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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Mayor and Board of Aldermen Workshop – August 21, 2024

City Council Committee Meetings — Wednesday, August 21, 2024

BodyFrederick, Maryland

SessionCity Council Committee Meetings

DateWednesday, August 21, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:24:34

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:06

Good afternoon, and welcome to the Mayor and Board of Alderman Workshop for the 21st of August.

0:10

We begin with the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:14

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic which it stands.

0:20

One nation under Liberty and Justice.

0:28

We have minutes to approve August 2nd, August 7th, 2024.

0:36

The usual motion makers and seconders are not here.

0:38

Somebody else is gonna have to do this.

0:41

Motion by Alderman Russell, second by Audder Woman Nash.

0:44

All those in favor?

0:45

That is 3-0.

0:46

Thank you very much.

0:47

Alderman Shackelford, Alderwoman Kazemchak notified us that they would not be available for this afternoon's workshop.

0:52

Three items on the agenda today.

0:54

Item number one is discussion of referral agreement with American Americo real estate company for U-Hall project at 90 Minoxie Boulevard.

1:03

Takeo.

1:04

Take it away.

1:11

Good afternoon.

1:12

Take over Casano and Jeremy Manager.

1:24

I'd like to uh discuss about approval deferrow agreement with MCO.

1:29

First of all, I'd like to make a correction.

1:32

Their frontage, my background, uh is it 550 feet in your feet?

1:37

However, this was wrong.

1:39

Actually, it's three, it's about 300.

1:41

So that needs to be correct.

1:44

And this site came in, uh have a uh site plan approval for self-storage and truck rental building.

1:53

Uh during the review, we noticed that uh city has a CIP project number 320037, which is white name Monokasi Boobert and uh Monokasi Boober between Patrick and South Street.

2:11

Uh part of their frontage instead of this site going for um do the front edge, just a small piece, which is showing the picture over there.

2:23

That's their front improvements.

2:27

So instead of they go to that small frontage, uh they're gonna have a contribution and city to do the entire between Patrick and South Street improvements.

2:40

Uh there's a cost assessment attached with it.

2:42

There's a contribution is 98,000.

2:45

Um if you have any questions, happy to discuss the answers.

2:52

Are there questions for staff?

3:00

Is the developer here?

3:02

Do you wish to provide any additional information or make any presentation?

3:07

Very good.

3:09

Any public comment?

3:14

We will get this scheduled for a public hearing.

3:18

Thank you.

3:19

Thank you.

3:20

Item number two is discussion of a proposed mitigation agreement water for the Bloomfields development.

3:29

Um Peko Wakasano, manager of engineering again.

3:33

Uh, this is approval of mitigation agreement for uh water at the Bloomfield site.

3:40

Uh the little background of this Kremlin, now we call Broomfield.

3:46

Uh they have a mitigation agreement, and that was back in 2015.

3:51

And because of during the Broomfield uh site plan improvement plan process, there are some significant uh there are some changes we think we need to do.

4:02

Uh that's why we have a provision for the APFO, and part of the provision condition, uh they provide a report.

4:10

Um, and after the report, staff reviews, uh, there are all conditions are put in on the water mitigation agreement, which is one through one through two, one to two, pretty much basically what section of development, what needs to happen, and as seeing the picture, currently there are construction section two, and another year, two two three years, they're gonna start design for the water tank, which is the RAS section five development, also stating in the mitigation agreement.

4:55

Um I'm happy to answer any questions.

5:00

I'm happy to answer any questions.

5:04

Thank you.

5:04

Are there questions for staff?

5:10

Does the applicant have any make this easy on you?

5:19

Any public comment?

5:23

We will get this scheduled.

5:24

Thank you.

5:28

Item number three discussion proposed rezoning and master plan for the Warmans Mill Court Apartments.

5:40

Good afternoon, Pam Rapper with the Planning Department.

5:43

As um follow-up to the August 7th workshop, we're back with you again for the rezoning of 11.54 acres of requests for the conditional rezoning to the mixed use to floating zone.

6:00

To recap the floating zone as a conditional use and an associated master plan.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Zoning And Land Use██████████████████████████████████34%

Floodplain Management██████████████14%

Affordable Housing█████████████13%

Mixed Use Development███████████11%

Procedural████████8%

Transportation Safety██████6%

Legal Matters████4%

Engineering And Infrastructure███3%

Active Transportation██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Mayor and Board of Aldermen Workshop – August 21, 2024

The workshop covered three agenda items: a deferral agreement for the U-Haul project, a water mitigation agreement for the Bloomfields development, and a proposed rezoning and master plan for the Woman's Mill Court Apartments. The meeting began at 3:00 PM and adjourned at approximately 5:30 PM. Two aldermen (Shackelford and Kazemchak) were absent.

Consent Calendar

Approval of Minutes – August 7, 2024: Motion by Alderman Russell, second by Alderwoman Nash. Approved 3–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

Woman's Mill Court Apartments: Kevin Fellner (Citizens for Responsible Growth) expressed strong support for the project, highlighting the need for affordable housing (estimated 12,000–16,000 units needed in the county, 4,000–5,000 in the city) and complimenting the developer’s engagement. He also noted the site’s proximity to a bus stop providing access to grocery stores.

Discussion Items

1. U‑Haul Deferral Agreement (90 Monocacy Boulevard)

Presented by: Taiko Casano, Engineering Manager. Corrected that the site’s frontage is ~300 feet (not 550 feet). The applicant proposes a $98,000 contribution to the city’s CIP project (320037, Monocacy Boulevard improvements between Patrick and South Street) in lieu of constructing a small frontage improvement. No developer or public comment were offered. The item was scheduled for a public hearing.

2. Bloomfields Development – Water Mitigation Agreement

Presented by: Taiko Casano. The original mitigation agreement was from 2015; due to changes during the site plan process, new conditions are needed (outlined in sections 1–2 of the agreement). A water tank in section five is planned for design in 2–3 years. No questions or public comment. The item was scheduled for a public hearing.

3. Woman’s Mill Court Apartments – Rezoning to MU2 and Master Plan

Staff Presentation (Pam Rapert, Planning Department): Provided follow‑up from the August 7 workshop. Of 16 mixed‑use projects in the city, only 7 involved rezonings. Staff recommended against the rezoning, finding the proposal (with modifications like reduced non‑residential land use) did not meet the criteria for a conditional rezoning. However, staff also offered conditions if the board chose to approve (e.g., limiting Home Lane to emergency access; constructing the portion of the Rails with Trails path adjacent to the site; requiring MTA approval for crossings; adhering to floodplain setback standards). The Planning Commission had recommended a slightly different set of conditions.
Applicant Presentation (Bruce Dean, Judd Neems, Chris Moriga – Standard Communities): Proposed a 100% affordable housing development (315 units, income‑restricted at 60% AMI) with a 5,000 sq ft commercial space. Requested modifications to building orientation and parking setback due to site constraints (wetlands, power line easement, highway noise). Argued the site is walkable (<1 mile to Wegmans) and that the Rails with Trails bridge (when completed) will improve connectivity. Home Lane (currently a narrow lane) is proposed as a secondary vehicular access; staff recommended emergency‑only.
Board Discussion:
- Alderman McShane supported the project, noting it is more walkable to services than many other approved affordable housing projects.
- Alderman Russell opposed the rezoning and questioned walkability (noting the walking route to Wegmans is long). He also raised procedural concerns about providing guidance during a quasi‑judicial proceeding.
- Alderwoman Nash was supportive and agreed to discuss conditions.
Conditions Negotiation: The board reviewed staff and Planning Commission conditions. Key agreements:
- Rails with Trails path: Applicant will contribute funding in line with standard frontage improvements, not the full cost of elevating the bridge. Condition: applicant to fund/frontage portion.
- MTA crossing approval: Obtain prior to building permit (not final site plan). Applicant accepted.
- Floodplain setback: No specific condition; project will follow existing city code, which allows future modification requests through standard processes. Applicant agreed.
- Home Lane access: Left unresolved; staff recommended emergency‑only, applicant wants full vehicular access. Board consensus leaned toward emergency‑only, but no formal vote.
Procedural Note: The city attorney clarified that conditional rezonings require two meetings: one to vote on conditions (set for September 5, 2024) and a subsequent meeting for the applicant to accept conditions and for final approval of the rezoning and master plan. The board will prepare an ordinance based on the discussion.

Key Outcomes

U‑Haul Deferral Agreement: Scheduled for a public hearing (date not specified).
Bloomfields Water Mitigation: Scheduled for a public hearing (date not specified).
Woman’s Mill Court Apartments: No final decision. The board provided guidance to staff to draft an ordinance incorporating conditions discussed (rails with trails contribution, MTA approval before building permit, floodplain code compliance). The public hearing to adopt conditions is set for September 5, 2024. A second meeting will follow for the applicant’s acceptance and final vote on rezoning and master plan.

Elected Officials’ Comments

Alderman Russell reminded of Car Free Day on September 23, encouraging the pledge online.
Alderman Ash wished families a happy first day of school.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, and welcome to the Mayor and Board of Alderman Workshop for the 21st of August. We begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic which it stands. One nation under Liberty and Justice. We have minutes to approve August 2nd, August 7th, 2024. The usual motion makers and seconders are not here. Somebody else is gonna have to do this. Motion by Alderman Russell, second by Audder Woman Nash. All those in favor? That is 3-0. Thank you very much. Alderman Shackelford, Alderwoman Kazemchak notified us that they would not be available for this afternoon's workshop. Three items on the agenda today. Item number one is discussion of referral agreement with American Americo real estate company for U-Hall project at 90 Minoxie Boulevard. Takeo. Take it away. Good afternoon. Take over Casano and Jeremy Manager. I'd like to uh discuss about approval deferrow agreement with MCO. First of all, I'd like to make a correction. Their frontage, my background, uh is it 550 feet in your feet? However, this was wrong. Actually, it's three, it's about 300. So that needs to be correct. And this site came in, uh have a uh site plan approval for self-storage and truck rental building. Uh during the review, we noticed that uh city has a CIP project number 320037, which is white name Monokasi Boobert and uh Monokasi Boober between Patrick and South Street. Uh part of their frontage instead of this site going for um do the front edge, just a small piece, which is showing the picture over there. That's their front improvements. So instead of they go to that small frontage, uh they're gonna have a contribution and city to do the entire between Patrick and South Street improvements. Uh there's a cost assessment attached with it. There's a contribution is 98,000. Um if you have any questions, happy to discuss the answers. Are there questions for staff? Is the developer here? Do you wish to provide any additional information or make any presentation? Very good. Any public comment? We will get this scheduled for a public hearing. Thank you. Thank you. Item number two is discussion of a proposed mitigation agreement water for the Bloomfields development. Um Peko Wakasano, manager of engineering again. Uh, this is approval of mitigation agreement for uh water at the Bloomfield site. Uh the little background of this Kremlin, now we call Broomfield. Uh they have a mitigation agreement, and that was back in 2015. And because of during the Broomfield uh site plan improvement plan process, there are some significant uh there are some changes we think we need to do. Uh that's why we have a provision for the APFO, and part of the provision condition, uh they provide a report. Um, and after the report, staff reviews, uh, there are all conditions are put in on the water mitigation agreement, which is one through one through two, one to two, pretty much basically what section of development, what needs to happen, and as seeing the picture, currently there are construction section two, and another year, two two three years, they're gonna start design for the water tank, which is the RAS section five development, also stating in the mitigation agreement. Um I'm happy to answer any questions. I'm happy to answer any questions.

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