PLANNING COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 16, 2015
Acting Chairman Paul Showalter called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Commission members David Bowering, Morgan Ellis and Jane Richman, Kees de Mooy, Zoning Administrator, Jennifer Mulligan, Town Clerk, and guests.
MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Mr. Showalter asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting of August 19, 2015. Ms. Ellis moved to accept the minutes as presented, was seconded by Mr. Bowering and carried unanimously.
RECOMMENDATION FOR A CONDITIONAL USE APPROVAL AT 115B LYNCHBURG STREET (ZONED LI-1) FOR A FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER
Mr. de Mooy stated that the Planning Commission was asked to provide a recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals to approve or disapprove this conditional use request for a Family Support Center at 115B Lynchburg Street. He said that Day Nurseries and Child Care Centers is a permitted conditional use under Section 174 of the Zoning Code. He said that in order to approve the location had to be appropriate and not in conflict with the Comprehensive Plan; public health, safety, morals and general welfare would not be personally affected; adequate off-street parking facilities were provided for protection of the surrounding property, persons and neighborhood values, and; further provided that the additional standards of Article 170-74 or specified as a condition of approval, the height limits, yard spaces, lot area and sign requirements shall be the same as for other uses in the district in which the conditional use is located.
Ms. Rebecca Lepter stated that the space would be used for a new Family Support Center which would offer many services such as adult education, life skills classes, and a day care that will be able to serve children from birth to 3 years of age while their parents are receiving services at the center.
Ms. Lepter stated that one of the requirements for the program was that the space utilized for a Family Support Center had to be at least 4,000 square feet so there were only a limited number of places in Chestertown that could accommodate this type of facility.
Ms. Lepter stated that the parking area established for 115B South Lynchburg already had between eleven (11) and thirteen (13) parking spaces, as denoted by a patterned area on the plans. She said that the required parking was ten (10) spaces. She said that it was her understanding that KRM was adding parking to the site in the future as well. She said that there was parking located all around the building and people could park anywhere in the lot.
Ms. Lepter stated that the hours of operation would typically be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and there would be a myriad of programs offered daily from adult education to exercise classes with typically eight (8) to twelve (12) participants in a class. Transportation would be provided to and from the Family Support Center.
Ms. Lepter stated that the site would host a computer lab and an area for confidential meetings, a director’s office, child development room. The Human Services office would be moved from 400 High Street to the second floor of this new location on Lynchburg.
Ms. Lepter stated that the Shared Opportunity Family Support Center was run by a non-profit corporation that has since dissolved. She said that this Family Support Center would be part of the County government falling under the Human Services arm of services. Ms. Lepter stated that clients who would use the Family Support Center may walk or referred for services, but the child care was only offered to children zero to three (3) while their parent was taking part in a class. Ms. Lepter stated that there would be a center director on site and she would personally oversee the director of the Family Support Center.
Ms. Lepter stated that located in this building was the Workforce Investment Board and WIC. The Health Department was on the campus and other human services facilities should fit right in in the area.
Ms. Lepter stated that the playground area on the plans was now being moved closer to the corner of the building where there was currently a tree shown. She said that the fence around the play yard would be 4’ high which Rebuilding Together Kent County had agreed to install.
Mr. Showalter asked if there was handicap access and handicap parking available. Ms. Lepter stated that there was a handicap designated parking spot at the entrance to their facility and the building was handicap accessible.
Mr. Showalter stated that if future services would be held in the evening, the issue of lighting should be addressed.
Ms. Ellis moved for a favorable recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals as this application was in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan, the health, safety, morals or general welfare of any individual would not be adversely affected, parking on-site and off-street was available, and there were no other outstanding issues related to the application. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bowering and carried unanimously.
Mr. Bowering asked if the corrugated metal that is being applied to the façade of Tractor Supply was approved by the Commission. Mr. Showalter stated that Tractor Supply was building as approved. Mr. de Mooy stated that a permit came in for work on the building that housed Rite-Aid to Olympia Sports, as the Commission had discussed at earlier meetings with representatives of Kent Plaza.
There being no further business, Mr. Bowering moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m., was seconded by Ms. Richman and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Jeffrey Grotsky
Stenographer Chair