HomeMy Public PortalAbout2006_01_23
Council Work Session
January 23, 2006
Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:30 p.m. Mayor Umstattd presiding.
Councilmembers Present: Kelly Burk, Katie Sheldon Hammier, Susan B. Horne,
Marty Martinez, Bob Zoldos, and Mayor Umstattd.
Councilmembers Absent: Melinda Kramer
Staff Members Present: Town Manager John Wells, Town Attorney Barbara Beach,
Assistant to the Town Manager Nicole Ard, Assistant to the Town Manager Kathy
Leidich, Chief of Police Joe Price, Director of Economic Development Betsy Fields,
Director of Engineering and Public Works Tom Mason, Director of Finance Norm
Butts, Director of Planning, Zoning and Development Susan Swift, Director of Utilities
Randy Shoemaker, Management and Budget Officer Mike Freda, Planner Steve
McGregor, Planner Wade Burkholder, Management Specialist Tami Watkins and Clerk
of Council Judy Ahalt.
AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Zoldos asked that a substitute resolution for CBRE Holding
Company be discussed later in the meeting.
Council Meeting of January 24, 2006
a. Proposed Utility bond financing - Public Hearing
Norm Butts reported that David Rose, from Davenport, our financial
advisors, will be present at tomorrow night's public hearing to give a more in-
depth presentation. He said the proposed bond issue will be approximately
$56 million, of that amount $38 million will be "new money" to fund on-going
capital construction or reimburse reserve accounts. The remaining $18million
will be used to payoff outstanding higher interest rate debt at a considerable
savings to the Town. In addition, we recommend Council consider we back
these bonds by the full faith and credit of the Town as well as by the revenues
of the system, sometimes referred to as a double-barreled bond.
Further, the sale of bonds would take place around the first of March
with closing at the end of March.
Mayor Umstattd verified the decision to go forward with the double-
barreled bond would be made by the February 14 Council meeting.
b. TLZM-2005-0001 Harrison Park rezoning and concept plan with
proffers for a redevelopment project of the former Barber and
Ross site to include 352 residential units, 33,600 square feet of
office and 43,694 square feet of retail space on 11.65 acres -
Public Hearing
Wade Burkholder outlined this application to rezone 11.65 acres
incorporating four parcels from B-1 and B-2 to PRN (Planned Residential
Neighborhood for the purpose of developing the mixed-use development
known as Harrison Park.
Town Council Worksession for January 23. 2006
Page 2
Councilmember Burk commented the $6,000 per unit contribution
does not cover the off-site road improvements and school capital facility
proffer guidelines.
Mr. Burkholder stated the applicant would have to pay an additional
$800,000 to come in compliance with the off-site road and school capital
facility proffer guidelines.
Councilmember Horne stated the applicant is appealing to a specific
demographic that will not be impacted by school age children.
Greg Mitchell, Mitchell & Best, stated their primary market is the move
down buyers (empty nester) or young professionals.
Councilmember Horne asked about Dominion Virginia Power placing
power underground along the Washington and Old Dominion Trail.
Mr. Mitchell stated they have talked with Dominion Virginia Power and
received an estimate of $700,000, but if they have to be put in a conduit it
could be five times as much, to provide direct underground service from
Banner Glass to Harrison Street.
Council member Horne stated there is a (8-9 months) disconnect in the
time line of when the County will need to vacate the park and ride lot and
when you will break ground for this project. She suggested a letter go the
Board of Supervisors regarding this issue.
The mayor stated staff is putting together a meeting with the Town,
County and VRTA to address the commuter parking issue.
Councilmember Zoldos stated he agrees with his colleagues and
suggested that proffered monies may not be needed toward schools and
should be used for roads.
Council member Hammier stated some of the key issues are the
potential of the development, an extension of the downtown are and infill
development. She asked staff for an economic impact analysis. Further, she
stated this type of development may trigger a whole new set of demands and
changing demographic.
Mayor Umstattd verified the private agreement for the use of the park
and ride lot between the County and Mitchell and Best expires September
2006.
Mr. Mitchell stated their intent to break ground on January 1, 2007
and the possibility of extending the County's lease agreement on a month-to-
month basis.
Mayor Umstattd agreed with Councilmember Zoldos that use of proffer
monies for transportation since the development won't have many school age
children.
Town Council Worksession for Januarv 23. 2006
Page 3
c. ZOAM-2005-0002 and TLZM-2005-0003 to amend the Leesburg
Zoning Ordinance and Zoning District map to expand the H-1,
Old and Historic District - Public Hearing
Wade Burkholder outlined this amendment to the Leesburg Zoning
Ordinance and Zoning District Map to expand the Old and Historic (H-l)
Overlay District to include the Harrison Park property.
Councilmember Burk asked if the Harrison Park property has any
structures that would qualify as a designated landmark or landmark district.
Mr. Burkholder stated it is staff's thought that it does not; however, an
assessment will have to be completed and reviewed by the Board of
Architectural Review before a demolition permit can be issued.
d. TLTA-2005-0011 Oaklawn Plan Amendment
Steve McGregor stated staff is transmitting the Planning Commission's
recommendation on this proposed plan amendment. He stated the Planning
Commission is recommending a change in the transition area next to the
residential development to the north. They propose providing a 50-foot
baseline setback from residential property lines. For every foot of building
height two feet of additional setback should be provided. Additionally, a
maximum of 10 percent of the total building square feet may be used for
daily retail and services. A planted S-3 buffer, at least 50 feet wide, should
be provided on any boundary abutting residential uses or zoning districts.
Councilmember Horne verified that every foot of building height will
add two feet of additional setback, beyond the 50-foot baseline setback.
Councilmember Zoldos verified the maximum building height allowed
thru the previously approved proffers is 80 feet to the west and 55 feet south
of the single family designation.
Town Attorney Barbara Beach clarified this project has already been
rezoned.
The Mayor stated the applicant can go forward and build an 80 foot
building if the FAA doesn't object.
e. Sanitary Sewer Extension to a portion of CBRE Holding
Company Subdivision (AKA Lee Center Business Park)
Randy Shoemaker stated Blake Landscaping has provided an alternate
resolution. This resolution includes the addition of the following language:
(1) they will abandon use of the temporary pump station and force main and
connect sanitary sewer facilities on Parcel i-A to the Town's gravity sewer
system when constructed in the Lower Sycolin Sewer Service Area; (2) that
prior to connection to the Town's sewer system of the temporary pump
station and force main serving Parcel i-A, it will provide a $50,000 bank
letter of credit the terms of which will guarantee the ultimate abandonment of
the temporary pump station and force main and connection of Parcel i-A to
the Town's gravity sewer system when it is constructed and is available for
connection in the Lower Sycolin Sewer Service Area; and (3) that prior to
connection of the temporary pump station and force main serving Parcel i-A
Town Council Worksession for January 23. 2006
Page 4
to the Town's sewer system, Fricols, LC, will cause a permanent deed
restriction to be recorded and apply to Parcel i-A.
Councilmember Zoldos stated he is in full support of the alternate
resolution.
Councilmember Hammier stated she would like to see a deed
restriction on the property to say the property owner would support
annexation of Parcel i-A by the Town.
Jay Frye, Fricols, LC, thanked Council for their support of this request.
f. Approving a supplemental appropriation for the reimbursement
of $47,945 for the negotiation of the Verizon Cable Franchise
and the Adelphia-Comcast Franchise transfer.
John Wells stated this supplemental appropriation is for legal services
for negotiation of the Verizon Cable Franchise and the Adelphia-Comcast
Franchise transfer.
For consideration and discussion:
1. FOllow-up discussion - Preliminary Revenue Projections for FY
2007
John Wells stated Norm Butts and Mike Freda are available if there are
any questions regarding the preliminary projections for FY 2007. He added the
proposed budget will be for a lower tax rate than last year.
Councilmember Horne asked for an explanation as to what is excluded in a
base budget of $41.5 million.
John Wells stated that it does not include new positions or programs, but
maintains the current programs. He also verified that non-profits would be
assessed by the guidelines set by Council.
Councilmember Zoldos stated the County assessment is $6.2 billion dollars
which equates to $620,000 for a one cent tax rate.
Councilmember Hammier stated she is looking forward to seeing the
proposed budget and places where we can make cuts.
Mayor Umstattd stated an equalized tax rate would be 18.5 cents.
Councilmember Hammier stated there is a perception that the Utility Fund
has plenty of funds.
John Wells stated the user rate funds pay for current operations and the
bond funding will pay for capital projects.
Councilmember Hammier asked for more information on the $20 million
in new construction.
Mr. Wells stated he will have more information when the County
assessments are out.
Town Council Worksession for January 23. 2006
Page 5
2. Advertising for Dominion Virginia Power Public Hearing
Councilmember Burk stated the Environmental Advisory Commission
(EAC) would like to take some of their budget monies to advertise the Dominion
Virginia Power public hearing on transmission lines.
John Wells stated the public notice should only contain key issues and
coordinated with Council.
Council member Horne verified the EAC would use funds from their
community outreach funds.
Ken Reid addressed Council seeking approval of spending money from the
EAC budget to alert citizens about the public hearing.
The Mayor stated there will be a news briefing on February 6 regarding
the power lines.
Further, the public hearing before the SCC will be held February 8 at 1: 30
p.m. in the County Board Room and continued on February 9.
Council concluded that a newspaper ad will be published with the approval
of ad content by Council.
3. Civic Sign Update
Council members commented on the newspaper article in the Loudoun
Times Mirror that they were polled by the Town Manager and had a closed meeting
regarding the removal of the civic signs.
Council member Hammier stated she did receive a message to call the
paper but was unable to meet the deadline they requested.
The remainder of Council stated they were not called or participated in a
closed meeting.
Councilmember Horne asked that the newspaper apologize or retract their
article.
After further discussion it was the consensus of Council to ask the Town
Attorney to send a letter to the editor of the Loudoun Times Mirror asking for an
apology or retraction.
Council discussed the samples of a new proposed signs for the entrances
to Town and the process by which the civic organizations will be contacted and what
will be put on the signs. Also discussed was the right-of-way for placement of the
new signs and the site distance issues.
It was decided that staff would return to the next Council meeting with
several reiterations of the signs.
Bill ReDogle commented on the desire for the EAC to place an ad in the
newspaper to alert citizens of the public meeting on February 9 regarding the
placement of transmission lines through the Town of Leesburg.
Town Council Worksession for January 23. 2006
Paqe 6
He explained his concept for the ad which will be a chainsaw cutting
through the trail.
Mayor Umstattd reminded Mr. Repogle that Council would have approval
on the content of the ad.
The Mayor stated there are still threats of power lines to multiple
neighborhoods. Her wish is to keep them away from the W&OD Trail and Woodlea
Manor.
Further, the Mayor authorized the Town Manager and Town Attorney to
make the final decision on the ad content.
For information only:
Preview items for February 13, 2006 work session
a. Town Code amendment regarding Section 16-13 (Removal of
Snow and Ice from Sidewalks) Article 1 (IN GENERAL) of Chapter
16 (Street and Sidewalks) of the Code of the Town of Leesburg,
Virginia - Public Hearing
Mayor Umstattd stated older residents who have physical restrictions that
don't allow them to remove snow would be exempt.
Barbara Beach stated this amendment will switch the penalty for this
infraction from criminal to civil.
New Business
Council member Hammier asked for a Tree Management Plan update.
Mr. Wells stated the Tree Commission and staff will return to the next Council
meeting with an update on the next steps.
Councilmember Burk asked the status of the bus shelters and a response
from the Town of Vienna.
Barbara Beach stated she spoke to their Mayor and she asked if Mayor
Umstattd would send a letter to the Mayor of Vienna.
On a motion by Vice Mayor Martinez, seconded by Council member Zoldos, the
meeting adjourned at 9:41 p.m.
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