REVIEW AND ACTION

Final Record Plat PLT2007-00487, Mary Lamary - for approval of the resubdivision to create a record lot of 13,206 square feet for an existing property in the R-60 Zone at 537 West Montgomery Avenue.

Ms. Hall presented the staff report.  Ms. Hall stated that this is one of the older properties within the West End.  The existing lots that make up this property are Lots 18 and 19, Block 2, in the West End subdivision.  This property dates back to a plat that was recorded in 1892.  At that time, both lots were fifty feet wide.  Among the deeds for the property, it appears that the first time the lots were not transferred in their entirety was in 1936.  At that time, the deed refers to the western half of Lot 18 and all of Lot 19.  Ms. Hall stated that the applicant would like to construct an addition onto the existing house and the only way she can do this is to resubdivide the property into a single record lot.  Resubdivision would erase the lot line and combine the property as a single record lot.           

In response to Commissioner Tyner, Ms. Hall stated that the eastern part of Lot 18 is not part of this property.  The two lots to the right of the property have already had this done to them.  So, the other half of Lot 18 was already recorded into the lot next door.   

In response to Commissioner Hill, Ms. Hall stated that the applicant would not need a variance for the proposed construction, as it is a large lot and the existing house is rather modest. 

Ms. Lamary, applicant, presented request.  Ms. Lamary stated that her address is 537 West Montgomery Avenue, and her next-door neighbor’s address is 533; there is no 535 West Montgomery Avenue because Lot 18 would have been 535.  She noted that a little over two-thirds of it went to 533 and they have already combined their lots, so they are now lot 59.  The remainder of Lot 18 is not good for anything anyway in terms of its size.   

Commissioner Ostell moved, seconded by Commissioner Wiener, to approve Final Record Plat PLT2007-00487, Mary Lamary per staff recommendations.  The motion passed on a vote of 6-0.  Commissioner Britton was absent.  

RECOMMENDATION TO BOARD OF APPEALS

Special Exception, SPX2007-00369, Montgomery County Public Schools - for approval of a 8,000 square foot gymnasium addition to Meadow Hall Elementary School in the R-60 Zone at 951 Twinbrook Parkway.

Mr. Chasten presented the staff report.  Mr. Chasten stated that the school was constructed in 1956 and later renovated and expanded in 1993-94 by way of Special Exception S-206-93.  The existing main school building is approximately 53,878 square feet in size.  The school is located in the R-90 Zone on approximately 8.4 acres with vehicular access on Twinbrook Parkway.  In addition to the main school building, the site is improved with two modular classroom building facilities, outdoor recreational facilities, and paved and unpaved play areas.    The school is located on the north side of Twinbrook Parkway approximately 100 feet northeast of Fletcher Place and 70 feet northeast of Shetland Street.  The site is bounded to the northeast by undeveloped woodlands, to the southeast by the former Broome Middle School containing Montgomery County governmental offices, to the southwest by single-family detached dwellings, and to the northwest by Twinbrook Baptist Church. 

Mr. Chasten stated that the school serves students in grades starting with Head Start through six.  The school has a current enrollment of 353 students and a staff of 72 employees.  According to the site plan submitted, the site currently has on-site surface parking designed to accommodate approximately 67 vehicles, two of which are designated and designed as handicapped spaces.  School buses transporting students arrive at the front southwest area of the main building by way of a bus loop.  Site vehicular access to staff and visitor parking is accessed via the two site entrances that access the property from the front on Twinbrook Parkway. 

Mr. Chasten stated that the applicant seeks special exception approval to expand the existing school and implement other associated site improvements.  The applicant plans to construct a gymnasium building addition on the east side of the school.  There will also be a new lobby with restrooms and a physical education office located between the gymnasium and the existing school.  The gymnasium addition will be approximately 8,000 square feet in size.  Construction of the gym addition will require relocation of an existing outdoor paved play area from its current side yard location to the rear yard area of the site.  The entrance to the lobby from the parking lot will have a canopy that is similar to the main entrance canopy.  Storage rooms will be located on the side and back of the gymnasium.

Mr. Chasten stated that all site improvements will comply with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) educational specifications, as well as with applicable codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Building lighting on the proposed addition will be designed and installed to ensure the site is safe and secure, without producing glare on adjacent properties. 

The applicant affirms that the City of Rockville has committed funds to assist in the construction of the planned building addition.  The gymnasium will provide the school with indoor facilities for use during the school day, and also serve students and the community with recreation facilities during after-school hours.  

Mr. Chasten stated that the applicant is currently working with the City’s Department of Public Works (DPW) staff on the design and implementation of stormwater management facilities to accommodate the planned building and site development.  Therefore, the applicant (MCPS) will be required to provide appropriate SWM facilities on the subject school site, as determined by DPW staff.   

In response to Commissioner Tyner, Mr. Chasten stated that the applicant is considering an underground facility.  Mr. Chasten said that the Planning Commission will see this issue at the use permit stage.   

In response to Commissioner Hill, Mr. Chasten explained that the recreational space is partially paved; it is not open space, but impervious surface.  Commissioner Hill questioned whether the facility has adequate space for the students to exercise, play games, etc.  Mr. Chasten replied by pointing out the proposed site layout, and the open space still remaining. 

Commissioner Hill asked if it would be practical to require pervious pavement for the new play area. 

Mike Sprur, Architect, presented the applicant’s request.  Mr. Sprur stated that they are taking 8,000 square feet that was the basketball courts and putting the gym on top of it and then taking 8,000 square feet of slope and grass and leveling it out and making it a replacement basketball court.  As a result, they are increasing the amount of facilities so the students can run inside as well as outside. 

Mr. Sprur stated that the City is contributing money to make the gym wide enough for two regulation volleyball courts across the gym with four rows of bleachers. 

Mr. Sprur stated that SWM was put underground when building was modernized in 1993 and the gym was master planned, but it was not funded.  They are now adding an  additional 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.     

In response to the Commission, Mr. Sprur explained that pervious pavement was tried at another school as a test.  It has been in use for a couple of years now.  They were told that the pervious material was difficult to maintain, as they have to vacuum the debris out periodically.  It has been found that pervious pavement does not work like they thought it would work.  One thing, they are worried about kids hurting themselves.  However, they are still studying it.  Mr. Sprur said that it is fine for parking.  They would like to do their part for the environment, and, therefore, they are continuing to look for best ways to do it.

Commissioner Hill stated that he would like to see that investigated for the use permit stage.

The Commission further discussed concerns about enrollment figures, uses at Broome Middle School containing Montgomery County Government uses, and the retention of open space.

Commissioner Hill moved, seconded by Commissioner Ostell, to recommend approval of Special Exception, SPX2007-00369, Montgomery County Public Schools to the Board of Appeals per staff recommendations and with the encouragement that the applicant return at the use permit stage, to further investigate the use of pervious materials in the construction of outdoor play areas, in order to lessen the amount of stormwater runoff, which would be generated by impervious surface play areas.  The motion passed on a vote of 6-0.  Commissioner Britton was absent.  

BRIEFING

Draft Zoning Ordinance-presentation and process update.

Mr. Wasilak presented the process briefing.  He discussed with the Commission how they want to proceed with the upcoming presentations of the draft Ordinance. 

The 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.

COMMISSION ITEMS

Old Business

Naming of Street in Twinbrook Station.

Mr. Wasilak provided some street name suggestions from JBG with additional names such as Higgins Place, Fishers Hill Lane, and Silver Star Lane.  He noted that the three names have been approved by Park and Planning. 

Mr. Wasilak provided historic information on the Higgins family.  He said he found an article on the Higgins family, and James Higgins was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and buried in a family cemetery, which is very near to the property.  Mr. Wasilak said that Higgins Place meets the criteria.      

Commissioner Medearis moved, seconded by Commissioner Ostell to approve Higgins Place for Street A in Twinbrook Station.  The motion passed on a vote of 6-0.  Commissioner Britton was absent. 

Old Business continued

Commissioner Hill announced that the Bicycle Bridge over I-270 opened this weekend.  It is a great facility connecting the City.  Commissioner Hill noted that the Fallsgrove Community Center was also dedicated this weekend.    

Commissioner Hill said he had questions regarding a letter the Commissioners received from the Twinbrook Citizens Association. 

Commissioner Ostell asked whether staff knows if there was any outreach is being done about the plans the Commission saw, about what could be done with the Twinbrook Neighborhood Plan’s recommendation on the Twinbrook Mart.  Mr. Wasilak explained that notifications will be mailed out to the property owners soon as well as being posted on the website.  Staff will also be posting notification at the Twinbrook Community Center.  Commissioner Ostell suggested posting notification at the Twinbrook library. 

Mr. Wasilak stated that the next Twinbrook Neighborhood Plan public hearing is scheduled for the Commission’s next meeting, November 14, 2007.  He asked the Commission whether they would prefer the architects to attend the second public hearing or bring them back at subsequent worksessions on the Plan.  Commissioner Tyner suggested that until the Commissioners have a chance to go over everything, it would be counterproductive to bring them back. 

The Commission discussed the matter and agreed to invite the architects to one of the worksessions after the public hearing, and eventually agreed that they should attend the public hearing to answer questions only. 
Mr. Wasilak reported about the November 28, 2007 Kick-off of the Rockville Pike process.  He said that the consultants have agreed to make a presentation to the Commission.

Commissioner Tyner inquired whether the consultant has put some things together based on only business owners, etc.  Mr. Wasilak replied that they are at the very beginning of the process.  There will be charettes later on.   

Chief of Planning Report

Mr. Wasilak reported that, on the long-range planning front, the Twinbrook Sector Plan that Park and Planning has been working on for sometime is going to public hearing on November 15, 2007.  He said he does have copies of that if the Commissioners are interested.  This is for the area in the County jurisdiction adjacent to the Twinbrook Metro Station.  The City will be providing comments at the public hearing.   

Minutes

Commissioner Hill moved, seconded by Commissioner Tyner to approve the minutes of Meeting No. 13 as amended.  The motion passed on a vote of 5-0-1 with Commissioner Wiener abstaining.  Commissioner Britton was absent.

Commissioner Tyner moved, seconded by Commissioner Medearis to approve the minutes of Meeting No. 14 as written.  The motion passed on a vote of 6-0.  Commissioner Britton was absent.

Commissioner Hill moved, seconded by Commissioner Medearis to approve the minutes of Meeting No. 15 as amended.  The motion passed on a vote of 5-0-1 with Commissioner Wiener abstaining.  Commissioner Britton was absent.  

Commissioner Hill asked that the Twinbrook letter go out in the next meeting packet. 

ADJOURN

After further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.