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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2002_07_08 Council Work Session July 8, 2002 Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:30 p.m. Mayor Umstattd presiding. Councilmembers Present: Mervin Jackson, Melinda Kramer, David Schmidt, Robert Zoldos and Mayor Umstattd. Councilmembers Absent: Frank Buttery and Marty Martinez Staff Members Present: Town Manager Bob Noe, Town Attorney William Donnelly, Deputy Town Manager Phil Rodenberg, Director of Engineering and Public Works Tom Mason, Director of Parks and Recreation Kaj Dentler, Chief of Police Joe Price, Director of Human Resources Dona Wolf, Chief of Comprehensive Planning Randy Hodgson, Zoning Administrator Brian Boucher, Planner Nancy Kitchens, Planner Kristie Lalire, Management Intern Adam Brown and Clerk of Council Judy Ahalt. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Agenda for Council Meeting of July 9, 2002 a. SE-2001-07 - Tires Plus - Leesburg Shopping Center - Public Hearing Nancy Kitchens outlined this special exception request for a tire and automotive repair center in the Leesburg Park Shopping Center. Ms. Kitchens stated that any outstanding issues have been resolved and are reflected in the report provided by staff. Further, the Planning Commission has recommended conditional approval. Council member Zoldos expressed concerns with enforcement of Condition # 13 which refers to deliveries to the site. Councilmember Schmidt had concerns with the impact on the area between the proposed site and Sheetz. Ms. Kitchens stated that an additional turn lane would be added. Bill Keefe, representative for the applicant, stated that the improvements proposed for the site would mitigate the problems. Richard Bekesh, project architect, gave an overview of the progression of this project. Council member Zoldos asked for clarification as to the distance from Edwards Ferry Road to the first turn and the number of parking spaces at the site. Mayor Umstattd stated that comments were received from several citizens at the Planning Commission. Council member Kramer asked that staff explore the possibility of a right entrance into the site directly from Edwards Ferry Road. Town Council Worksession minutes for July 8. 2002 Page 2 Vice-Mayor Jackson questioned the current level of traffic service at the shopping center and the resulting level of service with the improvements. Sill Keefe stated that they are implementing improvements of the life safety type as well as mitigating traffic volumes. b. Naming of fields at Freedom Park Councilmember Schmidt stated there are other aspects of the park to be named. Sob Noe stated that Mr. Dentler is here as a communicator between the Parks and Recreation Commission and Council. Kaj Dentler was present to answer Council questions. Councilmember Schmidt stated the entrance street of the park and service building could be named. Mr. Dentler clarified a recommendation that each field will have a marker identifying the field and a bronze plaque would be placed at the building stating the contributions/accomplishments of the honorees. Mr. Dentler further discussed,the tree plantings and fencing. Councilmember Jackson suggested moving forward tomorrow night with a vote on the suggested field names. Councilmember Kramer agreed. Mayor Umstattd suggested amending the resolution to name the entrance lane after Colonel Grenata. Councilmember Schmidt suggested expanding the resolution to include a paragraph on each honoree. Councilmember Zoldos stated he had no objection with naming the entrance road after Colonel Grenata. With reference to public input, he stated the Parks and Recreation has spent an enormous amount of time advertising and soliciting information from the public. Further, he suggested a large plaque identifying each field. c. Reaffirming the Pledge of Allegiance Councilmember Schmidt stated he wishes to reaffirm the continued use of the unedited Pledge of Allegiance. Councilmember Zoldos commented that recent legislation only pertains to a California school district. It was the consensus of Council that they agree with the sentiment even though it only pertains to western states, but they will be supporting the resolution. d. Scheduling non-regular meetings of Town Council. Councilmember Schmidt commented that he would like a formalized process for scheduling non-regular Town Council meetings. Town Council Worksession minutes for July 8. 2002 Page 3 Mayor Umstattd suggested an amendment providing that there is likely to be an organizational meeting of a new Council the first week of July. Councilmember Zoldos suggested an amendment to say that the use of e- mail for canvassing would not be the only means of contacting Council. 2. Appeal of Case BAR 02-35 - Request for a revised comprehensive sign plan. Kristie Lalire stated the sign plan for Battlefield Shopping Center has been in existence for ten years. The original comprehensive sign plan calls for red channel letters. Bill Donnelly suggested that Council establish a procedure for hearing appeals to Council. It was the consensus of Council to hear this case tonight and discuss the procedure at a later date. Mary Ann Naber, seven-year member of the Board of Architectural Review, urged Council to uphold the BAR decision and maintain the sign plan for the Battlefield Shopping Center. Mike Banzhaf addressed Council stating that some variations of the sign plan have been allowed in the past. Brian Boucher, Zoning Administrator, verified that a comprehensive sign plan is under the purview of the H-2 Guidelines. Bill Donnelly verified the former Hechinger's store was reviewed under H-2 Guidelines. Sam Rose, with Kodiak Properties, addressed Council. Mr. Rose explained the request by the applicant to use white channel letters on a red background. Councilmember Kramer asked if this sign is a deal breaker for the applicant? Mr. Rose stated that Staples would not locate in his center without the sign requested. Bill Donnelly asked that staff research whether there are other multi-tenant sign packages in centers not in the H-2 district. It was confirmed that the applicant requests a vote on this appeal tomorrow night. 3. Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance Update Randy Hodgson reported that Loudoun County is revising their zoning ordinance in order to implement their new general plan. He stated the Town is interested in the Town's Section of the County Ordinance. Mr. Hodgson stated the County proposes changing the existing CR-l zoning to JMLA-l and the existing A-3 zoning to become JMLA-3. Town Council Worksession minutes for July 8. 2002 Page 4 Further, the County proposes JMLA-20 for the area surrounding Leesburg Airport. This zoning signifies low density - 1 unit per 20-acres. A public hearing will be held on August 14th by Loudoun County on this ordinance. Mayor Umstattd stated Council should take a formal position on this issue at their 2nd meeting in July. Councilmember Zoldos commented that we should let the County know our position on utilities, ask their rationale for the JMLA-20 zoning, and ask for a definition on the greenbelts, as they would affect our infrastructure in the proposed annexation area. 4. Shellhorn Property It was the consensus of Council to defer discussion on this item until all Council members are present. s. Proffer Appeal #TCA-02-01 - Greenway Farm Brian Boucher, Zoning Administrator, outlined his proffer interpretation to not allow an 8,000 square foot freestanding office building as part of the Greenway Farm Neighborhood Retail Convenience Center. He stated the intended use for the proposed building is dental/medical. Mr. Boucher stated the proffer as written lacks details or guidelines that would allow the building. Further, he stated that he has had no feedback from the homeowner's association. Councilmember Schmidt stated he would like to see input from the Greenway homeowners. Bill Donnelly discussed procedural issues and stated that the applicant could apply for a proffer amendment. Bob Sevila, attorney for the applicant, commented that the applicant wants to stay in Leesburg. It was decided that the applicant would make a further presentation at the next Council worksession. 6. Proffer Appeal #TCA-02-02 - Edwards Landing Brian Boucher, Zoning Administrator, outlined this appeal of a proffer interpretation for proposed townhouse entrance feature signs and entrance feature signs for single-family detached sections in the Edwards Landing Subdivision. Jim Baish, with Land Planning & Design Group, Inc., addressed Council. Mr. Baish stated the applicant would like to use a Civil War theme, as there is an artillery fortification site on the property. Their plan would be to use stone in the signs and rail fencing. He showed the location of the proposed signs. Bill Donnelly suggested that any justification for upholding the appeal include mention of the historic significance of the site. Town Council Worksession minutes for July 8. 2002 Page 5 Councilmember Zoldos stated he would not be in favor of signage at the single-family sections. It was the consensus of Council to vote on this appeal in two weeks. 7. ZM-ll0 - Kincaid Forest, Proffer #1 - cash payment in lieu of required public improvements. Brian Boucher, Zoning Administrator, outlined a recommendation that Council accept a cash payment in the amount of $872,659 in satisfaction of construction of the public improvements required under Proffer #1 of ZM-ll0. He clarified the proffer as follows: the developer will enter into an agreement and performance bond for the construction of Battlefield Parkway from just beyond its intersection with Kincaid Boulevard to the Bridge Structure as stated in the Development Schedule/Phasing Plan. Mr. Boucher added that the exact location of the bridge, who will build the bridge and when it will be built is not certain at this date. Further, the alignment of the bridge and Battlefield Parkway north is not fully determined. Therefore, it is the desire of the developer to make cash payment in lieu of the performance bond for construction. Councilmember Kramer suggested that we work with the developer. Councilmember Zoldos asked whether staff has done a cost benefit analysis? Mr. Boucher said it is a bit of a risk; the funds will be held in an interest bearing account. Mr. Boucher stated that Paul Gauthier found the amount is acceptable and the funds will be earmarked for the road improvements. Dave Jordan, developer of the project, addressed Council. Mr. Jordan stated they might have difficulty bonding this project, as it is not determined when it will be built. 8. Council Retreat This item was deferred. 9. Sky Net Access - Chris Chamberlain Mr. Chris Chamberlain gave a presentation to Council on his desire to provide fixed-point wireless internet system for the citizens of Leesburg. In order to do this, his company would have to place antennas on existing structures in the Town. Mr. Chamberlain pointed out concerns with the lack of guidelines for antennas in the Zoning Ordinance. He would like to work cooperatively with the Town to develop standards on how to put antennas within the Town. He also suggested the possible use of Town of Leesburg owned structures. 10. Preview items for July 22, 2002 Town Council Worksession a. Audiovisual Upgrade of Council Chamber There was no discussion on this item. Town Council Worksession minutes for Julv 8. 2002 Page 6 b. VDOT /No/Va Staff's updated Greater Leesburg 2020 Traffic Study There was no discussion on this item. The meeting adjourned at 10:55 p.m. J :c1erk/minutes/tcws070802