Zoning Commission

Residents opposed to construction of a Wal-Mart in Mount Airy will address the town Planning and Zoning Commission at its meeting tonight.The Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer wants to build an 85,000-square-foot store on 14 acres in Mount Airy Shopping Center at Route 27 and Ridgeville Boulevard.The Planning and Zoning Commission will review a subdivision plat of the proposed site tonight. The meeting begins at 8.Residents opposed to the project formed a group called Us Against the Wal six weeks ago and have organized committees.

The Hampstead Board of Zoning Appeals affirmed the town Planning and Zoning Commission's approval of the Oakmont Green Retail Center, Hampstead Town Attorney Richard C. Murray said Thursday.At a Tuesday meeting, the board "said Ordinance 230 was valid," Mr. Murray said.Ordinance 230 is the rewrite of the town's zoning code. The council adopted the ordinance in January.Before Ordinance 230 was adopted, the town's Board of Zoning Appeals had said construction of the Oakmont Green Retail Center could not proceed because its storm water management pond did not meet the existing code's requirements.

TOMORROW Community meeting The Carroll County Commissioners will hold a community meeting at 7 p.m. at Charles Carroll Elementary School, 3719 Littlestown Pike, Silver Run. Residents are encouraged to bring questions and concerns. 410-386-2043. Westminster Common Council 7 p.m. at City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane. 410-848-9000. Taneytown City Council 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 17 E. Baltimore St. 410-751-1100. Sykesville Town Council 7 p.m. in the Town House meeting room, 7547 Main St. 410-795-6390.

Confusion over the Mount Airy Master Plan led to a dispute Monday night between Town Council members and the chairman of the town's Planning and Zoning Commission.The argument focused on the definition of the neighborhood center zoning category. The zone is defined in the master plan as a district that permits commercial structures in a residential area "to serve the daily needs of the residents of a neighborhood area."Council members and Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Frederick W. Goundry clashed over changes to the neighborhood center category made during a council workshop last month.

The Westminster Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended that the mayor and Common Council adopt a zoning amendment to regulate telecommunications towers. The city has no regulations regarding such facilities.The commission has suggested that the amendment outline several restrictions:Signs may not be hung on the towers.Towers may not be installed in a residential zone.Towers may not be taller than 199 feet.Towers may not be placed within 300 feet of a historic property.If the amendment is adopted, anyone wishing to place a tower in Westminster first would have to receive a special exception from the city's Board of Zoning Appeals.

In a unanimous vote yesterday, the county commissioners formally trimmed the Planning and Zoning Commission to five members from seven. Officials will not have to ask for resignations because two members recently left the planning body. Grant Dannelly left when his term expired last month, and Thomas Hiltz resigned last fall. State law allows for a five- to seven-member commission. The previous Board of County Commissioners increased the planning panel to seven members to give slow-growth advocates a voice on the body.

School board lauded for delaying building I would like to commend the superintendent and the Carroll County Board of Education as per their decision to study the future student projections before going ahead in future school building. This shows a responsibility to students and the taxpayers of Carroll County, saving millions of dollars. This shows a practical solution, not a political one. It's easy to say yes, but takes fortitude to say no to children and more so to the parents. Therefore, thank you for taking the responsible direction in this very important matter.

Roser's Mini Storage Location: East side of Route 194, Keymar Developer/owner: Ted Roser Engineer: BPR Inc., Westminster Description: A 52-unit storage facility on a 2.91-acre parcel zoned for business. Any future development on the remaining 71-acre agricultural property will have to use the entrance detailed on the site plan. The facility will have four buildings, each about 10,000 square feet. All storage will be enclosed in units with an average size of 10 feet by 10 feet. Status: The Carroll County Planning and Zoning Commission has approved the site plan contingent on a public works agreement that will require a landscaped buffer along the roadway and interior shielded lighting.