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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
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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.
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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.
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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:
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