April 24 City Council briefs

April 24, 2002|BY DAN KULIN /Staff Writer

Hagerstown's agricultural zoning classification will be added to the list of zones that allow Planned Unit Developments, also called PUDs.

The City Council on Tuesday voted 3-2 to approve the change to city zoning law.

A PUD is a special zoning designation that typically allows more building on a property than would be allowed under the existing zoning. PUDs are allowed in most residential and commercial zoning classifications. The council must approve PUD plans.

Council members Kristin B. Aleshire and Penny May Nigh voted against the change.

Aleshire has said he is concerned that allowing PUDs in agriculture zones would circumvent the rezoning process.

Council members Lewis C. Metzner, Carol N. Moller and N. Linn Hendershot voted for the change.

The Hagerstown City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the lease of a downtown building that will be used as police substation.

The city will lease 49-51 N. Potomac St. for $600 a month for 18 months, City Administrator Bruce Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman has said the police substation could be in use in May or June.

The building, which is across the street from City Hall, would serve as a home base for the five officers assigned to cover the downtown, Police Chief Arthur Smith has said.

The Western Maryland Police Academy, now at police headquarters on Burhans Boulevard, would also move into the building, Smith has said.

The move is intended to increase police visibility downtown.

Rent and utilities for two floors of the downtown building, which is owned by Kurt Cushwa, will cost $650 a month. A state grant would provide $600 a month, with the other $50 to be paid by the city, Smith has said.

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