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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2000_11_27 Council Work Session November 27, 2000 Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:20 p.m. Mayor Webb presiding. Councilmembers Present: George Atwell, Mervin Jackson, Leonard McDonald, David Schmidt, Kristen Umstattd, Robert Zoldos, and Mayor Webb. Staff Members Present: Bob Noe Town Manager, William Donnelly Town Attorney, Deputy Town Manager Phil Rodenberg, Director of Engineering and Public Works Tom Mason, Director of Planning, Zoning and Development Michael Tompkins, Chief of Police Joe Price, Major Mike McVeigh, Captain Clagett Moxley, Captain Jeff VanGilder, Chief of Current Planning Lee Phillips and Clerk of Council Judy Ahalt. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Agenda for Council Meeting of November 28, 2000 Councilmember Atwell asked for clarification on the time extension request for completion of public improvements for Woodlea Manor, Phase 6? Tom Mason replied the additional time would allow for finishing of the remainder of the houses and to pave the roads. Mayor Webb asked for confirmation on how many homes must be completed before the opening of Bradfield Drive? Mr. Mason stated it is 95% completion and we are now at approximately 85%. a. Loudoun Soort and Health Club Delane Parks commented that nothing has changed with this application since the public hearing and a draft ordinance has been provided. Councilmember Jackson verified this property is currently R-6. b. Roval Self Storaae Soecial Exceotion Lee Phillips addressed Council stating that since the October 31, 2000 meeting there is a more specific fence detail for their review and architectural elevations as requested by Council member Atwell. Council member Schmidt questioned whether the storage units are a- frame. The applicant responded that it would be a-frame with a 5: 12 roof pitch. Councilmember Umstattd asked that staff respond quickly upon Council approval of this application to satisfy condition #10 with reference to color scheme. Lee Phillips stated he would work with the Board of Architectural to ensure that this information is forwarded to the applicant in a timely manner. c. Leaaue of Women Voters use of Town Council Chambers Judy Ahalt outlined this request by the League of Women Voters to use the Council Chambers on December 14th stating research of past rentals shows that rental fees were not reduced or waived. Council Work Session Minutes for November 27,2000 Page 2 Councilmember Zoldos commented that the minimum fee per hours should be charged. Councilmember Jackson concurred. 2. Police Communications Center Chief Joe Price addressed Council with reference to the most critical and most controversial recommendation from the DMG report. Specifically whether or not the Town of Leesburg should continue maintaining its own Communications Center or merging with the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. Captain Moxley outlined 3 options recommended by DMG. He commented the process time for a call in Leesburg is 1 minute and 37 seconds as opposed to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office response time of over 4 minutes. Captain Moxley outlined the other services provided by their Communications Center, such as records management system, computer aided dispatch, monitoring the alarm systems within department, and community access to the community room. It is the recommendation of the Leesburg Police Department that it is in the best interest of the Department, Town and community to maintain an accessible facility 24/7. It is their opinion that Option C provides a greater return for tax dollars and that cost savings is a non-issue. He stated they plan to continue working with Loudoun County on integration of 800 MHz systems and move forward with crime analysis and GIS interface. Capt. Moxley stated any merger could not occur until the integration of the 800 MHz system. The LCSO and Loudoun Fire and Rescue will have their backup systems at the Leesburg facility. Currently they are developing a mutual aid agreement with both agencies and have a strong working relationship. Mayor Webb thanked Capt Moxley for the outstanding report. Leonard McDonald verified that we would be working on the same MHz system as the Loudoun County. Capt. Moxley added that units from both jurisdictions could be linked together. Chief Price stated currently we are on two separate frequencies as an interim step, but our cruisers are linked with scanners. Councilmember McDonald added their response times are very impressive and he will be supporting the recommendation. Councilmember Umstattd agreed with the staff recommendation. Mayor Webb commented on the impressive report and is looking forward to this being part of the Police Department budget. Councilmember Atwell stated he would be supporting this recommendation. Council Work Session Minutes for November 27,2000 Page 3 3. Loudoun Museum Exoansion Mayor Webb referenced a letter sent to Ellen PercyMiller in reference to the town hall expansion plans. Bob Noe outlined the status of the town hall expansion. He explained that in the past 14 months there have two executive sessions to discuss space needs. Council has taken action to authorize the retention of an architect to explore the alternatives; (1) expand along Wirt St. (2) expand into the area known as the garden; (3) expand along Loudoun Street. Further, Mr. Noe advised that he had met with Ms. Gillespie in June to advise that their expansion drawings may be in conflict with town expansion plans. Mr. Noe stated he was surprised to receive the recent letter showing more expansion by the museum into the garden area. He added that he had met with Ms. PercyMiller last week to convey the information. He stated the town is trying to preserve its alternatives. Mayor Webb stated Council needs to decide how important tourism and the vitality of the museum is to the historic district and whether they want to keep the museum downtown. Councilmember Umstattd stated she is opposed to expansion of any kind that fills the green space. Sue Williams, President of the Museum Board, address Council. She stated they were aware of the town's proposed expansion, however, Ms. Gillespie did not relate the expansion may encroach on the area they are planning to use for expansion. She added there was a council resolution passed in September 1998 endorsing the museum's expansion. They have hired an architect and presented their expansion plans to Council in March. She stated it is their desire to stay in the downtown. She reminded Council the Odd Fellows Hall is on the Virginia Historic Register and they will met a lot of opposition if they plan to tear that building down for expansion. She asked for suggestions from Council as to how this issue can be resolved. Councilmember Atwell stated that the museum and Balch Library are integral parts of the triangle to preserve downtown. He stated he is in support of the museum, however the expansion may be a little large. Councilmember McDonald stated he would like to see the Town work with the museum in their efforts, but he too would like to preserve part of the green space. Mayor Webb suggested Council and staff discuss the expansion plans and then meet with the museum to discuss issues. Councilmember Atwell asked to see the conceptual drawings for the museum. Councilmember Zoldos stated the first responsibility is to the town and its residents by functioning in an efficient manner, which may include expansion. Council Work Session Minutes for November 27,2000 Page 4 Mayor Webb asked that this issue be addressed again at a January/February council meeting after all parties have had the opportunity to met and come to some conclusions. 4. Loudoun Transit Routina Mark McGregor of Loudoun Transit addressed Council outlining the proposed routes to begin in January 2001. Their goal is to have a stop in every neighborhood and possibly a bus dedicated to crossing the bypass. Councilmember Zoldos asked for cost of the dedicated bus. Mr. McGregor stated that effective next October the Virginia Depart of Rail, Department of Transportation would fund 75% of the approximate $90,000 a year approximate cost. He stated that he would work on funding in the interim if it is the desire of Council to implement this bus. Mr. McGregor asked for assistance in having two parking meters removed for a bus shelter on Harrison Street near the County Government Center and in securing town and county approvals. Councilmember Schmidt asked that Old Waterford Knoll, Woodlea and Greenway be added to the route. Councilmember Atwell commended Mr. McGregor and John Ross on their efforts in mapping out the routes. Councilmember Umstattd asked that Mr. Noe appoint a staff member to work with Mr. McGregor to work with the issue of the shuttle across the bypass, the bus shelters, and any approval process and any action that have to be taken with reference to the parking meters on Harrison Street. 5. Council Work Session/Reaular Meetina Process. This item was moved to the end of the agenda. 6. Chancellor Street Trail - Renewal of Consideration bv Council Councilmember Zoldos commented that he would like to reconsider the emergency access road for Chancellor Street and will introduce that item as a new business item at the December 12th council meeting. Councilmember Schmidt stated that he would be in support of considering this item at the December 12th meeting. Councilmember Jackson stated he understood this item would be discussed at the mid-year budget. Doug Goolsby, resident from Chancellor Street, addressed Council asking specifically what would be voted on in two weeks. He suggested that the citizens be given more time for comments. The motions previously were to review at mid-year budget. Town Attorney Bill Donnelly commented this item could be reconsidered under new business as it the "trail" there would have to be a motion to rescind the vice-mayors motion to take it out of the CIP. Council Work Session Minutes for November 27,2000 Page 5 Councilmember Jackson asked what would be done if there is a vote to extend a Chancellor Street emergency access? Mr. Donnelly stated the CIP would have to be amended to accommodate that item. Councilmember Atwell commented the route for the road would require considerable amount of discussion, and it was his intent to bring this forward for discussion at the mid-year budget. 7. Preview Items on the December 12th Aaenda a. 14 Cardinal Park Drive - SE-2000-10 Lee Phillips previewed this application for an outdoor storage yard to support a plumbing supply business at 14 Cardinal Park Drive. He added the Planning Commission has recommended conditional approval with their major concern being visibility of the storage yard from surrounding properties. The Planning Commission also recommended screening by means of a vinyl coated chain link fence with privacy slats and landscaping. b. ZOAM-00-07 - H-1 District Exoansion Kristie Lalire previewed this zoning ordinance and zoning district map amendment to extend the H-1 District. Ms. Lalire outlined this expansion would includes two properties on Edwards Ferry Road and nine properties on South King Street. She stated that concurrently with this local historic district expansion these properties will be placed in the town's National Register District which would make them eligible for tax credits. Council member Zoldos asked if all property owners have consented? Ms. Lalire said that a survey was done and at the Planning Commission 3 were against and 4 in favor of the expansion. Councilmember McDonald asked why this was not addressed in 1990. Ms. Lalire stated the boundary was drawn according to properties that wanted to be in the H-1 District. He asked for a map with the addresses and whether those people want to be in. Bill Donnelly advised that you could not do a checkerboard system. 8. Council Work Session/Reaular Meetina Process Bob Noe commented that a draft has been provided to Council as to their discussion of the workshop/agenda process. It was the consensus of Council to accept the draft as presented. 9. Other Business Mike Tompkins provided Council with a written summary of the Hawkins Property. The meeting adjourned at 9: 10 p.m. tl&