HomeMy Public PortalAbout2006_06_12
Council Work Session
June 12, 2006
Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:30 p.m. Mayor Umstattd presiding.
Councilmembers Present: Kelly Burk, Kathryn Sheldon Hammier, Susan Horne
Melinda Kramer, Marty Martinez, Bob Zoldos and Mayor Kristen Umstattd
Councilmembers Absent: Marty Martinez arrived at 7:45 pm.
Staff 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, Airport Director Tim Deike, Director of Capital Projects
Management Nagi Elsewaissi, Director of Engineering and Public Works Tom Mason,
Director of Planning, Zoning and Development Susan Swift, Economic Development
Director Betsy Fields, Deputy Utilities Director Aref Etemadi, Zoning Administrator
Brian Boucher, Deputy Director of Capital Projects Management Renee LaFollette,
Transportation Engineer Calvin Grow, Planner Chris Murphy, Management Specialist
Tami Watkins, Administrative Associate Wendy Walker, and Deputy Clerk of Council
Debi Parry.
AGENDA ITEMS
Edwards Landing Update
Tom Mason stated the release of bonds and acceptance of improvements is
on the agenda for Council's approval tomorrow night. He introduced Tom Knopp,
Edwards Landing HOA.
Tom Knopp thanked Council for their assistance in expediting the
improvements. He stated the only work remaining to be done relates to the
Gatehouse equipment trailer.
Councilmember Zoldos asked the status of the equipment trailer move.
Mr. Mason stated the wiring in the pool house has been completed and the
equipment is currently being moved. He stated staff anticipates the equipment
move to be completed by the end of this week and the trailer removed by the middle
of next week.
Council member Burk commended the residents for their efforts in staying on
top of the issues and ensuring the work was completed.
Council Meeting of June 12, 2006
a. Crescent District Master Plan - Public Hearing.
Susan Swift stated Planning Commission Chair Kevin Wright and members
of the Board of Architectural Review and Economic Development Commission
will attend the public hearing tomorrow.
Councilmember Kramer verified the plan includes a small park in the
Crescent District to be named in honor of Chuck Jones.
Councilmember Hammier stated Karen Jones has been so instrumental in
the development of the Business Development Strategy and Crescent District
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Page 2
Master Plan and suggested the park be named the "Chuck and Karen Jones
Plaza".
b. TLSE-200S-0006 Special Exception to permit a bank with drive-
through in the B-2 District within the Leesburg Plaza Shopping
Center.
Mayor Umstattd stated the Planning Commission has recommended denial
of this application by a 7-0 vote.
There was a short discussion of the bank's architecture.
Chris Murphy stated this application is for a 4,100 square foot bank with a
three lane drive-through at the corner of Plaza and Market Streets in the
Leesburg Plaza Shopping Center. He stated the applicant is offering some
improvements including increased landscaping and the installation of a right
turn lane on Plaza Street with traffic signal improvements. Further, he stated
staff believes design does not meet the Town Plan goal of providing a
pedestrian friendly gateway into the Town.
Councilmember Burk verified this is a pad site within the shopping center.
Councilmember Horne asked that Betsy Fields provide a briefing tomorrow
night regarding where our community stands as a market for banking. She
stated Commerce Bank's model of business is very retail oriented and they
are open seven days a week, which could have traffic implications.
Councilmember Zoldos stated his concern lies with the drive-through
portion of the application and the number of vehicular trips on a daily basis.
Councilmember Hammier stated this is a leased pad site and it would be
helpful to have the history on what was trying to be accomplished with the
redevelopment of that strip mall.
c. Amending Section 2.1-2 of the Town Code Appointing Airport
Commission Members.
Dennis Boykin, Leesburg Airport Commission Vice-Chair, stated the two
primary functions of this amendment are to provide flexibility to the Loudoun
County Board of Supervisors representative position and the residency
requirements for Commission members. He stated the Commission believes
the membership should be opened up to anyone who lives in Town or owns a
business in Town as is allowed with the Economic Development Commission.
Further, he stated the only exception would be anyone who is in a contractual
relationship with the Airport.
Vice Mayor Martinez stated it should include anyone with general interest
in aviation who is concerned about the economic impact of the airport.
Councilmember Burk stated she would not support the amended language
regarding membership on the Commission.
Council member Horne stated she supports this recommendation;
however, the language which states "a member of the Board of Supervisors
or their designee" should be clarified. She stated they should be allowed to
Town Council Meeting of June 12, 2006
Paqe 3
have a designee; however, it should state "formal designee" so as to establish
a formal relationship.
There was further discussion regarding the language referencing the
Loudoun County Board of Supervisors position.
Councilmember Burk stated the original intent of this was to get a
member of the Board of Supervisors to attend the Airport Commission
meetings and that will not happen with this change to the language.
Mr. Boykin stated when this issue was brought forward to Council last year
it was the Commission's intent to get a representative of the Loudoun County
Board of Supervisors, not necessarily a member of the Board.
There was further discussion regarding the language referencing the
seven appointed Commission members and issues regarding conflict of
interest.
Councilmember Zoldos stated the purpose of the change is to expand the
base of individuals eligible to be appointed to the Commission. He stated he
supports the language as he proposed. Further, he stated Council needs to
appoint the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors member and then allow
them to appoint a designee.
Vice Mayor Martinez stated the Commission wants an individual who will
communicate the airport's issues to the County and having a member of the
Loudoun County Board of Supervisors from a different district may carry more
credence than having a member from the Leesburg District.
Mayor Umstattd stated it is a breech of etiquette to tell the Board that
Council will choose which one of them to appoint.
Councilmember Hammier stated she supports adding the Economic
Development Commission language and allowing the Loudoun County Board
of Supervisors to appoint a designee to attend the Commission meetings.
Barbara Beach stated the Economic Development Commission has four
criteria which includes, living in Town, working in Town, owning a business in
Town or owing property in Town.
Mayor Umstattd asked that an alternate resolution be prepared for
tomorrow night to include the Economic Development Commission language.
There was further discussion regarding the specific language of the
resolution.
Ms. Sandy Kane, Standing Residential Traffic Committee, stated the
Environmental Advisory Commission has language which states a majority of
the Commission members should be residents of the Town. She stated that
should be given consideration for this Commission.
Mayor Umstattd asked that this language also be added to the alternate
resolution.
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Mr. Boykin stated the Airport Commission discussed that issue and did not
support recommending that language for this amendment.
Council member Kramer stated we need to keep focused on the goal of
ensuring the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors understands the
importance of the Airport to the County.
d. Undergrounding Utilities in the Historic District.
Councilmember Horne thanked Mr. Elsewaissi for his efforts in reaching
out to the homeowners and business owners in the Historic District. Further,
in response to a citizen request during an informational session for the
addresses of Council she asked that the record show no members of Council
live in the Historic District.
Councilmember Zoldos stated he does not support the allocation of
$50,000 for a study of this project. He stated staff informed residents that all
costs would be borne by the Town, which establishes policy. Further, he
stated there are no guarantees that the Town will get the grants to pay for
this project.
Councilmember Hammier stated she would like to see a draft resolution
for tomorrow night.
Councilmember Horne asked if this helps us take advantage of
redevelopment and give us added leverage.
Ms. Beach stated if Council establishes a policy it gives staff the right to
negotiate with developers for funding or proffers to promote Council's
policies.
Mayor Umstattd stated the tax payers should not pay for this. She stated
if there is a redevelopment we want to be sure our policy reflects our desire
that any new development or redevelopment puts the lines underground.
e. Adoption of airport rules and regulations for the Leesburg
Executive Airport.
This item was deferred to the June 26 Council work session.
f. Awarding the Sycolin Road Phase I project construction
management services contract to Volkert 8r. Associates, Inc. of
Alexandria, Virginia.
Renee LaFollette stated this project would be completed in fall of 2007.
g. Awarding the Fort Evans Road sidewalk and drainage project
construction management services contract to Alpha Corporation,
Inc. of Dulles, Virginia.
Renee LaFollette stated this project would be completed in spring of 2007.
h. Sanitary sewer extension to a property on Cochran Mill Road
outside the Town Limits (AKA, Kitter property) PIN 151400958.
Aref Etemadi stated a letter was received from JC Consulting, contract
Town Council Meetinq of June 12. 2006
Page 5
purchaser of this property, requesting that sanitary sewer lines be extended.
He stated the property is not contiguous to the Town and although the
property is located in the JLMA and is slated for future service there are no
lines currently running to that area. Further, he stated the applicant is
planning to build a number of homes on the property and staff is
recommending denial of this request.
Council member Hammier verified there is no connection between this and
our overall strategic plan for the Crosstrails property as it relates to
discussions with the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.
Mayor Umstattd stated based on the staff recommendation and what has
been discussed she would support the recommendation for denial.
Councilmember Kramer discussed the importance of preserving this area
as a visual for the W&OD trail.
i. Crosstrail Discussion/CPAM and Rezoning Referral
Councilmember Hammier stated she would like to get the public input
from the Planning Commission public hearing on Thursday night and the
Loudoun County's Planning Commission public hearing on Monday night
before voting.
Mayor Umstattd asked if we are on a deadline for providing our referral to
the Cou nty.
David Fuller stated the referral is due to the County before the next
Council meeting. He stated Council has passed two prior resolutions
regarding the rezoning and the public has heard this information before.
Dennis Boykin, Airport Commission Vice Chair, stated the Commission will
meet Wednesday evening to plan out their briefing for the Loudoun County
Planning Commission public hearing on Monday night.
For consideration and discussion:
1. Lowenbach Ad Hoc Committee Report.
Wendy Overton, Lowenbach Ad Hoc Committee, read the following letter into
the record from Committee Chair Suzanne Lago Arthur:
Dear Madame Mayor and Esteemed Town Council Members:
The Lowenbach Ad Hoc Committee (the committee) has been working
diligently to bring the right design solutions to the residents of Lowenbach. These
decisions were made using both input from residents and the advice of Town staff.
Outlined below are the most significant decisions made to date.
The proposed curve to the southern end of Prince Street, initially proposed to
try to lessen impact on two trees on Prince Street, was eliminated in order to avoid
having to designate that area with unsightly double yellow lines. Prince Street
residents felt strongly that such a demarcation was not appropriate for a residential
area.
Town Council Meeting of June 12, 2006
Page 6
The decision was made to make Queen Street a one-way street for one block
going north from Edwards Ferry road to Blue Ridge Avenue. This designation was
made because of the poor site distance and safety concerns of the intersection of
Queen Street and Edwards Ferry Road. Residents whose properties occupy this
block were notified in person by Committee members and were found to be in favor
of the decision.
Several of the proposed bump-outs have been moved or modified based on
resident input.
It is estimated that approximately 35 to 40 trees will need to be removed
from the neighborhood in order to accommodate the much needed curb/gutter and
sidewalk improvements. Fortunately, the Town will replace these trees with more
than 100 new ones consistent with the Tree Preservation and Replacement Policy for
capital projects.
Additional right-of-way will be needed at all intersections in Lowenbach to
ensure safety when turning for vehicular traffic. Properties were marked with the
new boundaries and residents were notified of the new rights-of-way.
Construction work is expected to be advertised in winter 2006, but will not
begin until spring 2007 for the entire project except for the traffic circles at Catoctin,
and North and Catoctin at Marshall. Construction of these two traffic circles is
planned for this summer.
Karen Jones was voted unanimously to the Committee to help fill the void left
by Chuck Jones' untimely demise.
The Committee has voted to designate a memorial tree in honor of Chuck
Jones' life and service to his community.
The Committee views these design plans as a work in progress and will
continue being available to the Town staff to aid in its implementation. On behalf of
the Committee, I thank you for the opportunity to serve our community in this
capacity.
Si ncerely,
Suzanne Lago Arthur, Chair
Lowenbach Ad Hoc Committee
Ms. Overton thanked Council stating this has been a wonderful experience for
her and the neighborhood.
Mayor Umstattd stated the Committee's work has been exemplary. Further,
she thanked Mr. Elsewaissi for his efforts.
Councilmember Zoldos verified the portion of the letter referring to a one-way
section of Queen Street is a recommendation to Council.
2. Staggering the terms for the seven citizen members of the Standing
Residential Traffic Committee (SRTC).
Ms. Sandy Kane, Standing Residential Traffic Committee, stated the
Committee has unanimously supported this recommendation.
Town Council Meetinq of June 12, 2006
Page 7
For information only:
The Town Council work session of June 26, 2006:
a. Verizon Franchise Agreement
Councilmember Zoldos verified the public hearing and vote will take
place at the next Council meeting.
b. PPTA Guidelines
John Wells stated this is one of the potential tools Council may be able to
use to construct the section of Battlefield Parkway across the Rehau property.
He stated this would require Council to adopt new guidelines which will be
discussed at the next work session.
Councilmember Zoldos stated the County has PPTA Guidelines and we
should consider using something similar to what they adopted for this section
of Battlefield Parkway to expedite this process.
Ms. Beach stated staff has considered adopting the County's guidelines
which were based on the state law prior to an amendment passed last year.
She stated staff is evaluating the VDOT guidelines and may recommend
adopting those with minor changes.
Councilmember Hammier stated she appreciates the effort in brining this
forward.
New Business:
a. Leesburg Police Department Internal Investigation
Council member Zoldos stated he would like to have the report on the on
going internal investigation by the Leesburg Police Department presented at
the meeting on June 27.
John Wells stated there is a 30 day deadline to respond and we are
slightly ahead of schedule.
b. Project Updates
Councilmember Horne asked that staff provide updates on the KSI and
Harrison Park projects at the next Council work session.
Councilmember Hammier asked that an update also be provided on the
Class A Office study.
Adjournment
On a motion by Councilmember Zoldos, seconded by Vice Mayor Martinez, the
meeting adjourned at 8:48 pm.
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