HomeMy Public PortalAbout10 15 2020 PC MinutesThe Town of Leesburg in Virginia
Leesburg Planning Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 15, 2020
The Leesburg Planning Commission met on Thursday, October 15, 2020 in Town Hall Council
Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176. The meeting was held with a
quorum physically present. Three members of the Planning Commission attended remotely with
staff coordinating electronic participation via WebEx. Staff members present included Susan
Berry Hill, Director Planning and Zoning, Chris Murphy, Sr. Planning Project Manager,
Planning and Zoning, Rich Klusek, Sr. Planner, Planning and Zoning, Dennis Dames, Sr. Project
Manager, Plan Review, Tina Newton, Deputy Town Attorney, and Karen Cicalese, Executive
Associate, Planning and Zoning.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Nacy called the meeting to order at 7:08 pm and made the following statement:
"Pursuant to the Town's Remote Electronic Policy, Mr. Clemente, Mr. Barney and Ms. Harper
will be participating in the meeting from their homes due to concerns with the COVID-19
Pandemic and current social distancing requirements in the Council Chamber and arrangements
have been made for their voices to be heard by everybody."
"I will now ask for a vote of the members present to allow Mr. Clemente, Mr. Barney and Ms.
Harper to participate in the meeting."
Vote: 4-0
Chair 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 1-415-655-0001 and
enter access code 133 426 4717 to join the meeting."
Chair 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 remotely
Commissioner Robinson — Present, attending in -person
Commissioner Barney — Present, attending remotely.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Motion: Commissioner Robinson
Second: Commissioner Barnes
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Vote: 7-0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
September 3, 2020 Draft Minutes
Motion: Commissioner Barney
Second: Commissioner Barnes
Vote: 7-0
DISCLOSURE OF MEETINGS
None.
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
None
PETITIONERS
Doug Fultz, 509 Valley View Ave., SW, Leesburg, VA 20175, came forward and noted his
appreciation to Loudoun County Public Schools for working with him and his neighbor to
address the flooding issues. He still had concerns regarding the berm maintenance moving
forward.
Tim Nichols, 507 Valley View Ave., SW, Leesburg, VA 20175, came forward noting that
Loudoun County Public Schools did an amazing job addressing the flooding issues and
developing a plan to mitigate the flooding. He too raised concerns regarding the berm location,
size, and future maintenance
Frances Hampton, 505 Valley View Ave., SW, Leesburg, VA 20175, attended via Webex and
expressed concerns regarding the flooding in her backyard and the large tree leaning over her
property.
PUBLIC HEARING
None
SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT
None
ZONING
TLSE-2019-0009 Loudoun County Public Schools Catoctin Elementary School Addition
Post Public Hearing Discussion — Chris Murphy, Sr. Planning Project Manager, Planning
and Zoning
Mr. Murphy presented an overview of the application, the Planning Commission public hearing
held on June 18, 2020, and the concerns raised at that meeting which included stormwater
intrusion, overgrown/damaged trees, and traffic/pedestrian safety at the school entrance.
Mr. Murphy discussed Loudoun County Public Schools response which included a June 30, 2020
site inspection and a September 15, 2020 site meeting. New student pick-up/drop-off procedures
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have been implemented and a revised Special Exception Plat was submitted on October 5, 2020
and depicted alternative designs to correct the run off issue.
Mr. Murphy explained that due to tight scheduling limitations built into this project, there was
not time to prepare, present, and review engineering documents prior to the deadline for
preparation of the staff report for tonight's meeting. As a result, all parties involved have agreed
to provide a note on the Special Exception Plat that assures mitigation measures be developed
during the final site plan review period. This note can be found on Sheet 1, Note 15 of the
Special Exception Plat dated October 5, 2020. With Note 15, the condition of approval to
develop the site in substantial conformance with the Special Exception Plat assures these
improvements will be completed, or the approval will be negated.
Mr. Murphy discussed the findings for approval and recommended conditions of approval and
ended his presentation with staff's recommendation of approval.
Sara Howard O'Brien, Land Management Supervisor, Loudoun County Public Schools, wished
to address the speaker's comments. She explained that they have been working with the
residents to address their concerns since the public hearing in June. They have worked closely
with the Town's Department of Plan Review engineers to provide solutions for the stormwater
drainage issues. The height and maintenance of the berm will be addressed during the site plan
review process. The ultimate height of the berm will be contingent upon the Town requirements.
There was discussion on the current storm water pipe capacity, the height and maintenance of the
berm, the unmaintained trees, storm gutters filled with pine needles, and the possibility of
removing the trees now.
Dennis Dames, Sr. Project Manager, Department of Plan Review, explained that Loudoun
County Public Schools is evaluating the stormwater pipes capacity and this will be addressed at
site plan as well as the height of the berm.
Mr. Murphy explained that the trees will be removed as part of this development.
Ms. Howard O'Brien addressed the issue of the trees noting that the downed tree had been
removed and the debris cleaned up. As for the remaining two trees behind 505 and 507 Valley
View Drive; their arborist had evaluated the trees and determined they are stable. However, she
agreed to have a crew sent out to remove the trees now.
Commissioner Faliskie moved that Special Exception application TLSE-2019-0009, LCPS
Catoctin Elementary School Expansion, be forwarded to the Town Council with a
recommendation of approval subject to the conditions of approval as enumerated in the October
15, 2020 Planning Commission Post Public Hearing Staff Report on the basis that the Approval
Criteria of Zoning Ordinance Section 3.4.12 have been satisfied and that the proposal would
serve the public necessity, convenience, general welfare and good zoning practice.
Commissioner Robinson seconded the motion and requested an amendment to the motion be
added to include the removal of the trees behind 505 and 507 Valley View Ave and to require a
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October 15, 2020
maintenance agreement schedule to be agreed upon by the residents affected by the storm
drainage.
After further discussion on the amendment, it was advised by Councel to withdraw the
amendment because of legal exposure to the Town. Commissioner Robinson agreed to withdraw
the request.
The Planning Commission voted on the motion and the motion carried by a vote of 6-0-1 (Nay:
Harper)
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
Gateway District Streetscape Plan Presentation and Discussion — Rich Klusek, Sr. Planner,
Planning and Zoning
Mr. Klusek gave a brief overview of the Gateway District history noting the direction given by
Council, at the recommendation of the H-2 Work Group, was to improve the design of the key
entrance ways to the Town and to do so by using a holistic approach to site, building and
streetscape design. The overall goal being to streamline the development review process in the
current H-2 Corridor.
The streetscape plan and its contents were developed with input from the H-2 Work Group
(H2WG) based on comments, questionnaires, and surveys completed by the H2WG members.
The H2WG has reviewed the draft plan and determined that the Planning Commission should
take the lead in further refining the plan and developing an implementation approach. The
H2WG generally felt that the Planning Commission and Town Staff would be the primary parties
responsible for implementing the Streetscape Plan and ensure that future rezonings and Capital
Projects adhere to its guidance. The Planning Commission should review the goals of the plan
and the overall vision and recommend approval to the Town Council with any further edits
deemed necessary.
Mr. Klusek gave a summary of the plan focusing on goals, corridor goals, streetscape features,
priorities, and adoption and implementation.
Mr. Klusek noted that staff recommended the following implementation plan:
1. Recommend approval of the Streetscape Plan to the Town Council.
2. Town Council should endorse the contents of the Draft Streetscape Plan to confirm the
overall direction.
3. Initiate further efforts to refine the streetscape vision for each corridor, beginning with
the Edwards Ferry Road Corridor.
4. The Plan should be formally adopted by reference at the time of approval of the
forthcoming Legacy Leesburg Town Plan Update.
Mr. Klusek discussed the overall goals of the Draft Streetscape Plan as they relate to the five
unique gateways corridors. The overall goals include:
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1. Improve sense of place
2. Enhance the visual and aesthetic experience
3. Create a welcoming experience
4. Preserve character defining elements
There was discussion on the Edwards Ferry Road Corridor being a priority, the Walmart
property redevelopment, street frontage improvements, timing for the East Market Street
Corridor and the impact of the Battlefield Interchange currently being constructed, a main
roadway focus vs. streetscape elements as a whole within each corridor, CIP funding, and
implementation and timing with the Legacy Leesburg Town Plan update.
Commissioner Faliskie moved that the Streetscape Plan be forwarded to the Town Council with
a recommendation of approval and formal incorporation into the Legacy Leesburg Town Plan
Update. I further move that the Planning Commission recommend the implementation actions
contained in the Planning Commission's October 15, 2020 staff report, indicating initiation of
more detailed streetscape planning efforts for all five corridors of the Gateway District starting
with the Edwards Ferry Road Corridor.
Commissioner Barnes seconded the motion and the motion carried by a vote of 6-0-1
(Commissioner Harper was not present for the vote).
STAFF AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Update on Cases at Council — Susan Berry Hill, Director, Planning and Zoning
Ms. Berry Hill informed the Commission that Council will be discussing Mike
McLister's recommendations for development in the Downtown.
On October 27th, a portion of the 2017 Zoning Ordinance Batch will be addressed. The
public hearing was held on January 14th. Council had acted on about 2/3 of the batch but
had separated some items out for continued discussion. These items included new
requirements for BAR membership, Airbnb registration, and a definition for kiosks.
SRTC REPORT
Chair Nacy informed the Commission that she had not attended the meeting.
BAR REPORT
Commissioner Robinson informed the Commission that the BAR has modified their minute
format to be more of a generic overview of the meeting and have also added a timestamp for
when the item was discussed.
TOWN COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT
None
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
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October 15, 2020
None
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 pm.
roved by
ren Cicalese, Commission Clerk
Auu ilkiti
Kari Nacy, Chair
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