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.
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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
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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
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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
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