FIVE HUNDRED NINETY SECOND MEETING

CITY OF LAUREL PLANNING COMMISSION

TUESDAY JUNE 14, 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 Mr. William Wellford. 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.

Chairwoman Betman stated Councilmember Sydnor was attending the Maryland Municipal League  Summer Conference in Ocean City, Maryland.

The minutes from the May 10, 2022, meeting were approved as written, on motion by Mr. Kish seconded by Mr. Wilson and carried on a roll call vote of all members present.

The next agenda item was for Special Exception Application No. 930 for 595 Main Street Laurel, Maryland 20707, filed by Paw Perfect Place LLC., 595 Main Street Laurel, Maryland 20707. Mr. Mitchum stated the applicant is seeking special exception approval to operate an animal boarding facility at the existing Paw Perfect Dog Daycare business located at 595 Main Street Unit 133, Laurel, MD 20707. The property is zoned Commercial Village (C-V) and is a part of the Patuxent Place Apartments complex.

The applicant, Ms. Vanessa Oti, 8492 Heatherworld Drive, Maryland 20723, explained the business is already in operation for daytime dog daycare and that she is asking for approval for overnight boarding of dogs. She is not performing any medical procedures or providing any grooming, she added that if business picks up enough she will hire more employees for an overnight shift. There was further discussion regarding where the dogs will be walked and taken to go to the bathroom. Ms. Oti explained she plans to use the Patuxent River Trail as there is access from a footpath or through Main Street to the main entrance. She also stated there is no restriction on size of the animal however regarding breeds, Pitbulls are not allowed in Prince George’s County therefore she will not board Pitbulls. Ms. Oti stated she did some research before applying for this application by and found most people gave positive feedback and welcomed the idea of an overnight Dog Daycare facility since there are no other businesses like this in the near area.

The Commission and staff discussed recourse if problems arise, such as noise complaints. Staff stated the Use & Occupancy permit can be revoked if issues can not be resolved.

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 Mr. Wilson, seconded by Ms. Bonheur, and carried on a roll call vote of all members present, voted to recommend approval of Special Exception No. 930 for 595 Main Street Laurel, Maryland 20707, as presented in the Technical Staff Report to the Board of Appeals. Mr. Kish abstained from the vote stating not enough information to make a decision.

The next item on the agenda was for Preliminary Subdivision Plan Application and Resolution No. 22-09-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 Preliminary Subdivision Plan approval to develop a 63-unit townhouse community.  There is currently one single family home on 7222 Contee Rd. property as well as one single 2 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 next item on the agenda was a Final Neo Traditional Overlay Site & Landscape Plan Application and Resolution No. 22-08-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 Neo Traditional Overlay Final Site & Landscape Plan approval to develop a 63-unit townhouse community.  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, stated there are no changes with these plans and this project has been previously approved by the Mayor and City Council. He thanked everyone for their time and stated he and his team agrees with all the conditions listed in the staff report. Additionally, he is in attendance to answer any questions.

Chairwoman Betman opened the public hearing at 6:38 p.m. for the Preliminary Subdivision Plan Application and Resolution No. 22-09-PC.

There was nobody signed up to speak.

Chairwoman Betman closed the public hearing at 6:39 p.m.

The Commission, on motion by Mr. Wellford, seconded by Mr. Kish, and carried on a roll call vote of all members present, voted to approve the Preliminary Subdivision Plan Application and Resolution No. 22-09-PC for 7222 & 7302 Contee Road Laurel, Maryland 20707, as presented in the Technical Staff Report.

Chairwoman Betman opened the public hearing for the Final Neo Traditional Overlay Site & Landscape Plan Application and Resolution No. 22-08-PC at 6:39 p.m.

There was nobody signed up to speak.

Chairwoman Betman closed the public hearing at 6:40 p.m.

The Commission, on motion by Mr. Wellford, seconded by Mr. Kish, and carried on a roll call vote of all members present, voted to approve the Final Neo Traditional Overlay Site & Landscape Plan Application and Resolution No. 22-08-PC for 7222 & 7302 Contee Road Laurel, Maryland 20707, as presented in the Technical Staff Report.

            The last agenda item was the Annual Report for Calendar 2021. Mr. Love provided a summary of the report and stated local planning departments are required to submit an annual report to the Maryland Department of Planning for the previous calendar year by July 1^st of the current year.

The Commission, on motion by Ms. Bonheur, seconded by Mr. Wilson, and carried on a roll call vote of all members present, voted to approve the Annual Report for Calendar Year 2021 and Resolution No. 22-10-PC, as presented in the Technical Staff Report.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.

Approved:    Brooke Quillen                                                           Date:         7/12/2022