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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