HomeMy Public PortalAbout2003_03_24Council Work Session
March 24, 2003
Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:30 p.m. Mayor Umstattd presiding.
Councilmembers Present: Frank Buttery, Mervin .lackson, Melinda Kramer, Robert
Zoldos and Mayor Umstattd.
Councilmembers Absent: Marry Martinez and David 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, Director of Economic Development Betsy Fields, Airport
Director Doug McNeeley, Budget Officer Mike Freda, Transportation Engineer Calvin
Grow, Tourism Coordinator Marantha Edwards, Assistant to the Town Manager Nicole
Ard, Management :Intern Adam Brown, and Clerk of Council .ludy Ahalt.
AGENDA ITEMS
Agenda for Council Meeting of March 25, 2003
a. Permit-Parking Zone on the north side of North Street, NW
between Wirt Street, NW and North King Street - Public Hearing
Calvin Grow stated he had received a petition from 11 residents of North
Street asking for permit-parking. He stated a survey had found that
85 percent of the spaces were occupied by people who resided outside
of the proposed permit-parking zone. He further stated these statistics
exceed the requirements for a permit-parking zone.
Mr. Grow recommended that the Town Manager implement a residential
permit parking zone on North Street, N.W. after a public hearing is held.
b. Permit-Parking Zone on the east side of Church Street~ NE
between Cornwall Street, NE and North Street NE - Public Hearing
Calvin Grow stated he received a petition from the residents of Church
Street asking for the permit-parking. He stated a survey found that of the
spaces occupied 83 percent of those vehicles belonged to people who resided
outside of the proposed permit-parking zone. He further stated these
statistics exceeded the requirements for a permit-parking zone.
Mr. Grow recommended that the Town Manager implement a residential
permit-parking zone on Church Street, NE. after a public hearing.
Councilmember Zoldos stated he supports this action in both locations.
c. Requesting that the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors make a
gift to the Loudoun County Volunteer Rescue Squad for the
Catoctin Circle Station in lieu of a loan.
Councilmember Zoldos stated the Loudoun Volunteer Rescue Squad has
obtained a Iow interest loan from the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors in
the amount of $350,000. He stated that as Council had done for the Leesburg
Volunteer Fire Department, this resolution would ask that the Loudoun County
Board of Supervisors forgive the debt and provide the $350,000 to the
Town Council work session minutes for March 24, 2003 Page 2
Volunteer Rescue Squad in the form of a gift.
Mayor Umstattd stated this revised resolution addresses the concerns of
Councilmember Martinez regarding the loan having not been issued.
d. Making a reduction and approving a substitute performance
guarantee and authorizing a time extension for completion of the
public improvements in Leesburg Gateway Condos.
Tom Mason stated the homeowners association has sent a letter through
their attorney, with some concerns regarding the public improvements at
Leesburg Gateway Condos. He stated staff has not had the opportunity
to review the letter and requested the item be deferred to the next Council
meeting.
was the consensus of Council to defer this item.
2. Way Finding Sign System - Frazier Associates
Betsy Fields stated Frazier Associates began work on this project in November
and after receiving public input they are here to present their recommendations
to Council. She introduced Kathy Frazier and Sandy Hanger of Frazier and
Associates.
Kathy Frazier stated a way Finding system allows for a seamless and safe
experience of a community as well as creating a sense of place and leaving the
visitor with a positive image of the Town. She further stated the issues dealing with
the general design guidelines and interface with the Loudoun Convention and
Visitor's Center as well as the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Sandy Hanger outlined the various sign design options. She stated the
different signs include gateway entry signs, primary/secondary trailblazer signs and
proximity signs. She stated the priority for implementation should begin with
trailblazer signs followed by proximity signs then gateway signs.
She reviewed the progress to date and stated they are currently in phase
three of the five phase project and expect to be in the final phase by the end of May.
Ms. Hanger then showed the design selected by the committee, which has
been revised to use a fieldstone base.
Ms. Hanger then outlined the proposed signage system and design for the
parking garage and went over the next steps, which include, (:~) finalizing the design
option, (2) addressing other goals of the project such as special events signage,
kiosks - pedestrian signage, Washington and Old Dominion Trail celebration points
and parking signage, and (3) move to phase "D" - Construction Documents.
Councilmember Zoldos asked the dimension of the gateway sign and the
construction material?
Ms. Hanger stated the gateway sign is 10 feet by 16 feet and made of
urethane plastic and the others are constructed of reflective aluminum.
Town Council work session minutes for March 24, 2003 Page 3
Councilmember Zoldos stated he prefers the cut stone base to the fieldstone
base.
Councilmember Kramer stated her preference of the fieldstone and
asked what the cost would be compared to the block?
Ms, Frazier stated it has not been priced out yet, but the price difference
shouldn't be that great,
She further verified that the color on the signs will last and that the signage
will be coordinated with Arnett/Muldrow.
Mayor Umstattd stated her preference of the cut stone because it is less
distracting, although the fieldstone is lovely,
Further, she stated she would recommend not posting the government office
on the trailblazing signs and using that space to promote the Leesburg Corner
Premium Outlet Mall instead.
Betsy Fields stated the government offices were listed as a primary location
based on information received from the Loudoun Convention and Visitor's
Association. She also stated listing the outlet mall would be promoting one private
business over another.
Bob Noe recommended that Council vote on how they would like to proceed.
Councilmember Zoldos stated Council seems to agree on the swash lettering
as opposed to the Goudy.
Mr. Noe stated this issue should go back to the Economic Development
Commission for a recommendation to Council.
Ms. Fields stated the Board of Architectural Review would also review the
proposed signs.
3. Carr tank acquisition site
Randy Shoemaker stated he is recommending that Council authorize staff to
begin the condemnation process for acquiring a water storage tank site on the
property of :International Pavilion, L.P.
He outlined the lack of response from the property's owner and the urgent
need for a tank site.
Councilmember Zoldos and Vice-Mayor Jackson indicated their support of
proceeding with the condemnation.
Councilmember Buttery stated condemnation should only be used as a last
resort, however the tank site is needed.
Mayor Umstattd stated she dislikes condemnation, however the health, safety
and welfare of the Town is the issue,
Town Council work session minutes for March 24, 2003 Page 4
4. Loudoun Museum Lease
Bill Donnelly stated the recommendation is to negotiate the lease for the
museum in two stages because of recent turnovers with their staff as well as other
reasons. He stated the first stage would be a two to three year lease. ~[f at that time
the museum shows stability, then a longer lease of 40 years could be considered.
Council was in full support of this option.
5. Sidewalk Capital Project (Sidewalk Master Plan)
Tom Mason outlined the existing 1997 map, which shows existing sidewalks
and trails and proposed sidewalks and trails included in planned Capital
Tmprovement Projects. He stated the map was used to identify missing trail or
sidewalk links and as a planning tool for future trail and sidewalk projects.
Mr. Mason proposed a new map be prepared and asked that this issue be
placed on the Town Council worksession after the trail and sidewalk map is added to
the town's Geographic Information System.
Councilmember Zoldos asked that staff provide an incremental timeline with
capital improvement projects and where they would fall in conjunction with the
Capital Tmprovement Projects on the books or underway. Eventually the sidewalk
system will be completed throughout the Town.
Mr. Mason stated this map would be a good first step with one layer providing
what exists and what is proposed, with a time frame, and another layer with long-
term projects.
Councilmember Zoldos asked that the map indicate where the brick sidewalks
are located.
Vice-Mayor Jackson stated this map would be a real asset to Council in
proceeding with future plans.
Councilmember Buttery asked that crosswalks be included as well.
6. Extension of Utilities to the Hunter-Dowdy Property
Bill Donnelly stated the owners have asked that Council bring their property
into the Town through a boundary line adjustment and the extension of utilities to
the site. He stated the property is approximately 180 acres and is located between
the Town's southern boundary and the site of the proposed power plant.
Mr. Donnelly further stated he does not recommend proceeding unless it is
part of the settlement of the power plant litigation. He added that the power plant
litigation is still pending and probably could be settled by bringing the power plant
site and the intervening Hunter-Dowdy property into the Town by a boundary line
adjustment coupled with restrictive covenants precluding a power plant on either
property.
Councilmember Buttery stated he would support exploring the issue of
bringing in this property to settle the lawsuit. However, he stated he would like
further information on what they proposed to do with the property.
Town Council work session minutes for March 24, 2003 Page
Mr. Donnelly stated this would be a good time to resurrect the lawsuit and
settle with a side agreement with reference to future use of the property. He stated
this could not be done as a boundary line adjustment, but could be done as a
friendly annexation, however the County must agree.
Councilmember Buttery stated the County must be involved if there is to be a
resolution to this issue. Further, he stated the residents should be advised of the
issue and kept involved.
Mr. Donnelly stated the next step should be to write the Loudoun County
Board of Supervisors and ask their position on this issue.
Mayor Umstattd asked that a letter be drafted for her signature. Further, she
suggested writing a letter to Mike Banzahf to inform him of the possible steps to be
taken regarding this issue.
7. Cable Television Advisory Commission Gatehouse (Councilmember
Buttery)
Councilmember Buttery stated this issue was raised at the Cable Commission
and invited Chuck Shotton, Chairman of the Cable Commission, to speak.
Chuck Shotton stated the Edwards Landing Homeowner's Association dues
include broadband media services. He stated the association provides this through
a company called Gatehouse. He stated they have proceeded to do hook ups without
approaching the Town about a franchise. Further, there have been problems with
them working in the town right-of-way without a permit.
Mr. Shotton stated the developer was told they could do no more work in the
right-of-way without the proper permits and permits would not be issued until
they negotiated a franchise agreement with the Town. They were given a copy of
the Adelphia franchise to use as a model. He stated there has been no further
contact with them.
Further, he stated this problem would continue to grow as more and more
new developments begin to offer this service.
Bill Donnelly stated Gatehouse stated they would comply; however, no permit
applications have been submitted by the company.
Further, Mr. Donnelly stated the homeowners are still paying for the service in
their dues even though the service is not being provided to them. Further, he stated
Adelphia has run cable to part of the subdivision.
Mr. Shotton stated the homeowners have been provided with dish service by
Gatehouse until they can be wired.
Mr. Donnelly stated Virginia has a level playing field environment where all
cable operators should be treated equally. Further, the broader issue is whether the
Town wants to regulate broadband or if the Town even has the authority to do so.
He further suggested holding off on the broadband issue to see the Federal
Communications Commission recommendations, but to pursue regulating the cable
television.
Town Council work session minutes for March 24, 2003 Page 6
issues.
road.
Councilmember Buttery stated Council should keep apprised of the cable
He stated broadband is an issue that should be discussed later down the
Mr. Donnelly suggested putting this item on the next agenda for discussion.
Preview items for April 7, 2003 Work session
a. SE-202-10 - Leesburg Brewing Company - Public Hearing
Design and Construction Standards Manual (DCSr4) Articles 2
(Water & Sewer Regulations), 4 (Sewage and Waste Disposal)
and Appendix "A" (Construction Standards
There was no discussion on these items.
The meeting adjourned at 9:23 p.m.
2003_tcwsmin00324.doc
Z~lerk of Council