Commission hears site revisions for Maryland Farms courtyard project and AutoPro building remodel

The Planning Commission reviewed two commercial-site alterations: a minor site-plan revision for a Maryland Farms property that will reconstruct a courtyard and add an outdoor kitchen, fireplace, mezzanine and exterior stair as part of a re-tenanting effort, and a minor site-plan alteration for AutoPro at 1610 Franklin Road to replace an outbuilding's cladding, roof and garage doors.

Staff said the Maryland Farms proposal includes new landscaping, dark gray paint with dark-green accents in the courtyard, a mezzanine pavilion and an exterior elevator shaft formed with a rebar-appearance structure (renderings indicate a planned patina finish). Staff noted the project includes significant new trees and landscaping above what the ordinance requires.

AutoPro—s request includes replacing 22 existing garage doors with eight new doors, recladding the building in tan metal siding and installing a gray metal roof. Staff said the building is tucked behind the dealership and is largely not visible from the road; the lighter roof color was chosen in part to reduce heat buildup for vehicles stored inside.

Commissioners generally supported both modernization efforts as ways to attract tenants and improve property conditions. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript.