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[1:39] » All these smiling faces. >> [music]

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[2:00] » The 624th meeting of the city of Laurel Planning Commission.

[2:06] We have a good size crowd here today and we're

[2:09] ready to get started. We're going to just do them in order.

[2:12] So, I was going to try to do four first, but uh we have our folks from the county

[2:16] here. So, uh

[2:18] please call the roll. >> Council President Smith.

[2:22] Mr. Welford. >> Here.

[2:24] » Mr. Grant. >> Here.

[2:27] » Mr. Kish.

[2:30] Mr. Smith. Chairman Wilson.

[2:33] » Here. >> You have a quorum.

[2:35] » Thank you very much. Um you guys have had a chance to look at the

[2:39] minutes. I appreciate the minutes every time we

[2:42] get them. I know that's a ton of work. So, uh if you have any changes or

[2:46] anything or a vote motion, we'll take it now.

[2:51] » Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make a motion to approve the minutes from the June

[2:55] 9th, 2026 meeting as received from staff.

[2:59] » I'll second it. >> Turn your mic on, you.

[3:01] » Second it. >> Thank you.

[3:04] Please call the roll. >> Mr. Welford.

[3:06] » Yes. >> Mr. Grant.

[3:07] » Here. >> Chairman Wilson.

[3:09] » Here. >> Motion carries.

[3:10] » Thanks again for that. And we're going to move into agenda item number three,

[3:13] the Ford's Conservation Plan and the resolution.

[3:19] » Good evening, chairman [snorts] and members of the Planning Commission. My

[3:23] name is Ravenel. I am the deputy director of the Department of Economic

[3:26] and Community Development. Prince George's County Department of the

[3:29] Environment is currently in the process of restoring Bear Branch Stream, um the

[3:34] parcel between Van Dusen Road and Contee Road. The parcel is owned by the city of

[3:40] Laurel and it is an open space parcel functioning as a county flood plain

[3:44] easement. The wetlands in the upstream project

[3:47] extent will be protected and restored. This project will ultimately stabilize

[3:52] the bank and eroding channel um improving overall water quality and

[3:56] promoting a healthier ecosystem complete with supportive conditions for

[4:00] full forest restoration. So in our analysis the applicant

[4:04] received forest stand delineation approval from staff on July 7th, 2026

[4:09] and submitted a forest conservation plan which is required for any project on

[4:13] land 40,000 square feet or greater. The applicant is proposing to clear 3.24

[4:18] acres on tax ID lot 304881. Note that this is a county funded

[4:25] restoration project so the total replanting planned is for a 3.82 acres

[4:30] of reforestation. Per section 20-41.8 of the unified land development code the

[4:37] applicant is required to replant a total of 0.1 acres which will be met and

[4:42] exceeded by the much higher target of 3.82 acres.

[4:46] So minimum required for the forest conservation worksheet again is 0.1

[4:50] acres. Proposed replanting will be 3.82 acres.

[4:54] The details of exactly what will be planted and where as well as the

[4:58] two-year maintenance agreement are all included in the application materials.

[5:02] Um all conditions and requirements have been met per the unified land

[5:06] development code section 20-41.6 um and we found that all requirements

[5:12] outlined both by the state and the city of Laurel guidelines have been not only

[5:16] met but exceeded so staff recommends that the planning commission approves

[5:20] forest conservation plan FCP 2026-0102.

[5:28] » Thank you. Are there any questions of staff?

[5:31] » No questions. >> Do we have the applicant? If

[5:33] » Yes. >> If you'd like to say something.

[5:38] » Just come on up to the podium and if you press the bar it'll um unmute.

[5:44] » Thank you for coming. >> Thank you.

[5:47] Yeah, my name is Jignesh Shah and I'm a project manager from Prince George's

[5:51] County Department of the Environment for this project Bear Branch Phase 3 stream

[5:55] restoration project. As everyone said, that like I'm in we have made all the

[5:59] requirement now. And this project is a part of our what water quality pro NPDES

[6:05] SMS 4 water quality program. And with this project we are also going to claim

[6:09] the credit for the impervious acre that we are mandated by it's mandated by the

[6:15] state. So, and we have met all the requirements

[6:19] and exceeded actually the requirement for the forest conservation.

[6:22] » And Bear Bear Branch feeds into what we call Laurel Lakes.

[6:26] » Yeah. >> Right? And we have that silting problem

[6:29] that we have with Laurel Lakes where it silts up. So, this should help that.

[6:33] » Yeah, definitely. Yes, it will yeah, because

[6:36] county did the Laurel Lake uh restoration program for a few years back

[6:41] retrofitting that. And this is I think it's on the upstream side of this is

[6:45] Bear Branch that this is phase one county did it. Then

[6:49] phase two and this is a part of phase three. The entire stream from the Vendee

[6:53] center to the county road. >> Thank you. Any questions for the

[6:56] applicant? Thank you [clears throat] very much,

[6:59] sir. >> Thank you.

[7:00] » Um I'll open the public hearing at uh

[7:05] 6:04 and I do have uh two people signed up to

[7:09] speak two

[7:11] one person signed up to speak Mr. er It's hard to read the handwriting. I

[7:17] think that's S H E T H.

[7:21] Oh, that Okay, you that's good. You've already

[7:25] done I didn't know who if it was uh the second one. Uh

[7:29] no other questions of uh staff or the applicant. I'll entertain a motion.

[7:39] » Mr. Chairman, I'll make a motion to approve the forest conservation plan

[7:45] and resolution number 26-11-PC for Bear Branch phase three stream

[7:52] restoration. Um at 304881 Van Dusen Road filed by

[7:59] Century Engineering LLC, a Klein Fielder company,

[8:04] on behalf of Prince George's County Department of the Environment.

[8:09] » Um thank you very much. I forgot to close the public hearing. I'll close it

[8:12] out at 6:05. You have a second? >> Second the motion.

[8:15] » Thank you. Please call the roll.

[8:18] » Mr. Welford. >> Yes.

[8:19] » Mr. Grant. >> Yes.

[8:21] » Chairman Wilson. >> Yes.

[8:22] » Motion carries. >> Thank you very much, sir. Appreciate it.

[8:27] Move to um I agenda item number four, a plat of

[8:31] consolidation and the resolution filed by Urban Atlantic Development.

[8:40] » Um good evening, chairperson, members of the Planning Commission. Um I am Connor

[8:44] Johnson, a planner three with the Department of Economic and Community

[8:47] Development. For your review today is agenda item number four, the technical

[8:51] staff report for plat of consolidation application number 983 for 26C Street.

[8:57] The applicant, Urban Atlantic Development LLC, is seeking record plat

[9:01] of consolidation approval to combine lots one through four and 20 through 23

[9:06] uh of block 40 to form one new lot at the property located at 26C Street.

[9:12] There is currently one structure on the properties comprising this plat of

[9:15] consolidation, um which is a commercial building that

[9:17] has been vacant since 2018. The adjacent adjacent zoning

[9:21] designations are as follows: north, south, and west are commercial village.

[9:26] Uh to the east is R20, which is one family semi-detached, two family

[9:29] detached, and one family triple detached zone.

[9:33] Um it is long-standing city policy and

[9:36] urban planning best practice to consolidate parcels and plats whenever

[9:40] possible. As such, staff recommends that the planning commission approve plat of

[9:44] consolidation application number 983 with the following conditions: that the

[9:48] applicant shall ensure that the plat is properly recorded, the applicant shall

[9:52] ensure that the plat is filed with the land records of Prince George's County,

[9:55] Maryland, and the applicant shall update titles, tax records, deeds, and mortgage

[9:59] lenders as necessary. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[10:02] » Thank you. Um any questions of staff?

[10:06] » No. >> Yeah, we're good.

[10:08] Okay, thank you. Um I don't have any questions. Let me open up the uh

[10:13] uh let me I'll open it up to the applicant if they want to say something.

[10:17] The applicant's here? Give us your name and affiliation.

[10:21] After you push the button. There you go. >> Uh good evening, uh Mr. Chairman and

[10:25] members of the commission. Tim Longfellow with the engineering firm of

[10:29] Gutschick Little and Weber with office in Burtonsville at 3909 National Drive,

[10:34] suite 250. We're here on behalf of Urban Atlantic.

[10:38] Nothing to to really offer other than, you know, we support and thank staff for

[10:43] all their hard work in getting this uh to this point, and we're here to answer

[10:46] any questions that you might have. >> Okay, thank you. Any questions, guys?

[10:50] » Well, not for this application, but I'm certainly further down the road when we

[10:54] start to getting closer to whatever's going to happen there.

[10:59] » All we're approving tonight is the plot combination.

[11:02] » Yes, sir. >> So, thank you very much, sir.

[11:04] » Thank you. >> Um

[11:06] if there's no other questions, let me open up the public hearing at 6:08,

[11:11] and I have quite a number of people that signed up to speak.

[11:15] Uh let me start with uh Mr. Long fellow, I believe. It's hard to read the

[11:22] Oh, that's you. Okay. Um Mr.

[11:28] Granger? You're good. with him? Okay. Mr.

[11:34] Delgado? Or Ms. Delgado? Danielle, I'm sorry.

[11:39] » You're fine. >> If you can hit that button and give us

[11:42] your name and address for the record. >> Good evening. My name is Danielle

[11:46] Delgado. I live on 7553 Woodbine Drive here in the city of Laurel.

[11:51] I believe that if future development is to continue in this area, it is vital

[11:56] that you as a planning board continue to ask thoughtful questions and obtain

[11:59] satisfactory answers regarding for current residents and businesses, future

[12:04] tenants, and for all visitors of Main Street. I'm not inherently opposed to

[12:08] whatever future development may happen on this property.

[12:12] But in fact, if adequate parking is designed to be available on the property

[12:16] alongside mixed-use development, this project could support the long-term

[12:20] health and vitality of Main Street. However, as it stands today, parking is

[12:25] already a significant challenge. I know you are aware of the concerns previously

[12:29] raised by businesses on C Street regarding parking availability. I'm a

[12:34] regular customer of Three Year Games, and I know how difficult it can be to

[12:38] find nearby parking. I can only imagine the struggle it is for customers with uh

[12:42] mobility issues and access needs. So, if these concerns are not adequately

[12:46] addressed as the process continues, the consequences could negatively impact

[12:50] many of our local businesses and neighbors.

[12:53] While Laurel is ideally situated between DC, Baltimore, and Annapolis, our

[12:57] community still relies heavily on personal vehicles. And I wish we had

[13:01] more robust public transportation options, but the reality is we do not.

[13:05] And as a result, parking and accessibility must be carefully

[13:08] considered as decisions are made on behalf of residents, business owners,

[13:12] and visitors alike. So, I encourage you, the board, to

[13:15] ensure that any development proposal that comes your way includes realistic

[13:19] and sustainable plans for meeting the parking needs of both the current and

[13:23] future users of this area. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate it.

[13:31] Mr. Myers, John Myers.

[13:39] Welcome. Just give us your name and address.

[13:42] » Of course. Good afternoon. My name is John Myers. I

[13:46] have been a resident of 7634 Arbury Court in Laurel for 32 years, and

[13:52] I'm speaking today to voice my opinion against the proposed plat of

[13:56] consolidation for 26 C Street. On lots one and two of 26 C Street,

[14:01] there is a public parking lot that supports no less than four entertainment

[14:06] venues on Main Street and C Street. These venues include, but are not

[14:11] limited to, the Sky Vibe Restaurant and Lounge, the Mist Lounge, Three Gear

[14:17] Games and Studios, and Chez Yams uh Catering and Functions.

[14:23] Should this current plat of consolidation be approved, these venues

[14:26] would lose access to valuable parking spaces for their customers to utilize.

[14:30] Street parking alone is not sufficient for these businesses, and any buildings

[14:34] built upon lots one and two would only provide parking for those specific

[14:38] tenants. All others would be towed. Additionally, removal of this public

[14:43] parking would hurt logistics for any large-scale events on Main Street. The

[14:47] parking lot provides a storage area for large event vehicles or temporary

[14:51] construction. The lot is also a strategic staging for

[14:55] public personnel in case of an emergency during a public event.

[15:01] Rather than outright prevent potential growth through this consolidation, I

[15:04] would like to propose the following. Any construction on lots one and two

[15:09] must provide a number of public parking spaces equal to or greater than the ones

[15:14] provided by the current parking lot. Alternatively, it would be deemed

[15:18] acceptable if the current public parking lot were left in place, but a property

[15:22] or business owner for the lot would provide maintenance to the lot while

[15:26] maintaining its public status. Either of these propositions would

[15:30] ensure the growth of commerce and community on Main Street without

[15:34] subjecting the area to crowding or discourse.

[15:37] And I'd like to thank you for your time and for the opportunity for the public

[15:40] to voice their concerns. >> Thank you, sir.

[15:46] We have Mr. Stewart

[15:50] S I G E X

[15:54] I'm sorry. It's hard to read the handwriting.

[15:57] If you give us your name and address. You have to hit that button again to to

[16:00] make it red.

[16:02] » Stewart Sinex. Um

[16:04] » S I N >> E X

[16:06] » Okay. Got you. >> I'm aware my spelling is

[16:09] » It's not the spelling. >> creative

[16:11] » My handwriting is worse than yours, so. And your address, sir?

[16:14] » Um I live in 8846 Heron's Flight in Lauren, but I am the uh

[16:20] owner of Three Gear Games on 25 C Street.

[16:25] Um on that delightful list of businesses that do use the parking

[16:31] on lots one and two of the proposed consolidation, I would like to also add

[16:38] um the art gallery on 20 I think it's 20

[16:45] uh 21 C Street. Um and Cleopatra's

[16:50] um over around uh C Street Flats.

[16:55] Um the I think the two people ahead of me

[16:58] said a lot of our concerns very elegantly.

[17:01] Um and particularly the concerns there are

[17:05] concerns for people with mobility issues since there is a lack of any kind of

[17:12] handicaps parking for the public anywhere near there.

[17:16] Uh there are two public lots on Main Street. Both of those are insufficient

[17:20] and when the twice a month when the current venues

[17:26] do come in bring in people on mass,

[17:31] uh the current parking lot it overflows so people start parking parking on

[17:36] grass. Um as well as there is there are now

[17:42] uh hostilities among the neighbors

[17:45] over renting of 30

[17:49] parking um parking spots on uh 13th C Street and [snorts] the

[17:55] elimination of these of this parking lot would

[18:00] increase that those difficulties.

[18:04] Um there can be many concepts but we that can happen to address the missing

[18:08] parking spaces. Um and we do need further development on

[18:12] Laurel like this in order to be able to continue seeing Laurel to grow but we

[18:17] also need to make sure that there's [snorts] that there is parking for the

[18:20] public and not just for private private parking for businesses.

[18:25] Um after all, we need Main Street to be more than hairdressers and uh

[18:31] and clinics and we would like to see a thriving

[18:34] retail environment. Thank you.

[18:37] » Thank you, sir.

[18:42] Robin Kenny?

[18:48] Just press that button so it turns right. There you go.

[18:52] » Hello, I'm Robin Kenny at um 8846 Heron's Flight. I also teach at

[18:58] Deerfield Run Elementary School in Laurel as well as um a regular at uh

[19:04] Three Gear Games and Studios. Um

[19:08] I know that we all are looking to support the thriving atmosphere of

[19:13] Laurel Main Street. But, as you've heard from the other speakers,

[19:18] you can understand that there is a insufficiency of parking in the area.

[19:23] Um I have been on the verge of turning around and going home instead of

[19:27] attending some events in Laurel Main Street because of an inability to find

[19:33] parking. And lucky for me, somebody pulled out just as I was about to turn

[19:37] around and go home. So, when I saw the sign saying that

[19:41] you're going to develop 26 C Street, I became concerned for my ability to

[19:45] continue finding parking and thus providing business for the businesses on

[19:50] C Street. Um

[19:53] I know that there is parking at a lot on uh I believe it's A Street.

[19:58] But, as a woman who stays over at Three Gear uh Studios until after sunset, I am

[20:05] uncomfortable with regularly and predictably walking between C Street and

[20:11] A Street all by myself. There is simply

[20:16] not enough light, not enough people. I don't feel safe.

[20:20] Similarly, my husband has a heart condition and you know that we've been

[20:24] having a lot of um heat warn- heat warnings.

[20:30] I would not feel comfortable letting him come to Three Gear if I did not know

[20:34] that there was a nearby parking lot. I do not think that people with heart

[20:38] conditions would be able to walk that distance in the heat and not suffer

[20:44] potential health consequences. Whatever you do with the property,

[20:49] I beg of you, please consider that that parking lot is heavily used to

[20:54] overflowing on a regular basis. And if you would like to look at data of

[20:59] what happens when that parking lot is removed during last winter snowstorm

[21:04] when we had the {quote} snow creep situation. That lot was cut off for many

[21:10] days and regulars at 3 Gear Studios were talking about setting up car pools. You

[21:17] can't do that for drive-by visitors. You have to have it be a planned event for

[21:22] car pool to work. As it was, I was driving Stewart and his wife to their

[21:28] business in order to drop them off so they would not have to tie up one of the

[21:32] few parking spaces that were available during the snow crete situation.

[21:37] So, whether you develop the property or not, I beg of you, please consider the

[21:42] parking. If people cannot park their cars, they cannot shop and they cannot

[21:48] help Main Street or C Street thrive. Thank you.

[21:52] » Thank you.

[21:55] Uh Mr. Kohler, Matthew Kohler?

[22:06] » Hi, I'm Matthew Kohler. I live at 201 10th Street in Laurel.

[22:10] And I am a frequent patron of both Cleopatra's and 3 Gear Games. Those were

[22:16] the places that I came and became regulars at when I first moved to

[22:20] Laurel. That was where I went to >> [snorts]

[22:23] » make new friends and find a sense of community. And now,

[22:28] years later, like so many of my friends from not just Laurel, but all around, I

[22:33] have met and have found their way into our friend group and a lot of the Laurel

[22:37] community and all of the involvement just through these businesses here. So,

[22:43] it's not just about the people here who live in Laurel and that, but it's really

[22:47] about these are places that build the

[22:50] community and bring people to Laurel and I know that, like,

[22:57] not having the parking there would definitely dissuade a lot of the people

[23:01] who I know who come from going.

[23:04] So, yeah. I support the development um and I would just encourage consideration

[23:10] that also whatever is developed there is also going to end up using

[23:14] additional parking. So, it might not even be

[23:17] adequate for an in-kind parking situation. And so, it's just important

[23:21] to consider the parking impact. Thank you.

[23:24] » Thank you.

[23:27] I also have a

[23:33] I have uh We did Did we get Kimberly Gilliam

[23:38] Gilliam?

[23:46] The light's on. Just give us your name and address.

[23:49] » Hi, my name is Kimberly Gilliam. I live at 8901 Briardale Lane, Laurel,

[23:54] Maryland. Um

[23:56] as most of the people here, I'm a common customer at Three Gear.

[24:01] Um I think the usefulness of the parking lot was very heavily demonstrated during

[24:06] the snow creek situation where I knew the city of Laurel, but the other people

[24:12] my game are not from the city of Laurel. They're from Montgomery County. So, I

[24:16] remember I drove in one Saturday night when all the clubs were going on. So, it

[24:20] was already very full and there were people walking.

[24:23] And um this girl like told us over Discord, I parked by the Laurel library.

[24:30] And we were like, "Honey, why?" >> [laughter]

[24:33] » But she was just so unaware of where to park once that asset was gone.

[24:40] And likewise, I have other friends who come in from Montgomery County into

[24:44] Prince George's to this store specifically and the area to come play

[24:48] at this you know,

[24:50] provide community, buy things at nearby stores and whatnot. And we had to be

[24:54] dinner at Noodles & Company or whatever. Um so

[24:59] I think I'm fine if something gets developed there, but like the parking

[25:04] alone, that will just you know, you won't have anybody

[25:08] visiting as much because we won't know where to put our cars without getting

[25:11] towed and you know, getting towed is not great. I've had it happen once.

[25:17] Um I think that's really all I have to add

[25:20] here. Um just please consider the parking situation. It's hard enough as a

[25:24] local finding for like the Main Street festivals and everything. Thank you.

[25:29] » Thank you. Uh we have two written testimonies.

[25:33] Uh I'll just give the names. I won't read the testimony, but if they go into

[25:37] the record, um

[25:41] both are speaking to the same issue of the

[25:45] parking issue. Uh the first is Elaine Cathell

[25:50] um from Trevino Terrace and the other one is a

[25:55] Charlotte DeTour Twaite. And the same thing is a concerned about

[26:00] the parking. So, I'll get those two in the record. Uh

[26:03] there was uh there may be other folks here that haven't had a chance to sign

[26:06] up to speak. You're welcome. Is there anybody that would like to speak that

[26:09] didn't sign up in advance? Come on up.

[26:19] Right up here.

[26:24] And just hit that bar so that that light turns on and give us your name and

[26:28] address. >> Yes, my name is Cassandra Schartzer. I

[26:30] live at 9680 Barrel House Road in Laurel, Maryland. Um I did sign up on

[26:36] the sheet back there to sign up or to speak.

[26:39] » Oh, did I miss [snorts] you? What was your name? I'm sorry.

[26:42] » It's Cassandra Schartzer. It's the sheet's over there, but I don't

[26:45] » Oh, okay. Well, we'll go ahead. >> So, [snorts]

[26:48] as someone who was born and raised in Laurel, I originally lived on Montrose

[26:51] Avenue. I have attended numerous Main Street festivals. So, most

[26:56] of that street gets shut down during any type of major event that's

[27:00] going on. And so, again, like everyone else, I'm okay with

[27:04] the development of the sub lot into one singular plot, but just keeping in

[27:10] mind, of course, like everyone has said,

[27:13] parking. Because, again, as someone who's going up here for

[27:16] the last 30 years of my life, uh parking has always been an issue ever since 2000

[27:21] until now, especially on C Street with the development. There are several

[27:24] buildings that I'm happy to see have that have been renovated and reused,

[27:28] like the Mystic Lounge and the Sky Vibe Bar. But, again, like everyone

[27:33] says, it's constantly overflowing with people. Like, I have to go and park on A

[27:36] Street or B Street in order to find parking. And then, of course, there's

[27:42] the farmers market that happens once a week

[27:44] and to several other events where everything gets shut down. And just as,

[27:48] again, someone who's been in Laurel, and as [clears throat] everyone else has

[27:50] said, it's hard to find parking if you don't know Laurel very well.

[27:54] So, that was my main point, but I I attend a lot of these businesses, such

[27:58] as Three Gear Games, uh the Crystal Fox, other items like

[28:02] that, on Main Street. And it's a vital and

[28:05] important part of my life, which cuz a lot of those businesses I do go to, like

[28:09] the Chamber Room. I know the nice lady that runs that store. So,

[28:13] just keeping in mind, if we're going to develop for the community, we just want

[28:16] to have that parking lot or something where people can go to C Street and to

[28:21] Main Street and utilize everything because there's a lot of great things.

[28:24] There's a lot of historical importance of Main Street, and I just want to make

[28:28] sure that all of that remains and people still have access to it.

[28:31] » Thank you very much. >> You're welcome.

[28:34] » Anybody else that hadn't signed up or had signed up back there and we didn't

[28:37] get the sheet?

[28:42] As as it as you all know, this is a process. Uh we're we're we're just

[28:47] combining some plots now. It's a basically county paperwork to to make it

[28:51] one single plot. As far as what goes on there, that's a another set of

[28:55] decisions. I welcome you all back to evaluate those at the

[28:59] as as the property develops, there'll be things on the website. I encourage you

[29:03] all to stay engaged. This is what influences developers and and and people

[29:09] on boards like us. So, if there's nobody else left that wants to speak, I'll

[29:14] close the public hearing at 6:27 and gentlemen, I'll entertain a motion.

[29:23] » Um, can I make a comment? >> Yeah, go ahead. Yeah.

[29:25] » Mr. Chairman, I I would like to make a comment that

[29:29] possibly clarify cuz as far as I know, that parking lot that everybody is

[29:34] mentioning there, I do not believe that is a public parking lot. So, the owner

[29:41] of that is just kind of graciously letting people park there for now, but

[29:46] um, that's not something that has, you know,

[29:49] open to the public for parking there. Just want to clarify that.

[29:58] » Thank you. >> Yeah, come on up.

[30:01] We We'll just allow one more question and then we're going to go to

[30:06] » To clarify, even though that is not technically a public parking spot, by de

[30:12] facto, it's being used as a public parking spot to great community

[30:18] » We We understand Yeah, we understand that. We just want to make sure that

[30:21] people that are watching don't don't realize that we're we're going to it's a

[30:25] public parking lot currently. But, I appreciate that. Any other comments?

[30:29] » Um, well, while we're commenting, um,

[30:32] also the parking lot that that is public, the city-owned parking lot at 3

[30:38] 14 Main Street, um, I go by there every night. And, um,

[30:44] it's rarely halfway full. Um, there's no charge to park there. And

[30:50] to walk from there, uh, one one and a half blocks to C

[30:57] Street. And then down C Street another half a block. That's a very easy walk.

[31:03] And it's well lit. It's Main Street's well lit.

[31:07] Um, that's what I would do. I'd park there

[31:10] in that public lot and take that short walk over there. Now, the other city lot

[31:15] that's up the street a little further, um, that is full just about every night.

[31:21] But, that one down there at 3 314 Main, that'd be the place to park.

[31:26] » Fox. >> Uh, right across from Crystal Fox, yeah.

[31:30] There's a lot of parking in there. It even has, uh,

[31:34] meters for electric cars to plug into. And that's probably a charge on that,

[31:39] but there's no charge to anything to park in the lot.

[31:42] Another question, Rick. >> Uh, we

[31:45] we're we'll we'll just leave it at that, if that's okay. I don't want to keep

[31:48] going back and forth. Uh, Mr. Grant, >> Just have one question for the director.

[31:54] Is the city council aware of the parking situation? And are they planning

[31:59] anything as far as you know? >> [snorts]

[32:02] » Good evening. Jamie City Director of the Department of Economic and Community

[32:05] Development. Uh, I know particularly the Ward One council members, uh, Council

[32:10] Member Cole and Council Member Simmons, um, are aware of, um,

[32:16] the parking, uh, stress that many residents and shoppers feel downtown.

[32:21] Uh, I know the mayor also is aware. Um, you may recall a couple months ago

[32:27] there was, uh, special exception application,

[32:31] uh, for a rental hall use on C Street. Um, and that was, uh, we we certainly

[32:38] passed up um, the thoughts and the recommendations the sort of requests for

[32:43] additional parking. A parking garage costs between 20 and

[32:48] 30,000 dollars for parking spot. It's a mighty heavy financial lift. And

[32:55] otherwise, you know, all of the parcels downtown

[32:58] are are owned and occupied for the most

[33:01] part. So, I can't say to you that there is

[33:06] an increase in parking imminent, but I do know that at all levels

[33:12] both staff and elected officials, people certainly are aware of the the parking

[33:17] stress. >> Thanks.

[33:18] » Mhm. >> I think this body has waived parking

[33:23] requirements for businesses on Main Street for the last 25 years that I know

[33:28] of and to to do that to encourage businesses to come of course at some

[33:32] point it it's you know, you can only do so much on

[33:37] Main Street. With that, I do appreciate everybody's

[33:41] input. I'm open for a motion for item number

[33:45] four. >> Mr. Chairman,

[33:48] I'll make a motion to approve the plat of consolidation and resolution number

[33:53] 26-08-PC 26 C Street filed by Urban Atlantic

[33:59] Development LLC. >> Thank you all. Look for a second.

[34:03] » Second. >> Thank you, Mr. Grant. Please call the

[34:06] roll. >> Mr. Wolford.

[34:07] » Yes. >> Mr. Grant.

[34:09] » Yes. >> Chairman Wilson.

[34:10] » Yes, and I thank you all for coming. If if you're just here for the number four,

[34:14] you're welcome to go cuz I assume people have better things to do than listen to

[34:18] us pontificate, but uh but if you want to take a moment and

[34:21] before we get started again, if not, we'll go ahead and continue.

[34:26] All right. Thank you. Go ahead do agenda item number five, the

[34:29] forest conservation plan plan and application for and resolution number

[34:34] 2605 PC for the Islamic Community Center of Laurel.

[34:38] Welcome again. >> Thank you. Good evening again, chairman

[34:42] and members of the planning commission. Again, my name is Raven E. I'm the

[34:46] deputy director of the Department of Economic and Community Development. Um,

[34:50] the applicant is requesting forest conservation plan approval in support of

[34:54] their plan to expand their existing house of worship and parking lot. This

[34:59] requires removal of some existing trees and the applicant plans to plant new

[35:03] trees elsewhere on the property. The In our analysis, the applicant

[35:08] received a natural resources inventory um, equivalency letter which uh,

[35:13] replaces a forest delineation from the then department director Monte Burrough

[35:18] in February 10th, 2025 and that letter of exemption continues in force.

[35:24] They subsequently submitted a forest conservation plan which is required for

[35:28] any project on land 40,000 square feet or greater.

[35:32] The applicant has proposed and declare 0.11 acres on tax ID lot 5514776

[35:39] and to plant compensatory trees on the portion of the lot as indicated in the

[35:43] landscaping drawings included in the application and they should also um,

[35:48] face through on the presentation. Um,

[35:53] So, >> [sighs and gasps]

[35:54] » although the forest conservation worksheet does not require any

[35:57] reforestation or afforestation, the applicant intends to

[36:01] plant new trees as part of the landscaping which will total

[36:05] approximately 0.23 acres. These trees will perform will form a perimeter along

[36:11] the fence line with a couple of trees added as part of the landscaping within

[36:15] the parking lot. So, the required per the um, state

[36:19] requirements is zero acres, but they are proposing to plant to 0.23 acres.

[36:24] The details of what will be planted and where as well as their two-year

[36:28] maintenance agreement, are all also included in the application materials.

[36:32] All conditions and requirements have been met per the

[36:35] unified land development code section 20-41.6.

[36:40] Staff found all conditions and requirements outlined by both state and

[36:43] city of Laurel guidelines to have been not only met but exceeded. So, staff

[36:47] recommends that the planning commission approve forest conservation plan FCP

[36:52] 2026-0094. And I'm happy to answer any questions

[36:57] the commission may have. >> Any questions, gentlemen?

[37:00] » No. >> No questions.

[37:02] » Um thank you. Is there anybody from the applicant that would like to speak?

[37:06] If you give us your name and affiliation.

[37:08] » Sure. Abdullah Hijazi here of the law firm of Hijazi and Carol out of Bowie,

[37:11] Maryland. I want to thank staff for their wonderful help with this

[37:15] application, especially the last two or three months on this. Um this is, as you

[37:21] heard, I Well, first I represent the North American Islamic Trust, uh which

[37:25] is a trust that holds title to a portion of the property and the

[37:29] ICCL, the Islamic Community Center of Laurel. Islamic Community Center of

[37:33] Laurel, as many of you may know, has been around for several decades and has

[37:37] been a long-standing partner of the city.

[37:40] Um believe it or not, I actually used to attend Friday and Sunday programs

[37:44] as early as 30-some years ago

[37:48] at ICCL in its current condition. And so, the expansion has been a long way

[37:53] coming and it's a much-needed for the growing population and congregation of

[37:58] the mosque and community center as a whole.

[38:01] Um as you heard, the the organization does not need to plant

[38:05] any trees but has gone out of its way to make sure to plant some trees for

[38:09] aesthetics and some of the protection noise buffer and also just landscape

[38:13] buffer around the perimeter. Um also, I don't know if you it was alluded to but

[38:18] the majority of the forest that is on site is being retained.

[38:23] Um the exact numbers were not mentioned,

[38:26] but 1.3 acres of forest exists on the site. 1.11 of those um or 1.19 of those

[38:33] acres are remaining. So, very little acreage of forest is being removed and

[38:38] there as you can see there's more than that that's being replanted for

[38:42] afforestation. Uh we agree with staff's recommendation for approval. We

[38:46] appreciate staff's time. Um we are available for any questions if

[38:50] there are any and um other than that uh that's all I have today.

[38:54] » Thank you very much. >> Also with me I have a lot of the

[38:57] congregation here as you can see this is a very important job and the uh project

[39:02] for the congregation and leadership is here, several members are here, several

[39:06] congregants that aren't even members are here. So, if uh you have any questions

[39:10] I'm more than available. >> You guys did good. You raised your own

[39:12] lawyer. >> [laughter]

[39:16] » Thank you very much. Appreciate it. >> Is there any questions to the applicant?

[39:21] Good. I'll take a motion. >> Mr. President, I'd like to make a motion

[39:25] to approve the first conservation plan applicant

[39:29] and resolution number 26-05 PC Islamic Community Center of Laurel

[39:36] 7306 Contee Road Fire Lane North North America Islamic Trust Inc.

[39:42] » Thank you, Mr. Grant.

[39:45] » I'll second the motion. >> Call the roll.

[39:47] Please. >> Mr. Grant.

[39:49] » Yes. >> Mr. Wolford.

[39:50] » Yes. >> Chairman Wilson.

[39:52] » I agree. Yes. >> [clears throat]

[39:54] » And that's it. Thank you all folks. Um

[40:03] » Thank you guys. Appreciate it.

[40:26] » [music]

[40:34] [music]

[40:41] [music]

[40:46] [music]

624th In-Person Planning Commission Meeting 7/14/26

Transcript