FIVE HUNDRED NINETY FIRST MEETING

CITY OF LAUREL PLANNING COMMISSION

TUESDAY MAY 10, 2022 – 6:00 P.M.

The meeting convened in the Council Chambers at 6:00 P.M., with Chairwoman Mitzi Betman presiding.  The roll was called with Vice Chairman John Kish, the Honorable Rick Wilson, Ms. Krystiana Bonheur, and Councilmember Sydnor, Ex-Officio Member. Also present were Mr. Robert Love, Department of Economic & Community Development Director, Mr. Joshua Mitchum, Planner II and Ms. Brooke Quillen, Secretary to the Commission. There were approximately six (6) members of the public in attendance.

The minutes from the April 12, 2022, meeting were approved as written, on motion by Ms. Bonheur seconded by Mr. Wilson and carried on a roll call vote of all members present, with Mr. Kish abstaining from the vote.

Chairwoman Betman stated since the applicant and address is the same for agenda items number three (3) and four (4), the staff reports for both the Forest Conservation Plan and the Plat of Consolidation Plan Application will be read together however they will be voted on separately.

The next item on the agenda was a Forest Conservation Plan Application and Resolution No. 22-06-PC for 7222 & 7302 Contee Road Laurel, Maryland 20707, filed by Ribera Development LLC., 8684 Veterans Highway Suite 203 Millersville, Maryland  21108. Mr. Love stated the applicant is seeking Forest Conservation Plan approval with waiver associated with the proposed 63-unit development of a townhouse community on the properties known as 7222 & 7302 Contee Road. The applicant received Forest Stand Delineation (FSD)/ Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) staff approval on August 20, 2021.  The Applicant is required to provide 3.33 acres of plantings which they will be meeting with the 3.42 acres of plantings.  

The next item on the agenda was a Plat of Consolidation Plan Application and Resolution No. 22-07-PC for 7222 & 7302 Contee Road Laurel, Maryland 20707, filed by Ribera Development LLC., 8684 Veterans Highway Suite 203 Millersville, Maryland 21108. Mr. Love stated the applicant is seeking a Plat of Consolidation approval to consolidate the lots located at 7222 Contee Road and 7302 Contee Road.  There is currently one single family home on 7222 Contee Rd. property as well as one single family home on the 7302 Contee Rd. property.  The property in July 2021 rezoned from R-5 to  R-T.  The subject properties were annexed into the city in 2014

The attorney for the applicant, Mr. Eric DeVito, 2077 Somerville Road Suite 310 Annapolis, Maryland 21401, thanked everyone for their time and stated he and their team agrees with all the conditions listed in the staff report, additionally, he is in attendance to answer any questions.

There was discussion between applicant and Commission regarding the estimated start and end date for this project.

Mr. Timothy Longfellow, Gutschick, Little & Weber, P.A., 3909 National Drive Suite 250 Burtonsville, Maryland 20866, stated as long as approvals with permits and bonds go through as planned, they predict the state date would be this December or January of next year. They estimate 1-2 years for completion best case scenario and 3-4 years completion worst case scenario.

Chairwoman Betman opened the public hearing at 6:11 p.m. for the Forest Conservation Plan Application and Resolution No. 22-06-PC.

There was nobody signed up to speak.

Chairwoman Betman closed the public hearing at 6:12 p.m.

The Commission, on motion by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Kish, and carried on a roll call vote of all members present, voted to approve the Forest Conservation Plan Application and Resolution No. 22-06-PC for 7222 & 7302 Contee Road Laurel, Maryland 20707, as presented in the Technical Staff Report.

Chairwoman Betman opened the public hearing for the Plat of Consolidation Plan Application and Resolution No. 22-07-PC at 6:12 p.m.

There was nobody signed up to speak.

Chairwoman Betman closed the public hearing at 6:13 p.m.

The Commission, on motion by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Ms. Bonheur, and carried on a roll call vote of all members present, voted to approve the Plat of Consolidation Plan Application and Resolution No. 22-07-PC for 7222 & 7302 Contee Road Laurel, Maryland 20707, as presented in the Technical Staff Report.

The next agenda item was for Special Exception Application No. 926 for 1025 Washington Boulevard Laurel, Maryland 20707, filed by Next Line Permits, 6502 Carriage Drive Alexandria, Virginia, 22310. Mr. Mitchum stated the applicant is seeking special exception approval to construct an exterior Automated Teller Machine (ATM).  The ATM will be located at the existing Capital One Bank, located at 1025 Washington Boulevard, Laurel, MD 20707.  The property is zoned Commercial General (C-SH) and is part of the Laurel Shopping Center.  

There was discussion regarding the language on the staff report regarding the rear of the building. Staff advised the front of the building would be considered what faces Washington Boulevard (Route 1).

Mr. Andrew Rashid, Rashid Architects, 7801 Norfolk Avenue Suite 10 Bethesda, Maryland 20814, confirmed the front of the building is what faces Washington Boulevard (Route 1) because that is the bank’s address and there is a public access point there as well.

There was no public hearing required on this item however Chairwoman Betman asked if anyone wished to speak. Nobody asked to speak.  

The Commission, on motion by Ms. Bonheur, seconded by Mr. Kish, and carried on a roll call vote of all members present, voted to recommend approval of Special Exception Application No. 926 for 1025 Washington Boulevard Laurel, Maryland 20707, as presented in the Technical Staff Report to the Board of Appeals.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:21 p.m.

Approved:      Brooke Quillen                                                          Date:  6/14/2022