Chair Blanche Keller called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. Present at the meeting were Vice-Chair John Bauer, Commissioner Lenny Levy, City Attorney Cathy Borten, Planning and Code Administration Director Greg Ossont, Community Planning Director Trudy Schwarz, Planner Patricia Patula, Associate Planner Jacqueline Marsh, and Recording Secretary Myriam Gonzalez. Absent: Commissioners Victor Hicks and Danny Winborne.

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

September 22, 2004, Planning Commission Meeting

Commissioner Levy moved, seconded by Vice-Chair Bauer, to APPROVE the Minutes of the September 22, 2004, Planning Commission Meeting, as submitted this evening.

Vote: 3-0

II. CONSENT - APPROVAL

AFP-02-038 -- Washingtonian South 10
MXD Zone
9711 Washingtonian Boulevard
350,000 Sq.Ft. Office in Two Buildings and
Parking Structure
EXTENSION OF APPROVAL

SP-02-0006 -- AREE at Diamond Farm
C-2/E-1 Zone
14 Firstfield Road
96,300-Sq.Ft. Building
EXTENSION OF APPROVAL

AFP-04-033 -- Rosenthal/Victory Nissan of Gaithersburg
C-2 Zone
621 North Frederick Avenue
Building Signage
AMENDMENT TO FINAL PLAN REVIEW

Vice-Chair Bauer moved, seconded by Commissioner Levy, to APPROVE the Consent Agenda.

Vote: 3-0

III. SITE PLAN

AFP-04-028 -- Cici's Pizza at Quince Orchard Plaza
C-2 Zone
642 Quince Orchard Road
Elevation Change
AMENDMENT TO FINAL PLAN REVIEW

Planner Patula located the site and noted the Commission approved the plan in June 2004, and now a revision is proposed to modify the elevations.

Applicant representative, Brad Everett, Cici's Pizza, presented the proposed revised elevations, noting a minor length reduction of the windows on the east façade, the replacement of an existing exit door with a pane glass window on the south elevation, and the extension of the existing T-111 siding to the west elevation. He also noted the addition of Tudor trim in the lower portion and the removal of a window also on the west facade. He added that the previously-approved glass-coat awning has been revised to a tapered canvas awning to match the existing style in the shopping center.

Mr. Everett addressed Chair Keller's comment on staff's concern with the use of T-111 siding on the west elevation by pointing out that the proposal continues the existing material and adds Tudor trim for architectural interest. Commissioner Levy noted the proposed modifications were minor.

Brad Brown, Cici's Pizza, commented that EIFS was considered, but due to its maintenance difficulties, siding was chosen. He briefly discussed the proposed color ("morning fog gray") for the front, noting it is the existing color.

Property owner representative, Wilson Smith, Federal Realty Investment Trust, spoke in support of the proposed plan noting that Cici's Pizza would be a welcome addition to the center.

There was no public testimony.

Planner Patula answered questions regarding the basis for staff's concern about the proposed T-111 material and noted that the proposed siding type is reminiscent of shed structures. Mr. Everett pointed out, however, that it is very prevalent in the interior courtyard of the shopping center and used over 30 percent on the other side. He added that it was chosen at their architect's recommendation and it would have a smooth painted finish.

Vice-Chair Bauer voiced his preference for a more refined material; however, he pointed out that since the lower portion of the façade is appropriate and the portion to be siding is a relatively small area, he did not consider the overall proposal to be out of context with the area. He recommended instead a wood or synthetic, vertical and painted type of siding, not plywood. The Commission concurred and the applicant agreed to pursue checking into the recommended material.

Commissioner Levy moved, seconded by Vice-Chair Bauer, to grant AFP-04-028 - Cici's Pizza at Quince Orchard Plaza, AMENDMENT TO FINAL PLAN APPROVAL, with the following conditions:

1. Applicant must acquire a special exception from the Board of Appeals if more than three amusement games/devices are proposed;
   
   
2. Applicant is to work with staff regarding the material selection for the west façade;
   
   
3. Applicant is to provide new construction drawings prior to the issuance of building permits; and
   
   
4. Applicant is to work with staff to select paint color for unfinished south elevation wall. (Condition carried over from approval of AFP-04-011, June 6, 2004.)
   

Vote: 5-0

IV. FROM THE COMMISSION

Commissioner Levy

1. Reported that trees overhang the public sidewalk along a portion of Muddy Branch Road between Diamondback and West Side Drives.
   
   
2. Recommended following up on the Healthier Cities initiative sponsored by the American Planning Association on December 1.
   
   

Chair Keller

Reported the parking lot islands at the Food Lion store on Russell Avenue are in need of plantings.

V. FROM STAFF

Listed upcoming joint public hearings on November 15 and December 6, in addition to the Olde Towne Charrette scheduled to begin on November 10.

VI. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before this session, the meeting was duly adjourned at 8:00 p.m.