SUMMARY OF FOURTH QUARTER
FY 2004 REPORT
v Assisted in continued support of the development of Urban Salisbury, Inc., as a 501(C)(3) partnership for the revitalization of Salisbury’s urban core, and continued support for Main Street Maryland Activities.
v Provided planning and revitalization strategy services for area neighborhood Revitalization Projects.
v Researched and prepared reports for nineteen (19) City cases for the Planning and Zoning Commission.
v Researched and prepared a report for two (2) City subdivision case for the Planning and Zoning Commission.
v Researched and prepared reports for two (2) cases for the City Board of Zoning Appeals.
v Maintained all correspondence, minutes and records for the Planning Commission and City Board of Zoning Appeals.
v Implemented State Forest Conservation Act for City.
v Implemented Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Program for City.
v Coordinated with MDOT on establishment of Salisbury Metropolitan Planning Organization.
v Assisted developers, appraisers, market analysts, etc. with gathering of data on the Salisbury area.
v Recommended and assisted developers and citizens with general zoning information relative to Site Plans, Standards, Landscaping, etc.
v Met with developers and other City department representatives on pending annexation and development issues.
v Administered County Housing Block Grant Program for City residences.
v Assisted Mayor’s office with the Community Legacy Housing Program.
v Assisted Mayor’s office with Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Single Family Housing Programs.
v Assisted the Mayor’s office with the Entitlement CDBG Program.
v Assisted the Mayor’s office with the City’s Revolving Loan Program.
v Assisted the Mayor’s office with Economic Development Marketing Kit.
v Assisted the Mayor’s office with neighborhood Plan/Profile North Camden (Camden Heights).
v Assisted the City Historic District Commission and the Department of Building, Housing, and Zoning on Revised Historic District Procedures.
v Provided local coordination for Maryland Department of Planning’s work with for the City of Salisbury as a pilot study area for the Governor’s Development Capacity Initiative.
v Worked with various City Departments to study GIS needs.
v GIS Needs Analysis/Early deployment implementation.
v Update City Zoning map.
v Created integrated Salisbury/Wicomico GIS intranet Website. Continue the installation of GIS intranet software on City of Salisbury computers.
v Population/Statistical GIS Analysis for Fire Department Service needs.
v Continued GIS Map Project Development for City/County Intranet.
v Prepare contracts for GIS data creation for City Public Works utility mapping.
v Worked with SSU to integrate existing aerial photography into enterprise GIS.
v Assisted the Mayor’s office with the Healthy-U Walk by preparing a map for the event and distributing information regarding the city’s neighborhoods and programs.
v Assisted the City Council by coordinating a work session discussion of Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances and Impact Fees.
FOURTH QUARTER FY 2004
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 and City and County Boards of Zoning 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 Wicomico County’s Zoning Codes.
8. Subdivision plat reviews for City.
9. Preparation of studies and recommendations for Zoning and Subdivision Code amendments.
10. Administrative duties and case reports for Board of Zoning Appeals.
11. Preparation of studies, follow-up and inspections and related administrative duties for the Planning Commission.
12. Provide information to potential developers, prospective and existing businesses and the general public.
13. Review and update of Comprehensive Plans and state mandated Economic Growth Act.
14. Coordinate Census data and Census tracts area designations.
15. 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 two (2) 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 County Housing Block Grant 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 assist 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 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:
FINAL COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN – University Village (147 Units) – Onley Road – R-8A Residential - #SP-9814-04B – M-48, P-263 & 264, G-9 – The Commission approved the Final Comprehensive Development Plan for University Village Apartments, subject to the Conditions of Approval.
PRELIMINARY COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN – Farlow Farm – 220 Condominium Units – Old Ocean City Road & Beaglin Park Drive – R-8A Residential - #SP-0405 – M-38, P-295, 104, 429, 110, G-12 – The Commission approved the Preliminary Comprehensive Development Plan for the Farlow Farm Condominium Development, subject to the Conditions of Approval.
PALEOCHANNEL SITE PLAN – The Keith Corporation/Tractor Supply Company – East North Pointe & Jasmine Drives – General Commercial District - #SP-0404 – M-29, P-5479, G-6, L-4 – The Commission approved the Comprehensive Site Plan for The Keith Corporation/Tractor Supply Company, subject to the amended Conditions of Approval.
COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN – First Shore Federal Savings and Loan – Site Redevelopment with 2,985 sq. ft. bank building – 1116 Mt. Hermon Road – Light Business and Institutional District - #SP-0406 – M-121, P-2514, G-19 – The Commission approved the Comprehensive Development Plan for First Shore Federal Savings and Loan for redevelopment of 1116 Mt. Hermon Road, including a waiver of the Community Impact Statement and Statement of Intent to Proceed and Financial Capability.
SITE PLAN APPROVAL – Marley Manor (Kensington Manor) Apartments – Snow Hill Road & Robins Avenue - #SP-0004-04B – M-48, G-1, P-491, L-1 – The Commission approved the Sign Plan for Marley Manor Apartments as submitted based on the size of the complex and the number of street frontages at the site.
SIGN PLAN AMENDMENT – Shoppes at Salisbury – Ladies Workout Express – Tilghman Road - #SP-8702-04K – M-110, G- 9 & 10, P-4482 – The Commission approved the Sign Plan Amendment for the Shoppes at Salisbury shopping center and Ladies Workout Express, subject to the Conditions of Approval.
PUBLIC HEARING – ORDINANCE PERMIT – Day Care Center – Bruce Byrd – 220 Phillip Morris Drive – Lt. Business and Institutional District – M-110, G-8, P-4489 - #OP-0401 – The Commission forwarded a favorable recommendation to the Salisbury City Council for approval of an Ordinance Permit and recommended Conditions of Approval.
CONDOMINIUM SITE PLAN – Farlow Farm – 220 Condominium Units – Old Ocean City Road & Beaglin Park Drive – R-8A Residential District – M-38, P-295, 104, 429, 110, G-12 - #SP-0405 – The Commission approved the Condominium Site Plan for the Farlow Farm, subject to the Conditions of Approval.
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGN AND SITE PLAN APPROVAL – John Seipp – 105 Camden Street – Central District – M-107, G-14, P-1050, L-2 - #SP-0407 – The Commission approved a Certificate of Design and Site Plan for a third floor addition to the office of John C. Seipp at 105 Camden Street, subject to the Conditions of Approval.
PALEOCHANNEL SITE PLAN – Lord Salisbury Shopping Center, represented by Soule and Associates – 113,786 sq. ft. shopping center – North Salisbury Boulevard – General Commercial District – M-29, P-5477 & 5478, G-6 - #SP-0314 – The Commission approved the Paleochannel Site Plan as a part of the Comprehensive Development Plan for the Lord Salisbury shopping center, subject to the amended Conditions of Approval.
COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN – Townhouses – Thomas H. Ruark – East Naylor Mill Road – R-10A Residential – M-30, G-7, P-223 & 398 - #SP-0408 – The Commission approved the Preliminary Comprehensive Development Plan for the Thomas H. Ruark Townhouse Development, including a waiver of the Community Impact Statement and Statement of Intent to Proceed and Financial Capability and subject to the Conditions of Approval.
Thomas H. Ruark – Preliminary – 144 Townhouse Lots – East Naylor Mill Road. – The Commission approved the Preliminary Plat for the Thomas H. Ruark subdivision, subject to the Conditions of Approval.
COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN – Merritt Mill Townhouses – East Fields Development, LLC – LBI and R-10A Residential Districts – M-39, G-7, P-34 - #SP-0409 – The Commission approved the Preliminary Comprehensive Development Plan for the Merritt Mill Apartment/Townhouse Development, including a waiver of the Community Impact Statement and Statement of Intent to Proceed and Financial Capability and subject to the Conditions of Approval.
East Fields, LLC – Preliminary – 28 Townhouse Lots – Merritt Mill Road – The Commission approved the Preliminary Plat for the Merritt Mill Road Apartments subdivision, subject to the Conditions of Approval.
COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN – Wali Plaza Shopping Center – Ciancitto Architects – Parsons Road – Neighborhood Business District – M-106, G-13, P-1126 - #SP-0410 – The Commission accepted withdrawal of the Preliminary Comprehensive Development Plan for Wali Plaza to allow the applicants to resubmit a revised plan that addresses the Code concerns enumerated in the Planning Staff Report.
GLEN AVENUE – BROWN PROPERTY ANNEXATION – Zoning Recommendation – 0.74 Acres – M-38, P-344, G-24, L-2A – The Commission forwarded a favorable recommendation to the Salisbury City Council for R-10 Residential zoning upon annexation to the City of Salisbury. This recommendation is consistent with the 1982 County Comprehensive Plan recommendation of low-density residential for the site.
SNOW HILL ROAD – CAUSEY-CAREY ANNEXATION – Zoning Recommendation – 52.5 Acres; M-48, P-279, 282, 415, G-4 – The Commission forwarded favorable recommendations to the Salisbury City Council and the Wicomico County Council for zoning of the annexation area upon the effective date of annexation to the City of Salisbury as follows:
1. The zoning classification of General Commercial shall be applied to Parcels 279, 282, 285, 415, and 492 for a distance of 500 ft. from Snow Hill Road.
2. The zoning classification of R-10A Residential shall be applied to the remainder of Parcels 279, 282, 415, and 492.
3. The zoning classification applied to Parcel #286 shall be Light Business and Institutional.
4. A Comprehensive Development Plan shall be submitted for review and approval prior to the development of all of the annexation area zoned R-10A Residential and General Commercial.
PUBLIC HEARING – TEXT AMENDMENT – SALISBURY MUNICIPAL CODE – Temporary Real Estate Signs - #SP-0411 – The Commission forwarded a favorable recommendation to the Salisbury City Council for the adoption of the proposed amendment of Section 17.216.050E.
COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN – Centre at Salisbury Mall/Regal Theaters – N. Salisbury Blvd. – General Commercial - #SP-8713-04Y – M-119, G-15, P-237 – The Commission approved the Preliminary Comprehensive Development Plan for Regal Entertainment Group, including permission to demolish the Montgomery Ward building, and waivers from the submission of the Community Impact Statement and Statement of Intent to Proceed and Financial Capability, subject to the Conditions of Approval.
COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN – Chelsea Court, Section 2, Apartments – Victor Stephens – Chelsea Ct. & Glen Avenue – R-8A Residential District - #SP-0412 – M-109, G-16, P-2425, L-9 – The Commission approved the Comprehensive Development Plan for Chelsea Court, Section2, as submitted, including waivers for the submission of the Community Impact Statement and Statement of Intent to Proceed and Financial Capabilty, subject to the Conditions of Approval.
PUBLIC HEARING – ORDINANCE PERMIT – Day Care Center – Rev. James Eure, Jr. – 324-326 Delaware Avenue – R-5 Residential District - #OP-0402 – M-106, G-9, P-1475 & 1476 – The Commission forwarded a favorable recommendation to the Salisbury City Council for approval of the Ordinance Permit for the above-noted day care center, subject to the Conditions of Approval.
C. City Board of Zoning Appeals
The Board held two (2) regular meetings and held public hearings to consider the following applications. The Planning Staff prepared an analysis and evaluation of each of the following:
Benny & Yvonne Mason – 5 ft. Side Yard Setback Variance for a garage addition – 615 Hammond Street – R-8A Residential #SA-0404 – The Board approved the requested 5 ft. Side Yard Setback Variance, subject to the Conditions of Approval.
Bible Baptist Church, represented by Hampshire, Hampshire and Andrews – 8.41 ft. Lot Width Variance – 716-802 E. William Street – General Commercial District - #SA-0405 – The Board approved the requested 8.41 ft. lot width variance for Parcel #2213 proposed at 716-802 East William Street, based on the criteria listed in Section V(c) of the Staff Report.
E. City Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Projects
The Chesapeake Bay Critical Area staff has reviewed two (2) projects within the City.
City of Salisbury – Intensely Developed Area – Snow Hill Road Bridge over the Wicomico River – Inspected site to assure that it was in compliance with the Salisbury Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Program.
City of Salisbury – Limited Developed Area – M-113, P-1126 – Reviewed a project to emplace dredged spoils on site at the Salisbury Waste Water Treatment Plant.
F. City Forest Conservation Projects
Forest Conservation staff reviewed 2 projects within the City, issued 15 Exemption certificates and performed site inspections on 5 project sites.
Projects reviewed:
Farlow Farm
Heritage Subdivision
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.