PUBLIC HEARING Special Exception SPX2007-00369, Montgomery County Schools – for the approval of an 8,000 square foot gymnasium addition to Meadow Hall Elementary School in the R-60 Zone at 951 Twinbrook Parkway. An Affidavit of Posting was submitted into the record as Exhibit 1. Mike Shpur, Architect for MCPS School Facilities, presented the applicant’s request. Mr. Shpur explained that they are proposing to expand the existing school to construct a gymnasium addition, relocate and construct new outdoor basketball courts, install a new outdoor-mulched play area along with other associated site improvements. He noted that the gym was in the MCPS Master Plan, but was not funded. He added that, while working in conjunction with the City’s Recreation Department, Burt Hall, the City has given MCPS additional funds to construct an oversized gym, which would be wide enough to have two full volleyball courts across the gym with a row a bleachers on one side to allow spectators for basketball/volleyball games. In response to Mr. Deitchman, Mr. Shpur explained that the school cafeteria was used as a physical education facility when the cafeteria was not in use. Mr. Shpur explained that, out of 138 elementary schools, 25 schools do not have gyms. The Board discussed and had questions regarding the size of the gym, whether there was a financial agreement between the City and MCPS, traffic impacts because of the addition during non-school hours, existing portable classrooms on site, the type of stormwater management on the site, and pervious material for the play area. The civil engineer described how the stormwater management facility would handle rainwater for the site. He said that they are now adding an additional water quality device, a grassy swale to catch the runoff and filter the water before it goes back into the piping system, which eventually flows down to the main system. Mr. Shpur stated that the applicant is in agreement with the conditions. Mr. Shpur explained that they have used pervious material for sidewalks and parking lots. They are concerned about putting a rough area on play areas; they are worried about students hurting themselves. However, they are still studying it. David Delmar with Delmar Architects, described the materials and the design of the addition. Mr. Delmar stated that there is one issue in that the soil is poor for a structure and will have to be removed and replaced and packed up with footings and gravel to meet the building requirements. Mr. Delmar stated that the gym would be heated and ventilated during the summer. There being no one else to speak for or against the special exception application, the Chair declared the public hearing closed. DECISION Special Exception SPX2007-00369, Montgomery County Schools Mr. Deitchman moved, seconded by Mr. Schwartzman to approve Special ExceptionS”PX2007-00369, Montgomery County Schools per staff conditions. The motion passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS In response to questions from the Board, Mr. Wasilak presented an update on the COPT’s development. Staff had a meeting with them last week and it was very productive. They had submitted two plans subsequent to the decision of the Board that attempted to meet all the requirements that they are needed to meet with regard to forestry regulations. Forestry staff had reviewed the plans and found they did not quite make it to the breakeven point for preserving onsite trees, but they are close enough that forestry staff believes that it is achievable. Mr. Wasilak stated that COPT, has to preserve an additional half-acre onsite to meet the requirement. If they preserve more than the breakeven point, they will not have to replace any of the significant trees. Staff had a DRC meeting last Thursday and communicated that with them and they seemed agreeable to going back and working on various options such as reducing amounts of office space, or providing some type of valet parking system on a portion of the parking lot that would make the parking more efficient. The other option would be is to build a single level deck over a portion of the parking lot that would let them the increment to preserve the additional trees that trees should be preserved and still maintain the parking lot size. They are going back to the drawing board to review those options before coming back to staff. Mr. Wasilak stated he did meet with some of the leadership of King Farm prior to meeting with COPTS to inform them about the situation. They would like to have more significant buffering between COPTS and the King Farm residents. COPTS tentatively agreed to come back to the City on November 15 to discuss the issues. NEW BUSINESS Draft Zoning Ordinance-presentation and process update. Mr. Wasilak announced that the new draft proposed Rockville Zoning Ordinance was authorized for filing by the Mayor and City Council at its October 8 meeting. Mr. Wasilak noted that David Hill, who is a member of the RORZOR Committee is planning to brief the Board at its December 8 meeting. Mr. Wasilak briefed the Board on some of the zoning changes in the draft document. He noted that the Planning Commission determined that presentations should be given at each meeting in November and December on topic areas leading up to the Commission's consideration of the draft Ordinance and map in January. Mr. Chasten briefed the Board on the upcoming agenda items coming before the Board in December. The Board will also discuss and vote for the next Chair and alternate Board member.
MINUTES Mr. Deitchman moved, seconded by Mr. Schwartzman to approve the minutes of Meeting Nos. 9-07 and 10-07 as amended. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURN There being no further business to come before the Board, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 10:54 a.m. | 
