January 17, 2006 Work Session
271
A W orksession of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, January
17, 2006, at 11 :00 A.M., in the Board of Supervisors' Meeting Room, County Administration
Building, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Chairman Richard C. Shickle; Vice-Chairman Bill M. Ewing; Charles S. DeHaven, Jr.; Gary
W. Dove; Gene E. Fisher; Philip A. Lemieux; and Barbara E. Van Osten.
OTHERS PRESENT
Planning Commissioners John Light; Chris Mohn; Gregory Kerr; George J. Kriz; Gregory
L. Unger; H. Paige Manuel; Robert Morris; Rick Ours; June Wilmot; and Gary Oates; and Urban
Development Area Work Group members Diane Kearns; Sue Ann Teal; and Jim Golladay.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairnlan Shicklc called the worksession to order.
UDA Working Group Chairman George Kriz advised that the working group had been
tasked with looking at how the urban development area could be made more attractive for
development than the rural areas. The working group determined for the UDA to be successful
housing density must increase and we must change our thinking from suburban to urban. He went
on to say that UDA and Sewer and Water Service Areas (SWSA) boundaries should coincide except
for non-residential areas. He went on to say that a criteria for UDA expansion must be developed
as well. He concluded by turning the presentation over to Mike Ruddy, Deputy Director of Planning
& Development.
Deputy Director Ruddy reviewed the UDA Study Statement ofInknt, which is to "address
the 21 st century needs of the urbanizing areas of Frederick County. The study shall identify planning
and development principles to affect a land use plan that is proactive and creative, that will meet
growth demands, assure sustainable community, and maintain a high quality oflife for the citizens
of Frederick County." He went on to say that the group established ten goals and the strategies to
achieve those goals. He advised that today's presentation would focus on land use policy language.
He stated that the primary tools guiding development were the Urban Development Area and the
Sewer and Water Service Area. There are currently 22,822 acres in the UDA, which is about 8%
of the total acreage in the County. He briet1y reviewed the relationship between the UDA and RA
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(Rural Areas). Deputy Director Ruddy then discussed the proposed new form of development for
the Urban Development Area, which would be:
Diverse and vibrant
Appealing and functional
Create an identity - "Placemaking"
Provide a high standard of living for broad cross section of the community
Deputy Director Ruddy stated that staff was seeking Board affirmation that the density and
efficiency of the UDA should be increased.
He then reviewed the proposed land use policy language regarding Neighborhood Mixed Use
Urban Community Centers, which incorporate residential, retail, educational, and public uses,
commercial services, opportunity for employment, and institutional and recreational resources. This
is a key concept on which the Committee is seeking Board input. The public and institutional land
uses would provide a focal point for the community. Deputy Director Ruddy concluded by restating
the areas in which the Committee was seeking Board consensus:
Reaffirm UDAJSWSA Policies
Affirm proposed land use policy
Reestablish UDAJSWSA boundaries
Chairman Shickle asked about infill development and to what extent the UDA Study would
apply to undeveloped and already developed land in the UDA.
Deputy Director Ruddy responded that the proposed concepts could be easily achieved in
undeveloped areas, but the challenge would be going back into existing areas where only infill
would apply. He believed infill development could be done.
Planning Director Eric Lawrence stated that the Planning Commission retreat would identify
areas where these community centers would be appropriate.
George Kriz stated that the Committee recognizes that infill development will be difficult.
He spoke regarding the proposed split of 60% residential and 40% commercial development in these
mixed use community centers. This proposal needs to get affirmed by the Board. Mr. Kriz further
noted that these percentages might also be int1uenced by outside regulatory int1uences.
Supervisor Fisher stated that infill development in the areas where the UDA creates
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peninsulas would become an issue for the transition from the old UDA to the new UDA boundary.
Planning Commissioner John Light asked if other communities in the region had adopted this
type of development.
Dcputy Director Ruddy responded yes that both urban and rural communities were doing this
type of development. He cited Albemarle County as an example.
Chairman Shickle stated that such planning might put a strain on off-site transportation
improvements.
Deputy Director Ruddy advised that the transportation network would need to be revisited
if the land use policy changed. He stated that the connection between land use and transportation
would be used to guide Comprehensive Plan amendments and UDA/SWSA expansion requests.
Planning Commissioner Robert Morris stated that this concept would take out the need to
hop into a car in order to accommodate residents' basic needs.
Assistant County Administrator Tierney asked if a new zoning classitication would be
developed to accommodate this development and would a rezoning by the Board be required.
Deputy Director Ruddy responded yes.
Chairman Shickle stated that he would like to see where more density might be placed, ifthe
County were to allow increased density in predefined areas.
Supervisor Van Osten stated that she believed, conceptually, that this was thc way we should
be going. She went on to say that she had advocated for commercial centers, where restaurants,
child carc, dry clcaning services, etc. were available to be utilized by employees, to be located
adjacent to large manufacturing uses, etc.
Chairman Shickle pollcd thc Board regarding their stance on this concept.
Supervisor DeHaven supported the concept, but stated that "the devil" was in the details.
Vice-Chaim1an Ewing stated that the County was going in the right direction.
Supervisor Dove liked the concept as long thc County could get proffers.
Supervisor fisher felt the concept was appropriate, but agreed that the devil was in the
details.
Supervisor Lemieux fully supported "the direction we are heading".
Deputy Director Ruddy next reviewed thc UDA and SWSA boundaries. He asked if the
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Board felt the boundaries were in the right location. Deputy Director Ruddy stated that the Working
Group was looking at a reduction in UDA acreage or a "right sizing" ofthe UDA. Hc reviewed the
eight areas highlighted by the Working Group:
I. Apple Pie Ridge/Stonewall Industrial Park. (This is the most significant modification.)
Supervisor DeHaven stated that he had some concerns about the areas to be included because
they are already zoncd industrial.
2. Adjacent to Stephenson Village. (Makes UDAlSWSA boundary consistent with the land
use plan.)
3. Route 7 East - Red Bud Run to Opequon Creek.
4. Senseny Road to Sulphur Springs Road. (Reduce UDA to follow property lines in area.)
5. Route 50/Route 522. (Airport and Industrial/Commercial around the airport.)
6. Interstate 81/Route II - Stephens City. (Bring UDA boundary back to 1-81.)
Chairman Shickle asked statf to review the Voluntary Settlement Agreement between the
County and Stephcns City in ordcr that the County does not lose sight of the land designation.
7. Interstate 81/Route 37 /Route 11 - Kernstown area. (Removal of Industrial area from
UDA).
8. Route 37/Route 50 - Round Hill area. (Make boundary consistent with Route 37.)
Deputy Director Ruddy reviewed the proposed SWSA boundary changes:
1. SWSA moved back to Route 37/Stonewall Industrial Park, but expanded to include
James Wood High School and Apple Pie Ridge.
2. SWSA boundary moved back to the boundaries of Stephenson Village.
3. Route 7 East.
4. Admiral Byrd Middle School. (Locate schools within SWSA.)
5. Stephens City. (Pull SWSA back to existing boundary.)
Supervisor Van Osten stated that the Board needed to look at a 50 year horizon and she
would like to begin conceptual talk about what the community should look like.
Supervisor DeHaven discussed the SWSA and its ability to serve existing residential uses.
Chairman Shickle stated that it would trouble him if water and sewer could not be taken to
residences that lay outside the UDA, if needed. He felt water and sewer should not be used as a
zoning tool and the goal should be to try to get as many citizens on water and sewer service as
possible.
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Supervisor Van Osten stated that those discussions would be governed by discharge
requirements and Total Maximum Daily Load requirements.
Mr. Kriz asked those in attendance to pass any thoughts, questions, etc. on to staff prior to
the Planning Commission retreat.
There being no further business, the worksession was adjourned at 12:55 P.M.
\2--0_Q ~Q \L--....)
Richard C. Shickle
Chairman, Board of Supervisors
Jm6P
Clerk, Board of Supervisors
Minutes Prepared By: (/}() I Q.. [ . '--1 #
~s
Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors
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