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HomeMy Public PortalAbout11 02 17 PC MinutesThe Town of Leesburg in Virginia Leesburg Planning Commission Meeting Minutes November 2, 2017 The Leesburg Planning Commission met on Thursday, November 2, 2017 in the Town Council Chamber, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176. Staff members present included Susan Berry -Hill, Mike Watkins, Shelby Caputo, and Karen Cicalese. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:OOpm by Chairman Welsh Chamblin PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL Members Present: Chairman Welsh Chamblin, Commissioners Babbin, Barnes, Kidder, Lanham, Robinson, and Walker ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion: Commissioner Barnes Second: Commissioner Lanham Vote: 7-0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 19, 2017 Commissioner Robinson noted a typo on the second to last paragraph on Page 7 ("waved" needs to be changed to "waived"). Motion: Commissioner Kidder moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Second: Commissioner Lanham Vote: 6-0-1 (Robinson abstained as she was not at the meeting) DISCLOSURE OF MEETINGS None CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Chairman Welsh Chamblin noted that there had been some conversation regarding the Planning Commission having a discussion and stance on funding relating to the Airport Commission with the Town and County and she wished to state that the Planning Commission has not had any such discussion. The Commission did discuss funding for the Airport during the CIP public hearing in early 2017. Chairman Welsh Chamblin stated that during her time as Chair, she has strived to ensure the Commission was one team. It is critical that the Commission collaborate and have diversity of thoughts and ideas to create the best product for the Town of Leesburg. She asked, moving Leesburg Planning Commission November 2, 2017 Minutes forward to her last few meetings as Chair, that everyone be respectful of each other and all of our opinions and ideas. PETITIONERS None PUBLIC HEARING None SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT Leegate Street Name Approval Mike Watkins, Assistant Zoning Administrator explained that this was a request for Planning Commission approval of street names associated with TLPF-2017-0010, Preliminary/Final Subdivision Plans for Leegate, as required pursuant to The Subdivision and Land Development Regulations (SLDR) Section 4.02.f. The street names are listed in the November 2, 2017 staff report. Chairman Welsh Chamblin called for questions and/or comments. Commissioner Robinson commented that she would not be supporting approval of the names as she was not in favor of the street name theme. Chairman Welsh Chamblin called for the motion. Commissioner Babbin moved to approve the street names included in the Leegate street naming staff report dated November 2, 2017, pursuant to Section 4.02.f of the Subdivision and Land Development Regulations. Commissioner Walker seconded the motion. Chairman Welsh Chamblin called for discussion on the motion. Commissioner Robinson repeated that she did not like the theme and felt the developer could come up with better names. Chairman Welsh Chamblin called for the vote. The motion carried by a vote of 6-1 (nay — Robinson) Banyan Cove Street Name Approval Mr. Watkins explained that this was a request for Planning Commission approval of a street name associated with TLCD-2011-0002, Construction Drawings for Banyan Cove, as required pursuant to the SLDR Section 4.02.f. The proposed private street name is Tolocka Terrace, NE. Chairman Walsh Chamblin called for discussion, seeing none she called for a motion. 2 Leesburg Planning Commission November 2, 2017 Minutes Commissioner Lanham moved to approve the street name "Tolocka Terrace, NE" Zoning Map pursuant to Section 4.02.f of the Subdivision and Land Development Regulations. Commissioner kidder seconded the motion. Chairman Welsh Chamblin called for discussion on the motion. Seeing none, she called for the vote. The motion carried by a vote of 7-0. ZONING None COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING None STAFF AND COMMITTEE REPORTS Tent and Shade Structure Work Session Mr. Watkins explained that this was a proposed Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment that would provide opportunities for seasonal and/or year-round shade structures and/or tents for restaurants and other- similar businesses, such as brewpubs and microbreweries, in the Downtown (B-1 Zoning District). The issue before the Planning Commission is whether or not the Zoning Ordinance should be amended to permit shade structures and tents in the B-1 Community Business District. This was initiated to account for an increased growth of restaurant uses in the downtown, some of which have been adaptive re -use of existing buildings. Some of the adaptive re -uses in buildings have limited indoor capacity for their dining areas and this could support year-round activity. There is also some code enforcement regarding this issue. Mr. Watkins gave a brief background noting that Town Council previously initiated a Zoning Ordinance text amendment in 2008 (TLOA-2008-0010). The Planning Commission recommended denial and it was denied by Town Council. Town Council initiated another Text Amendment in 2013 (TLOA-2013-0006). The Planning Commission again recommended denial and no further action was taken by Town Council. The concerns expressed during these discussions included aesthetics, such as compatibility with historic structures and maintenance; safety, such as snow load, wind, structural capacity, and electrical wiring; and comprehensiveness as there was a perception that this could be seen as spot zoning in the Downtown. The Planning Commission had suggested these structures be regulated as special exception uses with limited durations. Mr. Watkins explained that currently our regulations include tents in association with temporary uses and business special events. Our ordinance defines temporary as very limited in duration such as 30 days or less. Tent is defined as a collapsible moveable shelter consisting of a cover made of canvas, fabric, plastic or other material stretched over a supporting framework of poles that may be used as a temporary building and not intended for living quarters. Tents shall not be used as permanent structures for any purpose. Other permitted structures include pergolas and Leesburg Planning Commission November 2, 2017 Minutes awnings. Pergolas may encroach into a yard but it doesn't serve the same purpose as a tent as it has an open roof or cover. Awnings are physically attached to the building. The proposed amendment also introduces a new structure; a shade structure. This has been introduced because our definition of tent includes its' temporary nature. The shade structure would be more permanent as it will have a permanent foundation. It would be an open structure that could have a geometric or solid cover to it providing screening or shade from the elements, primarily sun. Mr. Watkins explained that staff was looking for direction from the Planning Commission regarding whether the Zoning Ordinance should be amended and if so how it should be amended. He asked the Commission to focus specifically on the following: Shades: • Should shade structures be permitted seasonally or year-round? There was a mixed response with some Commissioners preferring a seasonal structure with permanent foundations, however, the covering would be removed in the winter months. Others favored a year-round approach. • Who should have review authority? Staff should have review authority, however, it was requested that the BAR review and provide general standards/guidelines for shade structures. • Should there be a defined architectural style? The style should be consistent with the historic character of the downtown. • Where should these structures be located? Depending on the location and size of the lot, placement could be in the rear, side, or front yards. • What size should the structures be? The Commission did not have a preference and deferred to staff. The Commission also supported malting this Town -wide as opposed to just the B-1 (Downtown). Mr. Watkins explained that the initiating resolution dictates the scope of the project. The Planning Commission could either move forward with the approved resolution which limits this to seasonal and to the Downtown or make a recommendation to Town Council to amend the initiating resolution to expand it to include year-round usage and Town -wide implementation. Concerns expressed included structural integrity, maintenance, safety, and aesthetics. Tents Should tent structures be permitted seasonally or year-round? The Commission was split with some preferring seasonal and others that were not opposed to year-round dependent upon the business and need. Who should have review authority? Staff should have review authority, however, it was requested that the BAR review and provide general standards/guidelines for tent structures. Should there be a defined architectural style? Leesburg Planning Commission November 2, 2017 Minutes The style should be consistent with the historic character of the downtown. Where should these structures be located? The majority preferred the tents to be located in the rear whenever possible. Placement in a side yard would need to be determined on a case-by-case basis. What size should the structures be? Size should be dependent upon the location where it is to be placed and a height limitation should be imposed. The Commission was also in favor of permitting tents Town -wide. Concerns expressed included structural integrity, safety, aesthetics, maintenance, and provision of electrical wiring and HVAC equipment. There was a lot of collaboration regarding BAR review, proposed standards/guidelines, and expeditious review. Susan Berry -Hill, Director, Department of Planning and Zoning, suggested placing this on the BAR's December Work Session with their recommendations coming back to the Planning Commission on January 0 After further discussion the Commission determined to delay the public hearing, scheduled for December 7"', to allow time for the BAR to review standards and guidelines and provide their recommendations. SRTC REPORT Commissioner Robinson explained that the SRTC is looking at the influence of the cut -through from Sycolin Street through Harrison Street and the impact of further development on that road segment. They will take a look at painting parking on the sides of the road to aid in reducing speeding at their next meeting. OLD BUSINESS Commissioner Babbin gave an update on the Economic Development Steering Committee noting that their report was now complete and will be available to view on-line next week. Only a limited amount of hard copies will be made. They will be presenting their findings at the Town Council Work Session on Monday, November 131h NEW BUSINESS None The Meeting was adjourned at 8:43 pm Approved by: Karen Cicalese, Commission Clerk 4nhd1ssLay Wh hamblin, Chair