HomeMy Public PortalAbout2005_10_25COUNCIL MEETING October 25, 2005
Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:30 p.m. Mayor Umstattd presiding.
Councilmembers Present: Kelly Burk, Kathryn Sheldon Hammler, Susan Horne,
Melinda Kramer, Marry Martinez, Robert Zoldos, and Mayor Kristen Umstattd.
Councilmembers Absent:
Staff Present: Town Manager John Wells, Assistant to the Town Manager Nicole
Ard, Assistant to the Town Manager Kathy Leidich, Director of Engineering and Public
Works Tom Mason, Chief of Police Joe Price, Director of Planning, Zoning and
Development Susan Swift, Director of Economic Development Betsy Fields, Director
of Parks and Recreation Kaj Dentler, Chief of Engineering Bill Ackman, Senior Planner
Chris Murphy, Assistant Director for Recreation Rich Williams, Management Specialist
Tami Watkins, and Clerk of Council Judy Ahalt.
AGENDA ITEMS
B.
C.
D.
Invocation by Councilmember Zoldos
Salute to the Flag was led by Councilmember Burk
Roll Call showing Vice Mayor Martinez and Councilmember Kramer absent.
Minutes
a. Town Council meeting of 3uly 26, 2005
On a motion by Councilmember Burk, seconded by Councilmember
Zoldos, the minutes of the July 26, 2005 meeting were approved by a 5-
0-2 vote, Vice Mayor Martinez and Councilmember Kramer absent.
b. Town Council meeting of October 12, 2005
On a motion by Councilmember Horne, seconded by Councilmember
Hammler, the minutes of the October 12, 2005 meeting were approved by
a 5-0-2 vote, Vice Mayor Martinez and Councilmember Kramer absent.
Presentations
a. Resolution of Respect - Adam Maurice Perry
This presentation was postponed until the next meeting.
b. Certificate of Appreciation - Debbie Perry
On a motion by Councilmember Zoldos, seconded by Councilmember
Home, a Certification of Appreciation was approved for Debbie Perry for
her dedicated service to the Leesburg Tree Commission.
c. "Porches" - Martha Potts and Linda Ankrum
Martha Potts and Linda Ankrum, two teachers from Loudoun Valley
High School, discussed a project their classes have put together.
Their project reflected the experience of life, past or present, on the
American Porch.
Town Council Minutes for October 25, 2005 Page
They stated this oral and social history of Loudoun County includes two
stories from Leesburg porches, one from Senator Waddell and the other
from Frank Ratio.
A copy of the "Porches" book was provided to the Mayor and others
are available for sale.
d. NRPA/Presentation of National Gold Medal Award
Gary Fenton presented the National Recreation and Parks Association
2005 Gold Metal Award to Kaj Dentler Director of Parks and Recreation.
Mr. Fenton stated this award is something earned by a whole
community and only five jurisdictions are recognized each year.
Councilmember Katie Hammler and Terry Young also accepted the
award on behalf of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Petitioners
The petitioner's section opened at 7:55 p.m.
GiGi Robinson, 207 Prince Street, addressed Council with concerns regarding
the Council minutes being posted on the Town website on a timelier basis.
Secondly, she asked how the Adelphia/Comcast franchise transfer will affect
dish customers.
Diane Knighton, 16780 Old Waterford Road, gave Council an update on
disaster relief efforts by the local Red Cross Chapter. She discussed her experiences
when she was deployed to the Gulf Coast and Galveston to provide support.
Ms. Knighton gave a report on the number of families that have been helped
by the local chapter and those organizations who have helped.
She stated they are still in need of financial and administrative support.
The petitioner's section closed at 8:05 p.m.
G, Public Hearings
Village at Leesburg
1. TLZM-2004-0005 Village at Leesburg request to rezone 103.01 acres from
I-1 - ~[ndustrial/Research Park to B-4 - Mixed-Use Business (38.84 acres)
and PRC - Planned Residential Community (64.17 acres) situated on the
south side of East Market Street opposite of River Creek Parkway.
TLSE-2004-0019 to permit 85 multi-family dwellings units within the B-4
(Mixed-Use Business) Zoning District as part of the Village at Leesburg
mixed-use development.
TLSE-2004-0020; TLSE-2004-0021; TLSE-2004-0022; and TLSE-2004-
0023 private parking structures in the B-4 - Mixed-Use Business District,
and the PRC - Planned Residential Community District.
Town Council Minutes for October 25, 2005 Paqe 3
4. TLSE-2004-0024 bank with drive-thru as part of the Village at Leesburg
development.
TLTA-2004-0002 request to amend Nap 6.3 "Land Use Policy" of the 1997
Town Plan changing the land use classification of the subject property
from Business ! - Regional Office/Retail to Business I! - Nixed Use
Chris Murphy outlined the eight different applications and provided a site
location map pointing out all the elements of the applications.
He stated staff is recommending denial of TLTA-2004-0002 and TLZM-
2004-0005 for the reasons discussed in the October 25, 2005 staff report.
Chief of Comprehensive Planning David Fuller presented the areas of
concern relating to the Town Plan.
He stated application TLTA-2004-0002 to amend the policies of the
Business Land Use Policy Section of the Town Plan are in conflict as follows:
(1) the Town Plan states no less than 50 percent of the total building area
shall be office, the proposal is less than 30 percent; (2) the Town Plan says a
retail maximum of 250,000 square feet of total building area, the proposal is
465,000 square feet; (3) the proposed 140,000 square feet for a retail
tenant exceeds the 60,000 square foot allowed by the Town Plan; (4) the
proposed 140,000 square feet of retail exceeds the maximum 30,000 square
feet of retail allowed in the Town Plan; and (5) the maximum 25 percent cap
on residential is not shown on the concept plan.
Mr. Fuller discussed several flaws in the design as follows: (1)
residences are not well connected to the main spine of the development, (2)
tennis courts are isolated, (3) restaurants are clustered, and (4) the
supermarket is isolated from the main mixed-use center, (5) there is not a
convenient pedestrian path from the residential segment to the supermarket.
He added the development is not unified; there are two pieces of
development along Russell Branch Parkway. He said many of the buildings
have their backs to the road and similarly some of the townhouses turn their
backs to Crosstrail Boulevard. He added the residential areas have no block
pattern street system. He stated that since Russell Branch Parkway divides
this property in two we need to make sure that the pedestrian crossings and
medians are adequate, with a lot of detail, marked crosswalks and
appropriately timed traffic signals. Further, there should be wide medians to
provide pedestrian refuge. The same needs to be done at the other
intersections.
Further, more traffic calming is needed within the development as well
as the completion of all multi-use paths.
Mr. Fuller pointed out that a couple of buildings and parking areas are in
the floodplain and wetlands should not be disturbed.
Chris Murphy discussed rezoning application TLZM-2005-0005 for
l'ndustrial/Research Park T-1 to B-4 Nixed-Use Business and PRC- Planned
Residential Community,
Town Council Minutes for October 25, 2005 Page 4
He stated staff is recommending denial of this application based on the
October 25, 2005 staff report.
He outlined the critical failures of this application as follows: (1) the
proposed big box retail is not appropriate for this location and may set a
precedent for additional big box retail along this office corridor; (2) the big
box retail building exceeds the maximum retail building size of 100,000 sf
permitted in the B-4 Zoning District; (3) the appearance and massing of
buildings in Landbay A may have a detrimental impact on the view along the
Route 7 corridor; (4) buildings and site improvements are located in the
floodplain and wetlands; (5) the application proffers a multi-million dollar
interchange but costs to the Town are significant and include school capital
costs and staff time to enforce senior age limits; (6) the inclusion of
residential use on the subject property does not comply with the AADPs; (7)
the application does not apply to the Town Plan; (8) the proposed PRC District
fails to provide the 200 acre minimum required district size; (9) failure to
adhere to the land use mix standards of the B-4 Zoning District; (10) many
residential buildings are poorly located and not situated to promote walking to
the rest of the project and will be impacted by noise; and (11) recreation
facilities may not adequately serve the needs of the residents of the
development.
Mr. Murphy discussed the need to further clarify proffer language
regarding the contribution to provide fine arts in Leesburg and the possibility
those capital school facilities contributions may not be made if the Loudoun
County Board of Supervisors gives credit for provision of regional
transportation improvements.
With regard to utilities, the applicant will build the interim wastewater
pump station at no cost to the Town, but the Town will bear the costs of
construction of the ultimate pump station, the abandonment of the interim,
and the conveyance of flows to the ultimate pump station.
Chief of Engineering Bill Ackman discussed transportation issues related
to this application.
He suggested that Proffer I.E.2 be amended to read as follows: "Prior to
the issuance of the first permit for occupancy of a building constructed on the
property, the applicant will construct the roads depicted on sheet 6A that are
described below to substantial completion including: placement of all
pavement (with the exception of the final surface course) with all required
signage and all pavement markings installed; authorization for opening each
road section by the Town of Leesburg and or VDOT depending upon
maintenance responsibility of the new roads; and shall open such roads to
traffic."
He suggested Proffer T.E.2.b be modified to add the following at the end
of the paragraph if this application is approved: "The applicant will design
Crosstrail Boulevard to a point that ensures the adequate road crossing of
Tuscarora Creek (but not less than 500 feet beyond the southern property
boundary). The applicant will also provide FEMA floodplain studies and
Town Council Minutes for October 25, 2005 Page
alteration studies where Crosstrail Boulevard crosses Tuscarora Creek to
ensure the vertical alignment of the road is adequate."
Further, Mr. Ackman recommended the second paragraph of Proffer X be
amended to read as follows:
"The applicant agrees to pay Two Million One Hundred Thirteen
Thousand One Hundred Fifty-Nine and 00/:~00 dollars ($2,:~:~3,:[59.00) to the
Town to off-set any payments owed to the County under the Annexation
Agreement. Tn the event that within twelve (:L2) months of the approval of
ZM 2004-0005 and the AADP's are amended to permit construction of the
property of residential units, then to the extent such units are permitted to be
constructed the Applicant will not pay AADP payments to the County of
Loudoun, but will pay such funds to the Town of Leesburg at a rate of
$2,000.00 per residential unit into a transportation fund to be used by the
Town to fund Regional Transportation Projects (to be determined by the Town
of Leesburg) to include but not limited to the future extension of Crosstrail
Boulevard and Battlefield Parkway south of Route 7. The above payments
shall be made at the time of issuance of zoning permits for residential units
constructed on the property.
Chris Murphy closed by saying staff recommends denial of the rezoning
application due the issues stated in the October 25TM staff report.
Councilmember Burk verified that no occupancy permits will be issued
until the roads are open to traffic.
She verified that none of the housing is classified as affordable housing.
Further, she asked staff to research how far away the farther most residential
units are located from the commercial component.
Councilmember Zoldos recommended that the closed session be
deferred.
The Mayor stated the closed session has been cancelled.
Mayor Umstattd asked if the proffers have language to say they will
build the office space before retail.
Brian Boucher stated the proffers are constructed to heavily front end
the road improvements. After the roads are open to build, they can build
what they want.
Mike Banzhaf, attorney for the applicant, stated this application has 55%
office. He stated the applicant has consented design and review oversight by
the Board of Architectural Review which should give some integration to the
elements. Also, they have responded to all staff comments and the remaining
objections can be dealt with at site plan review.
Mr. Banzhaf added signed proffers as well as affidavits have been
provided to staff at tonight's meeting.
Town Council Minutes for October 25, 2005 Page 6
Eddie Byrne showed Council a vicinity map of the site located on the
south side of Market Street, west of Cochran Mill Road and River Creek
Parkway/Rt. 7 intersection. He stated the property is actually 153 acres in
size; there is a 47 acres of office/employment on the east side that are
proposed to be developed under the existing zoning which is restricted to
employment/office uses. The mix for the entire property is 565,000 square
feet of office and 440,000 square feet of retail uses of which :~40,000 is
Wegmans, 25,000 in restaurant uses and a residential and active adult
community of 300,000 square feet.
Mr. Byrne stated the grade separated interchange and Rt. 7
improvements will be the first public infrastructure built. The improvements
will cost the applicant $20+ million. He stated they will do a noise
attenuation study for the Potomac Station property. The costs associated
with the study and the improvements will be at the cost of the applicant and
the solution will be in place prior to the interchange opening.
He stated they have proffered a gateway bridge design with decorative
fencing and lamp posts.
Mr. Byrne stated the Village Center will be built with a central plaza area
in conjunction with the office space.
He stated the fiscal impact analysis showed the development will provide
a $14.1 million in new tax revenue over the next 20 years.
Mr. Byrne followed with other project highlights.
Mr. Michael Denning, Shook Kelly Architects, addressed Council. He
provided slides of different developments which show architectural designs
that will be incorporated into the Village at Leesburg to make it the best
project possible.
Mayor Umstattd questioned why all of the restaurants are in one section
of the project?
Mr. Denning stated that other restaurants will be incorporated
throughout the complex.
Mr. Sandy Silverman provided a brief three-dimensional animation of
what the project would look like.
Mr. Charlie Keller, Vice President Commercial Development for KS:[,
addressed Council. Mr. Keller thanked all the citizens who came out tonight
in support of this project.
He stated they do have a signed lease with Wegmans and the overpass
will be constructed prior to the store opening.
He added Village at Leesburg will add 565,000 square feet of office
space to the Town's current 880,000 square feet of office.
Town Council Minutes for October 25, 2005 Page
Further, Mr. Keller stated KS! is in formal negotiations with a full service
hotel.
Councilmember Hammler clarified the hotel will be located within the
town center site.
Public comment began at 9:27 p.m.
Paul Miklich, 42802 Delphinium Circle, Leesburg, addressed Council in
support of the KS! rezoning application. He added the transportation
improvements are much needed.
Ed Gorski, land use planner with PEC, 802 Children's Center Road,
addressed Council. Mr. Gorski stated staff has done an excellent job
explaining why this apPlication does not conform to the Town Plan.
Further, he added the capital facility proffers costs will be paid by Town
taxpayers, numerous areas do not comply with the Zoning Ordinance, and is
in non-compliance with the AADP's.
He asked Council to deny this application as the negatives outweigh the
positives.
Dave Tocki, 802 Sydney Terrace, President of the Potomac Station
Community Association, addressed Council. He stated they have worked
with the Planning Commission, KS! and Council to enumerate their concerns
of potential impacts of this development on the Potomac Station community.
He stated only one of their concerns, noise abatement, have been
included into the proffers.
He stated Potomac Station wants a development free of additional noise,
the landscaping returned to original condition and existing landscaping at the
intersection be relocated or replaced with the same or similar plantings.
Further, he asked Council to take into consideration the requests of their
neighborhood.
Chris Crane, General Manager of Holiday Tnn at 1500 E. Market Street,
addressed Council. He stated his concern with the impact of this
development on his business. He stated the applicant has been very
cooperative and has proffered repositioning of the drive way entrance onto
their property and to extend the acceleration lane and pay for landscaping
costs.
He thanked Mr. Byrne for being cooperative.
GiGi Robinson, 207 Prince Street, addressed Council asking for denial of
this project. She stated approval of this plan puts the Town Plan at risk.
Ken Reid, Tavistock Farms, addressed Council in support of the Village
at Leesburg application and amendment of the Town Plan. He stated the
Town Plan is a policy document and can be changed.
Town Council Minutes for October 25, 2005 Page 8
He stated it will provide relief with a grade separated interchange, to
provide the need for senior housing and the applicant is leaving land open for
a cloverleaf in the future.
Mr. Reid stated he is concerned with Proffer #16 as it allows only one
access point. He suggested a proffer that will provide a second
ingress/egress and to work with Autopark to complete Russell Branch
Parkway to Battlefield Parkway.
Marybeth Mohr, 314 Foxridge Drive, addressed Council asking that the
Town Plan not be disregarded. She stated this project will add thousands of
cars to Rt. 7. The jobs generated are not the kind that will affect us
positively. She added the proposed housing does not accommodate people
who earn at or below medium household level of $83,000.
She stated her concern that this application is being considered without
looking at the big picture of the community, especially in light of the work
that has been done on the crescent district. She stated the Crescent District,
which Council and the community support, will add a considerable amount of
office and retail space. She stated the need to prioritize to focus on infill and
the downtown. She added main street is downtown Leesburg, it's our
character, it is our charm, it is where we live, work and play.
She asked Council to hold the developer to task and keep their
promises.
Lori Kimball, 43597 Emerald Dunes Place, addressed Council stated
there is many things to like about this application. She stated her concern
with the southbound entrance into Wegmans at Crosstrail Boulevard will
cause traffic backups.
She asked how many car trips per day the development will generate.
She expressed the concern with interim pump station proffer that
acknowledges a potential odor problem and how far will the odor spread.
Further, Ms. Kimball asked if the tax payers will pay the capital facilities
and AADP charges since the applicant has not proffered to pay.
She asked that the proffer regarding noise abatement be clarified with
regards to whether additional land needs to be provided to the applicant.
She asked Council to not vote in favor of this project just because of
Wegmans.
Georgette Sobel, spoke for Nicholas Kittrie, 32427 Cochran Mill Road.
She stated Mr. Kittrie owns 77+ acres on Cochran Mill Road that will be
affected by this project.
She asked what will happen to Cochran Mill Road and whether Rt. 653
going to be rerouted through the project?
Town Council Minutes for October 25, 2005 Page 9
Ms. Sobel suggested further work with KST to determine more clarity
in the application.
Gem Bingol, 43028 Mill Race Terrace, addressed Council. She stated
the proffer for the interchange is good, but is it enough to impact the
additional generated traffic. She suggested more defined details on the traffic
issues.
She stated the failure of this application to comply with the Zoning
Ordinance and Town Plan would set a precedent if approved. The big box
that exceeds the 100,000 square foot limit; what happens when the next big
box wants to come to Leesburg. She asked why the plan includes more
retail than office stating the proffer language does not guarantee office.
Ms. Bingol asked that school proffers not be exchanged for road
proffers.
Finally she asked Council to make sure this project conforms to our
needs.
John Farmer, 109 Field Court, addressed Council. He stated the Town
is lacking in amenities in the downtown. He stated this development is in the
best interest of the Town as it will provide additional eating and shopping
opportunities.
He stated his agreement that certain proffers need to be amended.
He asked Council to please support this application.
,lim Sisley addressed Council by asking if the Town Plan is a legal
document or a guideline.
Town Attorney Barbara Beach said the Town Plan is both.
He stated the economic resilience of the Town is based on the balance
of: residential, manufacturing, service industries and office. He added we are
tilting heavily toward the residential component.
Mr. Sisley commended KS! for proposing to build additional office
space, but the amount is unclear.
Further, he stated the type of development proposed by KS! is needed
in Town, but the proposed site is the wrong location. That property needs to
be our industrial and employment center.
He asked Council to not abandon the vision of downtown that has been
worked for the past three to five years and the continuing work on a Crescent
District Master Plan. He stated the master plan has not yet been delivered to
Council and that thousands of volunteer hours have expended to develop the
downtown.
Mr. Sisley asked Council to deny the KS! application.
Town Council Minutes for October 25, 2005 Page ]0
Elias Fuhel, 832 Beau Lake in Potomac Station, addressed Council.
Mr. Fuhel stated his agreement with Mr. Tocki in that we need the amenities
of a town center type project.
He stated the noise abatement issues for Potomac Station residents
are a big deal. He asked Council to be sure that follow up is done on this
issue to be sure that KS:[ noise abatement proposals are completed.
The public hearing closed at 10:23 p.m.
Councilmember Hammler thanked citizens for coming out to express their
opinions. She thanked staff and the Planning Commission for their hard work on
this application.
She stated some very important issues have been raised such as: traffic
abatement, a second access point, completion of trail and road network, Russell
Branch Parkway, and pedestrian access.
She stated she can't wait to work on the Crescent District Master Plan and she
does not believe this is mutually exclusive.
Councilmember Hammler stated this project will create a balance for the
Town and a diverse economic tax base.
Further she asked for feedback from the Economic Development Director.
Councilmember Zoldos thanked the residents for coming out tonight. He
stated this is a very important time in the life of Leesburg. He thanked the applicant
and staff for their input. He stated this project will provided the much needed senior
housing.
He stated the importance of the applicant and staff meeting to resolve issues
and answers to all questions raised tonight.
Councilmember Horne stated her appreciation to folks for coming out and for
the different perspectives presented.
She agreed with Councilmember Zoldos that staff and the applicant need to
continue to work out issues
She stated this development is not mutually exclusive of the historic district.
She stated she would not want any new development to take away from the historic
district. She stated she has concern for affordable workforce housing.
Councilmember Burk thanked everyone for coming out to voice their opinions.
She stated she still has major concerns with this project.
Mayor Umstattd thanked all for coming out. She stated she is taking all
comments seriously.
Transportation Enhancement Grant
The public hearing opening at 10:23 p.m.
Town Council Minutes for October 25, 2005 Page
Tami Watkins outlined the two TEA-21 Grant applications. One for
planning and developing a study for a pedestrian overpass across US Route
15 and the other for funding the replacement of streetlights in the Leesburg
Historic District.
She stated the bridge project is an extension of the 2010 C]~P project,
but having the TEA-2! funds will help to advance this project.
She clarified at Councilmember Horne's request that the Town will not
be committed to any particular design of street lights and the geographic
location will be bounded to the north by North Street, the south by Royal
Street, east by Church Street and the west by Liberty Street.
Councilmember Hammler clarified that letters of support will be
submitted by key officials.
There were no petitioners for this public hearing.
The public hearing closed at 10:37 p.m.
H. LEGISLATION
ORDTNANCE
None
[ CONSENT AGENDA
On a motion by Councilmember Horne, seconded by Councilmember
Hammler, the following consent motion was proposed:
2005-Z64
RE$OLUTZON
Approving amendments to the FY 2006 General Fund Budget and making
appropriations for $99,179.65 awarded through a Department of Homeland Security
Grant.
2005-Z65
RESOLUTZON
Approving amendments to the FY 2006 General Fund Budget and making
appropriations for $14,983 awarded through Department of .3ustice 2005 Justice
Assistance Grant
The consent motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye:
Nay:
Vote:
Burk, Hammler, Home, Zoldos and Mayor Umstattd
None
5-0-2 (Kramer and Martinez absent)
J REGULAR AGENDA J
On a motion by Councilmember Zoldos, seconded by Councilmember Horne,
the following motion was proposed:
Town Council Minutes for October 25, 2005 Page ],2
2005-166
RESOLUTTON
Endorsing the application and authorizing the Town Manager to execute any and all
of the documents associated with the application for a Transportation Enhancement
Grant for the purpose of funding a planning and development study for a pedestrian
overpass across US Route 15.
2005-170
RESOLUTION
Endorsing the application and authorizing the Town Manager to execute any and all
documents associated with the application for a Transportation Enhancement Grant
for the purpose of funding the replacement of street lights in the Leesburg Historic
District.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Burk, Hammler, Home, Zoldos and Mayor Umstattd
Nay: None
Vote: 5-0-2 (Kramer and Martinez absent)
On a motion by Councilmember Hammler, seconded by Councilmember
Zoldos, the following motion was proposed:
2005-167
RESOLUTI'ON
Authorizing an amendment to the employment contract between the Leesburg Town
Council and Town Manager .lohn A. Wells.
Councilmember Burk stated she has a great deal of respect for Mr. Wells but
she will be voting against this amendment because it doesn't do well to give a
certain percentage to your employees and give others an additional amount. Her
vote does not reflect on the job Mr. Wells is doing.
Mayor Umstattd stated Mr. Wells is a superior Town Manager and deserves
every aspect of this contract.
Councilmember Hammler stated she has never met the kind of leader .lohn
Wells is and she fully supports this contract amendment.
Councilmember Zoldos stated he concurs and will be voting for this
amendment.
Councilmember Home stated she will support this amendment and has the
highest regard for .lohn Wells.
Mayor Umstattd stated Mr. Wells fought long and hard against this Council's
determination to give him this amount in this contract. His desire was to be limited
to what other Town employees get was overrun by the overriding support that
Council has for the job he is doing.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye: Hammler, Horne, Zoldos and IVlayor Umstattd
Nay: Burk
Vote: 4-1-2 (Kramer and Martinez absent)
Town Council Minutes for October 25, 2005 Page 13
I. Boards and Commissions
a. Airport Commission
Councilmember Zoldos reported that last Saturday's celebration to
reopen the runway was successful. Tn attendance was Mayor Umstattd,
Delegate May, Steve Axeman and several vendors.
He congratulated the airport staff, the acting director and Mr. Elsewaissi
for doing a good job.
b. Thomas Balch Library Commission - no comment
c. Board of Architectural Review
Councilmember Burk stated the BAR is revisiting the bus shelter issue.
d. Cable Television Advisory Commission - no comment
e. Economic Development Commission
Councilmember Horne stated she was unable to attend the meeting as
she attended the Northern Virginia Contractors event.
f. Environmental Advisory Commission
Councilmember Burk stated recycling surveys are being delivered to
the downtown merchants.
g. Information Technology Commission - no comment
h. Parks and Recreation Commission
Councilmember Hammler reported the second input session on the
Symington donation will be held this coming Saturday at 9:00 a.m.
i. Planning Commission - no comment
j. Tree Commission - no comment
k. Standing Residential Traffic Committee
Councilmember Horne reported the committee is dealing with Lawson
Road issues.
.]. OLD BUSTNESS
K. NEW BUSTNESS
On a motion by Councilmember Burk, seconded by Councilmember Hammler,
the following motion was proposed:
a. Leesburg position on airspace restrictions
2005-168
RESOLUTION
Town of Leesburg's position on airspace restrictions affecting Leesburg Executive
Airport
The motion was approved by the following vote:
Town Council Minutes for October 25, 2005 Page ~14
Aye:
Nay:
Vote:
Burk, Hammler, Horne and Mayor Umstattd
None
4-0-1-2 (Zoldos abstaining and Kramer and Martinez absent)
b. Holiday Parking
Mayor Umstattd read the three versions proposed for holiday parking
promotions in the Historic District as follows:
Version One - waive all street parking fees on Thursday and Fridays and allow
merchants to validate one additional free hour of parking from November 25 thru
.lanuary 6;
Version Two - authorizes staff to waive all parking fees including parking fees
in the parking garage for the period November 25 thru January 6;
Version Three - authorizes staff to waive parking fees in the Town Hall
parking garage for the period November 25 thru January 6.
On a motion by Councilmember Zoldos, seconded by Councilmember Horne,
Version Two was proposed.
Betsy Fields clarified that the meter attendants will still be enforcing no
parking zones, loading zones, etc.
Mayor Umstattd and Councilmember Burk stated their support for Version
Th ree.
Councilmember Horne stated it is important to get the message out that
Leesburg's Historic District is open for business and there is available parking.
.lohn Wells clarified that permit parking in the garage will also be free parking
for that period. He stated the importance of using all methods to get the word out
the Council's intention is to have parking available for shoppers.
Councilmember Burk asked how much revenue will be lost.
IVlr, Wells added we are currently ahead in revenue projections but it will not
be a total offset.
Ms. Fields later reported the loss of revenue would be approximately $:[3,500.
After further discussion the motion was approved by the following vote:
Aye:
Nay:
Vote:
Hammler, Home and Zoldos
Burk and Mayor Umstattd
3-2-2 (Kramer and Martinez absent)
Town Council Minutes for October 25, 2005 Page 15
L, COUNCZL COMMENTS
Councilmember Hammler disclosed a meeting on October 17 with Michael
Firetti, Economic Development Commissioner Ken Werner and two Van Metre
representatives, Beau Van Metre and Larry Bensignor.
She stated she is keeping Councilmember Kramer in her prayers and wished
her daughter Jordan a speedy recovery.
She sent out her best wishes to Town employees Troy Ruff and Kent
Ashbaugh who were involved in a vehicle accident while at work.
Councilmember Hammler congratulated Parks and Recreation for the Gold
Medal Standard Award and thanked the Rust Family for their part in the success of
Ida Lee by their donation of the land on which Ida Lee Park is situated.
She extended her thoughts to the Mayr family for their recent loss.
She stated the world has lost a wonderful hero in the passing of Rosa Parks.
Councilmember Zoldos extended prayers to Councilmember Kramer's family
during the illness of Jordan.
He commended the Parks and Recreation staff, their director and other Town
staff that have worked to achieve their gold medal award.
He asked Tom Mason to respond to the questions regarding Dominion Virginia
Power and the status of the street lights in Edwards Landing.
He reminded citizens of the Halloween Parade on October 31.
Councilmember Horne congratulated the Park and Recreation staff, the Parks
and Recreation Commission along with the entire Town staff stating we can be very
proud of our parks and recreation system.
She reported missing the airport open house; however, it a great event last
year.
She asked staff to follow-up on the marketing plans to promote free parking
in the downtown over the holidays.
She congratulated the Town Attorney on the great work she is doing.
She offered her wishes for a safe Halloween.
Councilmember Home extended her prayers and thoughts to Councilmember
Kramer and her daughter, Jordan for a speedy recovery.
Councilmember Burk reminded Councilmembers to take a look at the
"Porches" book which is a fascinating book of stories of porches put together by
Loudoun Valley High School students.
She sent her best wishes to Councilmember Kramer's daughter for a speedy
recovery.
Town Council Minutes for October 25, 2005 Page
She thanked the speakers for coming out tonight.
Councilmember Burk congratulated the Parks and Recreation Department on
the achievement of excellence.
She reported attending the Virginia Municipal League Conference on October
24.
M. MAYOR'S COMMENTS
Mayor Umstattd reported attending the airport ribbon cutting along with
Councilmember Zoldos, Delegate ~loe May, Stanley Caulkins.
She reported attending the event with the foreign visitors at Dodona Manor
along with Councilmembers Burk and Hammler.
She thanked the Heritage High School German faculty for hosting the
exchange students.
The Mayor reported a ribbon cutting at Reebok at the Outlet Mall. She stated
they are trying a new marketing concept as they view Leesburg as trendy and a
growing center for international travelers.
She reported our sister city, Sam Cheok, South Korea has sent a considerable
donation to Blue Ridge Hospice.
She thanked Councilmember Burk, Vice Mayor Martinez and Nicole Ard for
attending the NAACP banquet.
The Mayor reported she and ~lohn Wells met with the inspectors who reported
that other developments may be experiencing the same type of problems as Edwards
Landing. .lohn Wells will be working with Tom Mason on the status of the projects.
Also, the Town Attorney is working on steps to encourage and motivate the building
industry to meet their requirements in performance guarantee work in a more-timely
manner.
She sent out her wishes for the Kramer family and a speedy recovery for
.lordan Kramer.
The Mayor reported she and Delegate .loe May visited Danbury, Connecticut
to look at their underground transmission lines project along a major two-lane
commuter route. When their work is completed there will be no evidence it had
occurred. The work was done at night to avoid commuter traffic.
She stated Connecticut has a law that all new transmission lines will go
underground.
She stated Delegate May is still committed to underground lines. He wants to
see if we can underground next to our Rt. 7 but it may be too disruptive to put them
under the travel lanes. Further, if right-of-way could be acquired next to the
shoulder that would be his choice. He remains committed to not putting lines on the
W&OD.
Town Council Minutes for October 25, 2005 Page
The second possibility would be to put the lines under the travel lanes on a
much less traveled road.
Councilmember Zoldos suggested placing the lines on the median of Route 7.
N. MANAGER'S REPORT
Tom Mason reported he talked with Dominion Virginia Power representative
Pam Gottfried regarding the street lights in Edwards Landing. The delay is related to
the cost estimates and they should be in by the end of the year.
On behalf of the staff John Wells sent out best wishes for a speedy recovery
to Jordan Kramer.
Mr. Wells stated the Gold Medal Award achieved by Parks and Recreation
represents the efforts of the Council, staff, Parks and Recreation and the entire
organization.
CLOSED SESSZON
The closed session was cancelled.
Mr. Wells stated staff will follow up with Mr. Nicholson tomorrow.
P. AD3OURNMENT
On a motion by Councilmember Zoldos, seconded by Councilmember Horne,
the meeting adjourned at 11:34 p.m.
ATFEST:
/~'le~k of Council
2oo5_tcminlO25
Town of Leesburg