HomeMy Public PortalAbout2003_06_23Council Work Session
Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:30 p.m.
.lune 23, 2003
Mayor Umstattd presiding.
Councilmembers Present: Frank Buttery, Mervin .lackson, Melinda Kramer, David
Schmidt, Robert Zoldos and Mayor Umstattd.
Councilmembers Absent: Marry 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 Planning, Zoning and Development Susan Swift, Director of
Finance Paul York, Director of Economic Development Betsy Fields, Zoning
Administrator Brian Boucher, Traffic Engineer Calvin Grow, Budget and Management
Officer Mike Freda, Planner Nancy Kitchens, Assistant to the Town Manager Nicole
Ard, GIS Coordinator John Callahan, Management Intern Alexandra Shabelski, and
Clerk of Council Judy Ahalt.
AGENDA ITEMS
Agenda for Council Meeting of June 24, 2003
a. Special Exception 2002-08 for the expansion of the existing
childcare center and church use at 60S West Market Street -
Public Hearing
Nancy Kitchens provided an overview of this special exception application
for the expansion of an existing child care center and church use.
Ms. Kitchens stated that most issues have been resolved with the
applicant; however, there is a change to Condition No. 6 dealing with a 6-foot
wide asphalt trail in lieu of the standard 4-foot concrete sidewalk.
Peter Miller with Campbell, Miller & Zimmerman addressed Council on
behalf of the applicant.
Mr. Miller stated that Condition No. 6 has not been given final approval by
the applicant.
Further, he stated he would like wording added to Condition No. 7 stating
that "the town may waive the requirement" for the reservation of the 6-foot
wide, 270-foot long area of land along the western property line.
Mr. Miller verified that the childcare center would be for pre-school
children.
Mayor Umstattd asked staff to clarify the possibility of the applicant's
proposed change in Condition No. 6.
Mr. Miller stated that he would have an answer tomorrow night from the
church on the 6-foot trail.
Vice-Mayor Jackson verified that a 6-foot asphalt trail would be acceptable
in the town's trail system.
Town Council work session minutes for .lune 23, 2003 Page 2
Councilmember Buttery pointed out that Condition No. 6 language was
omitted on the special exception for the S. King Street childcare center at the
recommendation of the town attorney.
Councilmember Zoldos stated that frontage improvements have not been
waived for other churches.
Vice-Mayor .lackson referenced a letter from the church congregation
which references objections to language in Condition No. 6 and No. 7, which
includes full frontage improvements and reservation of a 6-foot wide area for
future town right-of-way.
Councilmember Kramer verified that the proposed 6-foot asphalt trail
meets the standards of connecting trails.
b. Revising and initiating land development service fees - Public
Hearing
Mike Freda outlined the proposed increases in land development fees. He
explained these fees are being increased in accordance with revenue
projections for the FY 2004 Budget. He stated these proposed increases have
been reviewed and recommended for approval by the Planning Commission.
At Councilmember Buttery's request, Mr. Freda provided an explanation of
the full cost recovery fees in the user fee study recommendation.
c. Authorizing a public hearing to consider the vacation of a portion
of North Street NE
Bill Donnelly explained that a public hearing is necessary to vacate a
portion of North Street NE. A public sidewalk was built on North Street NE
which required an additional 131 square feet of private property belonging to
David L. and Holli D. Bowers. The town has agreed to vacate 149 square
feet of public street, which is no longer required by the Town, and exchange it
for the property needed from the Bowers.
He stated the Virginia State Code dictates a public hearing to receive
public comment on this issue.
d. Adopt a vision statement for the Town of Leesburg
Phil Rodenberg stated the Council vision document is provided in their
packet and asked if there were any comment or additions.
Councilmember Schmidt complimented Council on this document and
asked that a slight wording change be made in the first paragraph.
Councilmember Zoldos commended Council for their work on this
document.
Councilmember Buttery asked that the "Affordable" paragraph include
"increases customer focus".
Councilmember Schmidt asked for one minor change in the "Great
Opportunities" in paragraph.
Town Council work session minutes for .lune 23, 2003 Page 3
2. Barber & Ross - discussion of transportation~ Russell Branch and
other outdoor storage issues
Bill Smith with the Peterson Companies gave an overview of the history of
their 158-acre tract fronting Route 7. He stated this property is zoned ~[-1 and would
be a good candidate for a 24-acre tract on the site.
Mr. Smith stated Peterson Companies would act as the developer for Barber
and Ross on the site. Further, Barber and Ross is concerned with the long
development process and requirements of the site. They are looking in Winchester
and have been offered incentives to relocate there.
He discussed the four-lane divided road (Russell Branch), which is not
necessary since the County is removing roads from their County Plan.
He suggested that a diamond interchange would be appropriate for the site
and their willingness to reserve right of way for its construction.
Mayor Umstattd stated that the City of Winchester and Frederick County are
offering $150,000 to Barber and Ross for relocating there. Further, the obstacle for
Barber and Ross at the Peterson site is (:~) the construction of a cloverleaf
interchange, (2) building Russell Branch Parkway prior to construction of the
building, and (3) zoning ordinance definition of a building with two closed sides as a
non-permanent building.
The Mayor suggested a Town Plan amendment to allow a diamond
interchange at the Peterson site.
Further, the Mayor expressed concern with Barber and Ross not giving up
their Catoctin Circle site if they move to Winchester, thus the potential for
redevelopment of that site would be lost.
Councilmember Zoldos stated he supports keeping Barber and Ross in
Leesburg and the use of a diamond interchange on the site.
Further, he supported an amendment to the Town Plan to reflect changes
needed on the Peterson property and the processing of a preliminary development
plan concurrently.
Councilmember Buttery stated he is receptive to the idea, but would like more
information.
The Mayor stated the exact location of Russell Branch Parkway is not set.
Councilmember Kramer agreed more information is needed to resolve this
issue.
Karen Jones, Economic Development Commission, addressed Council stating
she favors allowing the diamond interchange and providing incentives to offset the
Winchester proposal. She suggested that we proceed quickly to resolve these
problems.
Town Council work session minutes for June 23, 2003 Page 4
Mike Banzhaf addressed Council. He stated that Loudoun County has
removed Gloucester Parkway from their plan. Consequently if fewer trips are
generated, there is no longer a need for a through collector. He stated the
character of the roads and uses have changed thus not warranting a grade separated
interchange.
Bill Donnelly advised that Council could authorize concurrent review of a plan
amendment to deal with the interchange.
Bob Noe asked Council to give careful consideration before taking any roads
off the Town Plan. He stated traffic is the greatest threat in the future and that
roads were put on the plan with a vision of the future.
Mayor Umstattd stated there is no plan of eliminating roads. Further, she
stated that town staff says that a diamond interchange could move traffic more
effectively.
Councilmember Schmidt stated he could support the delay of construction of
roads.
Councilmember Zoldos stated he doesn't propose to remove any roads, but
would like to keep Barber and Ross here and move more traffic through the site with
a diamond interchange.
Vice-Mayor .lackson stated the County has removed roads from their plan.
Mike Banzhaf stated the 2001 County Plan recommends the removal of
Gloucester Parkway.
3. Tmplementation of Enterprise Geographic Tnformation Systems -
Extension of contract with Geographic Technologies, Inc. in the
amount of $100,000.
~lohn Callahan stated that year one of the installation of software applications
and the work on data creation is underway on the G:[S system. The requested
funding is to move forward with year two which will allow a internet mapping
application, creation of a storm sewer layer, a complaint/inquiry tracking system,
and acquisition of global positioning system devices.
There was no Council discussion on this issue.
4. Loudoun Street Addition site options and the Loudoun Museum -
status report.
Phil Rodenberg addressed Council endorsing design and construction of a
variation of Site Option B. This option will cost an additional $1.225 million in
construction and engineering costs and provide an additional 6,500 square feet.
He added that building the additional space now will cost less than building
the additional space in later years. He stated this additional space could be leased
to help pay back the Utility Fund.
Mr. Rodenberg stated that Loudoun Museum has offered to relinquish the
space it needs for expansion for exchange for the town's financial support to acquire
Town Council work session minutes for June 23, 2003 Page
a nearby building in Leesburg for administrative use. However, the museum is
unable to publicly announce the building it is pursuing at this time.
Councilmember Schmidt stated he could endorse building the additional 6,500
square feet and asked if Uran funds could be used for the $150,000 requested by
Loudoun IVluseum?
Councilmember Zoldos stated he is opposed to paying additional engineering
costs for the additional 6,500 square feet. However, he does support $150,000 for
Loudoun Museum to assist in leveraging federal grants.
Vice-Mayor Jackson stated he agrees with $150,000 funding for Loudoun
Museum, but does not want to exceed the $3.7 million already authorized by Council.
Councilmember Buttery stated he would like more information before
committing the $150,000 to Loudoun Museum. He stated he prefers the B-2 option
but is concerned about the increased costs for the 6,500 additional square feet.
Councilmember Kramer agreed with the additional 6,500 square foot build out
and asked what the going rental rate would be if we were to lease the space?
Phil Rodenberg stated currently it is approximately $25.00 per sq. foot.
Councilmember Buttery stated he is in favor of building in front of the entire
parking garage as originally proposed.
Councilmember Zoldos verified that the $4.2 million is a turnkey operation
including furnishings.
Karen Jones addressed Council on behalf of the Loudoun Museum Board
stating they plan to launch a capital campaign for the renovation of the log cabin.
Further, she stated the build out of Loudoun Street is an important part of the
economic plan for downtown Leesburg.
The IVlayor expressed concern with the escalating costs of the expansion and
suggested that if the museum moves their operation to another location we may
want to shift the building footprint back to the front of the garage,
Councilmember Schmidt stated that it would take approximately seven years
to pay for the additional 6,500 square feet if the Town were to lease the space.
4a. Old Tzaak Walton Park
Councilmember Zoldos advised Council that Interfaith Relief needs a space for
their soup kitchen. He proposed using the Old Izaak Walton Park building. He
stated the kitchen would have to be refurbished for their use.
Vice-Mayor Jackson suggested possibly using Uran funds to refurbish the
kitchen,
Further, it was determined that the Parks and Recreation Director would be
contacted to determine the availability of the site.
Town Council work session minutes for .lune 23, 2003 Page 6
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
~1: clerk/minutes/2003_tcwsmin0623 .doc
/~c~il~h W. Ahalt
(~:lerk of Council