HomeMy Public PortalAbout2014_tcwsmin0811 Council Work Session August 11, 2014
Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, 7:30 p.m. Mayor Kristen C. Umstattd
presiding.
Council Members Present: Kelly Burk, David Butler, Thomas Dunn, Katie Sheldon
Hammler, Marty Martinez, Kevin Wright and Mayor Umstattd.
Council Members Absent: None.
Staff Present: Town Manager John Wells, Deputy Town Attorney Barbara Notar,
Assistant Town Manager Scott Parker, Director of Planning and Zoning Susan Berry
Hill, Director of Plan Review William Adman, Deputy Director of Planning and
Zoning Brian Boucher, Airport Manager Scott Coffman, Director of Economic
Development Marantha Edwards, and Executive Associate I Tara Belote.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Work Session Items for Discussion
a. Presentation by Randy Burdette (VA Department of Aviation)
regarding Remote Tower Pilot Program
Scott Coffman briefed Council on the project proposed by the Virginia
Department of Aviation.
Key Points:
• More traffic at the airport makes a tower necessary
• High definition cameras at the airport allow a controller to view what is
happening at the airport from a remote location
• Leesburg would be a test case for this program in the United States
• Already successfully operated in Norway and Sweden
• Cost will only be for phone lines - $2.5 million system will be installed
at no cost to the town
• Three month trial period
• Does not obligate the town to a longer period
Council Comments/Questions:
• What is the in-kind contribution that the town will be responsible for?
Staff answer: Phone lines, electricity and space for the equipment.
• Why does the company want to install this in Leesburg?
Answer: Will be part of a larger marketing campaign to convince the
FAA that this system is feasible for use in the United States.
b. Oaklawn Landbay B
Brian Boucher stated this work session on the proposal for Oaklawn is
in preparation for tomorrow night's public hearing.
Key Points:
• Corporate headquarters will be developed in Landbay B
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Council Work Session August 11, 2014
• Light intensity industrial uses proposed for Landbay A
• Recreational facility in Landbays A and B
• Amendments to the concept plan and proffers to accomplish these
changes
• No increase in overall square footage as allowed in the development
currently
• Transportation improvements proffered would get four lanes of Hope
Parkway built sooner than the current proffers
• Proffering specific elevations for Landbay B
• Planning Commission recommended denial after hearing 52 speakers
• Neighboring communities are concerned about impact to their
communities
• Application was fast tracked due to tenant's needs
• Hotel use is already approved
• Light intensity industrial means no outdoor activities
• Four lanes of Hope Parkway must be built before Landbays A and B
can be developed
Council Comments/Questions:
• Office definition is narrow and does not allow what is today considered
an "office use"
• Need to initiate a change to the definition of office
• Important to establish uses for this category
• The town is not intentionally trying to disregard resident concerns
• No buffers are smaller than what was proffered previously
• Would like a visual of what a 75 foot buffer would do to the parking
area
• Concern that the lighting plan will create areas of darkness for the
employees at the businesses
• Can the buildings be moved around in the landbays to address the
issues of lighting and parking?
Applicant answer: Building placement is determined by truck
movements and the tenant's interior needs
• Would like Council to direct staff to look at limiting truck access to
Hope Parkway and other roads within the community
• Would like a list of things that would not be allowed
• What will noise impacts be for the homes that are only 70 feet from the
property line?
Applicant answer: With screening and fencing there should be very
little impact to the homeowners— 185 feet from the building to any
residences
• What will the effect of the development be on the health of the pond?
Applicant answer: During construction, with the new stormwater
regulations, there will be more inspections. Permits for erosion and
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Council Work Session August 11, 2014
sediment control are issued by the state. The pond is designed to
handle the run off and sediment from the entire development.
• With respect to the use of chemicals, what type of chemicals are going
to be used in the manufacturing process?
Applicant answer: There are government required third party
inspections
c. Comprehensive Parking Program
There was Council consensus to defer this item until the next work
session.
2. Additions to Future Council Meetings
Vice Mayor Butler requested an initiation for changes to the definition of light
intensity industrial and office within the Zoning Ordinance. He also asked for a
motion to ask staff to outline a process for truck restrictions on Hope Parkway. There
was Council consensus for putting these two items on the agenda for Tuesday night.
Council Member Burk requested a report regarding the letter received from the
NAACP.
Council Member Hammier asked for feedback on photographs of a sign in
Blacksburg. She stated the lower level of Ida Lee needs a more functional PA system
so that it can host a wider variety of meetings. She requested a debriefing from the
Police Department on the tragic events that occurred in Purcellville over the summer.
Council Member Dunn questioned whether there has been any word on the
bump out on Route 7. He also requested a discussion about the possibility of
operating procedures for non-disclosure agreements.
3. Adjournment
On a motion by Council Member Wright, seconded by Council Member Martinez, the
meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
IA
Clerk of Council '
2014 tcwsmin0811
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