FIVE HUNDRED NINETY FIFTH MEETING

CITY OF LAUREL PLANNING COMMISSION

TUESDAY OCTOBER 18, 2022 – 6:00 P.M.

The meeting convened on a virtual platform through Zoom at 6:00 P.M., with Chairwoman Mitzi Betman presiding.  The roll was called with Ward 2 Councilmember Mr. Keith R.  Sydnor, Vice Chairman John R. Kish, the Honorable Mr. Rick Wilson, Mr. Bill Wellford and Ms. Krystiana Bonheur. Also present were Mr. Robert Love, Director, Department of Economic & Community Development, Mr. Monta Burrough, Deputy Director, Department of Economic & Community Planning, and Ms. Brooke Quillen, Secretary to the Commission. There were approximately six (6) members of the public in attendance.

Mr. Wilson made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 13, 2022 meeting as written. Ms. Bonheur seconded the motion, Mr. Wellford cast a vote of “Yes”, Chairwoman Betman cast a vote of “Yes” and Mr. Kish abstained, as he was not present at the September meeting.

The next agenda item was for Final Record Plat of Subdivision (Res. 22-17-PC)  Application for 14415 Greenview Drive Laurel, Maryland 20708, filed by CS Patuxent Greens, LLC., 121 Congressional Lane Rockville, MD 20852. Mr. Love stated the applicant is seeking Final Record Plat of Subdivision approval to create parcels for the development of an additional 61 dwelling units to bring the total for the development to 450 dwelling units on the property known as Patuxent Greens. The property was part of the First 1981 Annexation for the City of Laurel that was enacted on February 2, 1982.  Approximately 267 acres of land was annexed and placed into the PUD zone.

Chairwoman Betman opened the public hearing at 6:06 p.m.    

Representing the applicant, Mr. William Shipp, O’Malley Miiles Nylen & Gilmore, 7850 Walker Drive #310 Greenbelt, Maryland 20770, stated he and his client are in full agreement with the staff report, this is the final step in the approval process, and he is in attendance to answer any questions.

Councilmember Sydnor stated he is looking forward to this project as it was one of the first he voted on, despite the process not being easy he believes this will be good for the City in the long run.

Chairwoman Betman read comments submitted by Wendy Geagan, resident at 14103 Greenview Drive Laurel, Maryland 20708.

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

Representing the applicant, Mr. William Shipp, O’Malley Miles Nylen & Gilmore 7850 Walker Drive #310 Greenbelt, Maryland 20770, added that the notices for this application went out in compliance with the City regulation, the circulation of traffic was reviewed during the preliminary and site plan application, there are no basements in the townhouses which addresses the rain concern and there is no change to the layout to the adjacent neighborhood.

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 Record Plat of Subdivision Plan Application and Resolution No. 22-17-PC for 14415 Greenview Drive Laurel, Maryland 20708, as presented with conditions in the Technical Staff Report.

The next item on the agenda was for Special Exception No. 932 for 555 Main Street, filed by Ms. LaNita Cousin/Kurvaceous Bottles Karnival LLC., for recommendation to the Board of Appeals. Mr. Burrough read the staff report stating the applicant is seeking approval to add rental hall use to existing building.  The building was constructed in 1989.  The structure is over 6,600 square feet commercial space.  The property is located in the Historic District, zoned C-V, Commercial Village.

There was discussion among the applicant, staff and the Commission regarding the maximum amount of people allowed in the building.

The applicant, Ms. LaNita Cousin, 9700 Baltimore Avenue Laurel, Maryland 20707, stated it is estimated that approximately 100-125 people can occupy the building between the first and second floor however that will be confirmed after getting the Use & Occupancy permit which is a later step in this process. Ms. Cousin explained most events will be birthday parties, weddings and baby showers, things of that nature. She added that the 3^rd floor will be used as office & storage space and they are looking into installing audio/visual capability to the building. Lastly, she stated that they are looking forward joining the Laurel community and hopefully will be hosting community events.

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 the Special Exception Application No. 932 to the Board of Appeals.

The next item on the agenda was for Forest Conservation Plan for Laurel Lakes Court filed by Golden Realty LLC. 19785 Crystal Rock Drive Germantown, Maryland 20874. Mr. Burrough read the staff report stating the applicant is seeking approval associated with the proposed development of Laurel Lakes Court, Parcel B-7, Laurel Maryland 20707 into a Candlewood Suites Hotel. The site consists of 2.58 acres and the proposed development on the sit will impact 1.87 acres.  The site will be 43 percent green space, which exceeds the minimum 20 percent green space required for I-RTP (Industrial Research Technology Park). No nontidal wetlands, nontidal, wetland buffers, streams, 100-year floodplain, specimen trees or priority trees are located on the property. The Applicant is seeking final site and landscape plan approval simultaneously with this application.    

Representing the applicant, Mr. Norman Rivera, Law Offices of Norman D. Rivera LLC., 6000 Merriwether Drive Suite 3063 Columbia, Maryland 21044, stated an overview of the application and that this was approved previously approved by the Planning Commission in 2018 but was never started. This new application has some improvements, which is shown on the site plans. He is in attendance for any questions and agree to the staff report.

Chairwoman Betman stated there will be a joint public hearing for both applications however the votes to approve or deny will be separate. 

Chairwoman Betman opened the public hearing at 6:43 p.m.    

There was nobody signed up to speak.

Chairwoman Betman closed the public hearing at 6:43 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. 22-16-PC for Laurel Lakes Drive Laurel, Maryland 20707, as presented with conditions in the Technical Staff Report.

The next item on the agenda was for Amended Site & Landscape Plan for Laurel Lakes Court filed by Golden Realty LLC. 19785 Crystal Rock Drive Germantown, Maryland 20874. Mr. Burrough read the staff report stating the applicant is seeking approval to construct a four-story Candlewood Suites Hotel with 100 rooms and a freestanding gazebo on 2.58 acres of an undeveloped parcel. The site will also have 113 parking spaces and a trash enclosure. The site was annexed into the city in 1984 and is zoned I-RTP (Industrial Research Technology Park).  In 1997, Laurel Lakes Corporate Center II Limited Partnership (Laurel Lakes Parcel B-7) granted an easement to LL Housing Limited Partnership (Laurel Lakes Senior Apartments) for the construction and maintenance of a walking path on Parcel B-7, to connect to what is now called the Robert J. DiPietro Community Center.

There was discussion among the Commission, staff and applicant regarding the buffer request between the hotel and the Gude Mansion. Due to the stormwater management requirements and grading for the development, the applicant stated it is not possible however a fence and native vegetation will be provided along the property line along with the mico-bios along the eastern property line.

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 Amended Site and Landscape Plan Application and Resolution No. 22-15-PC for Laurel Lakes Drive Laurel, Maryland 20707, with the amendment the Planning Commission concurs with the applicant in regard to the best efforts with the buffer within the constraints of storm water management, and the Technical Staff Report will be updated with this information.

Councilmember Sydnor stated he hopes everything will work out for this project this time around.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:46 p.m.

Approved:  Brooke Quillen                                                    Date: 12/13/2022