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HomeMy Public PortalAbout1967_05_10 56 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL, MAY 10, 1967. A regular meeting of the Leesburg Town Council was held in the Council Chambers, 12 W. Loudoun Street , Leesburg, Virginia, on May 10, 1967 at 7:30 P.M. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kenneth B. Rollins, with Councilman Orr leading the group in prayer. Others present were Councilmen C. Maloy Fishback, 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. A. English Cole. The Minutes of the regular meeting of April 26, 1967 and the special meeting of May 1 , 1967 were approved as written. Mr. Frank Caldwell , Manager of the C & P Telephone Co. , addressed Council , explaining the extended local calling area which goes into effect on June 25th. This will include free calling to Herndon, Broad Run area, Sterling Park, Mid- dleburg and Hillsboro and will be a boon to Leesburg and the County Seat. The rates will go up 25 cents for residents and $1.00 for businesses. He pointed out that this new service will enable people to deal with Leesburg that previously could not do so without a toll charge. This is the third such step in the area over the last several years. There will be something over 520,000.00 a month cost which will be eliminated. Councilman Murray asked about having addresses printed in the local phone book. Mr. Caldwell said any resident wishing this service may have same upon request by the individual. Mr . Thomas W. diZerega, Attorney , addressed Council with regard to require- ments of the Manager of the Trailer Park to make electrical , plumbing and gas connections when new trailers come into the Park. He explained that , up until approximately two '-reeks ago , this practice had been followed, but the Plumbing Inspector has now ruled that a licensed plumber must be employed to do the plumb- ing work. The Electrical Inspector is not enforcing this rule at the present time. Mr. diZerega asked that Council consider passing a resolution, whereby the County Inspectors would examine the Manager of the Trailer Park to see that he is qualified to make these connections , especially since there is no installation necessary, only a matter of making connections to facilities which are already in- stalled. Councilman Lowenbach said he thought this matter should be discussed by the Utility Committee with the County Inspectors. Councilman Fishback sug- gested that it be turned over to the Committee and Mayor Rollins asked that it be placed on the Agenda for the next Utility Committee meeting. Mayor Rollins explained the two matters to be considered at Public Hearing tonight , stating that both had been unanimously recommended by the Planning Com- mission. Councilman Murray said that , in both of these actions, the Planning Commission was unanimously in favor. With regard to the Wallace tract , it was felt that the land adjacent thereto is either commercial or comparable zoning and that this did not constitute spot zoning, so it was recommended. Mr . John Wallace, speaking in favor of this rezoning, stated that the prob- lem is to be able to do something with the present Izaak Walton Building, and the best use the owners can see for it is as an office building; it can be par- titioned inside. There are two people considering it at the moment for such purpose., both the Federal Government and also Westinghouse is considering the use of it for quick space. He said they would like to be in position to use it for this purpose. Under the old zoning, they could not use it for this purpose. He said it is contiguous to B-2 zoning on the north side , and they would appreciate Coun- cil 's serious consideration of this request. Mr. Joseph K. Copeland , equal owner in this property, also spoke in favor of this zoning, stating that he did not believe they would have any difficulty in finding tenants for this building if it were zoned as applied for. That be- ing the case , he said he thought it would be helpful in additional employment for the area and it would be appreciated if Council would find favorably for the advocation of this zoning. Councilman Fishback asked how much of this land the By-Pass will take. Mr. Wallace pointed out on the map that it would be about 2.7 acres on the south- west corner , however , he said this was taken only from the survey plat. Mayor Rollins asked what use is planned for the remaining portion of the land, other than the building. Mr. Wallace said no land plan had been developed for this property yet , but that they are giving some consideration to using the southwest corner (the portion left after the By-Pass portion is taken) as a motel location. Other than this, there is no plan as to how they might use the rest of the ground. 57. MINUTES OF MAY 10, 1967 MEETING. Councilman Fishback asked how much this would raise the value of the 2} acres to be taken by the State. Mr. Wallace said it would not raise it at all, that zoning should not have any effect on this , that the land has value in accordance with the other property around it. He said it was certainly not their thought in doing this to gouge the Highway Department out of any money, in fact , they would prefer that the Highway Department move land , rather than pay them any money , thgfwould rather have some holes filled in. Mr. Copeland said that if this is rezoned for Business, there have been inquiries for a motel. Upon motion of Councilman Murray, seconded by Councilman Lowenbach, Council voted unanimously that the application of John A. Wallace, et al , to have this 35.21 acres rezoned from R-2 to B-2 be approved. With regard to the second item scheduled for Public Hearing, Councilman Murray said that this matter was broughtny Councilman Fishback, and he thinks we should take heed from the adjoining County. He said, however , that this does not spell out what a developer has to do in order to provide for this con- trol , that he believes this should be a factor to be determined when he applies for a building permit. Councilman Fishback moved that the following amendment to the Zoning Ordinance be adopted , this motion being seconded by Councilman Murray: C4 .ctrou C4 8-A The provision of adequate control of soil erosion and sedi- N mentation, indicating the proposed temporary and permanent control practices and measures which will be implemented dur- V , ing all phases of clearing, grading and construction. _ Councilman Lowenbach said that he thought there should be some guide lines. Mr. Forbes said that he has some standards, that the Standards for the Town would have to be amended , that the engineer who prepares the site plan would have to provide adequate measures to prevent soil erosion with standards that he feels would be sufficient, and these standards would have to be approved by the person giving approval to the site plan. Councilman Lowenbach asked what regress the Town would have if the developer got the permit and then did not abide by the Standards. Mr. Martin said it could be enforced by injunction. Mr. Forbes read to Council Article 9, Section 9-3 of the Zoning Ordinance , which provides for any violation of the Zoning Ordinance. The motion was then unanimously adopted. Upon motion of Mayor Rollins , seconded by Councilman Pumphrey, Council voted unanimously that the request for rezoning by George M. Kline from R-2 to R-3 be referred to the Planning Commission. Mayor Rollins stated that , since the last meeting when a request was made for water and sewer lines by Westinghouse , subsequent meetings have been held, and he asked Councilman Fishback to explain the three alternate routes proposed by an engineering study made by consulting engineers employed by the County. Mr. Fishback reported on the three alternates , one being a sewer line and pumping station from Cattail Branch below the proposed new plant across to the Town's new sewer plant , at an approximate cost of $274,940; the second alternate being a smaller pumping station at the DECO plant across Mrs. Carr 's property and hook- ing onto the line on Fort Evans Road, the cost of water and sewer together being approximately $90,000; the third alternate coming from the Westinghouse plant up Edwards Ferry Road direct to the Town 's line at Washington Street (a 4" line which would serve Westinghouse only) , at an approximate cost of $60,880, plus the cost of the water line at $33,280, or a total of approximately $94,000. It was recommended that the water line, in all three alternates, come from the end of the Town 's present water line on Fort Evans Road , down across the Carr property to the Westinghouse plant. Mr. Fishback said that he believed the proposed sewer . line in Plan No. 1 would be the only one that the Town in any way, or anyone else; could get any use from, the other two alternate sewer lines would be for ' the use of Westinghouse only. Mr. Ritter said that the 8" sewer line now in Fort Evans Road is large enough'. to take care of the present dwellings and apartments, plus Westinghouse, however , they have the alternate whereby the line could be ex- tended from Rt. 7 to the interceptor line at a cost of $14,000. This would not have to be done yet . All water lines were recommended by the engineers to be run from the end of the present line on Fort Evans Road. Mr. Frank Armstrong, Director of Economic and Industrial Development for the County, addressed Council , asking that this be examined, not only in the light of what would happen in the case of this industry, but that this is a back-drop • MINUTES OF MAY 10• , 1967 MEETING. • of other cases as to what might or might not happen. He said he did not pro- pose that we provide funds for industry but that , in this particular case, we have been a part of the cultured group that has helped Westinghouse come into our situation. We have had a very loyal and stalwart group in Mr. and Mrs. Carr at the outset and we owe them a vote of thanks. We would ,hope that we can find a way to make this an entirely compatible situation for our friends at Westing- house. He said his recent and close association with them reflects nothing but the finest group we could possibly invite into the community and he thinks it be- hooves us to try to find a way to make this a compatible situation; he hopes that any plan we (Leesburg) comes up with is something in which they (the County) can participate. Mrs. Carr , upon being asked to speak by Mayor Rollins, said that she would like to state, for the benefit of the Press, that she is not and has not been an official of DECO since December , and that she is not asking for the water and sewer lines. This is entirely a Westinghouse request. She said she was speak- ing on behalf of what she feels is the future welfare of Loudoun County and the community, that an industry of the kind of Westinghouse will be of benefit to the County. She said she would hate to see the community give it up. She believes this should be considered as a sanitation problem, not only as a contribution. The County and Town would benefit in the long run. She said she was sorry an expenditur is being asked to be made , but she believes the day will come when some policies in the Town and City may have to be changed from small-Town to accommodate some of the problems of the big companies and industries. She believes the benefits the County will receive will inevitably outweigh what you are being asked to do , now. She said she was told this afternoon that we do not need employment here. She asked what other industry there is in this area that will provide employment for our high school students who will go on to college; this is an opportunity to keep our children here, to provide employment and an education for young peo- ple in the community who now find it necessary to leave this area. Also, because of the nature of this employment, you have the benefit of other fallout from this. She said she believed the community would be remiss in not giving this very seri- ious consideration. She also said that perhaps she was speaking personally, that ' naturally she has a sentimental and emotional reason for seeing that DECO grows and stays here. She said she believed the Town would get a real bargain to try to keep Westinghouse here. Councilman Murray said that he believes it behooves this Council to stop looking at the immediate benefits that would be derived from this, but to think about the taxes this would create, not only to the County, but to the Town. He said he thought the Town should take a long hard look at this. He then moved that the Town of Leesburg assume the responsibility for providing water and sewer to the Westinghouse complex and will subsidize such to the ex. tent of one-third its cost , not to exceed $35,000.00, hoping the County will grant a similar amount to the Town and that Westinghouse will pay the additional one-third. This motion was seconded by Mayor Rollins. Mr. Murray said he be- lieved we would recoup this in collections 10 times over in the coming years. There are plenty of other places that would help them. He said, basically, that we are in the business of providing for the well-being of our children. He be- lieves we will be sorry if we don 't do wnat we can and said let 's at least be willing to do our share of this. Mayor Rollins said that when Westinghouse leased land at DECO that he thought Leesburg and the County should do everything it could to aid it in its develop- ment, he said this when he spoke at the Dedication Ceremonies last fall and he said he has not changed his opinion yet. He said he would think it a shame if this Council would not do what it could to see that this installation is built. We owe an obligation, not only to ourselves, but to the boys and girls in this County who have had to go away from home to get jobs to make adequate money. He said he would cast his support to do what we can here to provide them employ- ment and something for the community and something he believes many times will pay us dividends. Councilman Pumphrey said he could not conscientiously vote to put money into a sewer line that would be a private line. He said he wished the engineers would have worked out an alternate on the water line , maybe he could have gone along to a great extent on water where we could have recouped some of this, but he doesn ' t see how we can go along with a private sewer line which would be-of no benefit to anybody but Westinghouse. He said he would like to have the people come here , that he thinks we need it, and he doesn ' t think Westinghouse could find a better location. I . rat 00 - MINUTES OF MAY 10, 1967 MEETING . Councilman Lowenbach said one of the many questions in his mind is that there are so many ways the lines could go. He also said that he understands, according to Mr. Armstrong, that there is a deadline. He said that they don 't even know what they are voting the money for , that he is on the fence, that he is all for having Westinghouse here and all the things it will bring both to the County and the Town, but that he does not usually vote blind. Councilman Murray said his motion was not to exceed $35 ,000 and that , if the County would put up the same amount and Westinghouse this amount, this would be $105,000. He said he didn ' t think we could turn this down , that he thinks we could recoup this $35,000 in five years or less. ' Councilman Fishback said he would like to see the plant here , but that he can't vote for something that will set a precedent. He said we have always had a policy in the past where anybody, including the FAA, paid for their own con- nections, that we have never set up any money for any corporation or firm. He said he didn 't know where you would have the right to cut off any future develop- ment that would come here if you set this precedent. Mayor Rollins answered this by saying that he had considerable difficulty in getting his own position in this matter but that , in the first place , this is in the County. We would owe more of an obligation if they were inside the corporate limits. He said it would seem to Cq him that there is nothing wrong in the Town or County discriminating as to in- N dustry ; that if a good industry wants to locate in this vicinity , we should bend tJ' over backwards to get it here. We could tell an industry that we did not want U that we don ' t want them. We do not have to treat everybody equal outside of _ V our boundaries. Councilman Murray said that he thinks we are actually providing an industry now in being with utility service that they need . He said one of the first things he remembers when he came on this Council was the presentation by Mr. Carr of a mobile radio unit to the Police Department and that he didn' t believe DECO had ever asked us for anything before this. All they are asking for is utility service provided for them, which they can get any place else. He said he had. a strong feeling that the late Mr. Carr would support it, and that he thinks the Town owes this to DECO. Councilman Lowenbach said another of his hesitancies is that they are ask- ing us to come out in the County and share their cost. Why can 't we say we can go only to the corporate limits and let them take it from there? Councilman Murray said he thinks the County feels , and rightly so, that this is a Leesburg facility and that Leesburg is going to collect the rent from it. He said he understands there is new legislation whereby the County can contribute to the Town. If the County feels so strongly to give this $35,000 to help pay for it , then it will be on Westinghouse. Councilman Lowenbach asked if we lose all rights when we go onto Westinghouse or Carr property, if so , he didn ' t think the costs would be covered. Councilman Murray said let 's give them something to work on. Mrs. Carr suggested that , as a basis for not adopting a policy on other in- dustry, if you are looking for a means of not providing a change in policy for new industry , then you can say that you are extending additional facilities to an existing industry. Mr. Dennis Gallagher , a practically new resident of Leesburg, said that DECO has been the biggest thing since he came here , with the exception of Dulles , and he would certainly think it ridiculous to throw this out , when it is Leesburg 's major attraction and would benefit in so many ways from it. i4rs. Carr stated that she would like to make it quite clear that DECO has never asked the County or the Town for anything. II/ Council then recessed for approximately half an hour . After resumption of the meeting, Councilman Murray moved the following resolution : BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that the Town of Leesburg will assume the responsibility for providing water service to Westinghouse , said service to extend from the present ter- minating paint on Edwards Ferry Road to the Westinghouse site, said cost not to exceed $35,000.00. 60 MINUTES OF MAY 10, 1967 MEETING. This motion was seconded by Councilman Pumphrey. Councilman Murray said that he hoped the County would come up with some monetary subsidization for the pro- viding of the services that they need and we hope that Westinghouse will accept this in the spirit it is given and will give strong feeling to keeping their fa- cility in Leesburg. Town Managef Ritter said that this is an 8-inch line in Edwards Ferry Road and would provide9Westinghouse and also for other people along Edwards Ferry Road. Mr. Murray said he believed this road has already been surveyed for widening. • Councilmen Orr and Fishback both stated at this time that they objected to considering this matter tonight. Councilman Murray explained that his motion stated where the line would go and the maximum it would cost, and that we do know that there is land on both sides of Edwards Ferry Road where other people can hook on. Councilman Fishback said there were no engineering studies to work on, that this matter has been in the planning stage for 4 months and we just got it two weeks ago. Councilman Murray said he thought Council should go ahead and vote on this matter and get it over with. Councilmen Fishback and Orr said they would not stop any vote on this matter if the othem wished it. There- fore , a roll call vote was had , carrying the resolution 4 to 2, with Councilmen Fishback and Orr voting against it. Upon motion of Mayor Rollins , seconded by Councilman Orr , the following resolution was unanimously adopted : BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that the following appropriations be made : r $ 246.75 - Blocher Reprographics. Maps and plans for Sewage • Treatment Plant. 1967 Bond Issue Appropriation. l 1 ,217.07 - Reed, Hoyt , Washburn & McCarthy. Professional ser- vices on $475,000 Bond Issue. Public Improvement Fund Appropriation. 2,020.07 - Reed , Hoyt , Washburn & McCarthy. Professional Ser- vices on $900,000 Sewer Bond Issue. Appropriation from 1967 Bond Issue. 100.00 - Yount , Hyde & Co. - Periodic Conferences with Town Treasurer. General Fund. Upon motion of Councilman Pumphrey, seconded by Councilman Murray, the following resolution was placed on the floor for discussion : BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that the State Highway Department be requested to turn the street's to the Town for maintenance , effective July 1, 1967. Question was asked as to how much normal maintenance would cost. Mr. Ritter stated that he is recommending in the Budget that we hire three extra men for maintenance, who would be available for emergency work. We would need more ma- terials for patching, snow removal , etc . Roughly, it would cost about $25,000 in actual expense , and approximately $51 ,000 would be received from the State. The resolution was then unanimously adopted by roll call vote. Mr. Forbes stated that the Subdivision Ordinance should be amended to be in agreement with this resolution. It was recommended that this be discussed at the Street Committee meeting. Mr. Frank Armstrong asked just who or how this matter on Westinghouse ' would now be taken to the County. Mayor Rollins asked that he, Mr. Armstrong, take this recommendation of the Town Council to the Board of Supervisors. Town Manager James W. Ritter reported on the following: b (1 ) We are about to get off the ground on the North King Street project , we started lowering the water line yesterday and the State will start on the storm drain on Monday. 61 MINUTES OF MAY 10, 1967 MEETING. (2) The curb and gutter on North Street should be finished this week. He said there are two radii to be put in on Church Street. (3) The plans on the sewage treatment plant are still in the Health De- partment. There are a few miscellaneous corrections to be made and these should be taken care of this week, then they will go on to the Federal Board. He talked to the Water Pollution Board in Charlottesville regarding the interceptor line plans. They said that within two weeks, we should get the Grant Offer. We have; not yet settled on the Kincaid land , are still waiting on the metes and bounds description from Johnson and Williams. (4) Progress has been made on the W. & 0. D. right-of-way for the sewer line. VEPCO has agreed to the longitudinal occupancy and this is subject to the Highway Department 's approval , then back to the W. & 0. D. There should be no further trouble here. He said he did not know the status of the Alberts easement. Mr. Martin said that Stirling Harrison wants Mr. Fishback and him . o contact him with regard to a letter from Alberts. (5) Bids were opened on Monday on trash and garbage collection. The com- mittee should have a recommendation on this at the next meeting. C C\1 (6) There has been a request to replace 12 feet of sidewalk on the north side of W. Cornwall Street just west of Wirt Street at the entrance to the cemetery (, with a 4-foot brick walk. There was no objection to doing this and it was so V ordered , provided the Methodist Church pay all costs. • (7) Mr. Dew brought sketches of the proposed new Town Office Building today and members should take a look at them. Mayor Rollins read to Council a letter from Mr . George P. Kingsley, Presi- dent of Northern Lumber Company , Inc . , complimenting Chantilly Aviation and the Town on the management of the Leesburg Airport. This letter is attached hereto : Mayor Rollins also stated that there would be a meeting to discuss the Budget on Tuesday , May 16th at 7 :30 P.M. and asked that members come prepared to Make any changes they might wish. Mr. Ritter, in presenting the Proposed Budget for 1967-1968, added to his message by stating that he had hoped the water tank would be painted in time to come out of this fiscal year 's budget , but, since the Company has not had a chance to get here to do this work yet, it looks like it will have to extend over to next fiscal year. He merely wished members to keep this in mind in looking at the Budget. Councilman Fishback reported that there was a cement block on North Street beside the Episcopal Church which should be repaired. Councilman Murray reported that the Airport Committee met with Mr. Colgan two weeks ago. Mr. Colgan had made the corrections to the proposed lease , as recommended , and, after discussion with Mr. Pumphrey and Mr. Murray , Mr. Colgan said that he felt there was not sufficient business at the Leesburg Airport to justify two competing concerns and , at his request and the Committee 's agree- ment , he wished that his lease be held in abeyance for a period of time to de- termine and ascertain if the present fixed base operator will complete their T-hangars, as they state they are making efforts to do. He again impressed upon them that he is not out to run someone out of business, but that he is interested in coming here if they do not complete their T-hangars. The lease will be held in the Town Manager 's file. Mr. Murray also reported that he and Mr. Pumphrey had gone out to the Airport to look at the trailer to see if it is in a suitable location. He said it blended in with the present building and was being leveled today and utility facilities were being installed. There is one small adminis- trative policy, the FCC license had been issued in the name of -the Leesburg Air- ' port Commission and a letter will have to be written requesting that this be changed to the name of the Leesburg Municipal Airport. He suggested that this letter be presented to the Town Manager , to be looked over by the Town Attorney.' There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:07 P.M. • 7/S, Bi-: tri Mayor Clerk of •ne Council N ®nTIEHERN LUMBER COMIEDA,NIC. IN Cm POLAND, N.Y. Phone 826.3608 ADIRONDACK �� MILLS: BIRCH - HARD MAPLE - CHERRY ;• o Poland, N. Y. :3431 BAND SAWN Riparius, N. Y. 2862 Kiln Capacity 1,250,000'Month May 5, 1967 Mayor Rollins City Hall Leesburg, Virginia My dear Mayor Rollins : Just a note to tell you that I was very pleased to land at the Leesburg Airport recently and find what a great improvement it was over the old Godfrey Field. I have a home in Upperville and I fly down frequently leaving my plane in Winchester, but I expect to use Leesburg more in the future. Mr. Zebley, your manager, was most courteous and as I was in a hurry to get-over to Oatlands to see my son ride in one of the races there, he very kindly drove me over which I deeply appreciated as I was unable to get a car. I was most impressed with the courtesy extended by him and his employees and the whole aspect of the airport. I congratulate you. Sincerely yours, NORTHERN LU .. . COMP, .+C George P. King ey Presi%ent GPK/amh CC: Mr. Thomas W. Zebley, Manager (// Leesburg Airport Godfrey Field Leesburg, Virginia . .f .y