FIVE HUNDRED NINETY EIGHTH MEETING

CITY OF LAUREL PLANNING COMMISSION

TUESDAY MAY 9, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.

The meeting convened in the Council Chambers at 6:00 P.M., with Chairwoman Mitzi Betman presiding.  The roll was called with Vice Chairman Mr. John R. Kish, the Honorable Mr. Rick Wilson, Krystiana Bonheur and Mr. William Wellford. Also present from the Department of Economic & Community Development were Mr. Robert Love, Director, Mr. Joshua Mitchum, Planner II, Ms. Emily Cline-Gibson, Planner I, Ms. Sydney Woodland, Administrative Assistant, and Ms. Brooke Quillen, Secretary to the Commission. There were approximately three (3) members of the public in attendance.

The minutes from the January 10, 2023 meeting were approved as written, on motion by Mr. Wellford seconded by Mr. Wilson and carried on a roll call vote of all members present with Mr. Kish abstaining.

The next agenda item was for Final Record Plat of Subdivision Approval and Resolution No. 23-03-PC for 417 Main Street & 10 Riverview Court Laurel, Maryland 20707, filed by SOLH LLC c/o Hamideh Keyhani., 417 Main Street Laurel, Maryland 20707. Mr. Mitchum stated the applicant is proposing to make a minor adjustment in the boundaries of Lot 1 (10 Riverview Court) and Lot 2 (417 Main Street). Per ULDC Sec. 20-30.6. - Small subdivisions, the owners of 417 Main Street and 10 Riverview Court (Riverview Apartments) desire to sell or exchange parcels of land between themselves for the purpose of making minor adjustments in the boundaries. The proposal will add approximately 7,929 square feet of area to 10 Riverview Court, taken from 417 Main Street. Furthermore, the lot’s existing parking will not be reduced as a result of the proposed subdivision.

Chairwoman Betman opened the public hearing at 6:05 p.m. There was nobody signed up to speak. The public hearing was closed at 6:05 p.m.

The Commission, on motion by Ms. Bonheur, seconded by Mr. Kish, and carried on a roll call vote of all members present, voted to approve the Final Record Plat of Subdivision Application and Resolution No. 23-03-PC as presented in the Technical Staff Report.

Next, on the agenda was Forest Conservation Plan and Resolution No. 23-05-PC for  0 Contee Road Laurel, Maryland 20707, filed by Legends Builders Inc., 307 Compton Avenue Maryland 20707. Ms. Cline-Gibson stated the applicant is proposing to clear 1.12 acres on Tax I.D. lots 1124270 and 1124312. One specimen tree, a Green Ash, will be removed. There will be a 25-foot Tree Preservation Area buffer bordering nearby residential housing  located to the east of the project, totaling 0.3 acres. Per the Landscape Manual, a minimum buffer width of twenty (20) feet of existing vegetation must be preserved in single-family attached developments. The applicant is required to provide 2.3 acres of reforestation per Section 20-41.8 of the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC), which will be met by the proposed 2.3-acre Tree Preservation Area located on Tax I.D. lots 1124296, 1099340, and 1124320.

Chairwoman Betman opened the public hearing at 6:09 p.m. There was nobody signed up to speak. The public hearing was closed at 6:09 p.m.

The Commission, on motion by Ms. Bonheur, seconded by Mr. Wilson, and carried on a roll call vote of all members present, voted to approve the Forest Conservation Plan and Resolution No. 23-05-PC as presented in the Technical Staff Report.

The next agenda item was for Amended Site and Landscape Plan Approval and Resolution No. 23-06-PC for 8000 Cherry Lane Laurel, Maryland 20707, filed by Prince George’s County Public Schools, 14201 School Lane Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772. Mr. Mitchum stated the applicant, Prince George’s County Public Schools, is seeking Amended Site and Landscape Plan approval to renovate the existing stadium field of Laurel High School, located at 8000 Cherry Lane, Laurel, MD 20707. The renovation project includes new field surfacing, replacing and relocating existing field events, installing new sports and egress lighting, a new bleacher system, a new press box, new storage sheds, fence, and new flag poles.

The applicant, Mr. William Smith, Prince George's County Public Schools, Capital Programs, Project Management, Meadowbrook Elementary School, 501 Moylan Drive, Bowie, Maryland 20715, stated the estimated cost of the project is 6.3 million dollars and the upgrades are long overdue. They hope to start this summer with approximately 4-6 months for completion.

The Commissioners stated they are excited for this project at Laurel High School.

Chairwoman Betman opened the public hearing at 6:16 p.m. There was nobody signed up to speak. The public hearing was closed at 6:16 p.m.

The Commission, on motion by Ms. Bonheur, seconded by Mr. Wilson, and carried on a roll call vote of all members present, voted to approve the Amended Site and Landscape Plan and Resolution No. 23-06-PC as presented in the Technical Staff Report.

The last agenda item was for the Annual Report for Calendar year 2022. Mr. Love provided a summary of the report and stated local planning departments are required to submit an annual report to the Maryland Department of Planning for the previous calendar year by July 1^st of the current year.

The Commission, on motion by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Wellford and carried on a roll call vote of all members present, voted to approve the Annual Report for Calendar year 2022 and Resolution No. 23-04-PC, as presented in the Technical Staff Report.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:19 p.m.

Approved:    Brooke Quillen                                             Date:         6/13/2023