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HomeMy Public PortalAbout01 02 2020 PC MinutesThe 'own of Lees6urg in Virginia Leesburg Planning Commission Meeting Minutes January 2, 2020 The Leesburg Planning Commission met on Thursday, January 2, 2020 in Town Hall Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176. Staff members present included Susan Berry Hill, Tina Newton, and Karen Cicalese. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chairman Nacy. Members Present: Chairman Nacy, Commissioners Barnes, Lanham, and Robinson Absent: Barney, Faliskie, and Walker ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion: Commissioner Robinson Second: Commissioner Lanham Vote: 4-0-3 (Barney, Faliskie, and Walker absent) APPROVAL OF MINUTES None DISCLOSURE OF MEETINGS None CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT None PETITIONERS None PUBLIC HEARING None SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT None ZONING None COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING TLTA-2018-0002 Recertification of Eastern Gateway District Small Area Plan Work Session 2, Susan Berry -Hill, Director, Planning and Zoning 1 Leesburg Planning Commission January 2, 2020 Ms. Berry Hill gave a brief overview of how all the planning tools that we have work together noting that in 2020 the Town is in an unusual situation as we are reviewing the Town Plan, The Eastern Gateway District Small Area Plan, the Zoning Ordinance, the H2/Gateway Guidelines and the Gateway Streetscape Plan. Typically these tools are reviewed in a sequential approach however, there were a number of factors that came in to play which require these to be reviewed simultaneously. Ms. Berry Hill summarized the Planning Commission review thus far noting that on November 7, 2019 the Planning Commission endorsed alternative phasing policy language for the Small Area Plan (SAP). There was also the desire to incorporate additional architectural detail. Ms. Berry Hill noted that on September 23, 2019, Town Council again discussed architectural design in the East Market corridor and stressed the need for ordinance requirements as a means to obtain better architectural design. Concern was expressed that the policies in the SAP might not be specific enough to guarantee architecture that would be compatible with Leesburg's character. On October 15, 2019, Council followed up this discussion by initiating a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to develop zoning regulation that would address desired architectural outcomes. Staff returned to Council on December 9, 2019 and the Council endorsed an approach to develop new architectural guidelines and regulation. These guidelines and regulations will be developed to implement policies of the SAP after its adoption. This approach is consistent with the recommendations of the H-2 Working Group. Ms. Berry Hill informed the Commission that the H-2 Work Group (H2WG) met on November 26, 2019, and continues to recommend that an overlay district be created for the Gateway District. Additional recommendations include the following: • Adopt a holistic approach to design in the corridor by focusing on site, building, and streetscape design. • Adopt general zoning text to provide regulatory 'teeth'. • Adopt general guidelines for the entire Gateway District (all 5 segments). • Adopt specific guidelines, as needed, for each segment. • Develop streetscape plans for each segment. Ms. Berry Hill noted that based on Council direction to proceed with the approach of developing the Gateway District regulations and architectural guidelines, staff believes that further changes to the SAP are not necessary. Minor changes have been made to the Plan text to emphasize the holistic approach to include site, building, and streetscape design as recommended by the H2WG. These guidelines will expand the plan policy objectives to provide applicants additional perspective on the desired design characteristics in the SAP. It is important to note that the SAP is just one component of the collection of policy documents, and regulations that will address the design in the Eastern Gateway District. This approach to planning and developing architectural standards is fairly common. Staff had included excerpts of design policies from several Comprehensive Plan documents from around the State and Country as well as design guidelines where appropriate in the January 2, 2020 staff report. In all of these jurisdictions, detailed design is handled through separate documents. 2 Leesburg Planning Commission January 2, 2020 Planning Commission Questions and Discussion What do we use now to regulate design in this area? Ms. Berry Hill replied that the Town Plan and the H-2 Guidelines are used. By -right development is reviewed by the Board of Architectural Review (BAR). Legislative applications come before the Planning Commission with a referral from the BAR regarding design. It was suggested that the section on architecture was too cumbersome and perhaps bullet points could be used along with a reference to the upcoming Gateway Guidelines instead. This was not supported by those present as it was felt that minimizing the detail in this section would be the opposite of what Council had directed. However, Commission members present were in support of adding bullets points to the section. Commissioner Robinson suggested the following (as ideas, not specific wording): • All buildings should use high quality building materials. No knock -offs. • All buildings should have four sided architecture. • Diminished, if any, corporate logos and/or colors and signs. • Multiple areas for trees, benches, walkways, bike racks, etc. • More specifics will come with the Gateway Guidelines. Additional concerns were expressed regarding the need for stronger language ("should" vs. "shall), lack of data that supports mixed -use, additional housing not being supported in the vision statement, density, increased traffic, public transit, open space, employment opportunities, signage, and adding language to require smart buildings. Ms. Berry Hill addressed the concern regarding stronger language ("should' vs. "shall") by explaining that the Town Plan is a policy document and staffs administration of that document is that it is a guide and we premise our recommendations with this guidance. We look at the policies and how they work together. Sometimes there are conflicting policy objectives and those decisions have to be made by the Planning Commission and Town Council. The Town Plan is a policy guide, it is not a Zoning Ordinance and plan policy cannot be implemented as regulation. Ms. Berry Hill noted that the other concerns expressed will most likely be reviewed and addressed during the Town Plan update process. She reiterated that it was Council's direction to the Planning Commission to look at phasing and architecture. Phasing had been discussed at their November 7, 2019 and the commission had come to a consensus on the phasing language. A discussion on phasing ensued and several of the members present wished to revisit the phasing language. It was determined to continue discussion to the February 6, 2020 meeting. Staff will add a policy that addresses smart buildings. In terms of specificity in design, it was determined to not pare it down, but rather to add the bullet points recommended by Commissioner Robinson. 3 Leesburg Planning Commission January 2, 2020 Additionally, staff will reach out to the development community to discuss the proposed phasing language and return with their feedback. STAFF AND COMMITTEE REPORTS None UPDATE ON CASES AT COUNCIL None SRTC REPORT None BAR REPORT Commissioner Lanham noted that he will not be continuing as Liaison to the BAR. TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT None OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Inclement Weather Resolution, Tina Newton, Deputy Town Attorney Ms. Newton explained that the Commission adopts this every year to avoid having to re - advertise public hearings that were cancelled due to inclement weather. Commissioner Robinson moved to adopt Resolution 2020-0001. Commissioner Lanham seconded the motion and the motion carried by a vote of 4-0-3 (Barney, Faliskie and Walker absent). Elections Elections were not held as the fully body was not present. The by-laws state that elections will be held at the first meeting of the year when all members are present. There was discussion about amending the by-laws in the future to address this. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:44 pm Approved by: L1(A , (fit Karen Cica'ese, Commission Clerk Kari Nacy, Chair: 7 4