SECOND QUARTER FY 2005

REVIEW AND ANALYSIS

 

   I.       Planning Department - Responsibilities

 

            A.        Planning and Zoning

 

                                    Since 1943, the City of Salisbury and Wicomico County have cooperated in conducting a joint planning program.  In the early 1960’s the two jurisdictions established a separate planning office to oversee planning and zoning activities.  In response to the dramatic changes that have occurred in both the City and County over the past many years, the former Planning Office was designated in 1989 as the Salisbury/Wicomico Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development.

 

MISSION

 

            The department directly benefits the citizens of both the City and County in a variety of ways.  Specifically, these are:

 

1.         It endeavors to achieve cooperative agreements between the City and County on vital planning matters.

 

2.         It serves as planning and zoning advisers to the legally established City and County Planning and Zoning Commission and any other group designated by the County or City Council.

 

3.         The department conducts background studies, proposes code amendments and instigates other related evaluations for those activities requested by the Planning and Zoning Commission, the County Council, or the Mayor and City Council.

 

4.         The department is specifically authorized by local charter to perform various duties that are required under State law to assist municipalities that may participate in a County-wide program.

 

5.         The department compiles background data and monitors development trends in both the City and County which influence both the short term and long range development of both jurisdictions.

 

6.         The department oversees the periodic review, evaluation and update of the City and County Comprehensive Plans, Zoning Ordinances and other regulatory measures related to these documents.

 

7.         The department serves as a direct “line” agency to the County Council, to administer housing grants and other related programs, community development block grants, and agricultural land preservation grants.

 

8.         The department serves as the enforcement agency for the State’s required Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Program and Forest Conservation Program for the City and County as well as the County Zoning Code and portions of the County nuisance ordinance.

 

9.         The department assists in the preparation of plans for Planning Commission review and recommendation to the Mayor and City Council; upon request serves as technical staff to the Commission and Council in matters relating to Historic Zoning and Urban Renewal and general Neighborhood improvement or protection programs.

 

10.       The department has routine administrative duties which include meeting arrangements, preparations for public hearings, technical advice to citizens, special interest groups, and developers; maintains all correspondence, minutes and records for the Planning Commission, City Board of Zoning Appeals, and County Board of Appeals.

 

11.       The department provides information to potential developers, and to the general public pertaining to zoning, development sites and trends, and provides maps and statistical information of various kinds.

II.         Annual Operating Program

 

            A.        Planning and Zoning - City

 

1.         Formulate planning and community development strategies for downtown and neighborhood revitalization.

 

2.         Implement the City’s Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Program.

 

3.         Work with the Planning Commission and Mayor and City Council to implement the transportation and growth strategies for the City.

 

4.         Work with various citizen groups and task forces on revitalization activities upon request.

 

5.         Prepare background data for Neighborhood Planning activities as requested.

 

6.         Document changes on the City’s development patterns and population shifts.

 

7.         Continue to recommend revision of City of Salisbury’s and Zoning Code.

 

8.                  Subdivision plat reviews for City.

 

9.                  Preparation of studies and recommendations for Zoning and Subdivision Code amendments.

 

10.       Assumed responsibility for the administrative duties and case reports for the City Historic District Commission.

 

11.       Administrative duties and case reports for Board of Zoning Appeals.

 

12.       Preparation of studies, follow-up and inspections and related administrative duties for the Planning Commission.

 

13.       Provide information to potential developers, prospective and existing businesses and the general public.

 

14.       Review and update of Comprehensive Plans and state mandated Economic Growth Act.

 

15.       Coordinate Census data and Census tracts area designations.

 

16.       Conduct zoning and plan analysis on all annexation requests.

 

III.       Activities and Accomplishments

 

A.        Planning Office Activities

 

1.   Processed routine information requests.

 

2.   Researched and prepared reports for five (5) cases for the City Board of Zoning Appeals.

 

3.   Completed various drafting assignments pertaining to City reports, maps, charts, and graphs.

 

4.   Continued regular assistance to developers, appraisers, market analysts, etc. with gathering data on Salisbury area.

 

5.   Continue to recommend and assist developers and citizens with general zoning information relative to Site Plans, Standards, Landscaping, etc.

 

6.   Attended several meetings with developers and other City department representatives on pending annexation or development issues.

 

7.   Maintained all correspondence, minutes and records for the Planning Commission and City Board of Zoning Appeals.

 

8.   Implemented State Forest Conservation Act for City.

 

9.   Implemented Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Program for City.

 

10.    Administered Community Development Block Grant Housing Program for City Residences.

 

11.    The Community Development Division of this Department continues to assist the Mayor and City Council in the Downtown Redevelopment efforts.

 

12.    The Community Development Division of this Department assists the Mayor and City Council in Revitalization efforts for neighborhoods.

 

13.    Coordinate revitalization efforts with the Weed and Seed Program initiatives.

 

14.    Coordinate Urban Salisbury, Inc. activities.

 

15.    Administer USDA-Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) for City of Salisbury.

 

16.    Assisted with the preparation of the Community Legacy Application.

 

17.    Coordinate Main Street Maryland activities.

 

B.         Day to Day Planning and Zoning Activities of the Staff and Planning Commission

 

The Planning Commission held three (3) regular meetings and one (1) special work session during this quarter.

 

The Commission held Public Hearings or reviewed and made recommendations on the following matters.  The Planning Staff coordinated with other City Departments and prepared detailed reports in regards to each of the following:

                       

The Meadows Neighborhood - Revised Final - 4 Lots - Union Avenue & Handy Street – The Commission approved the Revised Final Plat for The Meadows Neighborhood, subject to the Conditions of Approval.

 

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGN AND SITE PLAN APPROVAL – Peninsula Bank – 110 W. Main Street/107 Camden Street – Central District – M-107, G-14, P-1051 - #SP-0419 – The Commission approved the Certificate of Design and Site Plan for Peninsula Bank, subject to the Conditions of Approval.

 

SIGN PLAN AMENDMENT – Shoppes at Salisbury – Ollie’s Bargain Outlet – Tilghman Road - M-110, G-9 & 10, P-4482 - #SP-8702-04L – The Commission approved the requested Revised Sign Plan with the colors as submitted.  The colors are consistent with those in use in the shopping center.  This approval is subject to the retail store occupying the entire tenant space formerly occupied by Ames.

 

PRELIMINARY COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN – Hickory Lane One, Inc. – 20 Apartment Units – Calloway Street – R-5A Residential District – M-104, P-2594, G-12, L-4; SP-0220-04A – The Commission approved the Comprehensive Development Plan for Hickory Lane One/Go-Getters Foundation, Inc., including a waiver of the Community Impact Statement, subject to the Conditions of Approval.

 

FINAL COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN – Wali Plaza Shopping Center – Ciancitto Architects – Parsons Road – Neighborhood Business District –M-106, G-13, P-1126; #SP-0410 – The Commission approved the Final Development Plan for Wali Plaza, subject to the Conditions of Approval.

 

COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN AMENDMENT – COTTAGES AT RIVER HOUSE Seniors Apartment Complex – Increase Number of Two-Bedroom Units - Blackburn Housing LP - Pemberton Drive – R-8A Residential District –– M-37, G-18, P-337 & 1135; #SP-0115 – The Commission approved the Revised Comprehensive Development Plan for Blackburn Housing, LP for Cottages at River House Phase IV ONLY (Phase II of construction), subject to the Conditions of Approval.

 

The Green at Heritage – Preliminary/Final – 52 Lots – Fairview & Hidden Meadow Lanes – The Commission approved the Preliminary/Final Plat for The Green at Heritage, subject to the Conditions of Approval.

 

Go-Getters Foundation, Inc. – Preliminary/Final – 1 Lot – Calloway Street – The Commission approved the Preliminary/Final plat for Go-Getters Foundation, Inc., subject to the Conditions of Approval.

 

Gateway Crossing – Preliminary/Final – 9 Lots – Tilghman Road & U.S. Route 50 – The Commission approved the Preliminary/Final Plat for Gateway Crossing/Shoppers World, subject to the Conditions of Approval.

 

PUBLIC HEARING – OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN – Mallard Landing PRD #6, represented by Becker Morgan Group – Additional Apartment Bldg./Addition to Alzheimer’s Unit – South Schumaker Drive – M-48, P-531, G-6 - #SP-9004-04N – The Commission advised the applicant to proceed with submission of a Preliminary Development Plan for the proposed amendment to the Final Development Plan and text of Mallard Landing PRD #6.

 

REVISED SIGN PLAN – Ross Dress for Less, represented by Sheridan Signs – Lord Salisbury Shopping Center – North Salisbury Boulevard – General Commercial District – M-29, P-5477 & 5478, G-6 - #SP-0314-04A – The Commission approved the Revised Sign Plan for Ross Dress for Less as submitted.

 

SIGN PLAN – Gateway Crossing (formerly Shoppers World) – Tilghman Road & U.S. Route 50 – Regional Commercial District – M-110, P-2449, G-16 - #SP-0204-04B – The Commission approved the Sign Plan for Gateway Crossing as follows and subject to Conditions of Approval:

 

A.                 Approval of the ground sign as submitted.

B.                 Approval of the tenant signs (for Lots #1A and #3A) as submitted, including the propsed colors.

C.                 Approval of the outparcel tenant wall signs (for Lots #4A-10) as submitted.

D.                Approval of the Oak Ridge Baptist Church sign as submitted.

E.                 Outparcel ground signs shall be limited to 6 ft. in height, 32 sq. ft. in surface area and setback 10 ft. from any property line.

 

PRELIMINARY COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN – Martin/Ruark Annexation – 94 Housing Units – Pemberton Drive – M-37, P-145, G-17 - #SP-0420 – The Commission approved the Preliminary Comprehensive Development Plan for Martin/Ruark LLC, subject to the Conditions of Approval. 

 

FINAL COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN – Glen Heights – 93-Unit Townhouse Development – Kinnamon & Lloyd – Glen Avenue – Neighborhood Business District – M-38, G-24, P-202 & 309, #SP-0417 – The Commission approved the Final Comprehensive Development Plan for Glen Heights, subject to the Conditions of Approval.

 

FINAL COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN – The Preserve at Aydelotte Farm PRD #7, Phase I – Eastfields LLC – Middle Neck and Beaglin Park Drives – M-38, G-6, P-219 - #SP-9103-04A – The Commission approved the Final Comprehensive Development Plan for The Preserve at Aydelotte Farm (Parcel L), subject to the Conditions of Approval.

 

FINAL COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN – The Villages at Parsons Lake Townhouses – Thomas H. Ruark – East Naylor Mill Road – R-10A Residential – M-30, G-7, P-223 & 398 - #SP-0408 – The Commission approved the Final Comprehensive Development Plan, including revisions submitted at the meeting, for The Villages at Parsons Lake, subject to the Conditions of Approval.

 

ELEVATIONS AND SIGN PLAN – Bed, Bath & Beyond, represented by Hekemian – Lord Salisbury Shopping Center – North Salisbury Boulevard – General Commercial District – M-29, P-5477 & 5478, G-6 - #SP-0314-04B - The Commission approved the building elevation and wall signage for Bed, Bath & Beyond at the Lord Salisbury Shopping Center as submitted.  The Commission also added the color black to the approved sign colors for the ground sign.

 

C.        City Board of Zoning Appeals

 

The Board held three (3) regular meetings and held public hearings to consider the following applications.  The Planning Staff prepared an analysis and evaluation of each of the following:

 

Salisbury Auto Body, represented by Iott Architecture & Engineering – 82 Space Parking Variance, Paving Variance, and 3 ft. Parking Lot Setback Variance – 1710 North Salisbury Boulevard – General Commercial District  - #SA – 0311 – The Board approved the requested 82 space parking variance, the paving variance, and the 3 ft. parking lot setback variance as submitted, based on the criteria listed in Section V(c) of the Staff Report.

 

Maryland Square LLC, represented by Dirk W. Widdowson – 30 space parking variance for the former Service Merchandise building – 2410 North Salisbury Blvd. – General Commercial District - #SA – 0410 – The Board approved the requested 30 space parking variance, based on the chronological order of building permits issued for construction of the Service Merchandise building, construction of the Zia’s Pastaria expansion and the lease agreements entered upon for Zia’s employee parking.

 

Sunset Heights, Inc., represented by Selby Sign Co. – Enlarge Legal Nonconforming Sign in Legal Nonconforming Shopping Center – Civic Avenue & Mt. Hermon Road – Twilley Centre – Regional Commercial District - #SA – 0411 – The Board tabled this request until the January meeting in order to allow the applicant an opportunity to meet with the Staff in an attempt to address the issues raised at the meeting.

 

First Salisbury LLC, represented by Selby Sign Co. – Enlarge Legal Nonconforming Structure (Billboard) by Adding an On-Premise Business Sign – 1015 South Salisbury Boulevard – General Commercial District - #SA-0412 – The Board approved the enlargement of the legal nonconforming structure to add a 70 sq. ft. on-premise business sign, based on the criteria listed in Section V(c) of the Staff Report and subject to the Condition of Approval.

 

Thomas J. Ayd, Jr. – Variance to Retain a 6 ft. High Stockade Fence with Supporting Structures Facing the Adjoining Properties – 424 W. College Avenue – R-10 Residential District - #SA-0413 – The Board denied the requested variance to allow the bracing and posts to remain as installed, based on the criteria listed in Section V(C) of the Staff Report and subject to the Condition of Approval.

 

D.        City Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Projects

 

The Chesapeake Bay Critical Area staff has reviewed one (1) project and issued two (2) Chesapeake Bay critical Area Certificates of Compliance within the City.

 

City of Salisbury WWTP – Limited Development Area – M-113, P-1126 – Meet with officials and property owners to discuss various tree mitigation options for the Beaver Dam Creek dredging project and spoil site.

 

E.                  City Forest Conservation Projects

 

Forest Conservation staff reviewed three (3) projects within the City, issued 17 Exemption certificates and performed site inspections on 4 project sites.

 

Projects reviewed:

B&W Real Estate

East Park Professional Center

Kinnamon Condominium Project

 

Reviewed the above projects to verify compliance with the Maryland Forest Conservation Act.  Conducted field visits to verify existing conditions.  Reviewed Forest Conservation Delineations and Plans, made comments to engineers concerning compliance issues.

 

IV.       Problems and Corrective Actions

 

None.

 

V.        Meetings

 

Staff members attended the regular and special meetings of the City and County Councils, the Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals.  Additional meetings reflect current activities and projects now under way, as well as activities of other agencies and committees that may affect City and County Planning.