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