016-21 (ProposedOrdAmendmentChapter165Zoning(MasterDevelopmentPlans)) 4G1f
173
Action:
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: August 11, 2021.
RESOLUTION
DIRECTING THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING
REGARDING CHAPTER 165, ZONING
ARTICLE IV
AGRICULTURAL AND RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
PART 402 —RP RESIDENTIAL PERFORMANCE DISTRICT
§165-402.01 INTENT
ARTICLE VIII
DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND APPROVALS
PART 801 --MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLANS
§165-801.02 WHEN REQUIRED
§165-801.03 WAIVERS
§165-801.06 MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN SUBMISSION
§165-801-07 FINAL MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN
WHEREAS, an ordinance to amend Chapter 165, Zoning, to remove the requirements
that Master Development Plans (MDP) be presented to the Planning Commission (PC)
and Board of Supervisors (BOS) at a public meeting as an information item prior to
administrative approval was considered; and
WHEREAS, the Development Review and Regulations Committee (DRRC) reviewed
the proposed changes at their June 24, 2021 regular meetings; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission discussed the proposed changes at their regularly
scheduled meeting on July 21, 2021 and agreed with the proposed changes; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors discussed the proposed changes at their regularly
scheduled meeting on August 11, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the Frederick County Board of Supervisors finds that in the public
Res # 016-21
necessity, convenience, general welfare, and good zoning practice, directs the Frederick
County Planning Commission hold a public hearing regarding the removal of
requirements that Master Development Plans (MDP) be presented to the Planning
Commission (PC) and to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) at a public meeting as an
information item prior to administrative approval; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT REQUESTED by the Frederick County Board of
Supervisors that the Frederick County Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing
to consider revision to remove the requirements of the Master Development Plan(MDP).
Passed this 11 t' day of August 2021 by the following recorded vote:
Charles S. DeHaven, Jr., Chairman Aye Blaine P. Dunn Aye
Shawn L. Graber Aye Judith McCann-Slaughter Aye
David D. Stegmaier Aye Robert W. Wells Aye
J. Douglas McCarthy Aye
A COPY ATTEST
,, -
Mary T. Pric
Interim County Administrator
Res # 016-21
COUNTY of FREDERICK
■ Department of Planning and Development
540/665-5651
Fax: 540/665-6395
MEMORANDUM
TO: Frederick County Board of Supervisors
FROM: M. Tyler Klein,AICP, Senior Planner "
SUBJECT: Discussion- Ordinance Amendment—Master Development Plans
DATE: July 26,2021
Back rg ound& Ordinance Amendment Proposal
This is a discussion for a potential Zoning Ordinance text amendment to modify the application and
review process for Master Development Plans (MDP) prior to the plans being administratively
approved. Currently,these plans must be reviewed as informational items by the Planning Commission
(PC)and Board of Supervisors (BOS)prior to their approval, no action is taken by the PC or the BOS
as the plans meet all County ordinance requirements. Effectively,review and approval of MDP's is an
"administrative"action.
MDP's are typically required after a rezoning is approved by the Board of Supervisors and before a
site plan or subdivision design plan may be submitted for administrative review/approval by the Zoning
Administrator. MDP's are conceptual in nature and depict the basic layout of a project, including
roadways,access,buffers/screening,recreation amenities(if required),development phasing,and open
space. The more specific details of the site, including lot layouts,the location of utilities, and grading,
are handled at the site pian or subdivision design plan stage of development.
The submission of a MDP prior to development of a site has been a requirement since adoption of the
1973 Zoning Ordinance. Initially,MDP's were reviewed by the Planning Commission who forwarded
a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors, who ultimately approved or denied the MDP; public
notices such as adj oiner notifications were also provided. In 2013 the Zoning Ordinance was amended
to eliminate the requirement to approve or deny a MDP and specified that these documents were to be
presented to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors as informational items only. The
purpose of this 2013 amendment was to clarify that MDP's are documents that demonstrate compliance
with County Ordinances and proffers and therefore should not be denied once approved by all
reviewing departments and agencies. Adj oiner notifications were also eliminated from the process due
to the misconception that these plans could be denied.Presenting MDPs as an informational item places
the applicant's proposal in a holding pattern for 2-4 weeks until the MDP can clear both the Planning
Commission and Board presentation requirements,adding time to the development process.
Staff would note the Code of Virginia(§15.2-2204)does not specify that localities must require MDPs
prior to a site plan or subdivision design plan submission nor does the Code of Virginia require public
notices for items such as MDPs.Public notices are only required for legislative actions such as rezoning
applications, conditional use permit (CUP) applications, or amendments to the Code of Frederick
County.
OA—Master Development Plans
July 26,2021
Page 2
Staff has drafted a revision to remove the requirement that Master Development Plans (MDP) be
presented to the Planning Commission(PC)and Board of Supervisors(BOS)at a public meeting as an
information item prior to administrative approval. With this proposed amendment,when MDP's are
administratively approvable (i.e., plans are in conformance with the Code of Frederick County and
have been approved by all applicable agencies of the County and outside entities such as Frederick
Water and/or VDOT), the MDP would proceed directly for signature (approval) by the Planning
Director and County Administrator.
Current Zoning Ordinance Standard:
Per §165-801 of the Frederick County Zoning Ordinance, a preliminary master development plan
(MDP)shall be submitted to the Director of Planning and Development and shall be presented to the
Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors as an informational item. Ultimately, the MDP
must receive administrative approval from the Director of Planning and Development and the County
Administrator prior to any subdivision or development of property.
DRRC & Planning Commission Discussion:
The Development Review and Regulations Committee (DRRC) discussed this item on June 24,2021.
The DRRC supported the amendment to remove the public meeting requirement for MDP's. The
DRRC noted in their comments that in lieu of presentations to the Planning Commission and Board of
Supervisors, Planning and Development staff should make projects easily accessible to the public for
review through the website or other means and provide a report the Planning Commission on pending
or recently approved land use applications, including MDPs.
The Planning Commission discussed this amendment at their meeting on July 21,2021. The Planning
Commission offered no comments and sent the item forward to the Board of Supervisors for discussion.
Conclusion and Requested Action:
To address concerns regarding the public availability of current projects and application materials,
Planning and Development staff has launched a dedicated current projects page on the department
website with information on current land use applications,including MDPs,which is easily accessible
to the public.Additionally,staff will be providing a link to the new web page under the"Other"section
of the Planning Commission agenda and are willing to do the same for Board of Supervisors agenda
which lists all current and recently approved applications, including those that are administratively
reviewed/approved..
The attached document shows the existing ordinance with the proposed changes supported by the
DRRC and Planning Commission (with bold italic for text added). This item is presented for
discussion. Staff is seeking direction from the Board of Supervisors on the appropriateness of
this request and if the item is ready to be scheduled for public hearing.
MTK/pd
Attachments: 1.Revised ordinance with additions shown in bold underlined italics.
Proposed Changes—Master Development Plans
Draft May 25,2021;DRRC endorsed June 24,2021;revised July 14,2021
ARTICLE IV
Agricultural and Residential Districts
Part 402
RP Residential Performance District
§165-402.01 Intent.
B. Within this Part 402, a number of general performance requirements are identified. When a
housing development has satisfied these requirements,this Part 402 is intended to provide a large
degree of flexibility in development and housing design. This design process is accomplished
through a master development plan which is designed in cooperation with the County staff
layout, ,
ARTICLE VIII
Development Plans and Approvals
Part 801
Master Development Plans
§165-801.02 When required.
A. A preliminary master development plan(MDF)shall be submitted to the Director of Planning and
Development.
as aft inn ,....,.Bona,item. Ultimately,the MDP must receive administrative approval from the
Director of Planning and Development and the County Administrator prior to any subdivision or
development of property in any of the following zoning districts:
Proposed Changes--Master Development Plans
Draft May 25,2021;DRRC endorsed June 24,2021;revised July 14,2021
RP Residential Performance District
R4 Residential Planned Community District
R5 Residential Recreational Community District
MH i Mobile Home Community District
HE High Education District
MS Medical Support District
B 1 Neighborhood Business District
B2 Business General District
B3 Industrial Transition District
OM Office-Manufacturing Park District
Mi Industrial Light District
M2 Industrial General District
EM Extractive Manufacturing District
§165-801.03 Waivers.
A. RP,R4,R5,and MHl Districts. The Director of Planning and Development may waive the
requirements of a MDP in the RP(Residential Performance),the R4 (Residential Planned
Community),the R5 (Residential Recreational Community), and the MHl (Mobile Home
Community)Zoning Districts if the proposed property for subdivision or development:
1) Contains 10 or fewer single-family detached rural traditional,single-family detached
traditional or single-family detached urban dwelling units(all other permitted housing types
shall require a MDF);
2) Is not an integral portion of a property proposed or planned for future development or
subdivision;
3) Is planned to be developed in a manner that is harmonious with surrounding properties and
land uses;and
4) Does not substantially affect the purpose and intent of its zoning district and the intent of this
article.
5) A MDP may also be waived if the applicant chooses to process a site plan in lieu of a MDP.
The site plan must contain all information generally required on a MDP and a site plan. Onee
Ulafiflifig COM ,-..i the 7].,.,,.f l.1�8UPeFN'iSG R 165 804.06-.
i .u.cui„is�.vuuuia�iv..�...,..�iiw,�.+ucuu v o
Proposed Changes—Master Development Plans
Draft May 25,2021;DRRC endorsed.lune 24,2021;revised July 14,2021
B. M1, EM and M2 Districts. The Director of Planning and Development may waive the
requirement of a MDP in the M1 (Light Industrial.),the EM(Extractive Manufacturing), or the
M2(Industrial General)Zoning Districts if the proposed subdivision or development:
1) Includes no new streets,roads or rights-of-way, does not further extend any existing or
dedicated street,road or rights-of-way and does not significantly change the layout of any
existing or dedicated street,road or rights-of-way;
2) Does not propose any stormwater management system designed to serve more than one
lot and does not necessitate significant changes to existing stormwater management
systems designed to serve more than one lot;
3) Is not an integral portion of a property proposed or planned for future development or
subdivision;
4) Is planned to be developed in a manner that is harmonious with surrounding properties
and land uses; and
5) That such development does not substantially affect the purpose and intent of this
chapter.
6) A MDP may also be waived if the applicant chooses to process a site plan in lieu of a
MDP. The site plan must contain all information generally required on a MDP and a site
plan. Once the site pin is in ..a., �A^J st..a4R4JIY$ill approyable form,the planlan ill be
165 801.06.
C. 131,B2,B3,MS and HE Districts. The Director of Planning and Development may waive the
requirement of a master development plan in the B 1 (Neighborhood Business),B2(General
Business),B3 (Industrial Transition),MS(Medical Support) or HE(Higher Education)Zoning
Districts if the proposed subdivision or development:
1) Contains less than five acres in the B 1 District and less than 10 acres in the 132,B3,MS
or HE District;
2) Includes no new streets,roads or rights-of-way, does not further extend any existing or
dedicated street and does not significantly change the layout of any existing or dedicated
street;
3) Does not propose any stormwater management system designed to serve more than one
lot and does not necessitate significant changes to existing stormwater management
systems designed to serve more than one lot;
4) Is not an integral portion of a property proposed or planned for future development or
subdivision;
5) Is planned to be developed in a manner that is harmonious with surrounding properties
and land uses; and
6) That such development does not substantially affect the purpose and intent of this
chapter.
-7� A MDP may also be waived if the applicant chooses to process a site plan in lieu of a
MDP. The site plan must contain all information generally required on a MDP and a site
plan. ,the pian VA11 be
Proposed Changes—Master Development Plans
Draft May 25,2021;DRRC endorsed dune 24,2021;revised July 14,2021
§1.65-801.06 Master development plan submission.
Applicants shall submit the number of copies of the preliminary MDP to the Department of Planning and
Development specified by the Department of Planning and Development MDP application,together with
completed application materials required by the Department of PIanning and Development.
A. Applicants shall provide approval comments on the proposed development from various review
agencies or departments as required by the Department of Planning and Development. The
submission shall be complete and the application shall commence through the public meeting
process when the plans,application materials and review agency approval comments have been
received by the Director of Planning and Development.
B. A Traffic Impact Analysis(TIA)shall be prepared and submitted to the Department of Planning
and Development with all MDF applications in accordance with the adopted Traffic Impact
Analysis Standards.
E When the subimission is eemplete,
as ao infeffflational item.
1
an inkwina4ional item.
ehanged ffeiii plans reviewed by�he Plaming Gamfnission. Changes may be made tha4 weFe
diseussed by the Plaftning Commission. Other substantia4 ehanges to the plan shall r-equife that
the a jai*Ating Gefamission review
F. C. Site plans or final subdivision plats may be submitted concurrently with preliminary master
development plans for review according to the procedures set forth in this chapter and Chapter
144, Subdivision of band, of the County Code.
Proposed Changes—Master Development Plans
Draft May 25,2021;DRRC endorsed June 24,2021;revised July 14,2021
Master Development Plan Approval Process
requiredPrcapplication Conference with Staff if
or requested
Applicant . . - .MOP..•
agencyto Staff,including all .. . .
Final MDP approval
PIN
for -
§165-801.07 Final master development plan.
A. The final MDF shall conform to all requirements of the County Code.
B. Applicants shall submit a minimum of five copies of the final MDP to the Department of
Planning and Development.Final approval of the final MDP shall be given by the Director of
Planning and Development and the County Administrator.
C. The Director shall approve the final MDP if all requirements of the County Code and all review
agencies have been met.
and Bqaard of SUPOFviser-S.
D. A MDP shall not be considered final until it is signed by the Director of Planning and
Development and the County Administrator.