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HomeMy Public PortalAbout12 05 2019 PC MinutesT The Town of Lees6urg in Virginia Leesburg Planning Commission Meeting Minutes December 5, 2019 The Leesburg Planning Commission met on Thursday, December 5, 2019 in Town Hall Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176. Staff members present included Susan Berry Hill, Betsy Arnett, and Karen Cicalese. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chairman Nacy. Members Present: Chairman Nacy, Commissioners Barnes, Barney, Faliskie, Lanham, and Walker Absent: Commissioner Robinson ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion: Commissioner Lanham Second: Commissioner Walker Vote: 6-0-1 (Robinson absent) APPROVAL OF MINUTES November 21, 2019 Draft Minutes Motion: Commissioner Walker Second: Commissioner Barnes Vote: 6-0-1 (Robinson absent) DISCLOSURE OF MEETINGS None CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT None PETITIONERS None PUBLIC HEARING None SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT None ZONING None Leesburg Planning Commission Minutes December 5, 2019 COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING None STAFF AND COMMITTEE REPORTS Leesburg Growth Presentation, Betsy Arnett, Public Information Officer Susan Berry Hill, Director, Planning and Zoning, came forward to introduce Betsy Arnett and gave a brief overview of the Town Plan update process and explained how this presentation on Leesburg Growth was tied to the Town Plan update process. Ms. Arnett gave a presentation on Leesburg Growth which focused on demographics and growth data. She discussed what had been built over the past five years, approved applications that were under construction or slated to be, approved applications in the pipeline as well as potential development and redevelopment that we might see in the next five years. She compared census data regarding population, housing units, jobs in Town, and non-residential square footage from five years ago, currently, and anticipated in the next five years. She noted that approximately 32% of the Town's non-residential square footage was not on the tax rolls and consisted of hospitals, schools, government buildings, etc. Planning Commission Questions Does this include the Boundary Line Adjustment (BLA) area? Ms. Arnett responded that it did not, this was just the current Town boundaries. Do you know how many jobs the potential Microsoft property would generate? Ms. Arnett answered that she did not. How much of the 12.3 million square feet of non-residential is utilized or vacant? Ms. Arnett replied that she thought very little was vacant, but could check with Economic Development and get back to them. Is the 1.7 million square feet potentially being added over the next five years earmarked for certain businesses? The projected job growth looks to be pretty considerable. Ms. Arnett explained that this was an estimate based on the average number of employees that every 1,000 square feet of a particular use typically generates. Update on Cases at Council, Susan Berry Hill, Director, Planning and Zoning Ms. Berry Hill gave an overview of the Westpark rezoning application noting that a public hearing was held November 26, 2019 and remained open to continue to receive public input. The public hearing was continued to Tuesday, November 10th however, it was uncertain what the outcome would be. K Leesburg Planning Commission Minutes December 5, 2019 Ms. Berry Hill also wished to discuss the upcoming Town Plan schedule. Staff is planning a work session on January 27, 2020 with Council. The purpose of the work session is to include Ms. Arnett's presentation, have a discussion on market analysis, and a summary of all the public input received through the many different venues provided in October and November. Staff is also planning to schedule a meeting with the Commission in January to go over the market analysis and public input piece. After the January 27th work session, there will be a joint work session between the Planning Commission and Town Council. The purpose of this work session will be to take the planning effort to the next step. Dates and availability were discussed and she will take this information back to Council to determine a date for the joint work session. SRTC REPORT None BAR REPORT None TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT None OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Budget, Susan Berry Hill, Director Planning and Zoning Ms. Berry Hill explained that Staff is working to develop the FY21 budget and one of the focuses is to promote process improvements. Staff has suggested hiring a Focus Group Facilitator for both the Planning Commission and the BAR. Our budget team has advised that the Planning Commission and the BAR would each need to agree to this proposal before it could be recommended for funding in the budget. The estimate is $10,000 each. Commissioner Barnes moved that a request for funding for a Focus Group Facilitator be added to the FY21 budget. Commissioner Barney seconded the motion and the motion carried by a vote of 6-0-1 (Robinson absent). ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adj ourned at 7:3 8 pm Ap oved by: a I en Cicalese, ommission Clerk ACJL� Kari Nacy, Chair 3