THREE HUNDRED FIFTHTIETH MEETING

CITY OF LAUREL BOARD OF APPEALS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2018 – REGULAR 

Convened: 7:55 P.M.

Board Members Present (During Roll):    

Margaret A. Chenault, Chairwoman

Marlene Collins

Dennis Whitley

Martin Mitchell

Staff Present:

Christian L. Pulley, Economic & Community Development, Director

Robert Love, Economic & Community Development, Deputy Director

Nathan Grace, Economic & Community Development, Planner II

Brooke Quillen, Secretary                                           

Citizens Present: 2

The meeting started hour late due to a board member being stuck in traffic coming from Tyson’s Corner. The business owner really wanted the application to be heard so she could begin applying for permits.

The minutes of the November 1, 2018 meeting were tabled since  (2) two of the board members were not present at the previous meeting, therefore, not enough to carry out the vote of approval.

Next, the Board heard the request for Variance Application No. 888 and Resolution No. 18-03-BOA, 608 Laurel Avenue Laurel, Maryland 20707, zoned R-55, One Family Detached, filed by Kirk Palchefsky- 5981 Elk Forest Court Elkridge, MD 21075.  Mr. Nathan Grace completed the reading of the record for the administrative approval process and presented the Technical Staff Report dated November 28, 2018, stating the Applicant was seeking approval to reduce the lot width requirements from 65 feet to 60 feet in order to sell the subject property as a buildable lot. The Variance is requested because The City of Laurel’s Unified Land Development Code requires a 65 foot lot width for one family detached residential buildings in the R-55 Zoning District. The subject lot is only 60 feet in width. The property is zoned One Family Detached (R-55) and is surrounded by One Family Detached (R-55) zoned lots on all sides. The total area on the site is 7,380 square feet.

The applicant was not present and there was nobody listed to speak on the item.

On motion by Mr. Whitley, seconded by Mrs. Collins and carried on a unanimous vote by all members present, Variance Application No. 888 and Resolution No. 18-03-BOA were approved as presented in the Technical Staff Report.

Next, the Board heard the request for Special Exception No. 889 and Resolution No. 18-04-BOA, 604 Main Street Laurel, Maryland 20707, filed by Christina Kirven and Victor Thomas- 5305 Village Center Drive, Maryland 21044.  Mr. Robert Love completed the reading of the record for the administrative approval process and presented the Technical Staff Report dated November 27, 2018, stating the Applicant was seeking a Special Exception approval to operate a Smoking Lounge to be located at 604 Main St.  The property is zoned Commercial Village (CV).  The current use of the property is the Thomas Supply Trade Cigars store in the front of the building.  Surrounding the property to the North is Patuxent Place office/retail complex, to the South is multi-family housing, to the West is The Oaks apartment complex, and to the East is multi-family housing.  The property was built in 1919.

The applicant was present to answer any questions from the Board. There was some discussion regarding the cigar store/lounge operations and business hours.

On motion by Mr. Whitley, seconded by Mrs. Collins and carried on a unanimous vote by all members present, Special Exception Application No. 890 and Resolution No. 18-04-BOA were approved as presented in the Technical Staff Report.

Adjournment:   8:15 P.M.