HomeMy Public PortalAbout02 21 2019 PC MinutesThe Town of Lees6urg in Virginia
Leesburg Planning Commission
Meeting Minutes
February 21, 2019
The Leesburg Planning Commission met on Thursday, February 21, 2019 in Town Hall Council
Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176. Staff members present included Susan
Berry Hill, Brian Boucher, Lauren Murphy, Shelby Caputo, and Karen Cicalese.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chairman Kidder.
Members Present: Chairman Kidder, Commissioners Barnes, Barney (arrived at 7:05 pm),
Faliskie, Lanham, Nacy (attended remotely), and Walker
Absent: Council Member Dunn
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Commissioner Lanham
Second: Commissioner Walker
Vote: 6-0-1 (Barney not present for the vote)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 7, 2019 Draft Minutes
Chairman Kidder stated that she had a correction to the minutes regarding her Chairman's
statement. She also proposed an additional correction pertaining to the Commission's
recommendation on the CIP on Page 3. She wished to add "tree preservation" to the second
recommendation regarding alternatives for the Plaza Street sidewalk.
Motions: Commissioner Walker moved to approve the minutes as amended.
Second: Commissioner Lanham
Vote: 7-0
DISCLOSURE OF MEETINGS
None
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
None
PETITIONERS
None
Leesburg Planning Commission
February 21, 2019
PUBLIC HEARING
TLZM-2018-0006, TLOA-2018-0006 Rogers Farm H-1 Expansion and Zoning Ordinance
Amendment Public Hearing, Lauren Murphy, Preservation Planner, Planning and Zoning
and Brian Boucher, Deputy Director, Planning and Zoning
Chairman Kidder opened the public hearing at 7:07 pm. and invited Dale Goodson, Board of
Architectural Review (BAR) Chair to introduce the subject.
Mr. Goodson gave an overview of the BAR's review noting that it first came before the BAR in
June of 2018. Staff had informed the BAR that the Roger's Farm was under purchase and asked
if the BAR felt that this property was eligible for inclusion in the H-1 under the guidelines. The
BAR surveyed the property and looked at the buildings on the property which include the house
and its immediate appendages (garage, wood shop and pool), and the equestrian facilities. The
BAR came to the conclusion that, by H-1 guidelines, those structures are contributing resources
and could be included in the H-1. A motion was made to that effect however, there was an error
in the motion regarding parcel numbers. This motion was later revised to state that the entire
parcel was eligible for H-1 inclusion.
Ms. Murphy explained that this proposal was two -fold as it was a zoning map amendment and
also a zoning ordinance amendment to expand the H-1 overlay District to include portions of the
Rogers Farm, also historically known as White Oak. Ms. Murphy went over both amendments
as follows:
Zoning Map Amendment TLZM-2018-0006
• Expands the H-1 Overlay to include 12.625 acres of the subject properties
• Offers the protections and architectural controls associated with the Old & Historic
District to the subject area including demolition, new construction and alterations to
existing structures
• Does not affect underlying zoning (including minimum lot sizes, allowed uses, or
setbacks) or by -right subdivision.
Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA-2018-0006
• Amends the zoning ordinance to reflect the addition of the property in the description of
the H-1 overlay
Ms. Murphy gave an overview of the historic resources located on the property. The Manor
House and corresponding mid-century barn were constructed in 1929. The barn is currently
located outside of the proposed H-1 area however, Stanley Martin Homes will relocate the
historic barn to the H-1 area to ensure its preservation. There is also a stone pool house and
garage.
Ms. Murphy gave an overview of the background of the proposal noting that there is a
preliminary subdivision plat for a by -right subdivision that has been submitted. This will not be
impacted by the inclusion of the property in the H-1. A Cultural Resources Survey for the
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Leesburg Planning Commission
February 21, 2019
subdivision, submitted by the applicant, found the farm complex was likely potentially eligible
for the National Register of Historic Places.
Following receipt of this survey the BAR reviewed this property for eligibility for inclusion in
the H-1 and made recommendations to Council. On June 4, 2018 the BAR found this property to
be eligible based on the architecture of the 1929 house and associates agrarian structures and
recommended approximately 13 acres of the site for inclusion in the H-1 district. Due to a
clerical error the BAR reissued their recommendation on November 19, 2018 however, this time
they recommended inclusion of the entire 63.24 acre farm in the H-1 District.
On November 27, 2018 Town Council, after considering the recommendation by the BAR,
initiated this rezoning and zoning ordinance amendment to include approximately 12.65 acres of
the Rogers Farm.
Ms. Murphy gave an overview of Town Plan Compliance and the Rezoning Approval Criteria as
it relates to this proposal noting that staff recommends approval of the proposed applications as it
was the Town's best opportunity to preserve and protect this property.
Planning Commission Questions
Why not include the entire property?
Susan Berry Hill, Director, Planning and Zoning, explained that it is hard to apply the H-1
guidelines to a totally new subdivision and it was not felt that the Town would be gaining a lot in
terms of compatibility by including the entire property.
How does this determination of making this H-1 affect the property owners?
Brian Boucher, Deputy Director, Planning and Zoning, explained that this was a rezoning
initiated by Town Council. The H-1 is an architectural overlay district and the property owner's
agreement is not necessary. He noted that Randy Brown, who represents Stanley Martin, the
contract purchaser of the site as well as the Rogers and they are in favor of the proposal before
the Commission.
Chairman Kidder called for public comment.
Suzie Frederick, 17850 Saddle Tree Place, Leesburg, came forward and expressed concerns
regarding traffic flow. She asked if there had been a traffic study done.
Mr. Boucher responded that this is a by -right development and does not require a legislative
process as the developer has already been given certain rights. Staff does ask for traffic
information as part of the site plan review.
Douglas Graney, 816 Anne Street, SW, Leesburg, came forward and expressed concerns
regarding traffic impacts.
Leesburg Planning Commission
February 21, 2019
Chairman Kidder closed the public hearing at 7:37 pm and solicited Planning Commission
discussion.
Concerns regarding the traffic study were expressed.
Mr. Boucher explained that this information was readily available to the public and that he would
provide contact information to those members of the public who spoke tonight.
Commissioner Lanham moved that Zoning Ordinance Amendment TLOA-2018-0006, Revised
H-1, Overlay, Old and Historic Description, be forwarded to the Town Council with a
recommendation of approval as proposed in the staff report dated February 21, 2019 on the basis
that the proposed amendment is consistent with the goals of the Historic Resources Element of
the Town Plan and the amendments will serve the public necessity, convenience, general welfare
and good land development practice.
Commissioner Walker seconded the motion and the motion carried by a vote of 7-0.
Commissioner Lanham moved that Rezoning Amendment Application TLZM-2018-0006,
Rogers Farm H-1 Expansion, be forwarded to the Town Council with a recommendation of
approval on the basis that the Approval Criteria of Zoning Ordinance Sections 3.3.15 have been
satisfied and that the proposal would serve the public necessity, convenience, general welfare
and good zoning practice.
Commissioner Walker seconded the motion and the motion carried by a vote of 7-0.
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
None
STAFF AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
None
SRTC REPORT
None
BAR REPORT
None
TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT
None
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
None
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Leesburg Planning Commission
February 21, 2019
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:49 pm.
Approved by:
rz/4Ka'�zen
Cicalese, Commission Clerk
Doris Kidder, Chair