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» All these smiling faces. >> [music]
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» The 624th meeting of the city of Laurel Planning Commission.
We have a good size crowd here today and we're
ready to get started. We're going to just do them in order.
So, I was going to try to do four first, but uh we have our folks from the county
here. So, uh
please call the roll. >> Council President Smith.
Mr. Welford. >> Here.
» Mr. Grant. >> Here.
» Mr. Kish.
Mr. Smith. Chairman Wilson.
» Here. >> You have a quorum.
» Thank you very much. Um you guys have had a chance to look at the
minutes. I appreciate the minutes every time we
get them. I know that's a ton of work. So, uh if you have any changes or
anything or a vote motion, we'll take it now.
» Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make a motion to approve the minutes from the June
9th, 2026 meeting as received from staff.
» I'll second it. >> Turn your mic on, you.
» Second it. >> Thank you.
Please call the roll. >> Mr. Welford.
» Yes. >> Mr. Grant.
» Here. >> Chairman Wilson.
» Here. >> Motion carries.
» Thanks again for that. And we're going to move into agenda item number three,
the Ford's Conservation Plan and the resolution.
» Good evening, chairman [snorts] and members of the Planning Commission. My
name is Ravenel. I am the deputy director of the Department of Economic
and Community Development. Prince George's County Department of the
Environment is currently in the process of restoring Bear Branch Stream, um the
parcel between Van Dusen Road and Contee Road. The parcel is owned by the city of
Laurel and it is an open space parcel functioning as a county flood plain
easement. The wetlands in the upstream project
extent will be protected and restored. This project will ultimately stabilize
the bank and eroding channel um improving overall water quality and
promoting a healthier ecosystem complete with supportive conditions for
full forest restoration. So in our analysis the applicant
received forest stand delineation approval from staff on July 7th, 2026
and submitted a forest conservation plan which is required for any project on
land 40,000 square feet or greater. The applicant is proposing to clear 3.24
acres on tax ID lot 304881. Note that this is a county funded
restoration project so the total replanting planned is for a 3.82 acres
of reforestation. Per section 20-41.8 of the unified land development code the
applicant is required to replant a total of 0.1 acres which will be met and
exceeded by the much higher target of 3.82 acres.
So minimum required for the forest conservation worksheet again is 0.1
acres. Proposed replanting will be 3.82 acres.
The details of exactly what will be planted and where as well as the
two-year maintenance agreement are all included in the application materials.
Um all conditions and requirements have been met per the unified land
development code section 20-41.6 um and we found that all requirements
outlined both by the state and the city of Laurel guidelines have been not only
met but exceeded so staff recommends that the planning commission approves
forest conservation plan FCP 2026-0102.
» Thank you. Are there any questions of staff?
» No questions. >> Do we have the applicant? If
» Yes. >> If you'd like to say something.
» Just come on up to the podium and if you press the bar it'll um unmute.
» Thank you for coming. >> Thank you.
Yeah, my name is Jignesh Shah and I'm a project manager from Prince George's
County Department of the Environment for this project Bear Branch Phase 3 stream
restoration project. As everyone said, that like I'm in we have made all the
requirement now. And this project is a part of our what water quality pro NPDES
SMS 4 water quality program. And with this project we are also going to claim
the credit for the impervious acre that we are mandated by it's mandated by the
state. So, and we have met all the requirements
and exceeded actually the requirement for the forest conservation.
» And Bear Bear Branch feeds into what we call Laurel Lakes.
» Yeah. >> Right? And we have that silting problem
that we have with Laurel Lakes where it silts up. So, this should help that.
» Yeah, definitely. Yes, it will yeah, because
county did the Laurel Lake uh restoration program for a few years back
retrofitting that. And this is I think it's on the upstream side of this is
Bear Branch that this is phase one county did it. Then
phase two and this is a part of phase three. The entire stream from the Vendee
center to the county road. >> Thank you. Any questions for the
applicant? Thank you [clears throat] very much,
sir. >> Thank you.
» Um I'll open the public hearing at uh
6:04 and I do have uh two people signed up to
speak two
one person signed up to speak Mr. er It's hard to read the handwriting. I
think that's S H E T H.
Oh, that Okay, you that's good. You've already
done I didn't know who if it was uh the second one. Uh
no other questions of uh staff or the applicant. I'll entertain a motion.
» Mr. Chairman, I'll make a motion to approve the forest conservation plan
and resolution number 26-11-PC for Bear Branch phase three stream
restoration. Um at 304881 Van Dusen Road filed by
Century Engineering LLC, a Klein Fielder company,
on behalf of Prince George's County Department of the Environment.
» Um thank you very much. I forgot to close the public hearing. I'll close it
out at 6:05. You have a second? >> Second the motion.
» Thank you. Please call the roll.
» Mr. Welford. >> Yes.
» Mr. Grant. >> Yes.
» Chairman Wilson. >> Yes.
» Motion carries. >> Thank you very much, sir. Appreciate it.
Move to um I agenda item number four, a plat of
consolidation and the resolution filed by Urban Atlantic Development.
» Um good evening, chairperson, members of the Planning Commission. Um I am Connor
Johnson, a planner three with the Department of Economic and Community
Development. For your review today is agenda item number four, the technical
staff report for plat of consolidation application number 983 for 26C Street.
The applicant, Urban Atlantic Development LLC, is seeking record plat
of consolidation approval to combine lots one through four and 20 through 23
uh of block 40 to form one new lot at the property located at 26C Street.
There is currently one structure on the properties comprising this plat of
consolidation, um which is a commercial building that
has been vacant since 2018. The adjacent adjacent zoning
designations are as follows: north, south, and west are commercial village.
Uh to the east is R20, which is one family semi-detached, two family
detached, and one family triple detached zone.
Um it is long-standing city policy and
urban planning best practice to consolidate parcels and plats whenever
possible. As such, staff recommends that the planning commission approve plat of
consolidation application number 983 with the following conditions: that the
applicant shall ensure that the plat is properly recorded, the applicant shall
ensure that the plat is filed with the land records of Prince George's County,
Maryland, and the applicant shall update titles, tax records, deeds, and mortgage
lenders as necessary. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
» Thank you. Um any questions of staff?
» No. >> Yeah, we're good.
Okay, thank you. Um I don't have any questions. Let me open up the uh
uh let me I'll open it up to the applicant if they want to say something.
The applicant's here? Give us your name and affiliation.
After you push the button. There you go. >> Uh good evening, uh Mr. Chairman and
members of the commission. Tim Longfellow with the engineering firm of
Gutschick Little and Weber with office in Burtonsville at 3909 National Drive,
suite 250. We're here on behalf of Urban Atlantic.
Nothing to to really offer other than, you know, we support and thank staff for
all their hard work in getting this uh to this point, and we're here to answer
any questions that you might have. >> Okay, thank you. Any questions, guys?
» Well, not for this application, but I'm certainly further down the road when we
start to getting closer to whatever's going to happen there.
» All we're approving tonight is the plot combination.
» Yes, sir. >> So, thank you very much, sir.
» Thank you. >> Um
if there's no other questions, let me open up the public hearing at 6:08,
and I have quite a number of people that signed up to speak.
Uh let me start with uh Mr. Long fellow, I believe. It's hard to read the
Oh, that's you. Okay. Um Mr.
Granger? You're good. with him? Okay. Mr.
Delgado? Or Ms. Delgado? Danielle, I'm sorry.
» You're fine. >> If you can hit that button and give us
your name and address for the record. >> Good evening. My name is Danielle
Delgado. I live on 7553 Woodbine Drive here in the city of Laurel.
I believe that if future development is to continue in this area, it is vital
that you as a planning board continue to ask thoughtful questions and obtain
satisfactory answers regarding for current residents and businesses, future
tenants, and for all visitors of Main Street. I'm not inherently opposed to
whatever future development may happen on this property.
But in fact, if adequate parking is designed to be available on the property
alongside mixed-use development, this project could support the long-term
health and vitality of Main Street. However, as it stands today, parking is
already a significant challenge. I know you are aware of the concerns previously
raised by businesses on C Street regarding parking availability. I'm a
regular customer of Three Year Games, and I know how difficult it can be to
find nearby parking. I can only imagine the struggle it is for customers with uh
mobility issues and access needs. So, if these concerns are not adequately
addressed as the process continues, the consequences could negatively impact
many of our local businesses and neighbors.
While Laurel is ideally situated between DC, Baltimore, and Annapolis, our
community still relies heavily on personal vehicles. And I wish we had
more robust public transportation options, but the reality is we do not.
And as a result, parking and accessibility must be carefully
considered as decisions are made on behalf of residents, business owners,
and visitors alike. So, I encourage you, the board, to
ensure that any development proposal that comes your way includes realistic
and sustainable plans for meeting the parking needs of both the current and
future users of this area. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
Mr. Myers, John Myers.
Welcome. Just give us your name and address.
» Of course. Good afternoon. My name is John Myers. I
have been a resident of 7634 Arbury Court in Laurel for 32 years, and
I'm speaking today to voice my opinion against the proposed plat of
consolidation for 26 C Street. On lots one and two of 26 C Street,
there is a public parking lot that supports no less than four entertainment
venues on Main Street and C Street. These venues include, but are not
limited to, the Sky Vibe Restaurant and Lounge, the Mist Lounge, Three Gear
Games and Studios, and Chez Yams uh Catering and Functions.
Should this current plat of consolidation be approved, these venues
would lose access to valuable parking spaces for their customers to utilize.
Street parking alone is not sufficient for these businesses, and any buildings
built upon lots one and two would only provide parking for those specific
tenants. All others would be towed. Additionally, removal of this public
parking would hurt logistics for any large-scale events on Main Street. The
parking lot provides a storage area for large event vehicles or temporary
construction. The lot is also a strategic staging for
public personnel in case of an emergency during a public event.
Rather than outright prevent potential growth through this consolidation, I
would like to propose the following. Any construction on lots one and two
must provide a number of public parking spaces equal to or greater than the ones
provided by the current parking lot. Alternatively, it would be deemed
acceptable if the current public parking lot were left in place, but a property
or business owner for the lot would provide maintenance to the lot while
maintaining its public status. Either of these propositions would
ensure the growth of commerce and community on Main Street without
subjecting the area to crowding or discourse.
And I'd like to thank you for your time and for the opportunity for the public
to voice their concerns. >> Thank you, sir.
We have Mr. Stewart
S I G E X
I'm sorry. It's hard to read the handwriting.
If you give us your name and address. You have to hit that button again to to
make it red.
» Stewart Sinex. Um
» S I N >> E X
» Okay. Got you. >> I'm aware my spelling is
» It's not the spelling. >> creative
» My handwriting is worse than yours, so. And your address, sir?
» Um I live in 8846 Heron's Flight in Lauren, but I am the uh
owner of Three Gear Games on 25 C Street.
Um on that delightful list of businesses that do use the parking
on lots one and two of the proposed consolidation, I would like to also add
um the art gallery on 20 I think it's 20
uh 21 C Street. Um and Cleopatra's
um over around uh C Street Flats.
Um the I think the two people ahead of me
said a lot of our concerns very elegantly.
Um and particularly the concerns there are
concerns for people with mobility issues since there is a lack of any kind of
handicaps parking for the public anywhere near there.
Uh there are two public lots on Main Street. Both of those are insufficient
and when the twice a month when the current venues
do come in bring in people on mass,
uh the current parking lot it overflows so people start parking parking on
grass. Um as well as there is there are now
uh hostilities among the neighbors
over renting of 30
parking um parking spots on uh 13th C Street and [snorts] the
elimination of these of this parking lot would
increase that those difficulties.
Um there can be many concepts but we that can happen to address the missing
parking spaces. Um and we do need further development on
Laurel like this in order to be able to continue seeing Laurel to grow but we
also need to make sure that there's [snorts] that there is parking for the
public and not just for private private parking for businesses.
Um after all, we need Main Street to be more than hairdressers and uh
and clinics and we would like to see a thriving
retail environment. Thank you.
» Thank you, sir.
Robin Kenny?
Just press that button so it turns right. There you go.
» Hello, I'm Robin Kenny at um 8846 Heron's Flight. I also teach at
Deerfield Run Elementary School in Laurel as well as um a regular at uh
Three Gear Games and Studios. Um
I know that we all are looking to support the thriving atmosphere of
Laurel Main Street. But, as you've heard from the other speakers,
you can understand that there is a insufficiency of parking in the area.
Um I have been on the verge of turning around and going home instead of
attending some events in Laurel Main Street because of an inability to find
parking. And lucky for me, somebody pulled out just as I was about to turn
around and go home. So, when I saw the sign saying that
you're going to develop 26 C Street, I became concerned for my ability to
continue finding parking and thus providing business for the businesses on
C Street. Um
I know that there is parking at a lot on uh I believe it's A Street.
But, as a woman who stays over at Three Gear uh Studios until after sunset, I am
uncomfortable with regularly and predictably walking between C Street and
A Street all by myself. There is simply
not enough light, not enough people. I don't feel safe.
Similarly, my husband has a heart condition and you know that we've been
having a lot of um heat warn- heat warnings.
I would not feel comfortable letting him come to Three Gear if I did not know
that there was a nearby parking lot. I do not think that people with heart
conditions would be able to walk that distance in the heat and not suffer
potential health consequences. Whatever you do with the property,
I beg of you, please consider that that parking lot is heavily used to
overflowing on a regular basis. And if you would like to look at data of
what happens when that parking lot is removed during last winter snowstorm
when we had the {quote} snow creep situation. That lot was cut off for many
days and regulars at 3 Gear Studios were talking about setting up car pools. You
can't do that for drive-by visitors. You have to have it be a planned event for
car pool to work. As it was, I was driving Stewart and his wife to their
business in order to drop them off so they would not have to tie up one of the
few parking spaces that were available during the snow crete situation.
So, whether you develop the property or not, I beg of you, please consider the
parking. If people cannot park their cars, they cannot shop and they cannot
help Main Street or C Street thrive. Thank you.
» Thank you.
Uh Mr. Kohler, Matthew Kohler?
» Hi, I'm Matthew Kohler. I live at 201 10th Street in Laurel.
And I am a frequent patron of both Cleopatra's and 3 Gear Games. Those were
the places that I came and became regulars at when I first moved to
Laurel. That was where I went to >> [snorts]
» make new friends and find a sense of community. And now,
years later, like so many of my friends from not just Laurel, but all around, I
have met and have found their way into our friend group and a lot of the Laurel
community and all of the involvement just through these businesses here. So,
it's not just about the people here who live in Laurel and that, but it's really
about these are places that build the
community and bring people to Laurel and I know that, like,
not having the parking there would definitely dissuade a lot of the people
who I know who come from going.
So, yeah. I support the development um and I would just encourage consideration
that also whatever is developed there is also going to end up using
additional parking. So, it might not even be
adequate for an in-kind parking situation. And so, it's just important
to consider the parking impact. Thank you.
» Thank you.
I also have a
I have uh We did Did we get Kimberly Gilliam
Gilliam?
The light's on. Just give us your name and address.
» Hi, my name is Kimberly Gilliam. I live at 8901 Briardale Lane, Laurel,
Maryland. Um
as most of the people here, I'm a common customer at Three Gear.
Um I think the usefulness of the parking lot was very heavily demonstrated during
the snow creek situation where I knew the city of Laurel, but the other people
my game are not from the city of Laurel. They're from Montgomery County. So, I
remember I drove in one Saturday night when all the clubs were going on. So, it
was already very full and there were people walking.
And um this girl like told us over Discord, I parked by the Laurel library.
And we were like, "Honey, why?" >> [laughter]
» But she was just so unaware of where to park once that asset was gone.
And likewise, I have other friends who come in from Montgomery County into
Prince George's to this store specifically and the area to come play
at this you know,
provide community, buy things at nearby stores and whatnot. And we had to be
dinner at Noodles & Company or whatever. Um so
I think I'm fine if something gets developed there, but like the parking
alone, that will just you know, you won't have anybody
visiting as much because we won't know where to put our cars without getting
towed and you know, getting towed is not great. I've had it happen once.
Um I think that's really all I have to add
here. Um just please consider the parking situation. It's hard enough as a
local finding for like the Main Street festivals and everything. Thank you.
» Thank you. Uh we have two written testimonies.
Uh I'll just give the names. I won't read the testimony, but if they go into
the record, um
both are speaking to the same issue of the
parking issue. Uh the first is Elaine Cathell
um from Trevino Terrace and the other one is a
Charlotte DeTour Twaite. And the same thing is a concerned about
the parking. So, I'll get those two in the record. Uh
there was uh there may be other folks here that haven't had a chance to sign
up to speak. You're welcome. Is there anybody that would like to speak that
didn't sign up in advance? Come on up.
Right up here.
And just hit that bar so that that light turns on and give us your name and
address. >> Yes, my name is Cassandra Schartzer. I
live at 9680 Barrel House Road in Laurel, Maryland. Um I did sign up on
the sheet back there to sign up or to speak.
» Oh, did I miss [snorts] you? What was your name? I'm sorry.
» It's Cassandra Schartzer. It's the sheet's over there, but I don't
» Oh, okay. Well, we'll go ahead. >> So, [snorts]
as someone who was born and raised in Laurel, I originally lived on Montrose
Avenue. I have attended numerous Main Street festivals. So, most
of that street gets shut down during any type of major event that's
going on. And so, again, like everyone else, I'm okay with
the development of the sub lot into one singular plot, but just keeping in
mind, of course, like everyone has said,
parking. Because, again, as someone who's going up here for
the last 30 years of my life, uh parking has always been an issue ever since 2000
until now, especially on C Street with the development. There are several
buildings that I'm happy to see have that have been renovated and reused,
like the Mystic Lounge and the Sky Vibe Bar. But, again, like everyone
says, it's constantly overflowing with people. Like, I have to go and park on A
Street or B Street in order to find parking. And then, of course, there's
the farmers market that happens once a week
and to several other events where everything gets shut down. And just as,
again, someone who's been in Laurel, and as [clears throat] everyone else has
said, it's hard to find parking if you don't know Laurel very well.
So, that was my main point, but I I attend a lot of these businesses, such
as Three Gear Games, uh the Crystal Fox, other items like
that, on Main Street. And it's a vital and
important part of my life, which cuz a lot of those businesses I do go to, like
the Chamber Room. I know the nice lady that runs that store. So,
just keeping in mind, if we're going to develop for the community, we just want
to have that parking lot or something where people can go to C Street and to
Main Street and utilize everything because there's a lot of great things.
There's a lot of historical importance of Main Street, and I just want to make
sure that all of that remains and people still have access to it.
» Thank you very much. >> You're welcome.
» Anybody else that hadn't signed up or had signed up back there and we didn't
get the sheet?
As as it as you all know, this is a process. Uh we're we're we're just
combining some plots now. It's a basically county paperwork to to make it
one single plot. As far as what goes on there, that's a another set of
decisions. I welcome you all back to evaluate those at the
as as the property develops, there'll be things on the website. I encourage you
all to stay engaged. This is what influences developers and and and people
on boards like us. So, if there's nobody else left that wants to speak, I'll
close the public hearing at 6:27 and gentlemen, I'll entertain a motion.
» Um, can I make a comment? >> Yeah, go ahead. Yeah.
» Mr. Chairman, I I would like to make a comment that
possibly clarify cuz as far as I know, that parking lot that everybody is
mentioning there, I do not believe that is a public parking lot. So, the owner
of that is just kind of graciously letting people park there for now, but
um, that's not something that has, you know,
open to the public for parking there. Just want to clarify that.
» Thank you. >> Yeah, come on up.
We We'll just allow one more question and then we're going to go to
» To clarify, even though that is not technically a public parking spot, by de
facto, it's being used as a public parking spot to great community
» We We understand Yeah, we understand that. We just want to make sure that
people that are watching don't don't realize that we're we're going to it's a
public parking lot currently. But, I appreciate that. Any other comments?
» Um, well, while we're commenting, um,
also the parking lot that that is public, the city-owned parking lot at 3
14 Main Street, um, I go by there every night. And, um,
it's rarely halfway full. Um, there's no charge to park there. And
to walk from there, uh, one one and a half blocks to C
Street. And then down C Street another half a block. That's a very easy walk.
And it's well lit. It's Main Street's well lit.
Um, that's what I would do. I'd park there
in that public lot and take that short walk over there. Now, the other city lot
that's up the street a little further, um, that is full just about every night.
But, that one down there at 3 314 Main, that'd be the place to park.
» Fox. >> Uh, right across from Crystal Fox, yeah.
There's a lot of parking in there. It even has, uh,
meters for electric cars to plug into. And that's probably a charge on that,
but there's no charge to anything to park in the lot.
Another question, Rick. >> Uh, we
we're we'll we'll just leave it at that, if that's okay. I don't want to keep
going back and forth. Uh, Mr. Grant, >> Just have one question for the director.
Is the city council aware of the parking situation? And are they planning
anything as far as you know? >> [snorts]
» Good evening. Jamie City Director of the Department of Economic and Community
Development. Uh, I know particularly the Ward One council members, uh, Council
Member Cole and Council Member Simmons, um, are aware of, um,
the parking, uh, stress that many residents and shoppers feel downtown.
Uh, I know the mayor also is aware. Um, you may recall a couple months ago
there was, uh, special exception application,
uh, for a rental hall use on C Street. Um, and that was, uh, we we certainly
passed up um, the thoughts and the recommendations the sort of requests for
additional parking. A parking garage costs between 20 and
30,000 dollars for parking spot. It's a mighty heavy financial lift. And
otherwise, you know, all of the parcels downtown
are are owned and occupied for the most
part. So, I can't say to you that there is
an increase in parking imminent, but I do know that at all levels
both staff and elected officials, people certainly are aware of the the parking
stress. >> Thanks.
» Mhm. >> I think this body has waived parking
requirements for businesses on Main Street for the last 25 years that I know
of and to to do that to encourage businesses to come of course at some
point it it's you know, you can only do so much on
Main Street. With that, I do appreciate everybody's
input. I'm open for a motion for item number
four. >> Mr. Chairman,
I'll make a motion to approve the plat of consolidation and resolution number
26-08-PC 26 C Street filed by Urban Atlantic
Development LLC. >> Thank you all. Look for a second.
» Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Grant. Please call the
roll. >> Mr. Wolford.
» Yes. >> Mr. Grant.
» Yes. >> Chairman Wilson.
» Yes, and I thank you all for coming. If if you're just here for the number four,
you're welcome to go cuz I assume people have better things to do than listen to
us pontificate, but uh but if you want to take a moment and
before we get started again, if not, we'll go ahead and continue.
All right. Thank you. Go ahead do agenda item number five, the
forest conservation plan plan and application for and resolution number
2605 PC for the Islamic Community Center of Laurel.
Welcome again. >> Thank you. Good evening again, chairman
and members of the planning commission. Again, my name is Raven E. I'm the
deputy director of the Department of Economic and Community Development. Um,
the applicant is requesting forest conservation plan approval in support of
their plan to expand their existing house of worship and parking lot. This
requires removal of some existing trees and the applicant plans to plant new
trees elsewhere on the property. The In our analysis, the applicant
received a natural resources inventory um, equivalency letter which uh,
replaces a forest delineation from the then department director Monte Burrough
in February 10th, 2025 and that letter of exemption continues in force.
They subsequently submitted a forest conservation plan which is required for
any project on land 40,000 square feet or greater.
The applicant has proposed and declare 0.11 acres on tax ID lot 5514776
and to plant compensatory trees on the portion of the lot as indicated in the
landscaping drawings included in the application and they should also um,
face through on the presentation. Um,
So, >> [sighs and gasps]
» although the forest conservation worksheet does not require any
reforestation or afforestation, the applicant intends to
plant new trees as part of the landscaping which will total
approximately 0.23 acres. These trees will perform will form a perimeter along
the fence line with a couple of trees added as part of the landscaping within
the parking lot. So, the required per the um, state
requirements is zero acres, but they are proposing to plant to 0.23 acres.
The details of what will be planted and where as well as their two-year
maintenance agreement, are all also included in the application materials.
All conditions and requirements have been met per the
unified land development code section 20-41.6.
Staff found all conditions and requirements outlined by both state and
city of Laurel guidelines to have been not only met but exceeded. So, staff
recommends that the planning commission approve forest conservation plan FCP
2026-0094. And I'm happy to answer any questions
the commission may have. >> Any questions, gentlemen?
» No. >> No questions.
» Um thank you. Is there anybody from the applicant that would like to speak?
If you give us your name and affiliation.
» Sure. Abdullah Hijazi here of the law firm of Hijazi and Carol out of Bowie,
Maryland. I want to thank staff for their wonderful help with this
application, especially the last two or three months on this. Um this is, as you
heard, I Well, first I represent the North American Islamic Trust, uh which
is a trust that holds title to a portion of the property and the
ICCL, the Islamic Community Center of Laurel. Islamic Community Center of
Laurel, as many of you may know, has been around for several decades and has
been a long-standing partner of the city.
Um believe it or not, I actually used to attend Friday and Sunday programs
as early as 30-some years ago
at ICCL in its current condition. And so, the expansion has been a long way
coming and it's a much-needed for the growing population and congregation of
the mosque and community center as a whole.
Um as you heard, the the organization does not need to plant
any trees but has gone out of its way to make sure to plant some trees for
aesthetics and some of the protection noise buffer and also just landscape
buffer around the perimeter. Um also, I don't know if you it was alluded to but
the majority of the forest that is on site is being retained.
Um the exact numbers were not mentioned,
but 1.3 acres of forest exists on the site. 1.11 of those um or 1.19 of those
acres are remaining. So, very little acreage of forest is being removed and
there as you can see there's more than that that's being replanted for
afforestation. Uh we agree with staff's recommendation for approval. We
appreciate staff's time. Um we are available for any questions if
there are any and um other than that uh that's all I have today.
» Thank you very much. >> Also with me I have a lot of the
congregation here as you can see this is a very important job and the uh project
for the congregation and leadership is here, several members are here, several
congregants that aren't even members are here. So, if uh you have any questions
I'm more than available. >> You guys did good. You raised your own
lawyer. >> [laughter]
» Thank you very much. Appreciate it. >> Is there any questions to the applicant?
Good. I'll take a motion. >> Mr. President, I'd like to make a motion
to approve the first conservation plan applicant
and resolution number 26-05 PC Islamic Community Center of Laurel
7306 Contee Road Fire Lane North North America Islamic Trust Inc.
» Thank you, Mr. Grant.
» I'll second the motion. >> Call the roll.
Please. >> Mr. Grant.
» Yes. >> Mr. Wolford.
» Yes. >> Chairman Wilson.
» I agree. Yes. >> [clears throat]
» And that's it. Thank you all folks. Um
» Thank you guys. Appreciate it.
» [music]
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