HomeMy Public PortalAbout2008_04_07
Council Work Session
April 7, 2008
Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 8:00 p.m. Mayor Umstattd presiding.
Councilmembers Present: Katie Sheldon Hammier, Susan Horne, Marty Martinez,
Ken Reid, Kevin Wright and Mayor Kristen Umstattd
Councilmembers Absent: David Schmidt
Staff Present: Town Manager John Wells, Town Attorney Jeanette Irby Deputy
Town Manager Kaj Dentler, Assistant to the Town Manager Kathy Leidich, Chief of
Police Joe Price, Director of Engineering and Public Works Tom Mason, Director of
Utilities Randy Shoemaker, Director of Capital Projects Management Nagi Elsewaissi,
Acting Co-Director of Parks and Recreation Bill Ference, Zoning Administrator Brian
Boucher, Economic Development Manager Marantha Edwards, Chief of Engineering
Bill Ackman, Transportation Engineer Calvin Grow, Management Specialist/Deputy
Clerk of Council Debi Parry
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Questions on Tuesday Agenda Items
Council Meeting of April 8, 2008
a. Public Hearing - Special Exception TLSE-2007-0006 Waterford
at S. King Street
Vice Mayor Horne asked staff to outline their concerns with the
application.
Brian Boucher stated the Planning Commission has recommended
conditional approval of this application. He expressed concern that the
developer's alignment of South Street will require right-of-way from two
parcels including one entire parcel. Further, he also expressed concern for
the loss of walkability in the area of the proposed river walk.
b. Public Hearing - Approving the Drought Response Plan
Council Member Wright asked staff to include information in their
presentation tomorrow night regarding the changes that have been made in
this version of the plan.
c. Keep Leesburg Beautiful - Oaklawn Donation
Mr. Wells stated this is a consent agenda item to appropriate funds
from a donation received from Oaklawn.
d. Declaring a Public Necessity to acquire land between Evergreen
Mill Road and S. King Street
Nagi Elsewaissi outlined the proposed alignment of this section of
Battlefield Parkway.
Council expressed concern regarding the alignment and stated they
would not support an alignment that affected anyone's home.
2. Work Session Items for Discussion
Town Council Work Session of April 7, 2008
Page 2
a. Committee Liaison follow-up discussion
Council Member Hammier suggested voting on the resolution
regarding the role of the Councilmanic Liaison tomorrow night and deferring
the code changes to Mayor June.
b. Meade Drive Stop Signs - Staff Recommendations
Calvin Grow stated staff has looked at several options related to the
removal of the stop signs on Meade Drive. He outlined three options as
follows, Option 1 would remove two stop signs on Meade Drive at Lawnhil/
Court and Fairfield Way to meet separation criteria in the Residential Traffic
Management Plan; Option 2 would remove two stop signs on Meade Drive at
Lawford Drive and Fairfield Way and install two raised crosswalks at these
intersections at a cost of $40,000 for both; and Option 3 would remove two
stop signs on Meade Drive at Lawnhill Court and Fairfield Way and install a
speed hump between the two intersections.
Mr. Grow commented on the confusion that can be caused by
removing stop signs and stated staff recommends Option 2.
Vice Mayor Horne informed the public that safety is important and the
Town would not remove the stop signs without putting another traffic calming
measure in place. She stated she has received a number of emails on this
issue and the problem of motorists rolling through the stop signs without
stopping. Further, she stated this is a difficult situation and expressed
support for the installation of raised crosswalks as they would force the traffic
to slow down.
Council Member Martinez expressed concern for the current situation
in this neighborhood stating he was almost hit twice by cars rolling through
the stop signs. He stated the raised crosswalks will ensure that cars slow
down.
Council Member Hammer expressed the need to ensure everyone is
engaged in the process. She stated previous decisions regarding this issue
were made hastily.
Council Member Wright asked staff to provide information regarding
the speed of drivers on Meade Drive before and after the installation of the
stop signs.
Mr. Grow stated a speed study conducted after the installation of the
stop signs showed average speeds of 25 miles per hour. He stated there
were two instances of drivers traveling 50 miles per hour. Further, he stated
the Residential Traffic Management Plan requires average speeds of 31 miles
per hour for the installation of traffic calming measures.
Council Member Wright expressed the need for enforcement on Meade
Drive. He stated this issue was created by a decision from a previous Council
to waive guidelines and allow the developer to place driveways on a collector
road. Further, he stated he would not support removing the stop signs
without the installation of additional safety measures and expressed support
for Option 2; however, he asked to see information on the consequences of
any changes prior to making a decision.
Town Council Work Session of April 7, 2008
Page 3
Council Member Martinez asked Council to consider the impact Meade
Drive will face when the portion of Battlefield Parkway between Evergreen Mill
Road and Route 15 is completed.
Council Member Reid verified there are funds in the current Standing
Residential Traffic Committee budget to cover the cost of the raised
crosswalks. He asked why staff recommends the raised crosswalk as opposed
to the speed hump.
Mr. Grow stated the speed hump would be aligned in front of
someone's home while the raised crosswalks could be located at the
intersections.
There was further Council discussion regarding the creation of
additional fines for speeding and/or the installation of a driver feedback sign.
Kim Berkev, Greenway Farm HOA President, addressed Council
regarding the proposed removal of the stop signs on Meade Drive. Ms.
Berkey stated there have been no problems with speeding since the signs
were installed. She stated the stop signs are located at intersections that are
also school bus stops and stated the removal of the stop signs would make
the intersections less safe. Further, she urged Council to keep the stop signs
in place.
John Long, Greenway Farm Resident, concurred with Ms. Berkey's
comments. He stated he just heard about the issue today and questioned
why the neighborhood was not informed that this issue would be discussed.
Further, he urged Council to keep the stop signs in place and expressed
support for additional fines for speeding on Meade Drive.
Josh Lee, 120 Meade Drive, stated the options presented are narrow
and urged Council to consider more creative options. He expressed concern
that removal of the stop signs would cause confusion.
Misty Booker, Greenway Farm Resident, read the following statement
from Ann Peterson into the record:
"I am writing to ask you not to remove the stop signs on Meade Drive.
I have lived on Lawnhill Court for almost nine years and am very familiar with
the type of traffic on this stretch of Meade Drive. In the summer there is a
constant stream of children walking and riding their bikes to the pool. During
the school year it is full of children walking to and from their bus stops and it
is always full of traffic.
I have noticed that as our neighborhoods are aging there are also
many teen drivers on the road, although they are certainly not the only
drivers who run the stop signs, their presence is a factor. Please do not
remove them and then have to answer to the community when a serious
accident occurs. There are so many dangers that our children face that we
cannot control, this is one that we can actually do something about.
Town Council Work Session of Aoril 7. 2008
Page 4
Thank you for all the work you do for Leesburg and for your concern
for the safety of our children. "
Ms. Booker asked why Council continues to revisit this divisive issue.
She stated there is currently no speeding problem on Meade Drive and urged
Council to use the funds in an area of Town where they are needed.
Council Member Reid asked if it would be appropriate to install a yield
sign at the raised crosswalk or a traffic circle at the intersection.
Mr. Grow stated State law requires motorists to yield to pedestrians in
crosswalks. He stated traffic circles would slow down traffic at four-way
intersections; however, they would not be effective at the three-way
intersections.
Council Member Reid asked how the Police Department's workload is
affected by traffic enforcement issues on Meade Drive.
Chief Price stated his staff responded to 31 special requests for
enforcement along Meade Drive last year; however, they also responded to
hundreds of other requests for special enforcement throughout the Town.
Council Member Reid asked about the possibility of installing an
elevated crosswalk on South King Street near the Safeway and asked if the
traffic island at that location is slowing drivers down.
Chief Price stated an elevated crosswalk could be located in that area.
Further, he stated the island has lowered speeds in this area.
Jeff Roderick, Greenway Farm Resident, stated he also just learned of
this issue today. He expressed support for Option 1. He expressed concern
that an elevated crosswalk would have little impact on drivers with large
SUVs. Further, he asked for increased enforcement and stated he is opposed
to traffic circles.
Mr. Long stated it is clear from the speakers here tonight that there is
no speeding issue on Meade Drive. He stated the elevated crosswalk may be
nice in front of the Safeway grocery store; however, it is not acceptable for
this neighborhood.
Diane Pearson, Greenway Farm Resident, addressed Council saying
she called the Police Department regarding the need for special enforcement
due to motorists rolling through the stop signs. She stated she also alerted
the television media to her concerns. She stated people are not obeying the
law by refusing to stop at the stop signs and removing the stop signs to
install raised crosswalks will not make motorists more inclined to obey the
traffic laws. Further, she stated installation of raised crosswalks or speed
humps will cause the misconception that there is a speeding problem in the
neighborhood and will lower property values.
Neely Law, Greenway Farm Resident, stated she read the staff report
and asked Council what problem they are trying to address. She stated the
stop signs do not meet the criteria of the traffic study; however, the traffic
Town Council Work Session of April 7, 2008
Page 5
study was conducted eight years ago and was not specific to this
neighborhood. She concurred with comments made by her neighbors and
asked Council to consider the traffic impact Meade Drive will face when the
Battlefield Parkway segment from Evergreen Mill Road to Route 15 is
constructed.
Mayor Umstattd thanked the residents for their comments and invited
them to speak during the Council Meeting tomorrow night.
It was the consensus of Council to address this issue in two weeks to
receive further data from staff and to allow the residents the opportunity to
address Council.
c. Dog Park Update
Bill Ference provided an update regarding potential short-term and
long-term locations for a dog park. He stated he is currently working with
staff to address the feasibility of each location and the land use issues. He
stated he will be prepared to make a recommendation to Council at their next
meeting. Further, he stated the cost of the short-term dog park would be
approximately $25,000.
Vice Mayor Horne asked the timeline for opening a dog park on a
short-term site.
Mr. Ference stated the dog park could be open in the spring.
Mr. Wells stated the timeline could be dictated by any potential land
use issues.
Council Member Reid stated he would not support a dog park at
Oatlands and stated he would prefer that the park be located in Town. He
stated he could support Veteran's Park as a long-term solution and an interim
location at Ida Lee Park or Izaak Walton Park.
Council Member Wright asked staff to provide a briefing to the Parks
and Recreation Commission at their next meeting.
Vice Mayor Horne expressed the need for staff to continue working
with the friends group.
There was further discussion regarding potential interim locations.
3. For information only:
Preview Topics for April 21-22, 2008:
There was no discussion of the following items.
a. ULI Study-DIA Report
b. First Floor Retail Presentation
c. Human Resources Manual Update
d. Adoption of Budget and Tax Rates
e. Flexible Zoning Waivers
f. Public Hearing - Amending the Zoning Ordinance regarding
Affordable Dwelling Units
Town Council Work Session of April 7. 2008
Page 6
g. Izaak Walton Lease discussion
4. New Business
Council Member Hammier asked staff to provide an update on the suggestion
of placing a mobile message board at the fire station to alert voters to the change in
polling place location. Further, she suggested strategically placing the message
boards in Town to alert residents of the upcoming municipal elections as is done in
Purcellville.
Mr. Wells stated he and Ms. Irby will provide recommendations at tomorrow
night's meeting.
Mayor Umstattd expressed concern with potential civil rights issues from
placing the signs in affluent areas and not less affluent areas.
Ms. Irby stated she spoke with representatives from the Justice Department
who approved using the sign board at the fire station, providing maps to the Ida Lee
polling place and placing two ads in local news papers advising voters of the change.
She stated she will not get an answer regarding the use of the shuttle until after the
May elections.
Council Member Hammier asked Ms. Irby if there are any legal concerns with
placing the message boards in heavy traffic areas of Town to alert voters to the
upcoming elections.
Ms. Irby stated she would research the issue and provide an answer to
Council.
Vice Mayor Horne stated other polling places in the Town have changed as
well.
Ms. Irby stated additional ads could be placed in the local newspapers if that
is the desire of Council.
Mr. Wells stated staff will provide a report to Council tomorrow night
regarding the Land Development Organizational Changes.
Council Member Reid asked staff to send the press release on the Land
Development Organizational Changes to business publications.
Adjournment
On a motion by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Council Member
Wright, the meeting adjourned at 9:33 p.m.
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