HomeMy Public PortalAbout10 03 2019 PC MinutesThe Town of Lees6urg in Virginia
Leesburg Planning Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 3, 2019
The Leesburg Planning Commission met on Thursday, October 3, 2019 in Town Hall Council
Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176. Staff members present included
Susan Berry Hill, Brian Boucher, Rich Klusek, Russell Seymour, 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, Faliskie, Lanham Nacy,
and Walker
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion to amend the agenda to move the Town Plan briefing to the beginning of the meeting:
Commissioner Lanham
Second: Commissioner Walker
Vote: 7-0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
September 19, 2019 Draft Minutes
Motion: Commissioner Walker
Second: Commissioner Nacy
Vote: 7-0
DISCLOSURE OF MEETINGS
None
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
None
PETITIONERS
None
PUBLIC HEARING
None
SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT
None
ZONING
TLOA-2017-0006 Zoning Ordinance Batch Amendments Work Session — Brian Boucher,
Deputy Director, Planning and Zoning
The Town of Lees6urg in Virginia
Leesburg Planning Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 3, 2019
Susan Berry -Hill, Director, Planning and Zoning explained that Mike Watkins was not able to
attend the meeting and that Brian Boucher would be standing in for him. She noted that Mr.
Watkins had gone over the 37 amendments with the Commission at their September 5, 2019
public hearing. The focus of the work session tonight was to focus discussion on only those
amendments that the Commission wished to discuss further.
Mr. Boucher led the discussion on the proposed amendments and it was determined that the
following amendments required more information:
1. BAR Composition
2. BAR Qualifications
3. Pre -Application Meetings
4. Special Exception Conditions
5. Site Plan Review
6. COA Approval Extension Limitation
7. COA Title
29. Home Occupation- Add Homestay (Airbnb)
30. Accessory use — Family Day Home
The Planning Commission did not support the two amendments pertaining to Doggie Daycare as
a Personal Use and Home Occupation due to concerns regarding impacts on adjoining residential
properties in terms of noise from barking dogs, waste management, and safety. If the Town
Council chooses to approve these amendments the Commission requests that the amendments be
returned to them to develop specific performance standards.
The Commission deferred action to the November 7, 2019 meeting to resolve the outstanding
issues with numbers 1-7, 29, and 30.
A brief recess was taken at 9:05 PM and the meeting resumed at 9:12 PM.
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
TLTA-2018-0002 Recertification of the Eastern Gateway District Small Area Plan Work
Session — Rich HIusek, Sr. Planner, Planning and Zoning
Mr. Klusek gave a brief overview of the status of the small area plan and noted that staff had
provided new recommended phasing language in their agenda packet. The four recommended
policies seek to preserve Council's direction to insure that employment uses remain the focus of
the small area plan. Molly Novotny, Land Use Planner with Cooley, as the representative for the
Peterson Companies, an interested party, had recommended alternative language. However,
based on Council's direction, staff is not in agreement with adding that language.
die clown of Leesburg in Virginia
Leesburg Planning Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 3, 2019
Ms. Berry Hill clarified that Council has endorsed the draft small area plan with the exception of
the phasing language. This came before the Planning Commission at a public hearing on
September 5th and per Council direction, staff asked for recommendations on the phasing
language. The intent of the phasing policies is to get employment uses on-line earlier in the
phasing of a mixed use development. The concern is that a mixed use project is approved but we
end up with a residential project. Staff has provided language options for the Commission to
consider to address this issue.
The Commission expressed the following concerns:
• "Reasonable limitations and considerable employment" is too vague and needs to be
defined
• Language needs to be more forceful and specific
• Mixed use needs to be more clearly defined
• Land must to be reserved for employment uses
One Commission member expressed a desire to not allowing any residential development until the
non-residential component was constructed. There was disagreement amongst the Commission
members with some members in support of a balance that would allow a portion of non-residential
development in the early phases. Some members favored using a percentage approach while others
supporting concurrent residential and non-residential development.
Mr. Klusek responded to these concerns by clarifying that the intent of this language is to
emphasize employment uses. At the same time, what we don't want to do, as a Town, is too lock
us into anything specific because there might be something better that the Town needs. For
example, a developer offers 50% of their land as open space. This is the sort of thing staff
believes this language allows the flexibility for. The key thing to note is that the applicant is, by
this language, asked to provide a phasing plan. If the Commission or Council do not agree with
the phasing proposed, because it does not meet the intent, then that would be grounds for denial.
The denial motion could reference the phasing plan that would not result in a development
project that would address the Town goals of increasing employment opportunities.
Russell Seymour, Director, Economic Development, explained that part of the existing
Comprehensive Plan directs staff to focus on employment. He assured the Commission that he
will continue to be very cautious with what little bit of land is left in the Town. He was
confident that any type of office and flex building would not stay vacant. He gave an overview
of the needs that Economic Development sees on a daily basis noting that people want to not
only live in Leesburg, but they want to work here too. We need to maintain the land to achieve
The Town of Lees6urg in Virginia
Leesburg Planning Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 3, 2019
this goal.
After further discussion, it was determined to continue discussion to a work session at the
November 7 h meeting and staff will return with phasing language that addresses the concerns
expressed by the Commission.
Briefing on Town Plan Update Including Public Workshop and Charrette — Matt
Noonkester, City Explained Inc.
Mr. Noonkester, the Project Manager for the Consultant Team, began with a broad overview of
the project process and timeline.
Mr. Noonkester gave an overview of the Community Workshop held October 2"d. He also
discussed opportunities for continued public engagement which will include the "On the Table"
initiative for the month of October, the Design Charrette scheduled for November 7th through the
120i and the Legacy Leesburg website. A focus group has been established and charged with getting
the word out to people to increase public participation in this planning process.
Mr. Noonkester discussed the design charrette process noting that it was open to the public and
represented a continuous opportunity for the public to work with the Consultants and Town Staff
throughout the week. A briefing for both the Planning Commission and Town Council will be
scheduled during this timeframe.
STAFF AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
None
SRTC REPORT
None
BAR REPORT
Chairman Kidder informed the Commission that she had attended the BAR meeting on Monday
evening and the Russell Branch project was discussed. They had been before the BAR
previously and came back with changes in response to BAR guidance and direction. Using the
H-2 Guidelines they changed the materials and the overall look of the development is new and
pleasing to the eye. It does not look like the normal branding shopping center anymore. They
will be returning to the BAR again for further comment and suggestions.
TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT
None
The Town of Leesburg in Virginia
Leesburg Planning Commission
Meeting Minutes
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adj ourned at 10:01 PM
Approved by:
ar n Cicalese, Commission Clerk
October 3, 2019
Doris Kidder, Chair
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