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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2002_05_13 Council Work Session May 13, 2002 Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7: 10 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: Town Manager Bob Noe, Town Attorney William Donnelly, Deputy Town Manager Phil Rodenberg, Director of Engineering and Public Works Tom Mason, Chief of Police Joe Price, Acting Director of Planning, Zoning and Development John DiZerga, Director of Parks and Recreation Kaj Dentler, Director of Human Resources Dona Wolf, Airport Director Doug McNeely, Chief of Current Planning Lee Phillips, Chief of Comprehensive Planning Randy Hodgson, Zoning Administrator Brian Boucher, Tourism Coordinator Marantha Edwards, Assistant to the Town Manager Nicole Ard, Planner Nancy Kitchens, Management Intern Larry DiRe, and Clerk of Council Judy Ahalt. AGENDA ITEMS Councilmember Schmidt asked that Resolution 9 - Notice of intention to adoot a boundarv line adiustment agreement between the County of Loudoun. Virginia and the Town of Leesburg and authorizing a publication of a notice - on the Council agenda be discussed as Item F. 1. Agenda for Council Meeting of May 14, 2002 a. ZOAM 02-01 Medical Offices and Veterinary Hospital in the 0-1 - Joint Public Hearing with the Planning Commission Brian Boucher, Zoning Administrator, outlined this zoning ordinance amendment which would permit medical offices and veterinary hospitals as a by-right use in the 0-1 District. There was no Council discussion on this item. b. ZM-2001-05, Stratford proffer amendment - to permit an increase in the proffered building height for the multifamily structures in Land Bay "E" from 45 feet to 52 feet. Nancy Kitchens outlined this proffer amendment application. She stated the two items of concern have been resolved. The applicant has agreed to provide all tenants with a separate addendum as part of the lease contract disclosing the proximity of the apartment buildings to the Leesburg Executive Airport. Also the applicant has agreed to provide additional screening along Hope Parkway. Doug McNeely, Airport Director, addressed Council. He stated the proffers have addressed his concern with reference to the safety and quality of life for the residents of the apartments. Additionally, the FAA has determined the proposed development is not a hazard to air navigation. There was no Council discussion on this item. Town Council Work Session Minutes for May 13, 2002 Page 2 c. Adopting the Fiscal Year 2003 new daily admission rates for the Ida Lee Park Recreation Center Kaj Dentler outlined the proposed daily admission fee increases for residents and non-residents at the Ida Lee Park Recreation Center. Mr. Dentler stated the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission has endorsed this rate increase. Councilmember Schmidt asked how this increase would affect annual rates. Mr. Dentler said the formula is based on the daily rate. Councilmember Atwell asked that the increase for non-county residents be amended to reflect $8.00. Vice-Mayor Umstattd verified that the net impact of the higher rates would be approximately $200,000. d. Amending the Pay and Classification Plan Director of Human Resources, Dona Wolf, stated the amended pay and classification plan is needed to reflect the new budget changes. There was no Council discussion. e. Supporting continuation of the Northern Virginia Regional Partnership. Phil Rodenberg recommended that Council continue to support the Northern Virginia Regional Partnership so that Leesburg's share of state incentive funds would go to the Partnership to support economic competitiveness in the region. He added that NVRP is comprised of 13 localities. Phil Rodenberg verified for Vice-Mayor Umstattd that regions are only eligible for workforce monies. f. Notice of Intention to approve and adopt a boundary line adjustment agreement between Loudoun County and the Town of Leesburg and authorizing publication of a notice. Councilmember Schmidt proposed that the entire O'Connor site be brought into the Town by a boundary line adjustment. There was a discussion as to whether this may complicate the issue and whether the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is in support. Bill Donnelly commented the school board is on a tight schedule and if a new survey is done it may delay the project. Further, the Town would be setting a precedent by using a boundary line adjustment to take in private property. Council was in concurrence that they did not want to delay the project and would move forward with the publication notice. Town Council Work Session Minutes for May 13. 2002 Page 3 2. Citizens Survey Opportunity Phil Rodenberg introduced Marc Chinoy of the Regis Group who has offered to conduct a survey for the town using an Internet-based polling and surveying system. Mr. Chinoy explained the benefits of Internet surveying capabilities. He provided the results of a pilot demonstration. It was the consensus of Council that they were interested in conducting an on-line survey of Leesburg residents. 3. Downtown Consultant/Business Development Strategy Contract Marantha Edwards provided Council with the three short-listed firms whom responded to the RFP for the purpose of retaining a downtown consultant. Staff has recommended retaining the services of MCA Urban Planning of Greenville, S.C. in conjunction with Mahan Rykiel Associates Inc. It was the decision of Council to move forward with staff's recommendation rather than interviewing the three short listed firms. 4. Dead Pine tree at 119 Harrison Street, NE Bob Noe reported that the tree at 119 Harrison Street, NE is on private property and staff recommends against removing the tree, as it does not appear that storm water damage has caused the tree to die. Councilmember Zoldos stated the tree should be removed, as it is a safety hazard and public nuisance. Mayor Webb recommended the Town remove the tree. Councilmember McDonald added that flooding could kill evergreens. 5. Pedestrian Crosswalks Mayor Webb discussed the issue of pedestrian safety and a recommendation from the Traffic Task Force for the possible use of sandwich-board signs. Also, she questioned how we should enforce the crosswalk areas. Councilmember Zoldos commented on the need to work toward Leesburg becoming more pedestrian friendly. Mayor Webb asked that the feasibility of sandwich boards at crosswalks be discussed with the Traffic Engineer. Councilmember Zoldos suggested a metal pedestrian sign as used in Washington, D.C. It was the consensus for this item to be discussed at a future work session. 6. Opening of Street Connections in Exeter Hills Tom Mason commented that originally Council did not wish to open the Exeter Hills streets until all new roads and completion of improvements to existing streets was completed. However, in 1999 Council allowed the opening connections to Mayfair Drive at North Street and North Street between Prince and Catoctin Circle. ".,",.._~~...........__.~-~~~--~,>,_._..,_.._,,-~."~,~",-,",,-~--"'..'~ Town Council Work Session Minutes for May 13, 2002 Page 4 Mr. Mason suggested a public hearing to consider the opening of connections to existing streets constructed as part of Exeter Hills. Mayor Webb commented on citizen complaints on Oakcrest Manor Drive and Wildman Street. It was the consensus of Council to support a public hearing to consider street openings for Wildman Street at Marshall, Woodberry Drive at North Street and Catoctin Circle at North Street. Mayor Webb asked about the opening of Sandy Landing Drive in Kincaid Forest. Mr. Mason stated that the developer is reluctant to open that street until accepted into the town system. Council member Jackson commented that the Traffic Committee is ready to send the Oakcrest Drive Traffic Study to Council. 7. County Zoning Ordinance Mayor Webb advised the County is requesting representatives from the Town for a Towns Focus group that will review proposed revisions of the County's Zoning Ordinance and Remapping process. It was decided that Vice-Mayor Umstattd and Chief of Comprehensive Planning, Randy Hodgson, would be the Town representatives. 8. VML Policy Committee Nominations Bob Noe asked for a representative from Council to the Virginia Municipal League Policy Committee. Councilmember Schmidt volunteered for the Transportation Committee. 9. Other Business Chuck Shotton, Chairman of the Cable Commission, addressed Council. Mr. Shotton discussed a future dedicated channel for Leesburg. Further, he asked what the tone of discussion should be with Adelphia in the future. Council member Zoldos responded that the strongest language possible would be his preference. There was further discussion on the poor service provided by Adelphia and their financial problems. Council asked the status of the fiber optic installations and penalties assessed. Nicole Ard stated that an update would be provided at the next Cable Commission meeting. Councilmember McDonald added that the Federal Communications Commission limits enforcement with cable companies. Mayor Webb reminded Council of National Police Officers Week and the ceremony to be held at the Public Safety Center at 2:00 p.m. on May 16th. Town Council Work Session Minutes for May 13, 2002 Council member Zoldos asked staff for a report on Mt. Tavistock. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. /);, dlwi erk of Council Page 5