MORGANTOWN PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
May 10, 2001
6:30 p.m. Council Chambers
Members Present: K. Klase, J. Lattanzi, B. Rasmussen, P. Esposito, T. Miller, M. Paparozzi, M. Templeton and R. Hicks, Jr.
Members Absent: J. Kraley and E. Skriner
City Staff: Jim Wood, Planning Director and Lisa Martin, Assistant Planner
MATTERS OF BUSINESS:
March minutes – Motion to approve April minutes by J. Lattanzi, seconded by P. Esposito.
Motion approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
F01-02 / Glenmark / Hill’s Building: Request by Glenmark Holding LLC for façade approval
to add new windows, to repair/replace windows, repair existing brick façade and to add fabric awnings
to the Hill’s Building located at 63 Wharf Street. Tax Map #28, Parcel #62, a B-4, General Business
District.
J. Wood read the staff report. He stated that the Design Review Committee would concur with
whatever decision the State Historic Architect made regarding the adding of six (6) new windows on
the University Avenue façade; except that the committee expressed a desire that any new windows
match the existing ones.
Discussion ensued.
J. Lattanzi made a motion for approval, seconded by M. Paparozzi.
Mark Nesselroad affirmed that all information was sent to Mark Homma and that Glenmark is
trying to comply with all rules and regulations.
P. Esposito requested to amend the motion to reflect the request that the elevation of the south-
eastern side of the building be provided to the Planning Office and the State Preservation Office
for approval. J. Lattanzi accepted the amendment.
J. Wood asked for clarification on the motion. J. Lattanzi stated that his motion was to accept
the Design Review Committee’s and staff’s recommendation.
B. Rasmussen stated that the Design Review Committee recommendation is contingent on the
decision by the State Historic Architect.
K. Klase reiterated the motion made by J. Lattanzi for approval contingent on the amendment
made by P. Esposito. M. Paparozzi originally seconded the motion. Motion approved 7-0.
Discussion ensued.
NEW BUSINESS:
MNS01-08 / Bernie Bossio / 540 Burroughs Street: Request by Bernie Bossio for minor subdivision approval to divide one lot into three (3) lots with a thirty (30) foot right-of-way access for property located along Burroughs Street. Tax Map # 55, Parcel # 65, an R-1, Single-family Residential District.
J. Wood read the staff report.
Bernie Bossio presented his request to the Commission.
Motion to approve by T. Miller, seconded by P. Esposito. Motion approved unanimously.
CU01-08 / Therese Vanzo / Home Occupation / 55 Manville Street: Request by Therese Vanzo for conditional use approval for home occupation at 55 Manville Street. Tax Map #36 Parcel #207, an R-1A, Single-family Residential District.
L. Martin read the staff report.
No discussion ensued.
Motion to approve by J. Lattanzi, seconded by M. Paparozzi. Motion approved unanimously.
S01-04 / Richard Moore / 505 Beechurst Avenue: Request by Richard Moore for Site Plan approval to convert the main floor to three 3-bedroom apartments for property located at 505 Beechurst Avenue. Tax Map #19, Parcel # 45, a B-3, Multi-family District.
J. Wood read the staff report.
Motion to approve by M. Paparozzi, seconded by P. Esposito. Motion approved unanimously.
S01-05 / Petito / 438 Chestnut Street: Request by Angelo Petito for site plan approval for a retaining wall on property located at 438 Chestnut Street. Tax Map #26, Parcel #48, a B-4, General Business District.
L. Martin read the staff report.
Motion to approve by M. Paparozzi, seconded by M. Templeton. Motion approved unanimously.
S01-06 / Panico / 252 Beechurst Avenue: Request by Joe Panico for site plan approval to add one (1) unit and parking to property located at 252 Beechurst Avenue. Tax Map #19, Parcel #123, Lot #27, a Mixed Use District.
J. Wood read the staff report. He stated that Mr. Panico is only required to supply two parking spaces.
Discussion ensued on parking. The Commission asked the City Planner to verify the grand fathered status – if changing an existing structure warrants the structure to comply with the zoning ordinance. They also want to confirm the Department of Highway’s regulations for backing onto a State Highway.
P. Esposito made a motion to table the request until the aforementioned concerns could be answered, seconded by M. Templeton. Motion approved unanimously.
S01-07 / B.T.B., LLC / Hartman Run Road: Request by B.T.B., LLC for site plan approval to develop an office building of 10,000 square feet on property along Hartman Run Road. Tax Map #32A, Parcel #9, an I-1, Industrial District.
J. Wood read the staff report.
Motion to approve with the conditions listed in the staff report, and the elimination for the condition of wheel stops by P. Esposito, seconded by M. Paparozzi. Motion approved unanimously.
S01-08 / David Rees / 467 Chestnut Street: Request by David Rees for site plan approval to replace a one hundred thirty-two foot (132') portion of concrete sidewalk with paver bricks at property located at 467 Chestnut Street. A B-4, General Business District.
L. Martin read the staff report.
Motion to approve by M. Paparozzi, seconded by P. Esposito. Motion approved unanimously.
F01-03 / City Pharmacy / 162 High Street: Request for façade review approval by City Pharmacy at 162 High Street to remove aluminum siding, repair mortar, paint brick/trim/roof and to review previously replaced non-approved windows. Tax Map #28A, Parcel #50, a B-4, General Business District.
J. Wood read the staff report. He stated that City Pharmacy wanted to repaint the building, remove aluminum siding, and re-point the brickwork. He also stated that the Design Review Committee reviewed the request on April 18, 2001, and that they generally agreed with the request but had concerns that they did not comply with the necessary permits and requirements for window installation. The windows were deemed inappropriate for the building.
Mr. Oliverio, on behalf of City Pharmacy, stated that he could paint a portion of the window frame to lessen the appearance of the frame. He also stated that he found two original windows that would be restored and utilized.
Discussion ensued.
Motion to approve by M. Paparazzi, seconded by P. Esposito. Motion approved unanimously.
CU01-09 / Oliverio’s / 52 Clay Street: Request by Oliverio’s Restaurant for conditional use approval to establish a private club at 52 Clay Street, Tax Map #28, Parcel #60, a B-4 General Business District.
J. Wood read the staff report.
David Hall, Morgantown Lawn & Battery, commented on concerns for parking. Mr. Hall was advised to address his concerns to the Traffic Commission and the Parking Authority.
Motion to approve by M. Templeton, seconded by J. Lattanzi. Motion approved unanimously
OTHER BUSINESS
Public Comments
Don Spencer, First Things First, made a presentation to the Commission.
Mark Nesselroad, Glenmark Holdings, spoke to the Commission on being a developer in Morgantown. He stated that Glenmark complies with the entire zoning ordinance and feels that they are being singled out. He acknowledged that he does not, by law, have to comply with a third party.
J. Wood stated that the only requirement is that applicants go through the process of appearing before the Design Review Committee and that their recommendation to the Planning Commission is an advisory. Applicants are not legally bound to adhere to the recommendations.
Discussion ensued on the legality of the Design Review Committee.
Discussion ensued on the initial motion to approve Mr. Nesselroad’s request.
P. Esposito made a motion to reconsider the request by Glenmark, seconded by T. Miller. Motion approved unanimously.
Once again, J. Lattanzi made the motion to approve as presented by the Design Review Committee and the Planner. Discussion ensued on the Design Review Committee’s decision and the motion was removed from the floor.
M. Paparozzi made the motion to approve the request with the condition that Mr. Nesselroad has
to simply supply the elevation of the University Avenue side of the building to the State
Architect and to the Planning Office, thus removing the requirement that the State Architect also
consent to the changes, seconded by M. Templeton. Motion approved 6-1; B. Rasmussen cast
the dissenting vote.
Mr. Nesselroad apologized for the misunderstanding and reassured the Commission that Glenmark intends to work with the State.
Staff Comments
J. Lattanzi thanked Ken Klase for being Chair of the Planning Commission.
K. Klase introduced Ken Martis, the new member of the Planning Commission
T. Miller made a motion for Mary Templeton, vice chair, to take the place of Ken Klase, and to elect a new vice chair at the June meeting, seconded by J. Lattanzi. Motion approved unanimously.
J. Wood suggested combining the Sign Review and Design Review Committees. After surveying the members of both Committees, it was decided to have the meetings on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m. in Council Chambers. He recommended that the members who stated they would remain be placed on the new committee.
P. Esposito made a motion to merge the Sign Review and Design Review Committees, seconded by T. Miller. Motion approved unanimously.
J. Lattanzi made a motion to retain P. Esposito and M. Templeton to the Committee. P. Esposito declined.
P. Esposito made a motion to reappoint Tom Anderson, Steve McBride, Carol Gaujot, Bob Carubia, and Barb Howe to the Committee and ask Mary Templeton to appoint two Commission members, seconded by J. Lattanzi. Motion approved unanimously.
J. Wood commented on obtaining additional funds for assistance on the rewriting of the Zoning Ordinance. He stated that the funds are not presently available.
ADJOURNMENT