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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2003_04_21Council Work Session April 21, 2003 Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:30 p.m. Mayor Umstattd presiding. Councilmembers Present: Frank Buttery, Mervin 3ackson, Melinda Kramer, Marty Martinez, David Schmidt, Robert Zoldos and Mayor Umstattd. Councilmembers Absent: None 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, Airport Director Doug McNeeley, Director of Finance Paul York, Director of Human Resources Dona Wolf, Chief of Police Joe Price, Director of Economic Development Betsy Fields, Tourism Coordinator Marantha Edwards, Zoning Administrator Brian Boucher, Budget and Management Officer Mike Freda, Assistant to the Town Manager Nicole Ard, Management :Intern Adam Brown, and Clerk of Council Judy Ahalt. AGENDA ITEMS Agenda for Council Meeting of April 22, 2003 a. ZOAM 03-01 and ZM-03-01 Flood Protection Creek Valley Buffer Public Hearing Brian Boucher explained these amendments will establish a single Floodplain Protection District and establish a Creek Valley Buffer Overlay District and associated zoning map amendments. Further he stated there would be little impact on existing lots. Anne Hart, Blue Ridge Antique Guide, addressed Council asking for continued funding to allow advertising in her publication. ,lim Hobie, Lucketts Volunteer Fire Department, addressed Council to consider donating a surplus generator to the fire company. Council agreed this would be a worthwhile donation. Bob Noe advised that once the item is declared surplus, a donation could be made. Council will take action on the surplus items tomorrow night. b. Adopting the Budget, General Fund in the amount of $32,965,523, Utilities Fund in the amount of $25,808,694, Airport Fund in the amount of $4,181,373, and setting the Tax Rates, making appropriations for the Fiscal Year ending June 30,2004, and making transfers of Capital Project Funds to the FY 2003 Budget. Mike Freda advised Council that a balanced spreadsheet is included in their packet. He added that $25,000 funding is still available and recommended that the leaf vacuum requested by the Public Works Department be funded. Town Council Worksession Minutes for April 21, 2003 Page 2 Further, he stated that the proposed user fee increase is not included in the balanced budget. This fee increase is at the Planning Commission for a public hearing. The Planning Commission on a 6-0-1 vote recommended approval of the FY 2004-2008 Capital Improvements Program. With reference to the non-departmental budget items, the town manager's recommendation is included with the exception of the rescue squad, fire department and Loudoun County Transportation Authority. Councilmember Schmidt stated he would like to increase the YMCA funding to $10,000 with the use of Uran monies. Councilmember Martinez stated he would like the Uran funded non- departmentals be funded as they requested, not at the manager's recommendation. Councilmember Zoldos stated he would like to see funding for the Blue Ridge Antique Guide and the leaf vacuum as suggested by staff. Further, he would not want to increase funding for the non-departmental agencies. Vice-Mayor Jackson stated he would favor giving Uran funded non- departmentals what they requested. Councilmembers Buttery and Kramer asked that non-departmental requests remain as they are. Mayor Umstattd agreed, stating that we don't want use all of the Uran money this year. Bob Noe stated that a super majority is need for the cigarette tax increase. Mayor Umstattd verified that would be a super majority of the entire Council. c. Adopting the Fiscal Year 2004-2008 Capital ~[mprovement Program. Mike Freda stated the Planning Commission has recommended approval of this CIP. There was no further discussion. dm Amending Article V~[T, Chapter 17-:L47, "Levy and Rate" to increase the tax on cigarettes sold in the Town of Leesburg. There was no discussion on this town code amendment. em 17th. Declaring certain vehicles and equipment as surplus property. Paul York stated the auction for surplus property is scheduled for May Town Council Worksession Minutes for April 21, 2003 Page 3 FAA Flight Standards presentation regarding Leesburg aircraft accidents (Barry Barbini) This item was deferred to the next Council worksession. 3. Oaklawn at Stratford Rezoning - Z1~!-159 Susan Swift stated the applicant has submitted a revised concept plan. She stated staff is still recommending denial and outlined deficiencies in the plan as follows: (1) residential uses in conflict with the airport, (2) eliminates land for employment-based development, (3) transportation proffers have decreased and analysis is insufficient, and (4) lack of detail and quality in location, site specifications and architectural design of the project. Ms. Swift added this area is a gateway to the Town and expressed the desire to have a product on the site that we can be proud of. Councilmember Kramer verified that residential units are further away from the airport; however, they do box the airport in on three sides. Mayor Umstattd stated Council has the option for denial or approval with recommendations. Ms. Swift stated that staff could work with the applicant for further revisions to the plan. The Mayor asked what staff would suggest as an attractive gateway into town? Ms. Swift stated staff does not want to dictate architectural style; they would like to see a common theme, style, and materials. She added currently there is no detail or the details are less than standard. The Mayor asked if a metal warehouse could be a by-right use? Brian Boucher added the current proffers allow a great ability to shift uses. Brian Cullen, representing the applicant, stated they would not use butler type buildings on the site. Further, they are looking at the H-2 Guidelines for guidance but the guidelines have a lot of inconsistencies. Mr. Cullen outlined a revised concept plan for the Oaklawn application. The new plan consisted of changes as follows: (:~) Battlefield Parkway would be built in the Phase ! of development, (2) residential units moved to respect the runway protection zone, (3) more detail on the conceptual plan layouts, (4) maintains the same commercial density and traffic generation, (5) clarifies the buffer and setback plan, and (6) commitment from TRTP !! to cooperate with the interchange. Mr. Cullen summarized the remaining unresolved issues as the interchange, Tolbert Lane, and non-conformance with the Town Plan and Zoning Ordinance. Councilmember Zoldos verified that a cash contribution is proposed in lieu of a fire station site. Town Council Worksession Minutes for April 21, 2003 Page 4 Mayor Umstattd thanked Mr. Cullen for the presentation stating she is glad to see the lights for the :ILS approach system. She verified that no warehouses are proposed on the existing plan, but are under the revised plan they are asking for light industrial, specifically warehouse. Mr. Cullen verified that all of Battlefield Parkway would be constructed in Phase I, The Mayor stated an approval could be conditioned upon completion of Battlefield Parkway and the interchange as proposed. Mr, Cullen reminded Council that they have a letter of commitment from the Greenway, Brian Boucher stated that the plan submitted by Oaklawn is only a conceptual plan, the only design is in the design guidelines. There is no detail as to lot size, setbacks, or building type. The 326 residential use mix could be all of any building type, if they choose to do so. Vice-Mayor Jackson asked about VDOT's concerns with stacking at the Tolbert Lane Bridge. Mr. Cullen stated they have submitted a plan to VDOT. Susan Swift stated Paul Gauthier does not agree with the simulation and VDOT has sent a draft e-mail stating a long list of problems. Ms. Swift verified that the building height in Landbay D is 80 feet. She also expressed concerns with the applicant asking for lower parking requirements, Councilmember Zoldos asked what direction staff should be given. Mayor Umstattd stated that she would like to hear comments from Paul Gauthier and Calvin Grow on transportation and Doug McNeeley on the ILS light proposal. Mr, Cullen stated we need to bridge the gap at the staff level and sit down with Council to resolve the issues, 4. Cheerleading School Brian Boucher stated he has determined that cheerleading is a permitted use in a commercial recreation facility. He has advised the petitioner of his finding. 5. Buffer ReGulations Brian Boucher stated the issue is how to handle the modification of the screening and buffer-yard requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. He stated Council could authorize a resolution to initiate a Zoning Ordinance Amendment. Councilmember Schmidt stated he would like to see the Planning Commission be formally listed as a review authority on a special exception to the requirements. Councilmember Zoldos suggested referring this issue to the Planning Commission as well. Town Council Worksession Minutes for April 21, 2003 Page Mayor Umstattd stated Council could initiate an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, which would allow a public hearing at the Planning Commission level. Further, she stated that initiation by Council would guarantee more public participation. Councilmember Buttery concurred he agrees with Councilmember $chmidt's concerns. Mark Nelis, representing the applicant, stated Council should be able to consider buffer modifications. He asked that a Zoning Ordinance amendment be initiated. 6. Amending the Personnel Manual regarding health insurance coverage for retirees Dona Wolf stated the proposed amendment would provide future retirees with only ten years of service the opportunity to receive health insurance benefits after they retire. Further, surviving spouses will be able to continue health care coverage until they reach age 65. Councilmembers Schmidt, Zoldos and Jackson said they support this proposed amendment. Councilmember Buttery asked the portion proposed for the Town vs. employee? Ms. Wolf said the rate would be set by the Town Manager. Mayor Umstattd and Councilmember Kramer expressed their support for this amendment. 7, VML 2003-2004 Policy Committee Nominations Phil Rodenberg advised Council that one nominee per category should be submitted. The following nominations were made for the respective committees - Environmental Quality, Councilmember Kramer; Finance, Councilmember Zoldos; General Laws, Councilmember Buttery; and Transportation - Councilmember Martinez. Preview items for May 12, 2003 worksession None 9. Other business Blue Ridge Antique Guide Economic Development Director Betsy Fields addressed Council with reference to reinstatement of advertising funding to the Blue Ridge Antique Guide. Ms. Fields stated they are in the process of establishing a Comprehensive Marketing Plan using the campaign and audiences Tripp Muldrow has recommended. The department does not plan on advertising in this publication next year. Since their financial resources are limited, they are asking the Blue Ridge Antique Town Council Worksession Minutes for April 2:~, 2003 Page 6 Guide and Loudoun Arts Council to provide statistics on the market these publications reach. Bob Noe stated this is a legitimate way to reduce advertising costs. Councilmember Zoldos stated he supports funding for the antique guide. Ms. Fields pointed out that the Blue Ridge Antique Guide is a for profit business. Councilmember Kramer expressed support for the Economic Development Department's recommendation; adding it has to do with a return on your dollar. Ms. Fields stated they would use a statistical basis for analyzing data. Councilmember Kramer stated this is an industry standard. Performance Guarantee for River Creek Tom Mason asked that a performance guarantee for River Creek Phase IX, Section 1, Landbay K would be considered for tomorrow night's consent agenda. He stated the developer has met the requirements and is under time constraints for this approval. Lawson Road Councilmember Martinez asked that the Residential Traffic Committee review Lawson Road issues. He cited citizen concerns that the creek bed washes out and the use of the road as a thoroughfare. Tom Mason stated Council has discussed these concerns previously. He added the traffic committee has discussed this issue and the road is open to any licensed and tagged vehicle. Mr. Mason stated he would put together a document to give Council a history of the road, Bill Donnelly verified that five votes are required for revising the tax rate. The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m. 2003_tcwsminO421.doc of Council