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Home My Public Portal About07 19 2018 PC MinutesThe Town of Leesburg in Virginia Leesburg Planning Commission Meeting Minutes July 19, 2018 The Leesburg Planning Commission met on Thursday, July 19, 2018 in Town Hall Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176. Staff members present included Susan Berry -Hill, Brian Boucher, Shelby Caputo, and Karen Cicalese. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:01 pm by Chairman Babbin Members Present: Chairman Babbin, Commissioners Barnes, Faliskie, Kidder, Lanham, and Robinson Absent: Commissioner Walker ADOPTION OF AGENDA. Motion: Commissioner Kidder Second: Commissioner Lanham Vote: 6-0-1 (Walker absent) APPROVAL OF MINUTES — July 5, 2018 Motion: Commissioner Kidder Second: Commissioner Lanham Vote: 6-0-1 (Walker Absent) DISCLOSURE OF MEETINGS Chairman Babbin disclosed a conversation with Chris Gleckner regarding a prior case that had come before the Planning Commission. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT None PETITIONERS None PUBLIC HEARING SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT None Leesburg Planning Commission July 19, 2018 Minutes ZONING • TLOA-2017-0004 Downtown Parking Regulations Zoning Ordinance Amendments Work Session, Brian Boucher, Deputy Director, Planning and Zoning. Mr. Boucher gave a brief summary of the action taken by the Planning Commission at their July 5th meeting and gave an overview of the last proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment as follows: 6. Clarify removal of existing parking in B-1 District must be compensated through Payment -In -Lieu. Staff supports this as initiated by Council and as recommended by the Consultant Members of the Commission expressed concerns regarding a cap on payment -in -lieu, loading spaces, the cost of payment -in -lieu, designation of payment -in -lieu funds for a parking garage, and equitability of the payment -in -lieu program. Commissioner Lanham moved that Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment TLOA-2017- 0004, clarifying that when non-residential development removes existing parking spaces in the B-1 District, such spaces must be replaced, be forwarded to Town Council with a recommendation of approval as proposed in the staff report dated July 19, 2018 on the basis that the amendments will serve the public necessity, convenience, general welfare and good zoning practice. Second: Commissioner Faliskie Chairman Babbin proposed to amend the motion to draft additional language clarifying that when non-residential development removes existing parking spaces in the B-1 District such spaces, to the extent such spaces would have been required but for Sections 11.4.3 and 11.4.4, such spaces must be replaced. Second: Commissioner Faliskie Vote on amendment: 2-4-1 amendment fails Aye: Babbin and Faliskie Nay: Barnes, Kidder, Lanham, and Robinson Absent: Walker Vote on motion: 2-4-1 motion fails Aye: Kidder and Lanham Nay: Barnes, Babbin, Faliskie, and Robinson Absent: Robinson Mr. Boucher led discussion on the following Council policy recommendations as follows: 7. Payment -in -lieu purchases a parking pass that gives the holder rights to certain public parking facilities 2 Leesburg Planning Commission July 19, 2018 Minutes Staff does not support but presents an alternative: Consider removing low generating meters for all parking uses The Planning Commission unanimously supported staff's recommendation to not issue parking passes or remove the low generating meters. 8. Biannual Parking Supply and Demand Studies Staff believes it is prudent to have information from these studies before adopting some of the proposed amendments The Planning Commission expressed concerns regarding the expense, what factors should be included in the study, and whether the studies will be used to formulate potential solutions. 9. Explore ways to expand and manage the existing parking supply The Town will actively seek ways to add to the inventory of public parking downtown and explore ways to make better use of existing public and private parking spaces i.e. restriping, leasing private lots, improve information about available parking to users, and public/private partnerships for overflow times. The majority of Planning Commission members were in support however, some concerns were expressed and included adding loading/unloading spaces in strategic areas to offset the inconvenience of reduced parking, valet system for special events such as Flower & Garden Show, restriping to reduce space size, and parking apps. 10. Expand Mass Transit Opportunities The Town will actively seek ways to increase alternative transportation opportunities to decrease dependence on automobiles in the downtown. Coordinate with Loudoun County Transit to expand bus service from the Government Center to the Ashburn Metro and other mass transit opportunities. The Planning Commission supported the recommendation however, concerns were expressed and included the need to advertise bus service, potentially partner with Outlet Mall during peak times, and provide bus shelters. A question was raised regarding the retention of payment -in -lieu and whether it had been sufficiently discussed per Town Council's resolution. In response, Mr. Boucher gave an overview of the payment -in -lieu program and noted that Council had not authorized staff to work on amendments to payment -in -lieu. COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING • Town Plan Update Brainstorming Session, Susan Berry -Hill, Director Planning and Zoning Leesburg Planning Commission July 19, 2018 Minutes Chairman Babbin explained that this was to be a discussion regarding preliminary preparation for the Town Plan Update project initiated by Council. Due to limited staff time and resources she felt that a significant discussion would not be possible at this meeting and asked that discussion continue to the August 2nd meeting to allow staff more time to prepare for the discussion. Ms. Berry -Hill explained that Town Council had directed staff and the Planning Commission to develop a work scope which will include updating the transportation portion for the Town and had authorized funds to hire a consultant to assist with the update. Discussion on this will continue into the fall and Town Council is tentatively scheduled to review the work scope and draft consultant Request for Proposals in October. Chairman Babbin asked the Commission to consider and be prepared to discuss the following 3 underlying issues: • Sequential vs. comprehensive review • Number of Consultants • Prioritization if done sequentially Additionally she asked the Commission members to review the Town Plan as well as the Staff memos related to this project and to be able to discuss, prioritize and work towards defining a scope of work. STAFF AND COMMITTEE REPORTS None SRTC REPORT None BAR REPORT Commissioner Kidder informed the Commission that the BAR discussed the following: • The new owner of the Birkby House is proposing a conservatory which will be attached to the Carriage House. • The Oak Lawn Land Bay Development Windows for the Clarion Inn TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT None OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Robinson noted the referral memo for Boland Park and asked if Kincaid Boulevard would be open. 4 Leesburg Planning Commission July 19, 2018 Minutes Ms. Berry -Hill explained that Kincaid Boulevard will be blocked until such time as Cross Trail Boulevard is open from Sycolin Road to East Market Street. Staff, through these referral memos, is trying to stress to the County staff that this is the case and that section of Kincaid Boulevard is not currently available for use. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:19 PM Ap roved by: ar n Cicalese, Commission Clerk Sh;tron Babbin, Chairman 0