THREE HUNDRED SIXIETH MEETING

CITY OF LAUREL BOARD OF APPEALS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2020 – REGULAR 

***This meeting was conducted through Zoom Virtual Platform due to COVID-19 Pandemic***

Convened: 6:00 p.m.

Board Members Present (During Roll):    

Margaret Chenault, Chair

Brian Lee, Vice-Chair

Mary-Eileen Leszcz

Dennis Whitley, III, Esquire

Martin Mitchell, Alternate

Staff Present:

The Honorable Craig A. Moe, Mayor

Christian L. Pulley, Director, ECD

Joshua Mitchum, Planner II, ECD

Brooke Quillen, Secretary to Board of Appeals, ECD

Cinnamen Fisher, Technican Specialist, Information Technology

Yasir Sayed, Senior Sytems Engineer, Information Techonology

Darnell Butler, Production Assistant, Communications

Citizens Present: Approximately: Approximately three (3)

            The Honorable Craig A. Moe announced Ms. Chenualt’s resignation and briefly discussed her history with the Board of Appeals which is approximately 36 years of service.  He thanked Ms. Chenault for her dedication and hard work with the City of Laurel.

The minutes of the October 29, 2020 meeting were approved as written on motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mr. Whitley carried on a roll call vote of all other members present with Mr. Mitchell abstaining from the vote.

Next, the Board heard the request for Special Exception Application No. 908 and Resolution No. 20-07-BOA, 8001-8003 Laurel Lakes Court Laurel, Maryland 20707, filed by Celebree School c/o Douglas Development, 655 New York Avenue Suite 830 Washington DC  20001.  Mr. Mitchum  completed the reading of the record for the administrative approval process and presented the technical staff report dated September 9, 2020, stating the applicant Special Exception approval to establish and operate a child daycare facility that will serve 144 children and staff approximately 20-25 persons.  The subject property is zoned Industrial Technology Research Park (I-RTP), located on the south side of Laurel Lakes Court, west of the Baltimore Avenue (US-1) intersection. The site has an existing two-story flex-space building. 

The applicant, Mr. Norman Rivera, Celebree School c/o Douglas Development, 655 New York Avenue Suite 830 Washington DC  20001, thanked the Mayor and staff for assistance on this project.  He also thanked Ms. Chenault for her service with the Board of Appeals. He stated he has on the call with him a representative from the school and the civil engineer for this project.  Mr. Rivera added that he is in full agreement with the staff report and conditions.

There was discussion among the Board, staff and the applicant regarding the additional approvals the applicant will need to receive from Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland.  The applicant stated they are aiming to open in January or February 2021, adding that there will be no transportation services for the children, it will be a drop off and pick up program.

Chairwoman Chenualt opened the public hearing at 6:13 p.m.

There was nobody else signed up to speak.

Chairwoman Chenualt closed the public hearing at 6:14 p.m.

On motion by Mr. Lee seconded by Mrs. Leszcz, and carried on a unanimous vote by all members present, Special Exception Application No. 908 and Resolution No. 20-07-BOA were approved as presented in the Technical Staff Report.

Adjournment:   6:15 P.M.

APPROVED: LBQ                                                   DATE: 1/28/2021