Planning commission presses developer to restore eight guest parking spaces in GreenTree Village plan

The Mount Airy Planning Commission told staff Aug. 25 to press the GreenTree Village applicant to restore eight guest parking spaces that were part of an earlier pattern-book approval but were removed when the developer revised the plan to avoid encroaching on a BGE utility easement.

Background and what changed Commissioners said earlier approvals and the town—s pattern book envisioned eight dedicated guest parking spaces to serve the planned open space and trail connections. The developer subsequently revised the design after BGE did not approve encroachment of those spaces into its easement. The revised plan shows additional vehicle illustrations and a redesigned BG&E corridor but, according to staff and commissioners, does not restore the eight discrete parking stalls the commission had required.

Commission concerns Commissioners said the replacement approach — showing vehicles rather than defined parking stalls, and relying on pull-offs or curbside areas — does not meet the intent of the pattern-book condition. Commissioner Wallace and others voiced safety concerns, saying that informal roadside parking could impede fire and emergency apparatus; commissioners asked staff to consult the fire department for specific turning-radius or no-stopping recommendations. Commissioner O—Malley said the new graphics indicate vehicle locations but do not create defined spaces and thus may not address the commission—s prior condition.

Action requested The commission asked Planning Director John to take the commission—s objection to the revised layout to the developer and engineer and to attempt to secure a design that restores the eight spaces in a way that meets the town—s pattern book and emergency-access requirements. If staff cannot obtain a timely revision the matter will be returned to the commission on the September or October agenda.

Other design elements The commission also reviewed the new pedestrian alignment through the BGE corridor: staff said BGE is likely to accept a 6-foot gravel pedestrian path inside its easement, with an 8-foot paved path and a bridge over wetlands on town-owned open space outside the easement. Those trail elements remain part of the approved configuration, pending final agreements with BGE.

Ending Planning staff will consult the fire department on turning radii and no-parking restrictions, and will continue to work with the applicant to restore parking in a way that meets the commission—s intent.