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From the City’s website:

Agenda - Mayor and City Council Meeting, 4/7/2008
Posted 4/3/2008

City of Gaithersburg
AGENDA FOR A REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008, 7:30 P.M.

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. INVOCATION

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

• Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council Held February 19, 2008

  Background Material (pdf format)

• Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council Held March 3, 2008
  Background Material (pdf format)

V. APPOINTMENTS

Resolution of the City Council Confirming Appointments and Reappointments by the Mayor to the Animal Control Board, Art in Public Places Committee, Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Community Advisory Board, Cultural Arts Advisory Committee, Economic Development Committee, Environmental Affairs, and Historic Preservation Advisory Committee
Background Material (pdf format)

VI. PRESENTATIONS

1. 3rd Quarter Employee Recognition Awards
2. Proclamation of the Mayor and City Council Designating April 2008, as “Municipal Government Works Month” in the City of Gaithersburg
3. Proclamation of the Mayor and City Council Designating April 2008, as “Arab-American Heritage Month” in the City of Gaithersburg
4. Staff Recommendations on the Site Locations for Skate Spots Within City Parks
   Background Material (pdf format)

5. 2007 Annual Report on Historic Preservation, Richard Arkin, Chair of the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee
   

VII. PUBLIC APPEARANCES
(public is invited to speak on any subject that is not a public hearing topic on tonight’s agenda - each speaker three minutes)

VIII. FROM THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL/ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Board/Commission/Committee Vacancy Update
• Upcoming City Events

IX. FROM THE ACTING CITY MANAGER

X. PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. JOINT — SDP-06-006, Applicant Requests Approval of the Schematic Development Plan, SDP-06-006, per Annexation X-182 and Sketch Plan Z-310, Known as the Crown Property Neighborhood 1 (Parcels 445 and 600) in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The Proposed Plan Proposes a Mix of Uses, Including 82 Townhomes, 50 Two-Over-Two Units, 760 Multi-Family Units, 18 Live/Work Units, and 300,000 Square Feet of Future Commercial Uses on Approximately 38.6 Acres of Land. The Subject Property Site is Bordered by Fields Road and Sam Eig Highway
   Background Material - A: Cover and Index (pdf format)
   Background Material - B (pdf format - 5M)

   Background Material - C (pdf format - 2M)
   Background Material - D (pdf format - 2.5M)
   Background Material - E (pdf format - 3.5M)
   Background Material - F: Exhibit 185 (pdf format - 9.1M)

2. JOINT — T-383, Proposal to Amend Chapter 24 of the City Code (City Zoning Ordinance), Article IX, Entitled, “Signs,” § 24-109, Entitled, “Definitions, Signs,” and § 24-212, Entitled, “Commercial and Industrial Signs,” so as to Create a Definition for Mixed Use Town Centers and to Establish Certain Requirements Within Mixed Use Town Centers Adopted by Resolution of the Mayor and City Council
   Background Material (pdf format)

3. JOINT — T-384, Application Requests an Amendment to Chapter 24 of the City Code (City Zoning Ordinance), Entitled, “Zoning,” Article IV, Entitled, “Supplementary Zone Regulations,” § 24-167b, Entitled “Bed and Breakfast,” to Amend §§ 24-167B(4) and 24-167B(7) so as to Allow Serving Meals Other Than Breakfast and Host Business Meetings or Receptions for Non-Guests by Special Exception
   Background Material (pdf format)

XI. FROM THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGERS, CITY ATTORNEY AND OTHER STAFF

Guidance on a Memorandum Dated March 20, 2008, Regarding the City’s Election Committee Charge
Background Material (pdf format)

XII. ADJOURNMENT

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WORK SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT

Notice to the general public is hereby given that the Mayor and City Council of the City of Gaithersburg will conduct a Work Session on Monday, April 14, 2008, to receive an overview of the City’s Environmental Programs.

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Also from the City’s website, regarding the Elections Ordinance Review Committee

Mayor, Council Seek Comment on Charge of Elections Ordinance Review Committee
Posted 3/20/2008

Concerns stemming from the November, 2007 City of Gaithersburg election have led the Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council to consider the formation of an Ad Hoc Elections Ordinance Review Committee.  City staff was directed to outline the charge of the committee, which includes:  Reviewing the election ordinances and campaign financing mechanisms of other jurisdictions to identify best practices; consulting with legal counsel and developing draft amendments to the election ordinance including possible changes to campaign contribution limitations and reporting requirements; and providing any other recommendations concerning the City’s elections process that the committee deems appropriate.  The election ordinance was last updated in 1998.

The Mayor and Council will accept public comment on the charge of the committee at its regular meeting on Monday, April 7, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.  For more information please contact Assistant City Manager Fred Felton at 301-258-6310 or cityhall@gaithersburgmd.gov.

• Draft charge of the Ad Hoc Elections Ordinance Review Committee (pdf)

Also from the City’s website, regarding SDP-06-006:

Notice - Joint Public Hearing, SDP-06-006, 4/7/2008
Posted 3/26/2008

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG
31 South Summit Avenue
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877
Telephone: 301-258-6330

NOTICE OF JOINT PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Gaithersburg Mayor and Council and Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing at the time and place noted below.

Meeting: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Application Type: SCHEMATIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN

File Number : SDP-06-006
Location: SOUTHWEST OF FIELDS ROAD
Applicant: CROWN VILLAGE FARM, LLC
Development: MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT

Day/ Date/Time: MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008
Place: GAITHERSBURG CITY HALL

IMPORTANT

The applicant requests approval of the schematic development plan, SDP-06-006, per annexation X-182 and Sketch Plan Z-310, known as the Crown Property Neighborhood 1 (Parcels 445 and 600) in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The proposed plan proposes a mix of uses, including 82 townhomes, 50 two-over-two units, 760 multi-family units, 18 live/work units, and 300,000 square feet of future commercial uses on approximately 38.6 acres of land. The subject property site is bordered by Fields Road and Sam Eig Highway. This is the first public hearing in a series of public opportunities to participate. Contact the Planning and Code Administration City Planner (listed below) at 301-258-6330 if you should have any questions and/or to learn more about this process and your ability to offer testimony and input.

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG
Rob Robinson, Planner

Planning and Code Administration

Also from the City’s website, regarding T-383:

Notice - Joint Public Hearing T-383, 4/7/2008
Posted 3/26/2008

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG
31 South Summit Avenue
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877
Telephone: 301-258-6330

NOTICE OF JOINT PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Gaithersburg Mayor and Council and Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing at the time and place noted below.

Meeting: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Application Type: TEXT AMENDMENT

File Number:T-383
Applicant: GREG OSSONT FOR MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL
Day/ Date/Time: TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2008, AT 7:30 P.M.

Place: GAITHERSBURG CITY HALL

IMPORTANT

This is a proposal to amend Chapter 24 of the City Code (City Zoning Ordinance), Article IX, entitled, “Signs,” § 24-109, entitled, “Definitions, Signs,” and § 24-212, entitled, “Commercial and Industrial Signs,” so as to create a definition for Mixed Use Town Centers and to establish certain requirements within Mixed Use Town Centers adopted by resolution of the Mayor and City Council. This is an opportunity to publicly participate, other than providing written testimony that must be submitted before the public hearing record closes. Contact the Planning and Code Administration City Planner (listed below) at 301-258-6330, if you should have any questions and/or to learn more about this process and your ability to offer testimony and input.

• DRAFT Text Amendment T-383 (pdf file)
  NOTE: This form is provided in PDF format and can be viewed with the Adobe Acrobat Reader. This format will enable you to view the document as it appears in print. If you do not already have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed follow the link above to Adobe’s free download area.

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG
Greg Ossont, Director

Planning and Code Administration

Also from the City’s website, regarding T-384:

Notice - Joint Public Hearing T-384, 4/7/2008
Posted 3/21/2008

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG
31 South Summit Avenue
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877
Telephone: 301-258-6330

NOTICE OF JOINT PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Gaithersburg Mayor and Council and Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing at the time and place noted below.

Meeting: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Application Type: TEXT AMENDMENT

File Number: T-384
Applicant: GREG OSSONT FOR MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL
Day/ Date/Time:

MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2008 AT 7:30 P.M.

Place: GAITHERSBURG CITY HALL

IMPORTANT

This is a proposal to amend Chapter 24 of the City Code (City Zoning Ordinance), entitled “Zoning,” Article IV, entitled, “Supplementary Zone Regulations,” §24-167b, entitled, “Bed and Breakfast,” to amend §§ 24-167B(4) and 24-167B(7) so as to allow serving meals other than breakfast and hosting business meetings or receptions for non-guests by Special Exception. This is an opportunity to publicly participate, other than providing written testimony that must be submitted before the public hearing record closes.  Contact the Planning and Code Administration City Planner (listed below) at 301-258-6330 if you should have any questions and/or to learn more about this process and your ability to offer testimony and input.

• DRAFT Text Amendment T-384 (pdf file)
  NOTE: This form is provided in PDF format and can be viewed with the Adobe Acrobat Reader. This format will enable you to view the document as it appears in print. If you do not already have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed follow the link above to Adobe’s free download area.

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG

Greg Ossont, Director
Planning and Code Administration

Excerpts from the April Town Courier:

• Krista Brick writes, Sesma Suggests the City Buy GE:
  

  Gaithersburg should consider buying the GE Technology Park tract in an effort to maintain control of the development of that property, according to several City Council members.

• Krista Brick writes, Ossont Calls New BOA Decision “Great News”:
  

  A plan by Avalon Bay to develop the GE Technology parcel and put a warehouse on land adjacent to Route 28 appears to have hit a dead end. The city’s Board of Appeals was expected to send the proposal back to the Planning Commission but instead amended its resolution in effect denying the application. The vote on the resolution that denies the application is scheduled for April 10.

• In a letter to the editor, Richard Arkin writes, A Call for Action:
  

  Last December, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett released his ill-conceived plan for heavy industrial uses and hazardous operations in the GE Tech Park campus adjacent to Kentlands, Lakelands and North Potomac. At first, I found myself as the lone voice in opposition to this terrible plan. But after a confrontational meeting with county officials at last month’s Kentlands board meeting, I am pleased to see that the Kentlands community, the assembly president, and the assembly board have taken action to oppose this awful and potentially very destructive concept. Now we need to get Lakelands, North Potomac, and other nearby associations into the fight. We need participation from everyone in the area who can write and speak.

• Sonya Burke writes, Kentlands Special Study Area Record Closes This Month:
  

  Over eight months after the first kickoff meeting, the city of Gaithersburg has announced it will close both the Planning Commission and Mayor and Council’s public records on the Kentlands Boulevard commercial district special study area this month.