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HomeMy Public PortalAbout1978_04_05 cotsts * • •oo • MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARINGS ON "PROJECTIONS OVER STREET RIGHTS-OF-WAY," 54 "ZM-19 - REZONING REQUEST OF TUNIS H. CAMPBELL, ET UX" AND "ZM-20 - REZONING REQUEST OF WILLIAM S . SAVOPOULOS, ET UX, " APRIL 5, 1978. A meeting of the Leesburg Town Council was held in the Council Chambers, 10 West Loudoun Street, Leesburg, Virginia on April 5, 1978 for the purpose of holding public hearings on the above-mentioned amendment in the Town Code and Rezoning Requests of Tunis H. Camp- bell, et ux and William S. Savopoulos , et ux. The meeting was called to order by the Mayor at 7 :42 P.M. Present were: , Mayor Mary Anne Newman, Councilmembers Glen P. Cole, Stanley D. Herrell, Jr. , John W. Tolbert, Jr. ; also Town Manager John Niccolls, Assistant to the Manager Jeffrey, H. Minor and Town Attorney George M. Martin. Absent from the meeting were Councilmembers Charles E. Bange, James A. Rock and C. Terry Titus, all of whom joined the meeting at a later time. Amendment to Cha.ter 16 of the Town Code re Projections over Street Rights-of-Way. Mayor Newman explained that projections, in this instance, would mean architectural features of buildings, such as cornices, bay windows, window plant boxes, mail boxes, wallgraphicsor signs, projecting graphics, temporary window graphics and seasonal decorations*. Mr. George B. Reynoldst Jr. , President of the Downtown Business Association of Leesburg, said members of the Association have worked with the Council and with staff members for the last four or five months in formulating this sign ordinance.. They are quite pleased with its tenets and with the rules , that will control signage in the downtown area, particularly with graphics and what will or will not be allowed. At the last DBA meeting, the ordinance was gone over in its entirety and discussed at great length. A motion was made and adopted to exempt the presently standing signs from the permit fee--. requirement of the ordinance. In talking with some of the members subsequent to that meeting, there seemed to be some confusion as to whether this motion exempted the permit requirements as well as the fee. A telephone vote on the motion as presented at the meeting, along with an amendment which would exempt the permit requirements as well, resulted in a vote to exempt the fee only. Thus the' graphics presently standing would have to meet the requirements of this ordi- nance. The basic purpose of the ordinance is to create a character in downtown Leesburg by controlling the signs. Mr. Herrell felt that those signs in existence now should not have, to come down - some of these signs might be historic. Also, this could mean considerable expense to some of these merchants. Mr. Reynolds said this gives the Town the right to control encroachments on its property. Mayor Newman felt that it might be wise to find out how Lexington handled this type of situation. Mr. Reynolds said Mr. Forbes and Mr. Niccolls have copies of the Zoning Ordinances of Lexington and Middleburg. Mr. Bange asked if anyone has checked with the City of Alexandria, which has been almost rebuilt - he knew there were still some old signs there. Mr. Niccolls said a survey can quickly be conducted on this point. Some ordinances in other states permit a deadline for a non- conforming use. Another suggestion might be to share in the cost of removal. Mr. Reynolds added that there is no provision in, the ordi- nance for some sort of visual identification for those businesses. that do not front on the public right-of-way. The DBA is working on something for these people. . There was no-one to speak against the proposed ordinance. Mr. Herrell objected to the requirements in Section 16-31 concern- ing the "removal of the graphic and structure within six months after the activity it advertises is no'onger conducted." Most of such structures have been put up at considerable expense to the owners and would be included as a part of the real estate if it is for sale. It sometimes takes a year to sell such properties. Mayos Newman felt that there might be a point about the structure. . As an example, S & R Chevrolet has removed the graphic from its former structure, but another automobile business can use this same structure. Mr. Niccolls suggested removingthe words "and structure. " The public hearing on this proposed ordinance was closed at 8 : 02 P.M. , MINUTES OF APRIL 5, 1978 PUBLIC -HEARINGS . ZM-19 - Rezoning request of Tunis H. Campbell, et ux. Mr. Leland Mahan, attorney representing the Campbells, said this application has been reviewed by Council to some extent on two other occasions, and the Planning Commission held a hearing on it, with no opposition and with a unanimous vote in favor of the rezon- ing. This 72Q5 square feet is ,presently zoned R-2 and is immediately adjacent to ,other property zoned B-2 and owned by the Campbells. He pointed on a plat to King Street and .the property owned by the Campbells. The Highway Department has granted an access point to Route ,15- and access to this property would be from,Route 15 and 111 an easement from Mr. Jackson to Davis Avenue. There is B-2 zoning on the south, Wirt Street on the west and immediately adjacent is the motel , which is already zoned B-2. This rezoning would create a B-2 zoning for the entire tract owned by the Campbells. It is consistent 'with the use of this area. He requested that Council grant this rezoning. ZM-20 - Rezoning request of William S. Savopoulos, et ux. Mr. Savopoulos exhibited on a drawing the property in question as well as other properties in the area. It is located at 119 East Loudoun Street and is bordered by Loudoun Street on the north, by Cloverdale Corporation on the East, Royal Street Extended on the south and the property of Lois Francis on the west. It is served by Town water and sewer and presently has curb, gutter, sidewalk and a driveway, so there is no expense to the Town involved. The Planning Commission has held a public hearing and they have recom- mended approval of the request. "The property comprises 12, 465 square feet and is 54 feet in width at the front and 222 feet in depth. He could think of no unfavorable impact on adjoining property owners. The property across the street has been commercial for over 30 years and is. presently occupied by a retail factory outlet and the Mighty Midget Kitchen, Loudoun Street is one of three primary streets - the others being Market and King Streets. There are only five owner occupied dwellings in the three-block area and only two of these are not already zoned B-2. He pointed out the zoning of other properties within the area and felt that this .is a natural transition. For that reason, he respectfully asked ,that Council consider granting this request. Mr. Tolbert asked just how Royal • Street fits into the picture. Mr. Savopoulos explained that the property he is requesting rezoning for runs all the way through to Royal Street. Mr. Bange said that there are actually two pieces of property off of Harrison Street that are in an industrial zone. Mr. Savopoulos added that he does not expect to, make any structural changes to, the existing building. Mr. Cole asked if he has any par- ticular business in mind. Mr. Savopoulos said he had thought of per- haps a real estate or insurance office. He has one person in the antique business who is a little bit interested in it, but he has no definite tenant for it at this time. Perhaps he and his wife might open a business for themselves. This is a continuation of something that already exists. There was no-one to speak against this rezoning request. The, public hearing was closed at 8 : 20 P.M. , Mayor Newman said these rezoning requests will be considered at - next week' s regular Council meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8 : 22 P.M. ayor /41e1/ lerk of " e Council