Zoning Amendment of 7306 Springfield Avenue, the “Joy Property” (Parcel 4087)
For about 18 months, the owners of the Joy Property have been working with the Town and Planning Commission on their petition for zoning to allow the opening of a service garage on their property. This property was built as a service station in 1917 owned by Oscar Hawkins. Tom Joy started working there in 1974 and later purchased the station. Originally, it was recommended that the petition request a zoning map amendment under business general and recently decided a text amendment to business local would be more appropriate. There are no businesses under business general in the Town. The Council received from the Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve a text amendment adding “Service, Garage” (3 bays or less) under Local Business District Zoning for conditional uses rather than business general.
The Council rejected the zoning map amendment unanimously. The Council then unanimously voted to open the introduction of and the public hearing for Ordinance No. 2024-01 text amendment for Chapter 180 – Zoning, Article X – B-L Local Business District, §180-62 Conditional Uses to add “Service, Garage”.
Starting the Public Hearing, Kelly Miller, attorney for the property owners explained the history of the property and the proposed text amendment. Miller stated that the service garage appropriate and in line with other conditional uses. Business local use will legitimize the improvements to be made that haven’t been made.
Most of the residents who spoke did so in support of the Joy’s desire to preserve the building and open this business. Many reminisced about their connection to the station and Joy family who have continued to be good neighbors. Residents look forward to the building being fixed up and being successful. One resident expressed concerns raised about lack of sidewalks, safety of pedestrians from the neighborhood, school, and park, and aesthetics of the building which has been the topic of discussion throughout the petition review process. Town Manager Joe Cosentini stated that these issues will be addressed in the normal procedure of the site plan and by the Town and State road/sidewalk work.
Both Josh, the business owner, and Christopher Thomas Joy, owner of the property, spoke with excitement for this new business, emotion sharing the memories and what this station means to them and the community, and frustration of how long this process has taken. Josh is a Sykesville resident. He stated he is very experienced in auto repair and has a business license and all proper certifications needed. This business is his livelihood. He has started improving the property and looks forward to making it part of the community again. Joy spoke about how this station can not only bring a good living for Josh but also bring families and community together as it did under his father.
The Council is keeping the Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 2024-01 open to give residents an opportunity to comment further. Detailed information can be accessed in previous Citizen Reports on Sykesville Planning Commission meetings and in the following links:
Staff Report – https://townofsykesville.org/DocumentCenter/View/3750/Text-Amendment-Staff-Report
Rezoning Petition – https://townofsykesville.org/DocumentCenter/View/3747/Joy-Rezoning-Petition
Report and Recommendation from Planning Commission – https://townofsykesville.org/DocumentCenter/View/3749/Report-and-Recommendation-Joy-Property-01022024
Alcohol at Downtown Sykesville Connection events
The Council Considered/Discussed/Acted on Resolution NO. 2024-01 to allow alcohol at Downtown Sykesville Connection events passing it unanimously.
Springfield Avenue Road Work
Road work was to start today but has been postponed due to the rain and winds coming on 01/09/2024. Watch for detour signs around town to avoid the area the closures.
Public Safety Report
Chief Michael Spaulding provided the safety report for the timeframe between December 5, 2023 – January 1, 2024 with 941 events. A total of 5 cars have been stolen in Town already this year. The most recent the car was left unlocked with keys in it. The Council would like to consider a school zone camera to reduce speeds.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Town has volunteer opportunities available on the Historic District Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Police Auxiliary. Email town@sykesville.net for more information about volunteering with the Town.
This meeting can be seen in its entirety at https://www.facebook.com/carrollmediacenter/videos/369292732457860.
Next meeting will be held on January 22, 2024 at 7pm.
