Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout1967_04_26 41 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL, APRIL 26, 1967. A regular meeting of the Leesburg Town Council was held in the Council Chambers, 12 W. Loudoun Street , Leesburg, Virginia, on April 26, 1967 at 7:30 P.M. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kenneth B. Rollins, with Council- man Pumphrey leading the group in prayer. Others present were Councilmen C. At English Cole, Maurice R. Lowenbach , Jr. , Walter F. Murray, Robert A. Orr and . John W. Pumphrey; also Town Manager James W. Ritter , Jr. and Town Attorney George M. Martin. Absent from the meeting was Councilman C. Maloy Fishback. • The minutes of the meeting of April 12, 1967 were approved as written. Mr. L. U. Schaub, Manager of Administrative Services for Westinghouse, Baltimore, introduced to Council Mr. R. A. Cooney , Purchasing Section Manager, Westinghouse, Baltimore ; Mr. J. A. Murray, Plant Services Department Manager, Westinghouse, Baltimore, and Mr. H. Herbert Hutton of the firm of Ebner-Schmidt Associates, Consulting Engineers from New York City. Mr. Schaub explained to Council that Westinghouse is contemplating erecting an office building at the • DECO plant here in Leesburg and presented to Council pictures of the proposed • buildings to be erected. Originally , it was planned to build about 150,000 square feet of space , 100,000 square feet to be used as office space, and 50,000 square feet to be used as a manufacturing facility. The architectural y1 firm of Skidmore , Owings & Merrill was engaged and, upon their investigation, N it was found that there were certain problems with the contour of the land and it was discovered that the costs would exceed the amount allocated for this purpose. One of the biggest problems confronting them was the water and sewer requirements, which were estimated to cost approximately $150,000. With this cost facing them and having insufficient funds, as well as having to make a quick decision, they decided to build the manufacturing facility at Westgate. This accomplished, they then decided to take another look at the possibility of erecting a building containing 100,000 square feet of office space, and found that they were practically in the same position as before, it would .cost approxi- mately $80,000 for water and sewer lines. It was decided that they would ask the Town and the County if they would furnish these facilities for this building. Mr. Cooney and Mr. Murray presented an architect 's sketch of the proposed build- ing and explained that this plan gives flexibility of allowing for anbther . 25, 50, 75 or 100,000 square feet. He said that, in order to locate here , it would cost , at a very minimum, $250,000 and that they have six other. sites which they are considering, although they would prefer to expand their facilities here at DECO. He explained that, actually, they could build more of a case for not lo- cating here than they could for locating here. If they can get help on the water and sewer lines, they would go all out to build here. They would have about a $3,000,000 facility here to ,start out with, which could be expanded to $6,000,000 facility-wise and , with all the other odds and ends, this could be $8,000,000 to $9,000,000. They are negotiating at present with Mrs. Carr on the land and there seem to be no obstacles here. He said there would be 750 people in this particular facility. They would hope to break, ground around August 1 and try to complete it as early next year as possible. He said they would like to locate here, but 'they'would like to be able to eliminate this problem of water and sewer connections to the site. It was pointed out that this property is located in the County. Mr. Ritter said that our present sewer line .is just 160 feet east of Washington Street on Edwards Ferry Road. Councilman Murray stated that he believed we would be able to recoup this in the foreseeablfe future and he thinks we should bend over back- wards to get this industry in here. Mr. Schaub pointed out that the people who would be coming here would be of high calibre and wouldibe looking for high- priced housing. He said they would like to have an answer on this question by May 11 , when they would have just about everything else lined up, that after this date they have to know which way they are headed. It will cost about $250,000 if they have to pay for this hook-on. He said if no help was given, they would have to go back and re-evaluate. : ' Councilman Cole moved that the Utility Committee consider this and re7 . - port back to Council at its earliest convenience. This motion was seconded by Councilman Pumphrey. Mayor Rollins expressed his feeling that he would be remiss as a public official not to get this facility to locate adjacent to Lees- burg and that he thinks the County is a very important ingredient here. The taxes on this facility would be rather substantial and these benefits would all go to the County. Mr. Frank Armstrong, Director of Economic & Industrial Development for the County , said that it is his feeling that the Council and the Board of Supervisors should meet together and see what can be worked out. Mayor Rollins asked if it would be possible for Council to meet with the Board of Supervisors Sunday night at 7 and a meeting was tentatively set for that time. The above motion was then unanimously carried. 48 MINUTES OF APRIL 26, 1967 MEETING. Mr. R. K. Gheen, Chairman of The Leesburg Committee , read to Council a letter (copy of which is attached hereto) from The Committee , relative to their activities over the last few months and requesting Council to give favorable consideration to renting quarters to this group, on a token fee basis, for a four-month experimental period and to give their support and advice to this project of establishing a headquarters for the Loudoun County Chamber of Com- merce, an information center and a museum as a starting point for a walking tour of the Town. Mr. Frank Raflo explained further to Council that their first need is a building in which to set up this office, explaining that it is the desire of this Committee to do it themselves. They need a room which would be staffed from 10 A.M. until 4 P.M. every day 7 days a week. Services would be provided for any of the Towns in the County and they would try to have in- formation on all the Towns and about the County and to set up a museum. There would be a committee that would screen the places that might be interest- ing to see and try to set up a walking tour of Leesburg. This pilot program would cost about $2,000 and the Chamber of Commerce has tentatively said they would share the cost if the Committee can secure quarters in which to locate this of- fice. Services would be offered to civic organizations at a minimum fee. He said the Committee would like to get the approval of the Council to use either the Newkirk property or the property located on the corner of Wirt and Loudoun proposed to be purchased by the Town if they decide to do this. He said if they are unsuccessful , they will at least have made an effort, but they would like to feel, in undertaking this , that they have the support , enthusiasm and moral back- ing of the Council and the Mayor. Councilman Cole moved that the Council cooperate with the Leesburg Committee \l and let them have either the Newkirk building adjacent to the parking lot or the building on the corner of Loudoun and Wirt , at the rate of $1.00 per month. This motion was seconded by Councilman Murray. Councilman Murray questioned as to whether the Town is far enough along in negotiations for the purchase of these properties to let them have either. Mayor Rollins said he believed the negotia- tions would be over by June when they would want the building for the four-month period. Mr. Gheen said that if this is successful , perhaps somebody else would take over the project. Councilman Orr moved to amend the motion to state that we give them a guarantee of four months, ending September 30, 1967. This motion was seconded by Councilman Cole and unanimously carried. Thereupon, the en- tire motion, as amended , was unanimously adopted. Mr. Gheen added that the-, Committee has agreed that they will pay for any insurance involved in the \I name of the Town and that they will be liable for any expenses involved. Town Manager Ritter said he had no report for this meeting. Mayor Rollins said that he and Mr. Ritter delivered the $1 ,375,000 in bonds, where the tlay©r signed them, to First & Merchants National Bank in Rich- mond on last Thursday and that there is on deposit in the First & ''ierchants National Bank here in Leesburg the sum of $1 ,380,425.14 at the present time. Councilman Cole explained to Council that Items (a) through (f ) proposed on the Agenda represent the repayment of funds borrowed or transferred at vari- ous times until such time as the Bond Issue was passed and we had access to the money. This was done in the name of expediency. He explained Item 3 in that, as of June 1968, our debt service will amount to approximately $80,000. We now have $65,000 in the Utility Fund and are taking in roughly $2,000 a week and paying out $1 ,000. We will owe some interest in December , but the sewer rates will be raised to equal the water rates and it is hoped that this will Make up the amount to meet the interest. By squeezing a little more out of the Utility Fund between now and June of 1968 , we would be able to meet the interest and principal on the bonds. He explained that 8150';000 has been set aside for various items on the sewer program. $500,000 would be invested in an open end , ' savings account for 90 days or more. Mr. Gheen of First & Merchants Bank has bid 434%. This money can be withdrawn any time after 3 months. He said he believed it wise to invest it this way to give us flexibility either way. ' We will have to pay out what we don 't get from the Government. $250,000 should be invested in Government Bonds , to mature in June of 1968. We will have to borrow money before then. We owe Riggs Bank $475,000 on the storm sewer project. He would recommend investing $475,000 with them, the maturity date to coincide with the present note, interest to be not less than straight 4%. Mr. Gheen explained that his Bank must have the deposit for a minimum of 90 days, that we would have the option of rolling it over at the end of this period, with paying interest only every 3 months. They would guarantee interest for the period.at this rate , after this period , the interest rate would depend on the market. There is no commission involved. Mayor Rollins asked if this 4)4% would be the same when this $500,000 figure drops. Mr. Gheen said it can be di- vided into varying certificates. The $150,000 invested would still be in the account at First and Merchants Bank. I 49 MINUTES OF APRIL 26 , 1967 MEETING. Upon motion of Councilman Orr , seconded by Councilman Cole , the following resolution was unanimously adopted : BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that the following reimbursements be made : • ,. (1) From the Public Improvement Fund to the Utility Fund $35 ,000.00 r— (2) From the Public Improvement Fund to the General Fund 19,674.312 '� (3 ) From the 8900,000 Bond Issue to the Utility Fund 25,249.50 14 (4) From the Utility Fund to the General Fund 19,500.00 (5) From the Utility Fund to the Public Im- provement Fund 18,750.94 r' (6) From 'the Airport Fund to the Public Im- C4 provement Fund 2,000.00 - ti CQ CZ AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Town Council that the Town of (,) Leesburg invest $50,000 of Utility Funds in a certificate of de- O posit maturing June 12, 1968 to meet debt service obligations. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Town Council that the Town of Leesburg invest $500,000 of Sanitary Sewer Bond Issue funds in open end savings account , interest at k%% to date of withdrawal. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Town Council that the Town of Leesburg invest $250,000 of Sanitary Sewer Bond Issue funds in Government Bonds maturing June 1 , 1968. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Town Council that the Town of Leesburg deposit 5475,000 in bank, maturity date to coincide with note maturing at Riggs Bank at interest of not less than straight 4%. Councilman Murray said he has talked to Mr. Colgan and the Airport Com- mittee expects to meet with him on Thursday. He said he has been out to the Airport twice in the last week and definitely sees signs of improvement. He said he sees some new faces out there and it looks like they are making an ef- fort to continue with the T-hangars. He said he saw quite a lot of activity going on and that he has talked to several people who fly out there and they have encouraging remarks, so it looks as though we are getting some life out there again. Councilman Orr reported that the Laws and Administration Committee met re- garding the Dog Ordinance and .that letters have been written to various Towns to find out what ordinances they have in this regard. The Committee will meet again after this information is received and draft an Ordinance. Councilman Cole stated that the water- receivables are approximately $19,000; they have increased about $2,000 in each of the last four years. Mayor Rollins said he had three items to report on, as follows : (1) In connection with the luncheon sponsored by the Town and t/County concerning the Morven Park restoration , some of the Trustees came here from New York to explain the work being done out there before it is opened to' the public. Mr. Frank Armstrong called him and asked if the Town would be willing to pay for one-half of the cost of this reception (not to exceed $75.00). Mayor Rollins said he told him to go ahead and plan on this basis. He said he understands there is approximately $600 in the Contingency Fund that has not been spent and that it is his idea that this money come out of this fund. He said he believed this was worthwhile. (2) He reported that Mr . Ritter , Mr. Fishback and he had spent all day last Monday looking at various Town Offices with Mr. Dew. Mr. Dew has drawn sketches of the building and a sketch of the inside. He will present this in- formation, along with 5 or 6 sketches of the outside design , when he gets this all together. / 50 MINUTES OF APRIL 26, 1967 MEETING. (3) When Mr. Ritter and he were in Richmond last Thursday, they talked with Mr. Bolton, Urban Engineer of the Highway Department , regarding the Town 's taking over the maintenance of its own streets. He said Council will be faced with this question next month at the Budget hearings. We will have to take them over in 1970 and it can be done before this time. He said they asked Mr. Bolton about several construction projects, which he thinks the Committee should take up soon. If we take over the maintenance of the streets, certain projects can be set up; any construction project could be included. For example , the relaying of the four blocks downtown could be set up. The Highway Department would pay for the plans on all of this work and would pay 85 per cent of the cost ; the cost to the Town o-iould be 15 per cent of any construction project. Mr. Bolton said the have more money in this particular section right now. Mayor Rollins said this is something to be thought about for next month. Upon motion of Councilman Pumphrey, seconded by Councilman Orr , the following resolution was placed on the floor for discussion : BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that the Town 'Manager be authorized to sign all applications for Federal funds in connection with the Sewerage Improvement Program, and • BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be mailed to the Federal Water Pollution Control Agency at Charlottesville. Upon motion of Councilman Cole , seconded by Councilman Murray , Council voted unanimously to amend this resolution to be contingent upon the signature of the Town Attorney. The motion, as amended , was then unanimously adopted, reading as follows : BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that the Town Manager be authorized to sign all applications for Federal funds in connection with the Sewerage Improvement Program, contingent upon the signature of the Town Attorney, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be mailed to the Federal Water Pollution Control Agency at Charlottesville. Upon motion of Councilman Orr , seconded by Councilman Lowenbach , the fol- lowing resolution was placed on the floor for discussion: WHEREAS, since the erection of the Barrister Building, the parking of vehicles on both sides of Edwards Ferry Road has caused a bottleneck for traffic due to the narrowness of the street , and WHEREAS, it is impossible for two cars to pass when vehicles are so parked, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Lees- burg, that the Town Manager is directed to erect "No Parking this Side" signs on the south side of Edwards Ferry Road at the Barrister Building to correct this condition. Both Mayor Rollins and Mr. Robert Ahrens spoke against this resolution, stating that they could not see that this particular' spot was any bottleneck. Mr. Ahrens said that cars parked on that side of the street did not stick out any further than the grass in front of the property below the building. A roll call vote of 5 to 1 adopted the motion, with Mayor Rollins voting against it. Upon motion of Councilman Murray, seconded by Councilman Orr , the following resolution was placed on the floor for discussion : BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that the following appropriations be made : ,r $500.00 - Police Car Maintenance $2,500.00 originally appropriated 2,400.18 spent 158.18 outstanding bills 51 MINUTES OF APRIL 26, 1967 MEETING. '1500.00-Advertising & Printing $ 900.00 originally appropriated 799.41 spent 122.50 outstanding bills • 500.00-Office Supplies f $1,500.00 originally appropriated 1 ,470.29 spent 1-' 395.10 - Printing Bonds - Northern Bank Note Co. II/ ' !'r 150.00 - Asplundh Tree Expert Co. - Tree Service. Councilman Murray moved to amend the Advertising and Printing appropriation to $200.00.~ This motion was seconded by Councilman Orr and was unanimously adopted. The motion , as amended , was then unanimously adopted. Mr. Thomas Zebley of Chantilly Aviation introduced Mr. Max Coffey, who will take over at the Airport on a full-time basis. He said that Mr. Coffey is a very capable man and is also an instructor. Mr. Coffey told Council that he arrived here on Saturday at noon and he feels that he has accomplished a good bit in that C4 time. The County has approved the location of a trailer for him on the field. C4Mr . Forbes said that the County Planning Commission has given their verbal ap- proval if the Town will give written permission. He said he would like to park o this trailer on the south side of the Administration Building, where he would have a view of the planes tied down. Also , by being so close, he could possibly pre- vent any proposed theft of equipment, in other words , there would be 24-hour ser- vice for anyone in need of same. He said he had talked to Mr. Clayton and other employees of the FAA and they are in favor of having somebody there at all times. He said he realized that there was some strife in the group when he came here, but he left a good job for this one because the Leesburg Airport appeals to him and he thinks it has terrific possibilities, however , he said he did not think it could support half a dozen operators at this time. He said he has an appoint- ment with the FAA next Tuesday to see about changing the flight pattern in con- nection with glider operations. He said he had also made some progress on try- ing to finish the T-hangars. If the Town will give them permission, he said they would try their best. Upon motion of Councilman Orr , seconded by Councilman Pumphrey, Council voted unanimously that the Town Manager be authorized to give written permission for the placement of the trailer on the Leesburg Airport property. councilman Cole asked Mr . Zebley about the flight pattern at the Airport , stating that he understands that it deviates from the normal pattern of the FAA regulations, which state that planes should come in counter-clockwise. Mr. Zebley said this pattern, which was not standard , was selected, but he did not know who made this recommendation. Mr. Coffey said that , normally, this is requested by whoever is operating the Airport and apparently FAA gave approval to this pat- tern. He said that when gliders are flying, this presents a hazard ; that gliders, according to the FAA, have the right-of-way over engine-driven aircraft. Mr. Cole asked if a pilot not familiar with this pattern would be in trouble. Mr. Coffey said he could be unless he contacted them through his radio. He also re- iterated that he has a meeting with the FAA Control Tower Officer at Dulles to make this change. Mr. Cole said that he also understood that there were supposed to be no glider operations for more than half an hour after sundown and half an hour before sunrise. Mr. Coffey said this is true , that the regulations are there, but it is up to the individual pilot to observe these regulations. If we have no-one to file a violation against them, nothing can be done. Mr. Cole asked if the tie-down cables were adequate since there had -been a great deal of wind dam- age i'n the last few months. Mr. Coffey said that they are adequate , but that, if IIIthere were more of them, it would be better. Mr. Cole asked how big a job it would be to add some. Mr. Coffey said that this would be no difficult task, in fact , it would probably be better to start from scratch and put in a depressed type of anchor. He thinks this might be a cooperative venture between the Town and the lessee. Councilman Murray suggested that they submit this to the Town so that they might work out something. Mayor Rollins asked about the progress on the construction of T-hangars. Mr. Coffey said he has figures from several different financing people, particularly AVEMCO, and that their lawyers have looked at the lease and say there might be some modification necessary in the lease to do this. This will be submitted for Council 's consideration at the time. 52 • MINUTES OF APRIL 26, 1967 MEETING. • Upon motion of Councilman Murray , seconded by Councilman Cole; the fol- lowing Ordinance was unanimously adopted : WHEREAS, the Leesburg Planning .Commission, hitherto at a' regular meeting held on January 5, 1967, considered the question of the fol'- lowing ol=lowing amendment to the Leesburg Zoning Ordinance for the purpose of holding a Public Hearing on such question and making recommenda- tions, as provided by Chapter 11, Article 8, Section 15.1-493 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended ; and WHEREAS , the said Planning Commission caused a notice of a Public Hearing on the question of the following amendment to be published II/ on the 12th and 19th days of January , 1967 in the Loudoun Times-Mir- ror , a newspaper published in and having a general circulation in the Town of Leesburg, Virginia; a notice in accordance with the provi- sions of Chapter 11 , Article 1 , Section 15.1-431 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended, that the said Commission would hold a Public Hearing on the question of the following amendment ; which Public Hearing'would be held on the 2nd day of February, 1967, and which notice designated the time and place of such hearing; and WHEREAS, the said Commission did hold such Public Hearing and heard • all persons desiring to be heard on the question of the following amendment ; and WHEREAS, the said Commission thereafter considered the question of • . making recommendations to the Council on the following amendment , and, at a regular meeting held on the 2nd day of March, 1967, did duly adopt and recommend to the Council for the Town of Leesburg, Virginia, the enactment of the following amendment; and WHEREAS, the said Council for the Town of Leesburg, Virginia, caused a notice of a Public Hearing on the following amendment to be pub- lished on the 23rd and 30th days of March, 1967 in the Loudoun Times- Mirror , a newspaper published in and having a general circulation in the Town of Leesburg, Virginia, a notice in accordance with the pro- visions of Chapter 11 , Article 1 , Section 15.1-431 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended , that the said Council would hold a Public Hearing on the question of enacting the following amendment, which Public Hearing would be held on the 12th day of April , 1967, and which notice designated the time and place of such hearing; :and WHEREAS, the said Council for the Town of Leesburg, Virginia, did hold such Public Hearing and heard all persons desiring to be heard on the question of enacting the following amendment ; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the Council for the Town of Lees- burg, Virginia , that the Leesburg Zoning Ordinance be and the same is hereby amended by changing the Zoning Map as follows: (1 ) Rezone from R-2 to R-4 the land owned by Leesburg Apartment ' Associates (occupied by the existing Leesburg Gardens Apart- ments), which contains approximately 4 acres and is located on the east side of Washington Street , bounded by the properties of 'Aetna-Building Supply• Co:,nn. the-no-rth- and^ east,` Clark.and Aetna Bui'ldingc.Supply...Co..- on the south• and Washington Street 'on the west. - (2) Rezone from R-2 to R-4 land owned by Leesburg Development Co. (occupied by the existing Fort Evans Gardens Apartments) , which contains 11.4 acres and is located on the north side of Fort Evans Road , bounded by the propertied of Wallace, et al , on the north, Morrell on the east , Fort Evans Road on the south and Fehr and Kroll Const. Co. on the west. ' (3) Rezone from R-2 to R-4 the land owned by Fehr and Kroll Const. Co. , which contains 10 acres and 'is located on the north side of Fort Evans Road , bounded by the properties of Wallace, et al , on the north, Leesburg Development Co. on the east, Fort Evans Road on the south and DeButts on the west. 53 MINUTES OF APRIL 26, 1967 MEETING. (4) Rezone from R-2 to R-4 the land owned by Leesburg Virginia .Joint Venture, which contains 10.2 acres and is located at the east end of Monroe Street, bounded by the properties of Washington and Old Dominion Railroad on the north, Johnson, • et al , Barber and Ross and Ours on the east, Ours on the south and Dolph Hays, Trustee , and Monroe Manor Subdivision on the west. • (5) Rezone from R-2 to R-4 the land owned by Dolph Hays, Trustee, which contains 2.6 acres and is located at the south end of II/ Madison Court, bounded by the properties of Monroe Manor Sub- division on the north, Leesburg Virginia Joint Venture on the east and Ours on the south. After explanation by Mr . Forbes that the Planning Commission had not changed its position regarding the Carneal tract , upon motion of Mayor Rollins, seconded by Councilman Cole , the following rezoning was denied : Rezone from R-2 to R-4 the land owned by the Estate of George U. Carneal , which contains 9.98 acres , located on the north y side of Fort Evans Road , bounded by the properties of Wallace, N et..al, on the north, Brosius on the east , Hough , Myers and Fort N Evans Road on the south , and Morrell on the west. O Mr. Robert W. Ahrens , attorney for Mr. Walter L. Phillips, presented to C.� Council a new drawing, asking that 14.0226 acres of his tract of land at the north end of Washington Street be rezoned from R-2 to R-4. He explained that this is the area that would not be suitable for individual housing without pump- ing sewage and that entrance and exit would be pretty much from the proposed Ca- toctin Circle. He also pointed out the topography of the land and that it is fairly adjacent to other apartment areas. He said that these would be garden- type apartments. Councilman Murray asked if any provision had been made for any park area within this tract. Mayor Rollins said he had received a letter stat • - ing that Leesburg is the only community on the Eastern Seaboard that has not done anything to commemorate-. General Marshall , so perhaps this might be done in connection with Mr. Murray 's suggestion. Mr. Phillips pointed out that this does not include any buffer zone , but he would like to put in a row of town houses as a buffer zone. Councilman Pumphrey suggested that we leave this as it is until Mr. Phillips has some concrete plans for this area. Councilman Cole suggested that it go back to the Planning Commission since the requested land has been changed. Discussion followed between Mr. Phillips and Councilman Pumphrey re- garding the size of lots in the residential area, etc. Councilman Murray asked why the streets had not been taken over out there by the Highway Department. Mr. Ritter said there were three minor deficiencies in the concrete work, none of them serious, but they would have to be taken care of by the Town. Mr. Ahrens again explained that they have changed the amount of land requested to be re- zoned and said they were requested by the Council to come back with that portion that could not be sewered. He said he did not think Council would be bucking the Planning Commission because they are not asking for the same amount to be rezoned that had been presented to the Planning Commission. Upon motion of Councilman Cole , seconded by Councilman Pumphrey, Council voted unanimously that this matter be sent back to the Planning Commission. Upon motion of Mayor Rollins , seconded by Councilman Cole , Council voted unanimously that a letter from Mr. Edward N. Cooper requesting rezoning of a portion of Rebbie DeButtt ' land from R-2 to B=2 be referred to the Planning Com- mission for recommendation. Mr. Ritter reported that they were waiting on a metes and bounds descrip- tion of the Kincaid land before settlement could take place. Town Attorney Martin presented a proposed resolution dealing with the pur- chase of the Newkirk property and the tract on the corner of Loudoun and Wirt Streets, however , it was decided that this matter would be taken up at the Special Meeting to be called for 7 :00 P.M. on Sunday night. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9 :55 P.M. • Mayor • Clerk of the Council \\2 1 r April 26, 1967 To the Mayor and Council of the Town of Leesburg. Gentlemen: • A few months ago a group of businessmen and property owners in the downtown section of Leesburg , becoming acutely concerned with the vacancies and loss of business in thissection , gathered at a meeting to discuss our mutual problems. As the result of this meeting an informal group, for want of a better name, called itself the Leesburg Committee. Several meetings have been held by this group and as a result the conclusion was reached that there were some things :,Mich the Committee might undertake mutually to improve the lot of the business section while working with the Council and any other Organized group to promote the welfare of the Town and the County as a whole. It was decided that this group, as a pilot project, could establish a headquarters in Leesburg for the Loudoun County Chambe,. of Commerce, an information center, a museum and as the starting point for a walking tour of the Town , which has been proposed in the 'study on Tourism. It was decided that if a suitable location could be found this group would undertake the project for a period of four(4) months; raising funds for. rental and staffing of such an office by contributions from the businesses concerned. If this project proved promising the Committee then would feel that further plans should be made. It is to be hoped if this project proves successful that it would then be taken over by the Town , or some department thereof, and that our efforts then would 4 r be toward assisting that organization in further promoting the project. • The Committee has considered several possible locations , one of which is the building at Loudoun and Wirt Streets recently acquired by the Town. Rental on any quarters may be only a token or most modest fee for this four month trial period and of course the project would be abandoned should it fail. I hasten to point out that it will fail only if there is a lack of support and cooperation by those concerned and affected by the present condition. We wish to point out that the Committee does not wish to become another organization but rather it is our wish to spark some action NOW toward promoting tourism and increasing business. We do not wish to compete with an formal or organized group, government or private, whose purpose is the economic and industrial development of the Town or the County, nor those who may be officially charged with the promotion of Tourism. We respectfully request the Council to give favorable considereation to renting Quarters to this group for a four month experiemental period , and we request that you indicate your approval of the proposed project and give it you support, and advice. • R. K. sheen, Chairman, The Leesburg Committee.