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Community Corner

Taco Bell, Trees, and Tours: This Week in Westminster Gov't

This week, the city's Tree Commission meets to discuss its yearly tree workshop, the Planning Commission will discuss city design guidelines and the viability of a Taco Bell drive-thru, while the Historic District Commission tackles other topics.

Those interested in municipal happenings are in luck. With three Westminster governmental boards to meet this week, locals should have plenty to discuss. Read below for a list of what’s happening.

What: Tree Commission meeting

When: Wednesday, Aug. 10, 4:30 p.m.

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Where: City administrative offices, 56 West Main St.

Why Go:  This week, commission members will continue to prepare for the department’s Annual Community and Urban Forestry Workshop, to be held in conjunction with Bartlett Tree Experts and the Westminster Department of Public Works. The day-long workshop is scheduled for Oct. 7 and will be held at Carroll Community College from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event costs $75, with proceeds going to the city’s Tree Commission.

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“It’s part of our Tree City U.S.A. requirement to provide forestry information to the public,” explained Melissa Hynes, the city’s comprehensive planner.

The city has hosted the public workshop for 18 years. This year, the workshop will include talks on on soil management, safety, plant selection and regulatory compliance. Hynes says that the workshop draws many city and state employees. “It’s a good opportunity to meet other tree professionals and to network,” she said.            

What: Historic District Commission Meeting

When: Wednesday, Aug. 10, 7 p.m.

Where: City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill

Why Go: This week the commission will tackle the subject of the 2012 Historic Westminster Holiday House Tour. “We have to pick a neighborhood,” Hynes said.

As for why the planning takes place so far in advance, Hynes said, “We like to give people plenty of time to spruce up their homes.”

The tour is held every other year and is open to the public. Funds from the tour go toward Historic District programs. In 2010 the tour was held in the Bellegrove Square neighborhood, while the tour in 2008 featured the homes of the Westside neighborhood.

What: Planning and Zoning Commission meeting

When: Thursday, Aug. 11, 7:00 p.m.

Where: City Hall, 1838 Emerald Hill

Why Go: Among other items on the agenda, the commission will discuss plans for the Taco Bell renovation, which deals with a proposed drive-through add-on to the eatery. The Taco Bell in question, located at 625 Baltimore Blvd., is being knocked down and re-built with demolition set to start next month.

“The site of the drive-through is controversial because of the traffic flow there,” Hynes said. The commission will discuss the proposed signage as it concerns traffic.

In addition to Taco Bell, the commission will start work on a project to create new city design guidelines for new construction. The plans will include landscaping requirements, sight layout, architectural aesthetics and environmental building standards.

“It’s going to be like our wish list,” Hynes explained, describing the future guidelines as a tool to guide new development. She added that the commission will discuss the direction the city should go in to preserve its character in a way that preserves its “small town charm.” “We don’t want to look like any place U.S.A.,” Hynes said.

The design element plans are included in the state mandated 2009 Comprehensive Plan for the area. 

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