Developers for the fifth tract of Roberts Field Business Center narrowly received subdivision approval from the Hampstead Planning and Zoning Commission last night to divide the property into three lots.
A series of 3-2 votes -- in which commission members Dennis Wertz and Christopher Nevin voted against Chairman Arthur Moler and members William Drummond and Charles Walter -- slowly watered down the provisions the commission had requested last month.
The six requests included a concept plan showing how three businesses would work together on the parcel, a notation informing potential buyers that the impact on adjacent residential properties would be considered by the commission with future plans and a restriction on parking along access lanes.
A majority of commission members rejected the concept plan and reduced the notation to a sentence stating that the property is adjacent to a residential development. The remaining conditions were approved unanimously.
"My heavens, all we're asking is for a subdivision with the recognition that we'll have to come back with lots two and three and show layouts that meet your requirements," said Brooks Leahy, the Westminster attorney representing the developer.
"I have problems with you putting additional requirements on a piece of B-G [business general zoned] property that aren't on any other in the town of Hampstead," he said before the votes.
Mr. Leahy and the developers were most vehement about not providing a concept plan for the other two parcels, saying that was impossible until they knew the specific uses for the properties.
"We submitted a plan to you before, and our downfall was speculating on what the uses would be," said Robert E. Morelock, project manager. "You all thought those uses were inappropriate. The developer's original plan proposed a Blockbuster Video, a Yingling General Tire store and a Wendy's for the property. Residents in the adjacent neighborhood became concerned and petitioned the commission to adjust the uses allowed in business general zoning, which was done last month.
But before the zoning was changed, contracts for the Blockbuster and tire stores fell through. All three uses would still be allowed under the current zoning, although the tire store would need approval from the town's Board of Zoning Appeals.