[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6664966,"mediaKeyId","2366738-fb0a91d924814aea9d32d65fb8eb7fa0","parentId",2366738,"title","Planning commission approves 125-sq.-ft. side sign permit for Northridge Insurance at Magna Way","audioSeconds",370,"startMs",4248000,"endMs",4618000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2366738-fb0a91d924814aea9d32d65fb8eb7fa0&start=4248&end=4618","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2366738-fb0a91d924814aea9d32d65fb8eb7fa0/thumbnail_4248000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6664966/Westminster/Carroll-County/Maryland/Planning-commission-approves-125-sq-ft-side-sign-permit-for-Northridge-Insurance-at-Magna-Way","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664966-8ba9caa1dab51151908bf5dffa8d52e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776219584&Signature=jy0gk6kuOLoi8FyLC32rlaEwj1gqG9Jgw8myXUMS8k4dpb4gpN3I-LfRiU8k5R89r5mEGJlkUGSXG8JNArsCsCjfTJxF-g6IH2b6qGcEO2QYOyI3j2c3sMjt2YUfeSRqkL2OhyhUDCxxiXCE5cCp4kgvzED~9EV9051G88au5iaTplyz7e8Iv3CR~wFL1b4lDTUVwoHkeDf40MUSdrBa4DdRK5u7-0ERx7EZZzstTAmt2sWtqBqtq3SjBf7Pl-A91atzq18HLZ7uOk95abAfmIGJEwSSfxu28Dvcs99Qzn4WBxpZZEqb~zInMfO34ETu-ryweqQ45wzagWywcXxv9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Westminster, Maryland","date","2025-02-21T01:15:15.207Z","article","The Westminster Planning Commission approved a sign permit to allow a second 125-square-foot wall sign for Northridge Insurance at 40 Magna Way.

Planning staff said the property's frontage and elevation calculations allow up to 125 square feet of signage by Planning Commission approval. Commissioners asked whether the proposed sign would be flush-mounted to the siding or project outward; staff confirmed the sign will be a flat, stud-mounted panel attached to a flat bracket and will not protrude significantly from the siding.

A motion to approve the sign permit was made, seconded and approved on a voice vote.

Sources: Planning staff report and permit discussion at the Westminster Planning Commission meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 20, 2025 Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved a permit allowing a second 125-square-foot flat-mounted wall sign for Northridge Insurance at 40 Magna Way; staff confirmed the sign is within the property's allowable signage and will be a flat, stud-mounted panel.","taxTitle","Westminster, Carroll County, Maryland","taxId",71632,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6664971,"Planning commission certifies 2024 Westminster annual planning report and authorizes staff transmittal",212,1260000,1472000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2366738-fb0a91d924814aea9d32d65fb8eb7fa0&start=1260&end=1472","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2366738-fb0a91d924814aea9d32d65fb8eb7fa0/thumbnail_1260000.jpg","/articles/6664971/Westminster/Carroll-County/Maryland/Planning-commission-certifies-2024-Westminster-annual-planning-report-and-authorizes-staff-transmittal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664971-5e91da4b8f193ee302abaecf759b2e24/orig.mp4?Expires=1776219584&Signature=Ihfw3HVvr2QZUKV6nCXb7e53Q5RFJMAomEOPAwEyCwb7LX9OYEwaySndgN9luQ9enRyL3rxnWyq1Sy3NXKX6~oQNPT~kYe84lETUTP~jF59IQD1xa~HeFONjClQCsd1ZURAjrY15~GlySESND53erXK4zm27FCPyQQDGd6AeZldo6ZadgtDtMeP9GoF55MUteHGfr2lMxngblZ05~YjOjM16UyOY4EiiNBDOQ9ntU4qperBmTgCSRd0Rz030MwEWEmuAxR~3dXQ0XLRvLLzzpiIeg33zzyAwnIHNFA-hsHEgzRuCpK4KxvXkzfvVXFChNZULOIOSWtjqTxFAEtfcfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westminster Planning Commission voted to certify the city's 2024 annual planning report and authorized staff to sign and forward the certification to Carroll County.

Planning staff explained the city code requires municipalities to submit an annual report by July 1; county planning staff assemble municipal reports and forward materials to the county planning commission and county commissioners. The city seeks the commission's certification so the county can compile its regional materials prior to its review schedule.

A motion to approve the city's annual planning reporting information and allow staff to sign and forward the document was made, seconded and passed on a voice vote.

Sources: staff presentation and motion recorded in planning commission meeting transcript.","The commission certified the City of Westminster's 2024 annual planning report and authorized staff to sign and forward the certification to Carroll County for inclusion in the county compilation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6664975,"Work session: Westminster planning commission presses for lower-profile architecture, flat-roof options on proposed multiunit development",1893,4435000,6328000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2366738-fb0a91d924814aea9d32d65fb8eb7fa0&start=4435&end=6328","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2366738-fb0a91d924814aea9d32d65fb8eb7fa0/thumbnail_4435000.jpg","/articles/6664975/Westminster/Carroll-County/Maryland/Work-session-Westminster-planning-commission-presses-for-lower-profile-architecture-flat-roof-options-on-proposed-multiunit-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664975-486dc1d218ba20db2b3c629ef4799ae9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776219584&Signature=RmoUSx5xII5b~z0KmUmaLTF1B~bZGb6m3xo-dQpNzZBCwpUO2QqNAxaqCxaE6R2ypRKbguXW6gnXTlii1FueAcBAsT1RTW2I4nGIAp5GnHncmnHBvrwCUCDz14dkjt~Rb-DOV7D4XPFt7UemiAYa4wdu36IeloLiGct7zOHFccxfo-o-YqjW8tD4DoQGuNKdOyjUf29DuXLQYRxaalZexZC16NxS-CQMEONsb0ntUTlX1KraeYPDCJQ7HDhAh6LCHG2ULZnsn~xAIdtDt6pagNxdRAOQw-AxcxFfZcrUOEAAG0CEIUAaNd7BaolRUNTvJKbKNNwel9q7UVD6qbxcKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners and staff used a work session on zoning map amendment ZMA24-01 to give the applicant detailed direction on building height and facade design for a proposed multiunit development.

Planning staff presented updated renderings and said the principal remaining concern is perceived building height and the appearance of long, flat wall faces. Staff suggested architectural approaches that preserve the proposed density but reduce visual height, such as flat roofs, stepped massing and 2-over-2 condominium arrangements. \"A flat roof would be better,\" one commissioner advised during the discussion.

The applicant said it has held the property under contract for several years, obtained necessary water rights and is prepared to work with staff on alternative elevations. The applicant requested clear feedback and said it would present a limited set of conceptual elevations rather than fully engineered construction drawings so the commission and staff could agree on a preferred architectural direction before the mayor and common council consider the zoning change.

Commissioners and staff also raised concerns about rear and side facades that will be visible from surrounding streets and neighborhood viewpoints. Staff asked the applicant to return with multiple design options (examples of comparable built projects were suggested) so staff can screen those and present the commission with a handful of viable alternatives at the next meeting.

The work session produced direction but no formal vote; the applicant agreed to provide revised concept elevations for the commission's consideration at the next meeting.

Sources: Planning staff presentation, applicant comments, commissioner questions and discussion.","At a work session on ZMA24-01, commissioners and staff pushed the applicant to reduce perceived building height and return with alternative elevations (including flat-roof options and more varied facades) before the commission's next meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6664980,"Planning commission conditionally approves 40,000 sq. ft. indoor dog facility at Meadow Branch Industrial Park",2701,1497000,4198000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2366738-fb0a91d924814aea9d32d65fb8eb7fa0&start=1497&end=4198","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2366738-fb0a91d924814aea9d32d65fb8eb7fa0/thumbnail_1497000.jpg","/articles/6664980/Westminster/Carroll-County/Maryland/Planning-commission-conditionally-approves-40000-sq-ft-indoor-dog-facility-at-Meadow-Branch-Industrial-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664980-b9c9d4e6f136316f2c04e6382c38e212/orig.mp4?Expires=1776219584&Signature=Fz-AaXrr3zk42M5QRmfx0c0qHIHaDXF8DA0dvKcw1W3oqEw6Wdye1pOlCDTN0QK9gN52fUKv3PkcoZ9VB0R-kzYEX2FBTX~Byvlio8zCxYgwGVIu8Bi9Cn2DW9MJOMICNGYQIE57RXe6dDYCvZ0RlWsKCP1iphPy4R4gSR6qbR~vfJDuyHFc8e4RBgJBiJU3S1UAvL8gOPnbAtk9sLpDGtsgiz618zuMr2tnoh5rEnwE~984sy5tdj0bMsN2oIILxU7tqRyaBGRYfmYV~MSCtNLJ6HLbOzQRebGxv~I~-vGm46ZCIopLW68AEAicjSXd1nGs~kFzv7WbDGI5AL2C7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westminster Planning Commission voted to conditionally approve the site development plan S-180037 to construct a 40,000-square-foot indoor dog cleaning, training and event facility at Lot 5A of Meadow Branch Industrial Park, with planning staff directed to work with the applicant on facade and entrance architectural details.

Staff told the commission the proposal meets the city's parking, landscaping and site requirements and noted a prior water transfer for the property. The packet and staff presentation said the applicant previously obtained a water transfer in 2020; staff clarified the property is not requesting a full water allocation from the city and that the transfer reduces the city allocation required for the new use.

Commission and public discussion focused on three issues: exterior architecture and how the building will be perceived from adjacent roadways and residences; noise from dogs and whether the proposed interior design and insulation will contain sound; and where, if at all, dogs would be taken outdoors to relieve themselves. Planning staff said the building has been designed to contain noise and that the use is a special exception subject to distance and other controls. The applicant's representative and neighbors said a similar business operating nearby had not created noise or waste problems in past years.

On outdoor dog-relief areas, staff and the commission clarified that the site development plan should show any outdoor activity areas if they are part of the proposed use. The zoning administrator will make a determination about whether a proposed outdoor area is part of the approved use and what screening or fencing may be required. Commissioners noted a steep slope behind the building that may limit a rear-yard relief area, and suggested any outdoor relief area would likely be in front or side yards and should be located and screened thoughtfully.

Architectural issues drew extended comment. Commissioners said the building has improved since earlier submissions but that the elevations visible from the street and primary parking areas require additional treatment to avoid long blank walls. Staff and commissioners asked the applicant to return with refinements for the street-facing elevations or to allow staff to work with the applicant on specified facade features; the commission approved conditional site-plan approval with that condition.

The motion, as read into the record, granted conditional approval subject to resolution of outstanding city and county comments, submittal of required signature sets and allowing planning staff to work with the applicant on architectural accommodations. The motion passed on a voice vote.

Key project facts: proposal S-180037 for a 40,000-square-foot indoor dog cleaning, training and events facility on Lot 5A, Meadow Branch Industrial Park; applicant has documented a prior water transfer (2020); staff found parking and landscaping conforming; no permanent outdoor runs are included in the plan as presented.

Next steps: staff will work with the applicant on facade revisions and clarify any required site-plan changes for outdoor relief areas; if staff and applicant cannot reach agreement, the applicant must return to the commission for additional review.

Sources: Planning staff presentation, applicant testimony, commission discussion and voice vote recorded in the meeting minutes.","The commission granted conditional approval to the site development plan for a 40,000-square-foot indoor dog cleaning, training and events facility at Lot 5A of Meadow Branch Industrial Park, subject to staff resolving architectural (facade/elevation) issues with the applicant.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6664985,"Planning commission backs adding parcel to Westminster cannabis overlay, declines removal for now",803,444000,1247000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2366738-fb0a91d924814aea9d32d65fb8eb7fa0&start=444&end=1247","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2366738-fb0a91d924814aea9d32d65fb8eb7fa0/thumbnail_444000.jpg","/articles/6664985/Westminster/Carroll-County/Maryland/Planning-commission-backs-adding-parcel-to-Westminster-cannabis-overlay-declines-removal-for-now","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664985-ff96908a701df8d95d0b7c47e000acf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1776219584&Signature=GAgU622lJAdXUVYKL0fELKaqvo98HIEunoF1RWl7nBafeN~~yN999niwIs8gX6pQvnq95OUQlBaYM7vK6Exs4vvOTdoG-mBx1exLhxxwHJYoHGX8jKmcQ~tgTgm3RQs7TS-pSQ6QFh-HPqWcSdqEohfm3mI2EmEV0wyIkvlkTXR~JybJYSPYmKS1mZULjJlWF5z~Vs9ACcmeMKa8FUsUxhKrPJJHSC8iVdsr~ZQZitZgH522HtsXTlg~QDuy05YrZZT9-Cjrdtm3Ws1G8zlfaXCEAPU3OkhG1pc5d7g0-4IDpEGuIO5TSbJcu~MarO6jv3gBVscqmPucH7KdhCvyXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Westminster Planning Commission voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the mayor and common council to add a parcel (SDAT 774) to the city's Cannabis Overlay District while deferring removal of the overlay at an existing dispensary site.

The change under consideration is a sectional map amendment to expand the Cannabis Overlay District to include a parcel adjacent to the 140 Village Shopping Center. Planning staff told the commission the staff recommendation is to proceed only with the addition of parcel SDAT 774 and not to remove the overlay that currently covers the dispensary at 33140 Village Road.

Staff explained the background: the city previously converted a medical-cannabis overlay into a Cannabis Overlay District after state adult-use legislation and a city ordinance in September 2023. \"We're asking that the planning commission recommend approval of ordinance 20 25 0 2 exhibit A as provided in the second meeting staff report,\" staff said during the hearing.

The applicant's representatives and a contract purchaser addressed the commission in support of the addition and asked that the city retain the overlay at the current dispensary site in case the proposed move to the new parcel does not go forward. One speaker representing the applicant said keeping the existing overlay in place would avoid putting the current dispensary into a nonconforming status if the move fails. The same speaker told the commission a re-advertisement for a larger overlay area would be \"materially problematic\" for the applicant because the group is a contract purchaser working under time constraints.

Commission discussion touched on whether the commission should expand the overlay to the larger area visible on the map. A commissioner suggested the whole block shown in red appear to be included for consistency, and staff replied that enlarging what was advertised would require the city to re-advertise the change. Planning staff also confirmed dispensaries remain subject to distance requirements that would limit creating multiple dispensaries on adjacent parcels.

After public comment and discussion, a motion to forward the ordinance to the mayor and common council with a favorable recommendation carried on a voice vote. The commission's action, as stated on the record, was to send the recommended map (Exhibit A, as provided in the staff report) forward and leave the existing overlay covering 33140 Village Road in place for now.

What happens next: the mayor and common council will consider the sectional map amendment and any associated ordinance exhibits. Staff and the applicant noted they could return later to the city if they decide to pursue removal of the overlay at the existing dispensary address.

Sources: Planning staff presentation and public hearing record of the Westminster Planning Commission meeting.","After a public hearing, the Westminster Planning Commission voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the mayor and common council to add a parcel (SDAT 774) to the city's Cannabis Overlay District while postponing a planned removal of the overlay at the dispensary's existing address.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission approves 125-sq.-ft. side sign permit for Northridge Insurance at Magna Way

Planning commission certifies 2024 Westminster annual planning report and authorizes staff transmittal

Work session: Westminster planning commission presses for lower-profile architecture, flat-roof options on proposed multiunit development

Planning commission conditionally approves 40,000 sq. ft. indoor dog facility at Meadow Branch Industrial Park

Planning commission backs adding parcel to Westminster cannabis overlay, declines removal for now