Design Review Commission Meeting Summary – September 23, 2025

The Germantown Design Review Commission met on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting followed a 5:30 p.m. executive session. Commissioners approved consent items, received liaison reports, and discussed upcoming community events.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from the August 26, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously.
• Case 15-547 – Village Shops of Forest Hill (Revised Sign Policy): This consent item was approved without discussion.
• Case 24-025 – Germantown Presbyterian Church (Ground Sign – Building Identification): This consent item was approved without discussion.
• Note: A third regular agenda item (Case 25-016 – Covenant Presbyterian Church of Germantown) was held and not discussed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the meeting.

Liaison Reports & Commission Updates

• Historic Commission (Commissioner White): Announced a “Discovery of Germantown’s Past History” tour on Saturday, September 27, from 1:00–3:00 p.m., featuring four historic sites: Fort Germantown, the Historic Train Depot, the Germantown Regional History and Genealogical Center, and the Germantown Historic Church. Local historians will be on site.
• Parks and Recreation Commission (Commissioner Carney): Reported that a discussion on e-bike dangers (led by Mr. Woodruff) was postponed; the committee will reassemble to develop codes. Facility fees for Harvest Moon Pavilion, Pickering Center, and Park Pavilions were approved as part of a multi-page operating policy, with no difference between resident and non-resident fees. The city will add 43 new Christmas decorations this year, and MLG W has agreed to provide necessary electrical infrastructure.
• Public Art Commission (Commissioner Schmidt): Noted that a traveling mural formally unveiled at the Germantown Festival received very positive response, with approximately 1,000 pictures taken in front of it. The mural is temporarily installed on the front of the Genial building (under reconstruction) facing Poplar Pike; it will be moved to the upcoming Neighborhood Summit at the end of September. Creative crosswalks have degraded faster than expected; the vinyl sheet company is using a new chemical composition aimed at longer durability, and removal/reinstallation is scheduled as asphalt is replaced. A Public Art Fundraising Task Force was formed to explore fundraising ideas.
• Board of Mayor and Aldermen (Alderman Hicks): Highlighted that the historic commission will decorate the train depot for October for free family photos. The Germantown Community Library added a digital New York Times subscription (free with library card). The BMA approved a rezoning on Johnson Road (17 lots instead of 9 under previous zoning) and approved the purchase of 20 new vehicles for about $1 million, mostly for public safety and animal services. The Grove will host fall concerts on Thursdays.
• Chairman Bruns: Reported no updates from the Sketch Plan Committee or Tree Board.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda items (5A and 5B) were approved unanimously by roll call vote.
• No other motions or votes were taken.
• The meeting adjourned following liaison reports.