Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout2012_tcwsmin0625Council Work Session June 25, 2012 Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street,7:30 p.m. Mayor Kristen C. Umstattd presiding. Council Members Present: David S. Butler, Thomas Dunn, Katie Sheldon Hammler, Kelly Burk, Marty Martinez, Kevin Wright and Mayor Umstattd. Council Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Town Manager John Wells, Town Attorney Jeanette Irby, Director of Planning and Zoning Susan Berry Hill, Senior Planner Irish Grandfield and Clerk of Council Lee Ann Green AGENDA ITEMS 1. Work Session Items for Discussion a. County Courts Expansion John Wells gave a brief explanation of the Loudoun County Courts planned expansion. He introduced Melissa Poole and Dan Cizmar of Loudoun County. Summary of Key points: • County Finance and Government Services Committee held a discussion regarding Courts expansion • Further discussion and decision has been deferred until fall • Space needs projections out to 2025 show targets for phase IV expansion • Phase IV projections will increase 120,000 square feet over current space • Security concerns regarding a public street dividing two court buildings • Five options have been presented • Keeping 85,000 square foot building on Church Street and providing structured parking at the Pennington lot • Same as above but with surface parking at the Pennington Lot • Moving 30,000 square feet of general office functions to leased space • Moving all court functions to the Government Support Center site on Sycolin Road • Moving only General District and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts to the Government Support Center site. Council Comments/ Questions • Where would additional buildings be located on the Government Support Center site? County staff answer: Upper northeast portion near Crosstrail has been considered — currently identified as General Office • Residents were promised that site would be office uses — this change would be negative for the surrounding neighborhoods. 1 Page Council Work Session June 25, 2012 • What is county staffs recommendation? County staff answer: Proceeding with Option 5. • Should decisions be held until the state finalizes plans for additional judgeships? County staff answer: State study completion could be at least a year from now. Meanwhile, Loudoun County's case load continues to grow. Three year process from design to completion. • What goes into planning courtroom space? County staff answer: Circulation — entry and exits have to be different for the public, the judges, and the prisoners. • Challenge the assumption that having a public street between two court facilities causes safety issues. • Recommendation for town input on the decision making process • Consideration for closing Church Street only when court is in session • Consideration for night court It was decided that a letter would be drafted for motion at tomorrow night's meeting. b. Town Plan Irish Grandfield stated the matrix has been updated based on comments received at the two most recent meetings. Council Comments: • Environmental health issues such as Lyme disease is not appropriately addressed as a land use issue • Lyme disease can be more appropriately addressed on the website • Consideration of a health and human services section to the Town Plan • Decision was to take out the section on Environmental Health Issues and put it elsewhere in town policy • How was the limit set for community commercial? Staff answer: Other developments around town were surveyed for consistency • Need more specific language to encourage commercial buildings to incorporate high bandwidth and cybersecure networks to attract quality employers • Transportation needs around the Bolen Park /County Support Center site • Is language flexible enough to allow for changes in the H -2 Corridor? Staff answer: Provides for a preservation plan that will address topics not covered by the H -1 and H -2 guidelines. It would be prioritized and discussed as part of the action plan for the Town Plan. • Consideration for trigger points that would allow additional commercial construction 2 1 P a g e Council Work Session June 25, 2012 Staff answer: Trigger points are usually addressed at the rezoning stage. There are concerns with limiting commercial development specific to a vacancy rate, particularly with respect to by -right development • Concern over remaining area if one side of the Evergreen Mills Road /Rt. 15 intersection develops as commercial Staff answer: Clarifying language can be provided at tomorrow night's meeting. Community commercial on the north side of Evergreen Mill, if moved to the south side, the north side is without guidance. Some guidance for what happens on that site. Low density residential seems like the appropriate plan land use. C. Miller Drive Update /Funding Options John Wells updated the Council on the issue of connecting Miller Drive with Tolbert Lane to provide ingress and egress relief for the businesses/ government uses that are located on Miller Drive and at the Airpark. Summary of Key Points: • Opening of park and ride lot and purchase of two office buildings by the county on Sycolin Road have increased traffic • County's finance and internal operations committee has recommended potential funding up to $600,000 with options to be looked at by the county administrator and town manager • Possibility of application for grant money under the Virginia Airport Access program to look at some combination of funds to address the project • ASE has proffered completion of the road which is triggered by certain conditions relating to the development of their property • Funding could include working with the county on an agreement that would provide for direction of KSI /AADP proffer towards this project, work on an agreement with ASE for right of way for the connection at no cost to the town, and leave the door open for potential application for grant funds • Application for grant funds may slow down the project Council Comments /Questions: • Light to be installed at Tavistock Drive will make egress from Miller Drive more difficult • What needs to be done to move forward with this project? Staff Answer: Direction to the Town Manager to work on the following: • Some type of agreement with ASE. • Agreement with the County regarding application of AADP proffer funds • Possible third action to deal with grant application 31Page Council Work Session June 25, 2012 What is the timeline for completion? Staff answer: Assuming a six month design, six month construction schedule — a year to 15 months Was this included in the CIP? Staff answer: No, because it was anticipated to be completed with proffers. Will there be any conflicts having Sycolin closed for construction at the same time this project is under construction? Staff answer: None are anticipated d. Wall Mural /Town Garage John Wells stated this item was asked for by Council Member Burk. Council Comments: • Public Arts Commission has a process in place • Various artists in Loudoun County have received grants to produce murals so there would be no cost to the town • Ensure zoning ordinance does not classify a mural as a sign • Concern that a mural is not the type of public art project that reflects the community • Site is a valuable asset • A mural will not "fill the empty space" 2. Additions to Future Council Meetings Council Member Dunn — asked for a discussion on the King Street portion of the Downtown Improvements Project. It was noted that this item would return to Council prior to the August meeting. 3. Closed Session None. 4. Adjournment On a motion by Council Member Martinez, seconded by Council Member Butler, the m ,(eting was adjqurned at 9 :26 p.m. Clerk of 2012_tcwsm 41Page