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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC_03-16-83_Meeting_MinutesMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE FREDERICK COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Held in the Board of Supervisors Meeting Room on March 16, 1983. PRESENT: Frank Brumback, Chairman; James Golladay, Vice - Chairman; George L. Romine; W. French Kirk; Manuel C. DeHaven; A. Lynn Myers; Kenneth Y. Stiles; M. Domenic Palumbo; Carl M. McDonald CALL TO ORDER Chairman Brumback called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. The first order of business was the consideration of the minutes of March 2, 1983. Mr. Myers moved for approval of the minutes as presented. This was seconded by Mr. Stiles and passed unanimously. MONTHLY AND BIMONTHLY REPORTS Mr. Horne stated that a rezoning petition has been submitted by Westminster /Canterbury /Winchester to rezone a portion of a site that is partially in the City and partially in the County. Mr. Horne suggested a joint public hearing of the City and County to be held on April 20, 1983 in the evening. The Commission felt this arrangement would be satisfactory. The Commission next discussed pending applications. Mr. Horne announced an Ordinance Subcommittee Meeting on March 21, 1983 at 7:00 p.m. and a Capital Improvements Subcommittee Meeting on March 22, 1983 at 7:00 p.m., both to be held in the Board of Supervisors Meeting Room. He added that the Capital Improvements Subcommittee will meet in front of the old Penny's building on the Loudoun Street Mall at 10:00 a.m., March 17, 1983 for a walk- through. There next ensued a discussion on some minor revisions to the capital improvement requests that were submitted last year. PUBLIC HEARINGS Site Plan #002 -83 of MCI Telecommunications Corporation, zoned A -2 (Agricultural, General), located in the Back Creek District, for the construction of a communications tower and equipment building. ACTION - Approved Mr. Horne explained that MCI is a private company specializing in long distance telephone transmission and is a 1702 -2- competitor to the ATT System. He stated that under the current zoning ordinance, this company would be classified as a public utility and permitted in any zoning district as a matter of right. Mr. Robert McGinnis, Site Acquisition Agent for MCI, came forward and introduced himself to the Commission. Mr. McGinnis stated that his company has acquired a 20 year lease for the property from Mr. Robinson. Chairman Brumback asked for the height of the tower and Mr. McGinnis replied that it would be approximately 200 feet. Mr. Palumbo inquired where other towers in the line of communication would be placed. Mr. McGinnis stated that the next tower going east would be located at the tip of West Virginia, north of Bluemont; going west, one would be located on Shawneeland; and going south, one will be near Front Royal. Mr. Stiles asked Mr. McGinnis if MCI's rates were regulated by the State Corporation Commission and Mr. McGinnis replied that MCI was regulated by the Federal Communication Commission. Mr. DeHaven asked if there would be any underground cables and Mr. McGinnis replied that the operation is completely wireless. In answer to Mr. Palumbo's question on television interference, Mr. McGinnis stated that MCI operates on a higher frequency than television and has a straight.line signal rather than the broadcast signal used for television. As a result, there will be no television interference Chairman Brumback inquired about future expansion and Mr. McGinnis stated that any future expansion would take place internally 1703 -3- with the addition of radio equipment and there would be no need to expand on the physical building within the 20 year lease. Chairman Brumback called for anyone wishing to speak either in favor or opposition to the request and no one came forward. The Commission was concerned with the increasing number of private companies dealing in public utilities and felt there was a need to redefine public utilities in the zoning ordinance, so these corporations would not be allowed in any district as a matter of right. Upon motion by Mr. Palumbo, second by Mr. Stiles, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby approve Site Plan #002 -83 of MCI Telecommunications` Corporation for a communications tower and equipment building in the Back Creek Magisterial District. The above resolution passed unanimously. Discussion on the Route 277/642 Interchange, Stephens City Mr. William Bushman, Resident Engineer for the Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation (VDH &T), submitted and discussed a proposal for restriping the road surface at the Route 277/647 Interchange in Stephens City. The striping would separate "through" traffic from traffic turning into commercial establishments. This would consist of a turn lane in the middle of Route 277, starting at the Red Apple convenience store and running across the bridge to the interchange on the other side. Chairman Brumback inquired if the restriping would continue to alleviate traffic problems with increased future growth. 1704 -4- Mr. Bushman stated that the restriping would take care of the existing situation and coupled with the proposed traffic signal, should take care of potential growth for some time. Discussion of the Six Year Road Improvement Plan Mr. Bushman introduced Mr. Jerry Copp, Maintenance Supervisor, and stated that Mr. Copp is very much involved with the improvement program in Frederick County, particularly the hard surface projects. Mr. Bushman brought the Commission up to date on the status of projects in the Six Year Plan. Mr. Bushman stated that with regard to major projects, Routes 654 and 642 are under right -of -way acquisition and Routes 672 and 628 are in normal development. With regard to the new hard surface roads, Routes 671 and 629 are at a standstill at the right -of -way acquisition stage due to continual problems with acquisition. Routes 663 and 619 are under construction and Routes 624 and 660 are in the right -of -way acquisition stage. Mr. Bushman commented that no work has begun on Routes 660 and 625, and Routes 668, 680, and 694 will probably not be started until next year. Some Commission members felt that before Routes 668, 680, and 694 were started that a general study of Frederick County should be made and if necessary, change those three priorities. They felt there were roads in the area with the same amount of traffic that were in greater need of repair. With regard to incidental work, Mr. Bushman mentioned the intention of VDH &T to strengthen the bridge on Route 703 that crosses over Johnson's Run. 1 705 -5- Mr. Gyurisin stated that he had received a letter from property owners along Route 851 in the Back Creek District requesting pavement of that road. Mr. Gyurisin told the Commission that he had informed those property owners that there could be no new additions to this year's plan, but this road would be considered for the next Six Year Plan. Mr. Stiles left the meeting at this time. 1983 Work Program for the Department of Planning and Development Mr. Horne presented the 1983 Work Program and discussed the various sections of the program with the Commission. Mr. Romine moved for approval of the Work Program as presented and this motion was seconded by Mr. Palumbo. BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby approve the 1983 Work Program for the Department of Planning and Development. The above resolution passed unanimously. Discussion of Information from Virginia Manufactured Housinq Assoc. Mr. Gyurisin presented information received by the Virginia Manufacturing Housing Association. Along with encouraging the production of manufactured housing, the Association defined differences between mobile /manufactured homes and modular homes for tax purposes. Mr. Gyurisin noted that the distinction between mobile /manufactured homes and modular homes may be useful if they are considered in the ordinance revisions by the Ordinance Subcommittee. 1706 Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Frank back, Chairman 7 — , P attc- JV T. P. Horne, Secretary 1707