HomeMy Public PortalAbout11 07 2019 PC MinutesThe Town of Leesburg in Virginia
Leesburg Planning Commission
Meeting Minutes
November 7, 2019
The Leesburg Planning Commission met on Thursday, November 7, 2019 in Town Hall Council
Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176. Staff members present included
Susan Berry Hill, Rich Klusek, Tyler Wright, Renee LaFollette, Tina Newton, and Karen
Cicalese.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Vice Chair Nacy.
Members Present: Vice Chair Nacy, Commissioners Barnes, Barney, Faliskie, Lanham,
Walker
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Vice Chair Nacy noted that the Zoning Ordinance Batch work session item was deferred to a
future agenda and that she wished to amend the agenda to move the Legacy Leesburg Charrette
Update and the Tree Canopy Briefing and Sewage Treatment Plant Screening Discussion to the
beginning of the meeting.
Motion to adopt the agenda as amended: Commissioner Barney
Second: Commissioner Lanham
Vote: 6-0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 3, 2019 Draft Minutes Amended
Motion: Commissioner Walker
Second: Commissioner Barnes
Vote: 6-0
October 17, 2019 Draft Minutes
Motion Commissioner Walker
Second: Commissioner Barney
Vote: 6-0-1 (Lanham abstained as he was absent)
DISCLOSURE OF MEETINGS
None
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
Vice Chair Nacy wished to thank Chairman Doris Kidder, who recently resigned, for her service
to the Planning Commission for over 10 years. She noted that she had been an invaluable part of
the Commission and a true voice for the citizens of Leesburg.
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November 7, 2019
PETITIONERS
None
PUBLIC HEARING
None
SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT
None
TLOA-2017-0006 Zoning Ordinance Batch Amendments Work Session 2 — Mike Watkins,
Zoning Administrator
This was stricken from the agenda.
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
Legacy Leesburg: Update on Charrette Noonkester, Consultant
Mr. Noonkester explained that this was the kick off of their five day Design Charrette and he
wanted to give an overview of the project and what was planned for this week.
They are looking at the following four categories to organize their efforts for this planning
process:
• Areas to Preserve
• Areas to Enhance
• Areas to Transform
• Areas to Strengthen
Mr. Noonkester gave an overview of the Design Charrette noting the public was welcome to
come anytime between the hours of 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. each day. He gave an overview of the
calendar of events highlighting the Charrette Kick Off on November 7th, The Pop -Up Events on
Friday, November 8th, and the Closing Presentation on Tuesday, November 12th. Target
deliverables for the event included the following:
• Identify Character Area Typology
• Alternative Growth Scenarios
• Draft Future Land Use Map
• Supporting Infrastructure Assessment
• Economic Realities
• Focus Area Studies
• Vision, Key Themes and Guiding Principles
Mr. Noonkester also discussed post charrette activities which will focus on the latter part of their
planning process and included the following deliverables:
• Legacy Leesburg Town Plan Charrette Workbook
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• Legacy Leesburg Town Plan Policy Concepts
• Legacy Leesburg Town Plan Draft Document
• Legacy Leesburg Partner Activities
• Legacy Leesburg Adoption Hearings
TLTA-2018-0002 Eastern Gateway District Small Area Plan, Work Session 2 — Rich
Klusek, Sr. Planner
Mr. Klusek explained that staff would like to revisit the phasing discussion that was started in
September. The phasing language currently in the draft plan (Page 1239) contains three policies.
Town Council had some concerns about this language and staff began to draft additional phasing
language which was presented to the Commission in September and October. This phasing
language was discussed in detail at the October 3rd meeting. Staff is proposing some changes to
the phasing policy language, specifically policy number three, in response to concerns raised
during the October 3rd discussion.
Mr. Klusek asked the Planning Commission if they were satisfied with the phasing language
proposed. The Commission did not raise any objections to the proposed language.
Mr. Klusek moved on to architectural character, and explained that this request came from
Council came after the Plan was referred back to the Commission. Council has asked that the
Commission decide if further discussion and changes are needed.
Susan Berry Hill, Director, Planning and Zoning, gave an overview of the Town Council
discussion pertaining to the architectural policy. She explained that concerns were expressed by
some Council members that the policies in the Plan are very general and that more specificity
could be added to the policies to guarantee that new construction is compatible with the character
of Leesburg.
Mr. Klusek explained that staff recommended that the Commission include the recommended
phasing language in the Small Area Plan, address the questions regarding architectural design
and decide if further discussion and changes are needed and conduct this discussion at a
subsequent work session before referring the draft back to Town Council, and if no further
discussion is needed on phasing or architectural design to refer the draft back to Town Council
for adoption by adopting the recertification resolution.
Mr. Klusek asked the Commission if the Architectural Policy section should be revised to
provide more policy direction on architectural design, and if so, which were the particular polices
that should be edited or revised.
Some members of the Planning Commission expressed concerns regarding the lack of specificity
in the Small Area Plan and felt further discussion was needed.
Ms. Berry Hill explained that there is not always going to be agreement on what the Town
should look like. She did agree that there were basic architectural elements that define what
Leesburg Planning Commission Minutes
November 7, 2019
Leesburg character is and we can strive to put those in our zoning ordinance so that those basic
elements are communicated to all developers. It was her opinion that it would be a very difficult
task to come up with very prescriptive architectural requirements that all can agree on, will not
hamper future economic development in the Town and/or people's desire to work with their
properties as they want to. She cautioned that being too prescriptive could lead to the
development of buildings that all look the same. It is important to find a balance between having
a process that is streamlined and easier to work through with one that recognizes that we are an
authentic community. We have our own character and want to try to work with people to get
new construction that is respectful of that character.
Commissioner Lanham moved that the Planning Commission forward TLTA-2018-0002,
Eastern Gateway District Small Area Plan to the Town Council with a recommendation of
approval subject to:
Inclusion of the phasing language contained in the November 7, 2019 Planning Commission
Staff Report
AND
No changes to the architectural design policies.
Commissioner Faliskie seconded the motion and the motion failed by a vote of 3-3 (Aye:
Lanham, Faliskie, and Barney; Nay; Barnes, Nacy, and Walker)
After further discussion, it was determined to continue discussion on architectural design to a
future work session.
Commissioner Lanham moved that TLTA-2018-0002 be deferred to a January 16th work session
for further discussion of, and solely limited to, the architectural design policy language.
Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and the motion carried by a vote of 5-1 (Nay:
Faliskie)
STAFF AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Tree Canopy Briefing and Sewage Plant Screening Discussion — Tyler Wright, Urban
Forester and Renee LaFollette, Director, Public Works and Capital Projects
Renee LaFollete, Director of Public Works and Capital Projects, introduced Tyler Wright, the
Town's new Urban Forester and Landscape Specialist and discussed his role as Urban Forester
noting that his scope of work includes administrative, urban forestry, arborist, landscape design,
and education and awareness responsibilities.
Mr. Wright gave an overview of the tree canopy program as well as some of the projects he is
currently involved in which include the Tuscarora Creek Mitigation Project, tree installation at
the Battlefield Parkway interchange site, and some projects in Greenway Farms.
The following items will be a focus moving forward:
• Public Tree Inventory
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• Education for homeowners and developers of species diversity
• Use of structural soil cells in areas of limited space
• Promoting the "Right Tree, Right Place, Planted Right" motto
• Trees are our Green Civil Servants and can alleviate issues faced
• Tree Bank Mitigation Fund for private HOA, homeowners, and groups
• Land Classification Study — Urban Tree Canopy Analysis with Loudoun County Public
Schools
Mr. Wright moved on to the second request made by the Planning Commission regarding
additional screening for the waste water treatment facility. He explained that staff has worked
with the Utility Department to review the area between the shared use path along Russell Branch
Parkway and the security fencing and also behind the security fencing to see what area is
available for additional screening. It was staff's findings that based on the space available, the
underground infrastructure, and the room needed to safely and efficiently maintain the portions
of the facility closest to the fence line, there is minimal room to plant additional screening
materials Staff is not recommending the additional screening for sight distance, sight line and
proximity to a major intersection issues.
SRTC REPORT
None
BAR REPORT
Commissioner Lanham informed the Commission that the last BAR meeting was focused on the
Shops at Russell Branch however, he had nothing to report.
TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT
None
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Berry Hill informed the Commission that should Council appoint someone to fill the vacant
Planning Commission position, they will be having elections at the next meeting for the interim
period to finish out the year and then again in January.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:16 PM
Approved by:
{ Karan Cicalese, Commission Clerk
Kari Nacy, Vice Chair
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