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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.
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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
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