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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2013 10 07 BAR Work Session MinutesWORK SESSION MINUTES Monday, 07 October 2013 Town Hall, 25 West Market Street Lower Level Conference Room 2 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Richard Koochagian, Vice Chairman Teresa Minchew, Parliamentarian Edward Kiley, Dale Goodson, Dieter Meyer and Paul Reimers MEMBERS ABSENT: Mark Malloy, Planning Commission Representative Doris Kidder and Town Council Representative Tom Dunn STAFF: Preservation Planner Kim K. Del Rance and Planning & Zoning Assistant Debi Parry Call to Order and Roll Call Chairman Koochagian called the meeting to order at 7:00pm, noted attendance and determined that a quorum was present. Adoption of Meeting Agenda Chairman Koochagian asked that two items be added to the Old Business portion of the agenda; (1) Update on Paxton Barn and (2) Town Council Board & Commission Networking Event. On a motion by Mr. Goodson, seconded by Mr. Reimers, the amended meeting agenda was adopted by a 6 -0 -1 vote (Malloy absent). BAR Member Disclosure Mr. Reimers disclosed that he has met with representatives from Paxton and will be doing volunteer work for the organization. Discussion of New Cases in the H -1 Overlay District a. TLHP- 2013 -0133, 208 Wirt Street NW (R- HD /H -1 Overlay District) — Construction of an addition on side and rear of house, repaint exterior trim and replace garage doors, exterior lighting and flagpole. Chairman Koochagian noted the public hearing is closed. Ms. Del Rance stated the applicant and architect /engineer have followed the suggestions provided by the Board at its last meeting. Further, she stated her recommendation of approval. The applicant, Sharon Babbin, stated per the Board's direction, the upper level windows on the rear addition have been removed and the height reduced, the garage door windows have changed, the column on the rear porch was extended and there will be no window muntins. WORK I 07 October Vice Chairman Minchew verified the garage doors are the same; however, the windows have been altered as noted in the revised elevation drawings. Mr. Meyer stated the changes are consistent with discussion at the September 16th meeting. There was discussion regarding the shutters and chimney height. Chairman Koochagian expressed concern with the massing of the rear addition, noting it is in full view from the public right of way. He stated the revised roof pitches make the rear addition blend a little better; however, he feels it still overpowers the original structure and now highlights a highly complicated roof structure. Further, he stated the side addition and garage doors are improved; however, he does not believe the rear addition satisfies the guidelines Ms. Babbin stated the rear addition is two feet lower and the complicated roof design was necessitated by Mr. Malloy's comments at the previous meeting. Chairman Koochagian stated Mr. Malloy's design was to provide a general notion of what could be done and where design elements might be added. There was further discussion regarding massing and window size for this structure as well as consideration of this structure given its non - contributing status. Mr. Kiley stated he was not present at the last meeting where this application was discussed; however, he has reviewed the documents and is happy with the changes that have been made. Mr. Meyer moved to approve TLHP- 2013 -0133 subject to the application packages dated August 9, 2013 and October 7, 2013 and further based on the findings as stated in the September 16, 2013 staff report, to include: 1. The existing building is not a contributing structure to the historic district or the National Register District. 2. There is little visibility from the public right -of -way of the additions, garage doors and new lighting due to the siting and setbacks of the house 3. The shutters on the new addition are acceptable in that they are consistent with the shutters on the original structure, which are original to the house and appropriate for the style of the house. The motion was seconded by Mr. Reimers and approved by a 5 -1 -1 vote ( Koochagian opposed and Malloy absent). Old Business: a. Paxton Barn Ms. Del Rance stated the application for demolition is still on hold, per the applicant, and may not be placed on the October 23 agenda. She stated tomorrow the Mayor will meet with Paxton representatives Jennifer Lassiter and Beck Dickerson regarding their frustration with the Zoning Ordinance maintenance code. She stated Ms. Lassiter is concerned that the letter she received from the Zoning Administrator is asking for more action than what was noted in the contractor's estimate for shoring the barn. Further, she stated this letter, as authorized by the Board, has DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & ZONING • 25 WEST MARKET STREET • LEESBURG, VIRGINIA 20176 Telephone 703.771.2765 • Fax 703.771.2724 • www.leesburgva.gov /planning WORK I 07 October started the 90 day clock during which the Barn must be secured or a notice of violation may be issued. Ms. Del Rance stated the Board's special meeting regarding the Paxton Barn has been scheduled for October 16. She stated Ms. Lassiter and Mr. Dickerson will be prepared to discuss requirements for shoring up the barn as well as their future plans for construction at this site. Further, she stated Ms. Lassiter has indicated Mindy Hetzel will represent the Paxton Board of Trustees at this meeting. Chairman Koochagian stated he has heard discussion regarding the possibility of removing the Paxton property from the H -1 Historic Overlay District. Ms. Del Rance stated Council Member Dunn was concerned regarding the amount of discussion the Board had regarding the recent Eagle Scout application to construct a picnic shelter on the Paxton Property. She stated Council Member Dunn expressed his concerns at a later Council Meeting after which an informational staff memo on the subject was generated and distributed to Council. There has been no further action on the matter. She stated she did contact Ms. Lassiter to ask if the Board of Trustees were interested in removing the property from the overlay district; however, no immediate response was given. Further, she stated the Mayor has invited Ms. Lassiter and Mr. Dickerson to provide a presentation to the Town Council on November 12th; however, it is not clear what the presentation will entail. Mr. Reimers stated he met with Ms. Lassiter and Mr. Dickerson on Thursday at which point there was discussion regarding his involvement in the process, in an advisory role at a minimum. He stated they expressed frustration that the requirements included in the letter from the Zoning Administrator were more stringent than the recommended work outlined by the heavy timber contractor. He stated they are pouring much effort into their proposal for the site to incorporate the barn in question and feel they are being pushed by the maintenance code process. Ms. Del Rance stated she attempted to explain the process to Ms. Lassiter while assuring her that the Town is willing to work with them. She stated now that the process has been set in motion by the Board; it has to be followed through. She expressed concern that the barn may not survive if the shoring activities do not commence before the winter snow comes. Further, she stated the emergency stabilization of the barn needs to occur regardless of their future plans for the site. There was concern expressed that the good will established in the earlier site visit is now strained due to the maintenance code violation process. Further, there was also discussion regarding the potential work to ensure emergency stabilization of the barn. It was the consensus of the Board to continue working with the applicant to ensure stabilization of the barn while being mindful of their future plans for the site. b. Town Council Board & Commission Networking Event Chairman Koochagian stated the Board has been asked to name one spokesperson for the group to briefly explain the top 3 BAR priorities during the event. After further discussion, the top three priorities to be discussed were as follows: a. Funding and adoption of a Preservation Plan b. A new historic survey of the H -1 Overlay District and consideration of expanding the district DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & ZONING • 25 WEST MARKET STREET • LEESBURG, VIRGINIA 20176 Telephone 703.771.2765 • Fax 703.771.2724 • www.leesburgva.gov /planning WORK I 07 October c. How best to address the H -2 Corridor District. Ms. Del Rance stated she will work with the Board to determine who is able to attend the networking session. Chairman Koochagian reported the owner of 206 Loudoun Street SW has finally installed the new standing seam metal roof. Ms. Del Rance reported Sotheby's Hunt Country Real Estate has submitted applications for approval of their wall and projecting signs. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm. NEXT REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING: Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 7pm Leesburg Town Hall, Council Chamber Richard Koochagian, Chair Deborah Parry, Planning & Zoning Assistant DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & ZONING • 25 WEST MARKET STREET • LEESBURG, VIRGINIA 20176 Telephone 703.771.2765 • Fax 703.771.2724 • www.leesburgva.gov /planning