HomeMy Public PortalAbout2005_07_25Council Work Session
July 25, 2005
7:00 p.m. Briefing - Meadowbrook Update
Ms. Sally Gillette, attorney for the applicant, introduced Mr. Bill Caldwell with
RTKL stating he will address the commercial aspect of the property. She stated the
Planning Commission held a public hearing on March 17th, which was followed by a
work session on March 28th. Further, she stated the applicant met with
representatives from Keep South Leesburg Beautiful and individual residents whose
property is adjacent to the mixed use center.
Ms. Gillette stated the site is 328 acres with 1,006 housing units south of
Evergreen Mill Road including 468 single-family detached, 264 townhouses, and 284
multi-family units. She stated the mixed-use center is comprised of 134,000 square
feet of office space and 200,000 square feet of retail. Further, she outlined several
other features to the site and changes to the original application.
Mr. Bill Caldwell, RTKL, outlined the mixed-use center including the "Main
Street" area for public events, trail connections, restaurants with outdoor seating
and a walking environment with retail, grocery and smaller anchors. He stated the
entire project would be subject to the regulations of the Board of Architectural
Review.
Ms. Gillette outlined the phasing of the proposed transportation improvements
stating the total for these proffered improvements is $26 to $28 million. Further,
she stated if the Town were to construct the proposed transportation improvements
the cost could be up to 25 percent higher.
Councilmember Burk asked what the impact would be to the wetlands?
Ms. Gillette stated the site includes approximately eight acres of wetlands.
She stated of that only 1.89 acres will be disturbed.
Councilmember Burk stated the application mentions dedicating a park to the
Town; however, it seems like the park will be servicing the community and therefore
should be maintained by the homeowners association.
Ms. Gillette stated the applicant believes the park will be used by many
residents in the Southwest quadrant of the Town.
Councilmember Burk asked the status of the roads if the land was to be
developed by-right.
Ms. Gillette stated if built by-right the property along South King Street would
be developed as 43 one-acre lots and would not need to be subdivided, therefore
there would be no frontage improvements in this area. Further, the property to build
Battlefield Park would have to be condemned by the Town and the applicant would
only be required to make small improvements to Evergreen Mill Road.
Mayor Umstattd stated there has been a difference in opinion between the
applicant and Town staff regarding what transportation improvements would be
required if the property were to be constructed by-right. She stated staff feels the
roads would have to be constructed in a by-right development; however, the
Town Council Work Session Minutes for .luly 25, 2005 Page 2
applicant disagrees. Further, she asked that staff provide a report regarding what
transportation improvements would be required from the applicant.
Councilmember Burk stated in Warrenton Centex built a school for a
development as opposed to simply donating a school site.
Ms. Gillette stated that would not be possible here because of the cost of the
transportation improvements.
There was further discussion regarding the number of parking spaces at the
mixed-use center.
Councilmember Horne verified there would be a trail along Evergreen Mill
Road. She asked if Centex would construct the eight homes for Habitat for Humanity
or if they would simply provide the supplies?
Ms. Gillette stated it is her understanding that they have a relationship with
Habitat for Humanity and will provide them with eight fully constructed homes.
Councilmember Hammler verified it has not been determined if these units
would be town homes or single family homes.
Councilmember Hammler asked the square footage of restaurant uses and if
that would be included in the office or retail totals.
Ms. Gillette stated she has been given authority to proffer that there will be
no fast food uses on the site; however, the exact terminology has not been
developed yet. She stated there are different types of fast food establishments and
a restaurant like Baja Fresh would be acceptable for the site.
Mr. Caldwell stated the restaurants are part of the retail square footage.
stated there will be approximately four restaurants of different size. Further, he
stated they do not anticipate any fast food with drive-thru.
He
There was further discussion regarding the proposed community green area in
the mixed-use center and proposed traffic calming devices.
Town Council Work Session Minutes for .July 25, 2005 Page 3
Council Work Session
July 25, 2005
Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:49 p.m. Mayor Umstattd presiding.
Coun¢ilmembers Present: Kelly Burk, Kathryn Sheldon Hammler, Susan B. Home,
Melinda Kramer, and Mayor Umstattd.
Councilmembers Absent: Marty Martinez and Bob Zoldos
staff Members Present: Town Manager John Wells, Interim Town Attorney
Elizabeth Whiting, Assistant to the Town Manager Nicole Ard, Assistant to the Town
Manager Kathy Leidich, Chief of Police Joe Price, Director of Engineering and Public
Works Tom Mason, Director of Planning, Zoning and Development Susan Swift,
Director of Parks and Recreation Kaj Dentler, Director of the Office of Capital Projects
Nagi Elsewaissi, Zoning Administrator Brian Boucher, Chief of Comprehensive
Planning David Fuller, Planner Steve McGregor, Planner Nick Colona, Planner Bruce
Douglas, Planner Chris Murphy, Recreation Programs Manager Kate Trask,
Management Intern Tami Watkins and Assistant to the Clerk of Council Debi Parry.
AGENDA ITEMS
Council Meeting of 3uly 26, 2005
a. 2005 Leesburg Town Plan - Public Hearing
David Fuller stated staff previously presented the Planning
Commission's May 13 version of the Draft Town Plan to Council. He
outlined the various land use categories stating the Community
Commercial designation has no floor area ratio (FAR) rather it has a
limit on the size of the center and tenants. Further, he stated the
Regional Retail designation has a maximum FAR of .35 with no maximum
building size; however, there is a maximum tenant size of 150,000 square
feet.
Mr. Fuller stated the Community Office designation has a maximum
FAR of .60 and requires a minimum of 80 percent of the square footage to
consist of office uses with no more than 20 percent retail. He stated the
Regional Office designation allows for .35 to 1.0 FAR with a minimum of
80 percent of the building area as office. Further, he stated there is also a
Regional Office Option designation which allows for a maximum of 35
percent of the building area as retail or up to 25 percent as residential.
Mr. Fuller outlined several other differences between the current Town
Plan and the proposed plan including the range of densities for residential
uses, the emphasis on green infrastructure, quality design, expansion of
the H-2 corridor multi-modal transportation, and preservation of the
Town's character.
Councilmember Hammler asked if there is a simplified way to
determine what the transportation needs are to support the commercial
designations.
Mr. Fuller stated transportation requirements needed to support a
particular parcel would be asked for when the proposal is made for that
Town Council Work Session Minutes for July 25, 2005 Paqe 4
property.
Mayor Umstattd stated when the Regional Office Optional designation
allows for retail and residential that seems to be mixed-use.
Mr. Fuller stated the mixed-use option is there, but it will only be
granted on a case-by-case basis.
Mayor Umstattd verified the lack of restrictions on building height
undermines the limits established in the Zoning Ordinance. She stated
it is her belief that the Oaklawn developers received permission to
construct 80-foot high buildings along the Greenway and asked staff to
check the proffers. Further, she stated the extension of the H-2 Corridor
will be great for new development; however, it should not be imposed on
existing residential units.
Mayor Umstattd thanked staff for the additional language stating the
Iow end of the density range for residential uses is preferred. She stated
many residents have petitioned to have the Dulles South property planned
by-right as R-l; however, the draft Town Plan includes a range of
densities.
b. TLTA-2004-0002 Village at Leesburg - Route 7 at River Creek
Parkway/Crosstrail Boulevard interchange design amendment
- Public Hearing
Councilmember Burk verified approval of this interchange does not
indicate approval or denial of the Village at Leesburg application.
Councilmember Horne stated it is her understanding that KST wanted
to proffer the addition of the Town Seal and other architectural
enhancements to the bridge; however, that request was denied by VDOT.
Mr. Chris Murphy stated that issue was discussed at a meeting with
VDOT and it was made clear that they would not approve the inclusion of
the Town Seal on the bridge because it could detract the driver's attention
from the roadway.
Councilmember Home expressed her concern with ingress and egress
for the Stone House at Harper Park and the Holiday Tnn at Carradoc Hall,
stating that the issue will be addressed in the plan approval process for
the interchange. Further, she stated in the case of developer initiated
interchange projects VDOT's position is that noise mitigation measures
become the responsibility of the municipality.
Councilmember Hammler asked staff to report on how noise mitigation
would be done and what the cost implications would be. She asked why
Council action is needed on this item when it is being addressed in the
Town Plan?
Mr. Murphy stated this is being done at the request of the applicant.
Mayor Umstattd stated she has spoken with Mr. Wells regarding the
need for legal reassurance that approval of this interchange designation
Town Council Work Session Minutes for .luly 25, 2005 Paqe $
would not preempt Council from insisting that Carradoc Hall get an
alternate access if the interchange closes their existing access to Route 7.
Mr. Randy Greenhan, stated action simply changes the designation on
the Town Plan map and does not imply approval or denial of the Village at
Leesburg project. He stated he does not understand why the applicant is
asking for this change now rather than waiting for approval of the
proposed Town Plan.
Mr. Mike Banzhaf, attorney for KSI, stated they are asking for this
change now because they were informed by Town Staff that the design
request for the interchange could not proceed until the interchange
designation had been changed in the Town Plan.
c. Amending Section 10-171 of the Town Code regarding the
establishment of meter zones and parking time limits therein
Ms. Fields stated there are approximately 155 meters in the downtown
and the merchants specifically requested that the meters closest to
businesses with high turn over be made 30 minute meters. She stated
because some residents need to spend a little longer downtown, staff
recommends that the 13 southern most meters on Harrison Street be
changed to six hour limits and the meters on Liberty Street be changed to
four hour meters. Further, the meters across from the government center
on Harrison Street and the four meters on South King Street towards the
W&OD trail were inadvertently omitted from the original ordinance and
should be added as 30 minute meters.
Councilmember Burk stated she has been watching the meters on
Harrison Street and has noted that the spots are empty throughout the
day. Further, she stated the ticketing situation has sparked a number of
phone calls and many residents are upset.
Councilmember Horne stated she would recommend changing the 13
meters on Harrison Street to four-hour meters so as not to add an
additional category and to be consistent with the meters on Liberty Street.
Councilmember Kramer stated there is no parking use on that section
of Harrison Street in front of Mr. Pegues business and the meters are not
necessary. She stated we need to monitor the situation to see how the
meter limit change is affecting his business.
Mayor Umstattd asked if staff has contacted Mr. Pegues.
Ms. Fields stated when the parking enforcement staff began issuing
tickets, Mr. Pegues contacted her to see if Council would support changing
the meter time limits to six hours. She stated she has maintained contact
with him and informed him of the pending vote tomorrow night. Further,
she stated removal of the meters might worsen his situation.
Mr. Wells stated staff will be reporting back to Council quarterly on the
parking situation.
Town Council Work Session Minutes for ~luly 25, 2005 Page 6
d. Approving a music instruction program for financially
disadvantaged, at-risk youth in Leesburg
Mr. Dentler stated at the last meeting Council received a presentation
regarding the development of a youth orchestra to work with
disadvantaged kids in the Town. He stated he met with Ms. Bohnett, Mr.
Carver with the GRiT program and Councilmember Hammler to determine
the purpose of the program. He stated the orchestra aspect has been
dropped and it is now a general music oriented program to compliment
Parks & Recreation's current sports oriented program.
Mr. Dentler stated the original request for $25,000 has been reduced
to $14,000 because Crossroads Baptist Church as agreed to provide the
rehearsal space and the books will be donated by the Leesburg Book
Store. He stated Mr. Carver has indicated there may be some Loudoun
County Gang Response and innovation Team (GRIT) funds available;
however, those funds would be given as a reimbursement for any funds
the Town spends. Further, he outlined the selection criteria and
performance measures.
Mr. Dentler stated if Council would like to move forward with the
program there are three options to consider. 1) Apply seed money to the
Youth Music Preservation and Promotion Association and they would be
responsible for organizing the program and they would come back to
Council during the budget discussion to request additional funds if
necessary. 2) A three-year matching fund process where Council would
go forward with $14,000 and request reimbursement from the GRiT
program, in the second year Council would match 50 percent and 25
percent in the third year. 3) Defer a decision on this program to the
budget process.
Councilmember Hammler thanked Mr. Dentler for his hard work on this
proposal. She stated there was an immediate response from the GRiT
program and suggestions for getting funding from the federal level with
the assistance of Congressman Frank Wolf. Further, she stated this is an
innovative approach to teach children and to prevent a growing gang
problem.
Councilmember Horne stated this is not a justifiable use of taxpayer
money and she can not support it. She stated there are ways to find
other funds for this program because music can have an impact on
children's lives. Further, she stated she has spoken with Mr. Dentler
about incorporating an arts and culture program element into the
Northeast Coalition programs.
Councilmember Burk stated music is very important to children;
however, there are still a number of outstanding questions regarding who
will run the program, how will the program be evaluated, who is liable if
there are issues, how long will the program run. Further, she stated this
project is not constructed properly to be funded by tax money.
Councilmember Kramer stated this proposal was not handled properly
and was thrust forward with no research behind it. She stated this
Town Council Work Session Minutes for 3uly 25, 2005 Page ?
program could be very valuable; however, there is not enough information
available to make a decision.
Councilmember Hammler stated she would take full responsibility for
being inspired by Ms. Bohnett's vision for reaching out to those children
now rather than waiting till next year.
Mayor Umstattd verified if there is a financial assistance program for
children from Iow-income families to participate in classes offered through
the Parks and Recreation Department. She asked if the Town could offer
piano or violin classes at l~da Lee for Iow-income children.
Mr. Dentler stated we could provide that; however, we would not be
able to recover any of our costs for offering the program.
There was further discussion regarding funding for this program and
the current opportunities for Iow-income families at the Tda Lee Recreation
Center.
e. Authorizing the extension of utilities to the O'Connor property
for a new high school site.
Dr. Sam Adamo, Loudoun County Public Schools Director of Planning
and Legislative Services, stated the County is anxiously waiting for this to
be approved and are looking forward to working with the Town.
Councilmember Hammler asked the status of the traffic study for this
school site.
Dr. Adamo stated the traffic study has been completed and evaluated
by staff. He stated the only additional item is the issue of the traffic
service level at the intersection of King Street and Market Street.
Councilmember Hammler asked how many students from the Town
would be attending this new high school and why another high school is
needed in the Town.
Dr. Adamo stated the recent school census results are not available
now; however, they should be released in September. He stated
approximately 80 percent of the students who attend schools in the Town
also live in the Town. Further, he stated there is currently an anticipated
need for a high school and middle school in the Route 50 corridor for the
Middleburg students so they would no longer have to travel to Loudoun
County High School.
Councilmember Horne verified the school is slated to open in the fall of
2009. She stated it is in the Town's best interest to consider this rather
than jump into a boundary line adjustment. Further, she stated this is an
important gateway into the Town and there is a significant distance
between the Town boundary at Tda Lee and the proposed school site.
There was further discussion regarding the timeline for this project.
Town Council Work Session Minutes for .luly 25, 2005 Page 8
Mayor Umstattd stated staff has an alternate solution to extend
utilities from Smart's Mill Middle School, which would eliminate the need
for a boundary line adjustment.
Mr. Wells stated Council has the option to extend utilities by boundary
line adjustment, extend utilities by agreement, or simply to agree to
extend utilities by a mechanism to be determined later. He stated the
latter option would at least allow the schools to move forward with
acquisition of the property while Council determines how they would like
to proceed.
Tom Mason further outlined the options available to Council.
Councilmember Burk asked if water and sewer were extended to the
site would the size of the pipes be limited.
Mr. Mason stated that could be done; however, it might not be the
best decision from a watershed master plan standpoint.
Councilmember Home stated it is not reasonable to leave the land
between ]~da Lee and the proposed school site in the County's jurisdiction
when the Town has a compelling interest in what is developed there.
Councilmember Hammler concurred with Councilmember Horne's
remarks.
Mayor Umstattd stated her preference would be to move forward with
a decision tomorrow night. She stated this issue has been before the
Town for years and we do have the opportunity to make a commitment to
extend the water and sewer tomorrow night. Further, she stated she
would like to see the size of the pipes limited.
Mr. Bob Sevila and Mr. Terry Titus, representatives for the property
owner, addressed Council. Mr. Sevila asked Council to commit to provide
utilities for the school site and allow more time to discuss the land use
issues. He and Mr. Titus outlined the history of the property stating small
parcels have been incorporated into the Town and the difficulties that the
property owner is facing regarding development of the remaining parcels.
Further, he stated land use issues in this area appear to have been made
by considering individual parcels rather than addressing the property in a
comprehensive way.
There was further discussion regarding the history of this property and
previous decisions made regarding the acquisition of property for school
uses. There was also discussion regarding the extension of utilities to the
proposed site and necessary transportation improvements.
Mayor Umstattd stated Council needs to make a commitment
tomorrow night to provide the school site with water and sewer.
f. Haking an appointment to the Leesburg Planning Commission
Councilmember Burk stated she would be nominating Mr. Brett Burk to
fill the vacancy on the Leesburg Planning Commission.
Town Council Work Session Minutes for July 25, 2005 Page 9
g. Approving a supplemental appropriation for a donation of
$2,400 to allow Leesburg youth to participate in the
Commonwealth for Leadership Effectiveness. (CYCLE)
Mr. Wells stated the Town has received a donation from Carter Braxton
Real Estate.
Mayor Umstattd verified this is simply an appropriation of funds and is
not an additional cost to the Town.
Councilmember Hammler asked that a Certificate of Appreciation be
prepared.
h. Purchase of nine police vehicles authorized in the FY06 Budget.
Police Chief Joe Price stated staff is recommending that Council
authorize the Town Manager to purchase the nine police vehicles as
approved in the FY 2006 budget. He stated the individual cost of the
vehicles is $22,750 each. Further, six of the vehicles are replacements
and three are new vehicles for staff.
Councilmember Home verified the cost of the vehicles is already
included in the budget.
For consideration and discussion:
Annual program for street milling, resurfacing, concrete repairs,
handicap ramp installations, and brick sidewalk installation
There was no discussion of this item.
2. Special Events Policy amendments
Councilmember Hammler asked that the amendments reflect the fact that
special events in the downtown significantly effect the downtown businesses.
:It was the consensus of Council to vote on this item tomorrow night.
For information only:
Preview Items for August 8, 2005 work session
Approval of TLSE-2003-0007 - 3erry's Leesburg Ford - public
hearing
There was no discussion of this item.
b. ZOAM-2005-O001 - Section 7.9 Noise limitations and
enforcement - public hearing
Councilmember Horne confirmed that staff has reached out to the
Loudoun Downtown Business Association and other business owners have
been notified of the public hearing.
Consideration of rezoning application TLZr4-2004-0007 -
Cornerstone Chapel - public hearing
There was no discussion of this item.
Consideration of Special Exception application TLSE-2004-0030
Cornerstone Chapel
There was no discussion of this item.
Town Council Work Session Minutes for July 25, 2005 Page
e. Amending Chapter 6 of the Town Code regarding Leesburg
voting precincts to reflect Loudoun County precinct changes -
public hearing
Ms. Dianna Price, Loudoun County Electoral Board Secretary, stated
the Town is considering five new voting precincts and a boundary adjustment
for the Tolbert and Cool Spring precincts.
Mayor Umstattd verified Ms. Price would like Council to vote on this
item the same night as the public hearing.
Ms. Price stated she would like to mail the new voter registration cards
in early October and are planning to advertise in the newspaper to ensure all
residents are alerted to this change.
New Business:
a. Public Arts Task Force
Councilmember Burk stated she would like to defer action on
appointments to the task force until September.
Mayor Umstattd stated the meetings in September will be very busy
and suggested deferring action to October.
it was the consensus of Council to revaluate the situation once the
applications for appointment are received.
Councilmember Kramer expressed her belief that Council should take
ownership of this program and feel free to forward the names of any
interested parties.
Adjournment
On a motion by Councilmember Burk, seconded by Councilmember Kramer
the meeting was adjourned at :~0:10 p.m.
2005_tcwsmin0725
/~Z:lerk of Council