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HomeMy Public PortalAbout06 04 2020 PC MinutesThe Town of Leesburg in Virginia Leesburg Planning Commission Special Meeting Minutes June 4, 2020 The Leesburg Planning Commission met on Thursday, June 4, 2020 in Town Hall Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176. The meeting was held with a quorum physically present. Two members of the Planning Commission attended remotely with staff coordinating electronic participation via WebEx. Staff members physically present in Chambers included Susan Berry Hill, Brian Boucher, Tina Newton, and Karen Cicalese. The meeting was open to the public for in -person attendance in Chambers, or by advertised WebEx login or dial -in access. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Nacy called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Commissioner Barney had not yet joined the meeting and Chairman Nacy made the following statement. "Pursuant to the Town's Remote Electronic Policy, Mr. Clemente will be participating in the meeting from his home due to concerns with the COVID-19 Pandemic and current social distancing requirements in the Council Chamber and arrangements have been made for his voice to be heard by everybody." "I will now ask for a vote of the members present to allow Mr. Clemente to participate in the meeting." [Vote] 5-0 Chairman Nacy read the following statement regarding public participation. "Any member of the public who wishes to speak to any item as part of this agenda may follow the link posted on our agenda and published on the Town's website or call 1-408-418-9388 and enter access code 719 502 248 to join the meeting." Chari Nacy — Present, attending in -person Vice Chair Faliskie — Present, attending in -person Commissioner Clemente — Present, attending remotely Commissioner Barnes — Present, attending in -person. Commissioner Harper — Present, attending in -person Commissioner Robinson — Present, attending in -person Commissioner Barney — Joined the meeting at 7:45 remotely and a vote was taken by the members present to allow him to attend remotely (6-0-1). 1 Leesburg Planning Commission Minutes June 4, 2020 ADOPTION OF AGENDA Commissioner Harper moved to adopt the agenda. Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion and the motion carried by a vote of 6-0-1 (Barney not present for vote) APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 5, 2020 Draft Minutes Motion: Commissioner Robinson Second: Commissioner Barnes Vote: 5-0-2 (Barney not present for vote, Harper abstained) April 30, 2020 Draft Minutes Motion: Commissioner Robinson Second: Commissioner Harper Vote: 6-0-1 (Barney not present for vote) DISCLOSURE OF MEETINGS None CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT Chairman Nacy noted that it was good to be back in person and returning to some sense of normalcy. REMARKS BY PETITIONERS Chairman Nacy read the following statement: "I will now ask our staff if there are any members of the public who wish to address the Planning Commission." Staff advised that there were no petitioners in attendance physically or remotely. PUBLIC HEARING None SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT None ZONING None COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING Gateway District Phase I Work Session, Susan Berry -Hill, Director Planning and Zoning and Brian Boucher, Deputy Director, Planning and Zoning 2 Leesburg Planning Commission Minutes June 4, 2020 Ms. Berry Hill provided a brief overview of the project noting that it is a proposed replacement for the H-2 Overlay District. The project will promote good design in key corridors and design will be complimentary with the architectural character of Leesburg. The Gateway Project will be implemented through the Town Plan and the Eastern Gateway District Small Area Plan. Guidance for the project comes from the Town Council and the Steering Committee, also known as the H-2 Work Group. The H-2 Workgroup consists of three members of the BAR, Teresa Minchew, Richard Koochagian, and Dale Goodson, as well as two members from the Planning Commission, Gigi Robinson and Nick Clemente. Mr. Koochagian was present at the meeting to address any questions regarding the draft. Ms. Berry Hill discussed why the change was needed noting the H-2 Guidelines are over 30 years old, the H-2 Ordinance does not identify distinctive areas and there are no design standards. The new Gateway District will contain fewer parcels but more commercial areas and focuses on the areas of highest impact to Town Character which are the corridors leading into Downtown. The direction received from the Steering Committee and Town Council is to improve design in the key entryways to the Town, use a holistic approach to design, and streamline the development review process. The project is broken down into two phases and three parts. • Phase 1 — Zoning Overlay and Ordinance - Brian Boucher • Phase 2 — Guidelines Document — Lauren Murphy Streetscape Plan — Rich Klusek Ms. Berry Hill gave an overview of the intent to tonight's work session which is to provide an overview of the Overlay District and Ordinance regulations; answer Planning Commissioner's questions in preparation for the Public Hearing on June 18th Mr. Boucher took over the presentation and gave an overview of the proposed overlay district. The district will be comprised of 5 segments, East Market Street, West Market Street, North King Street, South King Street, and Edwards Ferry Road. There are fewer parcels in the Gateway District than the H-2 with 415 parcels being removed in the H-2 Overlay District and 342 parcels being added to the Gateway District. Mr. Boucher discussed the changes in each segment as follows: West Market Street: Only lots with direct frontage on W. Market Street are included in the area and the frontage will be reduced to 15 feet in most residential cases. East Market Street: Expands reach of architecture and design control while removing Single Family Detached residential units in Potomac Station. North King Street: Generally the same area as the H-2 District with some additions and deletions. 3 Leesburg Planning Commission Minutes June 4, 2020 South King Street: The proposed Gateway District removes 238 parcels. Edwards Ferry Road: This segment is being added to the Gateway District as it is a major commercial and residential corridor into the Historic District and was once the major road into and out of Leesburg for goods (C&O Canal). The goal is to maintain character and upgrade the experience of travelling in the corridor. Mr. Boucher explained that in traditional residential areas covered by the H-2 District, the public street and the private land immediately adjacent to the street are an important part of the corridor experience. This is why the corridors will include 15 feet of residential properties. The Ordinance would apply to fences or accessory structures built within 15 feet of the public right- of-way. Outside of the 15 foot corridor extension, the Ordinance would not apply to single family detached houses, existing townhouses, existing duplexes, and areas proffered into the existing H-2 District or other proffered guidelines. However, it would still apply to structures, buildings and signs, commercial buildings and apartment buildings. Mr. Boucher explained the changes to the Zoning Ordinance as follows: Design Standards (building and site design) will be added to the Zoning Ordinance to strengthen implementation and achievement of Town goals. Universal standards will apply to all areas in the Gateway District and include the following: Site Design Standards • Building Placement/Orientation • Off-street Loading Spaces, Utilities • Mechanical Equipment • Solar Panels and Wind Turbines • Outdoor Lighting • Surface Parking Placement/Location • Screening Walls • Fences • Accessory Structures • Journey Through Hallowed Ground Landscape/Streetscape Building Design Standards • 4-sided Architecture • Trademark or Corporate Architecture • Massing • Emphasize Primary Entrance Modification Standards • Submission Requirements • Written Statement of Justification • Approval Criteria 4 Leesburg Planning Commission Minutes June 4, 2020 • Use of Adjacent Properties • Reviewed by Staff and BAR • Mr. Boucher explained that the new district will allow for more administrative approvals than the current H-2. Major new commercial projects will still require BAR review but with new standards and modification process. Phase 2 of the Gateway District Project will focus on Design Guidelines and a Streetscape Plan to tie the corridors together, strengthen the community identity, improve the pedestrian experience, enhance aesthetics and improve safety. Specific Segment Standards will also be implemented in Phase 2. Mr. Boucher concluded his presentation with an overview of frequently asked questions and answers. Planning Commission Questions and Staff Responses Is the Ordinance a guideline? Mr. Boucher clarified that the Ordinance is a requirement which can be enforced. Is the purpose of the restrictions defined in the Ordinance to protect the Historic District? Mr. Boucher responded that the H-2 Guidelines have not been successful and have proven hard to implement. Having standards in the Zoning Ordinance to address site design and building design give the document more "teeth" as the BAR and Preservation Planner work to implement the design guidelines. Clarification of zoning and overlay districts was requested. Mr. Boucher explained that all properties have a base zoning which determines uses, dimensional standards, building setback, etc. An Overlay District applies to a larger area and places specific restrictions, in addition to the base zoning restrictions, on properties within that Overlay District. What happened if a property is proffered in or grandfathered in and the ownership or property management changes? Mr. Boucher explained that the rights run with the land. Would it be possible to correct Page 6, Number 8 to include Journey Through Hallowed Ground prior to the Living Legacy Project to clarify what it is? Mr. Boucher responded that he would make that clarification. 5 Leesburg Planning Commission Minutes June 4, 2020 Will the BAR approve the Streetscape? Mr. Boucher explained that the intention is that they will not as they have not been involved in landscaping and the like, but that is yet to be determined. Is the BAR going to be in charge of signs? Mr. Boucher explained that a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) will be required for signs just as it is in the Historic District. There will be standards included in the design guidelines which have yet to be developed. The review would either be administrative or by the BAR depending on the sign. Did everyone, even if their property was being removed, affected by the new zoning receive a letter? Mr. Boucher responded that they had and further explained that it was changing the current zoning on their property and per Virginia law they must be notified. Mr. Richard Koochagian, BAR Member and Member of the H-2 Workgroup, came forward to address expressed concerns regarding the 15 foot corridor extension. He explained that the enabling legislation that allows the H-2 District as well as the Gateway District comes from Richmond and focuses on putting some controls in place to protect the historical points of entry into the Historic District. The reason for the 15 feet is to protect the character of each segment by protecting what is seen from the road. The 15 feet determination chosen due to concerns about accessory structures being erected and includes some guidance. The modification process would allow individual property owners to ask for modifications to the ordinance for their property. Mr. Koochagian also wished to address signage questions and explained that there were sign ordinances with in the H-2 however, when the Crescent Design District came to be the ordinance did not address signage. Having a sign ordinance in the Gateway District will provide guidance for property owners. Lastly, Mr. Koochagian wished to address streetscape noting that the BAR does not wish to have jurisdiction over streetscape. The Town has developed design criteria for this purpose. STAFF AND COMMITTEE REPORTS Update on Cases at Council, Susan Berry Hill, Director, Planning and Zoning Ms. Berry Hill informed the Commission that there were no legislative applications before Town Council currently. SRTC REPORT None 6 Leesburg Planning Commission Minutes June 4, 2020 BAR REPORT Commissioner Robinson noted that the BAR has been busy. They have had a number of site visits and have been working intently on the West Market Street Sidewalk Project from Morven Park Road to Ayr Street. TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT None OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Commissioner Robinson requested an extended Planning Commission calendar to account for the next six months. Ms. Berry Hill explained that it had been tenuous due to the COVID Pandemic and working with applicants. There are some applications in the pipe line and it is hard to determine when they are going forward. She normally does not put anything on the calendar until it has gone through two reviews. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:29 PM. Ap roved by: AtChQ3- Ka en Cicalese, Commission Clerk Kari Nacy, Chair 7