warehouse and storage buildings; and to review permitted uses in the Commercial Zone.

Definitions:

Mayor Oland reported that Stanley D. Abrams, Town Counsel, rendered definitions and Mayor Oland noted that for the record, if the Mayor and Council made any changes, it would be a Text Amendment to the Zoning Code. The drafted definitions were reviewed by the Mayor and Council.

Council Member David Preusch noted that there is a difference in the definition and noted that self-storage buildings are not currently in the Town’s Permitted Uses of the Zoning Ordinance. Council Member David Preusch recommended adopting both definitions to differentiate between the two.

Council Member Kris Bradsher recommended adding language to the definition of “Warehouse and Storage Buildings” to clearly define self-storage buildings.

Permitted Uses in the Commercial Zone:

Mayor Oland noted that in the Commercial Zone, there were 25 permitted uses.

Mayor Oland introduced Brendan Deyo. Mr. Deyo is a member of the Town’s Citizens Advisory Board and he presented documents: “Basis of Recommendation for the Determination of Commercial Zone Permissible Uses that Support the Vision of the Town of Laytonsville, Maryland” which includes a scoring approach; a Ranking of Business Type by Benefit; and a Benchmark Analysis.

Mr. Deyo noted that the Citizens Advisory Board ranking was the recommendation and that the Benchmark rating is a validation that the process works.

The documents were discussed and Mayor Oland thanked Mr. Deyo for his work on this project.

Mayor Oland stated that this issued will be presented at the next regular Town Council Meeting on November 4, 2008.

Mayor Oland requested comments. Mr. Eric Wenger questioned whether Stanley D. Abrams, Esq. should review the Procedures Document.

The Mayor closed the Work Session was adjourned at 8:22 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Cathryn D. Buit

Clerk

October 21, 2008