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.
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