Zoning Commission

FireTaneytown: Firefighters responded at 8: 12 a.m. Friday to a fire alarm in the first block of Kings Drive. Units were out 10 minutes.Public meetingsTaneytown planning: Taneytown Planning and Zoning Commission will meet at 7: 30 p.m. today at City Hall, 17 E. Baltimore St. Information: 410-756-2677.Union Bridge council: Union Bridge Town Council will meet at 7 p.m. today at Town Hall, 104 W. Locust St. Information: 410-775- 2711.New Windsor planning: New Windsor Planning and Zoning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the town office, 211 High St. Information: 410-635- 6575.

A proposal to expand Westminster's business district west along Pennsylvania Avenue and into a primarily residential area has been given an unfavorable review by the city's planning and zoning commission. The proposal now heads to the city's Common Council, which is to schedule a public hearing before taking action. Thomas B. Beyard, the city's director of planning and public works, said the proposal would probably not be on the city council's agenda until January. The proposed zoning amendment would allow the establishment of light business, such as coffeehouses and art galleries, from West Main Street to Sullivan Avenue.

A proposal that would allow East Ridgeville Boulevard to extend across Route 27 was presented last night to the Mount Airy Planning and Zoning Commission.The proposal, submitted by developer Robert Peacock, would improve access to a 13-acre property he plans to develop.The property, which is zoned for commercial use, is located at Ridge Road near Interstate 70.Two businesses -- a gasoline station and a convenience store -- plan to locate on the property. However, Mr. Peacock said that several businesses have expressed interest in the site.

TUESDAY Social Services board The board of directors of the county Department of Social Services will meet at 8 a.m. in Room 138 at 10 Distillery Drive, Suite 100, Westminster. 410-386-3307. Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 003/004 of the County Office Building, 225 N. Center St., Westminster. The commission will review the Carroll County Public Schools 2004-2013 Educational Facilities Master Plan for consistency with the county master plan at 1 p.m. 410-386-2145.

Jerry and Virginia Wilhelm got some bad news at Monday night's monthly Town Council meeting.The Wilhelms, who live in Hanover, Pa., but own property in Hampstead, received a rezoning recommendation fromthe town's Planning and Zoning Commission last month.But the Town Council did not vote to resolve a 20-month battle tohave the Wilhelms property in the 1300 block of North Main Street rezoned to business-local.The parcel had been zoned business for many years until it was rezoned residential during the town's Master Plan revision in 1986.

Hampstead has asked two Board of Education officials to work on its adequate facilities committee, which will focus on crowded schools.Vernon Smith, director of school support services, and Kathleen Sanner, facilities planner, will meet with town officials Oct. 11."We will try to explain the mechanics more clearly so they have a grasp on the process," said Ms. Sanner at the county Planning and Zoning Commission hearing this week.Ms. Sanner gave the town Planning and Zoning Commission enrollment figures and projections in July.

Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a work session on the proposed Neighborhood Commercial Zoning Text Amendment on Thursday, after the regular 7 p.m. monthly meeting.The regular meeting is expected to be short, allowing time for the work session.The meeting, at City Hall off Longwell Avenue, is open to the public.Information: 410-848-9002 or 410-848-4363.PoliceWestminster: A resident of Stacy Lee Drive reported Wednesday that someone damaged the door frame on her house. Damage is estimated at $300.

An Italian restaurant may join the businesses planned for the Oakmont Green Retail Center on Route 30 in Hampstead.Jeff Zigler, of Carroll Land Services, presented a draft site plan for the proposed restaurant to the Hampstead Planning and Zoning Commission last night.It calls for a 230-seat restaurant and 96 parking spaces on a 1.25-acre site on the east side of Route 30.If approved, the restaurant would sit immediately south of the existing Subway restaurant.For access to Route 30, the proposed Italian restaurant would use the access already approved for the Oakmont Green Retail Center now under construction, Mr. Zigler said.

Poole Road Professional Center II Location: Southwest side of Poole Road, near Route 97 in Westminster Developer: Chitrachedu & Vimala Naganna Engineer: CLSI, Westminster Description: A 73,000-square-foot, three-story building for medical and dental offices. The L-shaped brick building will sit on a 7-acre parcel, adjacent to existing medical offices, and house more than 40 medical practices. Access will be from Poole Road through an existing parking lot. Project also includes 290 parking places.