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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2002_10_07 Council Work Session October 7, 2002 Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:30 p.m. Mayor Umstattd presiding. Councilmembers Present: Frank Buttery, Mervin Jackson, Melinda Kramer, Marty Martinez, Robert Zoldos and Mayor Umstattd Councilmembers Absent: Dave Schmidt 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 Planning, Zoning and Development Susan Swift, Director of Utilities Randy Shoemaker, Chief of Police Joe Price, Director of Parks and Recreation Kaj Dentler, Director of Information Technology Michel Agujia, Chief of Comprehensive Planning Randy Hodgson, Deputy Director of Utilities Aref Etemadi, Parks Manager Bill Ference, Utilities Engineer Amy Wyks, Zoning Administrator Brian Boucher, Planner Nancy Kitchens, Assistant to the Town Manager Nicole Ard, Tourism Coordinator Marantha Edwards, Management Intern Adam Brown and Clerk of Council Judy Ahalt. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Agenda for Council Meeting of October 8, 2002 a. SE-2002-01 - Used auto sales and services at 309 Parker Court - Public Hearina Nancy Kitchens outlined this special exception application for a used car sales and accessory auto service facility at 309 Parker Court SE. She stated the three main issues (1) additional lighting, (2) storage of waste material, and (3) movement of tractor-trailer delivery trucks have been resolved. Ms. Kitchens added that staff and the Planning Commission have recommended conditional approval. b. Adootina a street name chanae for Svcolin Road - Public Hearina There was no staff presentation. Councilmember Zoldos suggested that we use block number ranges on the existing street signs in lieu of changing the name for Sycolin Road. Mayor Umstattd, Councilmembers Jackson and Martinez were in agreement. c. 20-Year Comorehensive Plan for Parks. Recreation. ooen soace. trails and Greenwavs Kaj Dentler stated his recommendation remains the same as before. Mayor Umstattd suggested amending the resolution to eliminate the Chancellor Street Trail and that any new trails would be done with sensitivity to neighborhood concerns. Councilmember Zoldos pointed out that Mr. Goolsby is in agreement with the proposed language of the resolution. He further stated the Chancellor Street and S. King Street Trails are probably comparable in price and that the Town Council Worksession minutes for October 7, 2002 Page 2 Tuscarora option is not feasible. He stated that current language gives the Parks and Recreation Department an option; it does not say the Chancellor Street trail will be built. He stated he strongly believes it should not be removed from the Master Plan because history shows that many people are supportive of the trail. Councilmember Martinez stated the Chancellor Street Trail should be removed from the plan. Vice-Mayor Jackson stated that the concerns of the neighbors should be considered and Chancellor Street Trail should only be pursued if there are no other alternatives. Councilmember Buttery stated he is impressed with Mr. Goolsby's proposed language. He suggested the language, "which are compatible with neighborhood concerns", should remain. Further, any Chancellor Street Trail would have a viable path to connect with Dry Mill Road. Councilmember Kramer stated she does not want to pursue a Chancellor Street Trail. She stated other options should be considered, especially since the County has indicated they do not support funding for a Dry Mill Road connection. Doug Goolsby addressed Council and suggested leaving the language that would allow for pursuing other alternatives and consideration of citizen concerns. Mr. Goolsby commented the Tuscarora Creek Trail option is not feasible. He added that the Residential Traffic Task Force has recommended a pilot project for construction of a trail from the Tuscarora Apartments to the S. King Street Trail. 2. Citizens Corp - Kevin Johnson Kevin Johnson, Deputy Coordinator with the Loudoun County Emergency Management Office addressed Council. He spoke about the new Citizen Corp initiative in Virginia. He stated programs at the local level will build on programs already in place, such as the Neighbohood Watch Program, FEMA'S Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT), etc. New programs proposed are a medical reserve corps, volunteers in public safety and terrorism prevention. Mr. Johnson stated that CERT is the first program that will be implemented in Loudoun. The Lucketts Ruritan Club has already asked for assistance in implementing such a program. He further stated that emergency management officials can prepare for disasters, educate the citizens about what to expect following a major emergency, train in lifesaving skills, and organize teams so they are an extension of first responder services. Mayor Umstattd asked what the Town of Leesburg could do to help? Town Council Worksession minutes for October 7. 2002 Page 3 Mr. Johnson stated the role of a citizen council would first have to be identified and that names of citizen groups, volunteers and other individuals with interest would be helpful. Councilmember Zoldos advised he would be attending a citizen corps session in Arlington County. Mr. Johnson stated it would take approximately 60-90 days to implement a program that would deal with major emergencies, such as a tornado or high wind. Mayor Umstattd asked Mr. Johnson to speak at the next COLT meeting on October 16th. 3. Boundary Line Adjustment Update (Councilmember Zoldos) Councilmember Zoldos reported the County Annexation Committee met on September 30th and forwarded a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. On September 30th the county committee recommended going forward with a voluntary annexation that retains county land use approval and conditions it on the town rejecting the private annexation petition. The Board of Supervisors endorsed the annexation committee recommendation and forwarded to the Town their position contingent upon the Town rejecting the annexation petitions currently before the Commission on Local Government. The county will pursue discussions with the town regarding expanding the corporate limits within the context of a Voluntary Settlement of Annexation. Further, they request that a thorough planning process be used to achieve this settlement agreement. Among the provisions to be included as a part of this settlement agreement would be: (1) uses and densities for the areas to be annexed: (2) public facility site for the area to be annexed; (3) coordination of transportation improvements; (4) provisions for the county government property; which would implement a plan of development for the park and other proposed uses; and (5) a timing strategy for the annexation tied to a level of buildout. Further, the Board of Supervisors stated the area to be considered for annexation discussion will include a portion of the Hunter-Dowdy parcel northeast of the W&OD Trail; the Siemens parcel; the county owned properties; and the Walde tract. They wish to exclude the Greenway and the Cangiano properties. They also noted that getting utilities to the county properties would be a priority. An open, public process should be agreed upon between the Town of Leesburg and the County of Loudoun as a part of the discussions about the annexation. Councilmember Zoldos reported the county also discussed a separate issue with regards to package plants on the county property. Councilmember Zoldos stated the county proposal consisting of approximately 990 acres, 600 of which are county owned, does very little for the Town. Further, Councilmember Zoldos commented that if the petitions are removed, it gives the Town no bargaining power and not much of an instrument to put Town Council Worksession minutes for October 7. 2002 Paqe 4 restrictive covenants into the agreement. He stated the county and the Town have resolved a lot of the issues that are still in effect, such as providing public utilities to the Joint Land Management Area. Councilmember Zoldos asked for an annexation committee meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, 2002 to discuss how they will move forward to educate the citizens on the annexation. Councilmember Martinez stated that the annexation committee has not met to discuss the county proposal. Councilmember Buttery asked to be provided a copy of the AADP's and the JLMA documents. Mayor Umstattd suggested hearing from the Dulles Greenway as to why they do not want to be included in the annexation/boundary line adjustment. 4. Office space and parking options (Mike Banzhaf) Mike Banzhaf, representing the owners of the Loudoun Times Mirror property, addressed Council with reference to a proposal to construct a two-story office building, upgrading the existing facade, and additional surface parking spaces. He stated that initially there would be 7,000-10,000 square feet of office space available for lease. Mr. Banzhaf suggested the town might want to consider leasing this space as an option to the expansion of Town Hall. Additionally, his client is considering the construction of a five-story parking structure with pedestrian walkways and three buildings along Loudoun Street. The dollar cost of the garage is about $4,000,000. He suggested a joint partnership with the Town to construct the proposed parking garage. Councilmember Martinez verified they would have 10,000 square feet of useable office space. Councilmember Zoldos stated such a plan would enable the Town to preserve dollars for future expansion and provide additional parking spaces. He suggested any parking structure provide public restrooms. Vice-Mayor Jackson stated the Loudoun Street buildings are a good idea. Councilmember Buttery asked that the proposal be presented in writing. Councilmember Kramer stated this is a creative idea and suggested public restrooms be included in the proposal. She stated it would be an imposition for town staff to walk to other facilities. Mayor Umstattd stated that leasing over a 10-year period would be less than the architect fees. The Mayor asked if the Arundel family would be willing to donate the land for the parking garage to the Town? Mr. Banzhaf stated he would check with the owners. Further, he discussed an option for the Town to ground lease the site for construction of a garage. Town Council Worksession minutes for October 7, 2002 Page 5 Councilmember Zoldos stated this could be the Town's parking garage for the future. Bob Noe commented on the impact of this proposal on employee moral and efficiency. He said that he has been involved in similar situations in other jurisdictions and it does have an adverse impact on morale. He stated he would like to have the opportunity to prepare a staff report on this proposal. He added the public perspective is that it is better to own than lease property. Further, the impact of additional parking garages in the historic district should be considered? It was the consensus of Council that Mr. Banzhaf would provide a written proposal. 5. Water and sewer fee reimbursement fOllow-up Nicole Ard gave a report on her findings with reference to reimbursement to C. S. Monroe Technology Center for water and sewer connection and availability fees related to residential construction at 804 Wage Drive. Mayor Umstattd verified this residence is a market based house and asked whether the availability fees were included in the house price? Ms. Ard stated that the fees have already been paid and she will research the market value of house to determine if the fees have been passed on. Randy Shoemaker added that the fees total $17,292.19. This amount includes $10,571 in public facility fees and $6,721.19 in connection and construction fees because the school elected to use town services. 6. Water Tank Siting Study Randy Shoemaker stated he would like to outline the recommendations by Whitman, Requardt & Associates with reference to their study of water tank sitings. He stated the 1987 "Water System Master Plan" recommended improvements by 2010 including two sites in the Main Pressure Zone (one in northern Leesburg and another in southern Leesburg, inside the bypass), aRt. 643 Tank, and the Hogback Mountain Tank. To date the town has only constructed one of the additional tanks. Mr. Shoemaker introduced Jim Avirett and Bob Krallinger with Whitman, Requardt & Associates who prepared the "Water Tank Siting Analysis and Low Pressure Evaluation" report which includes 24-hour average day storage. The consultants recommended conforming to 1987 study with the following exceptions: (1) Main Zone - only one additional tank is needed with a capacity of 1.5 MG. The recommended tank site is identified as the property adjacent to the existing Carr Tank with the Rehau site as a backup recommendation; (2) Route 643 (Sycolin) Zone - two tanks are necessary with a 2.5 MG total capacity. The recommended tank site is the High Point Development followed by Shellhorn for the second future tank site; (3) Western Pressure Zone - creation of a mini-zone with a booster station for Woodlea Manor. Town Council Worksession minutes for October 7. 2002 Page 6 Councilmember Zoldos verified that the additional tanks would provide a 24- hour capacity as opposed to the 18-20 hours we currently have. Councilmember Martinez verified that the 24-hour capacity does not include fire storage. Councilmember Buttery proposed retaining the Catoctin Ridge site clarifying that we have a five-year window on the special exception. Randy Shoemaker stated that if the special exception were to expire it could be revisited. Mayor Umstattd stated the High Point site would cause the most neighborhood concern. Councilmember Zoldos verified that all but the Catoctin Circle site would need property acquisitions. Council member Buttery stated he would need more time to digest these adjustments and suggested a discussion at another worksession. 6. Legislative Agenda for the 2003 General Assembly Phil Rodenberg outlined the recommended agenda for the 2003 General Assembly session. Mayor Umstattd asked that erosion and sediment control be added. Councilmember Zoldos was designated as the voting representative for the Virginia Municipal League conference. 7. South King Street Trail Kaj Dentler reported on the joint Town/County project to accommodate safe pedestrian and bike traffic along South King Street. Mr. Dentler stated that approximately 1,800 linear feet of trail and sidewalk would be required for the South King Street trail from Davis Avenue to Governor's Drive. Mr. Dentler stated he has walked the site and it has many difficulties including the perception of being unsafe. Council discussed the issues concerning this trail, such as the cost for an interim solution, lack of citizen use of the trail, the need to somehow remedy the existing unsafe conditions along South King Street. Councilmember Zoldos asked for a report on the cost of blacktop from Governor's Drive to the Rt. 7 Bypass. Council member Martinez added that the area from Governor's Drive to the Bypass is the most critical. 8. Town Hall Visitors Center Marantha Edwards outlined her recommendation that Loudoun Museum be used as the primary location in the Historic District for visitor information. Town Council Worksession minutes for October 7. 2002 Paae 7 She stated the museum is currently being used in this role and has restrooms available to visitors. Councilmember Zoldos disputed the costs associated to staff Town Hall as a visitor's center. He added that regardless of the location of the visitor's center additional signage would be needed. He suggested the use of volunteers to man the center. Councilmember Buttery questioned spending monies on the restrooms at the museum and the liability associated with volunteer staffers. Mayor Umstattd stated that adjoining towns are dealing with similar issues. Bob Noe stated he could not support using volunteers. Further, modifications to Town Hall would be required to assure staff security. He stated Loudoun Museum is the easiest solution. Ms. Edwards stated the main issues are signage and the confusion of having two visitor centers in Leesburg. Since the museum is already there it would cause less confusion. Councilmember Martinez stated the museum is already being utilized as the visitor's center. Mary Beth Mohr, with Loudoun Museum, addressed Council stating their building is handicap accessible from the outside. Ms. Edwards stated she has spoken with the Loudoun County Visitor's Center about sharing in the cost of a kiosk. Councilmember Zoldos stated he would like a better explanation of the costs provided for capital improvements and staff support. 9. Draft Zoning Ordinance - Overview and Review of Articles 1-4 Brian Boucher stated the three major objectives of this revision to the 1990 zoning ordinance is to: (a) incorporate the goals and policies of the Town Plan; (b) complete a structural reorganization of the ordinance; and (c) correct deficiencies and incorporate the Zoning Administrator's opinions into the text of the document. Mr. Boucher briefly outlined the proposed changes in Articles 1-4. Bill Donnelly, Town Attorney, stated the revisions are excellent. Further it has been recommended for approval by the Planning Commission and praised by NVBIA(Northern Virginia Building Industry Association). Councilmember Martinez stated he likes the use of flow charts. Councilmember Zoldos commended Mr. Boucher and thanked him for his efforts. Vice-Mayor Jackson also commended Mr. Boucher for his efforts. Town Council Worksession minutes for October 7 , 2002 Paqe 8 Mayor Umstattd asked that power plants not be permitted as a by-right use. 10. Request for approval to schedule nighttime milling and paving operations in the downtown area Tom Mason explained the proposed schedule for milling and paving of certain streets in downtown. 11. Preview items for October 21, 2002 Town Council Work Session a. Kenneth B. Rollins Water Filtration Plant, sludge storage tank mixing project contract award. There was no discussion on this item. b. Amending Chapter 12.1, Article 24 of the Personnel Manual regarding gifts, gratuities and expenses. There was no discussion on this item. c. International Pavilion Boundary Line Adjustment There was no discussion on this item. d. Water Pollution Control Facility Expansion Design Services Agreement There was no discussion on this item. 12. Other Business Councilmember Zoldos discussed the issue of availability of broadband Internet services for the Town residents. Bill Donnelly stated that proposals to provide high-speed Internet connections are becoming quite frequent. The Planning Commission has a proposal before them for wireless Internet service as a home occupation. Mr. Donnelly suggested that we consider the big picture. He stated that Council should make a policy decision as to regulate or take a hands off approach. It was the consensus of Council to have a special worksession jointly with the Information Technology Commission and the Economic Development Commission to discuss these issues. The meeting adjourned at 11:15 p.m. 2002_tcwsmin 1007 .doc