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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC_07-15-87_Meeting_MinutesMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE FREDERICK COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Held in the Board of Supervisors' Meeting Room in the Old Frederick County Court House, 9 Court Square, Winchester, Virginia, on July 15, 1987. PRESENT: Frank H. Brumback, Chairman; James W. Golladay, Jr., Vice - Chairman; George L. Romine; Kenneth Y. Stiles; A. Lynn Myers; S. Blaine Wilson; Carl M. McDonald; Manuel C. DeHaven. Also present were: Robert W. Watkins, Secretary; Stephen M. Gyurisin, Advisory; Bray Cockerill, Advisory ABSENT: Marjorie H. Copenhaver CALL TO ORDER Chairman Brumback called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. MINUTES The first order of business was the consideration of the minutes of July 1, 1987. Upon motion made by Col. Myers and seconded by Mr. Golladay, the minutes of July 1, 1987 were unanimously approved. BIMONTHLY REPORT Mr. Watkins briefed the Commission on the work program for the upcoming year. Mr. Gyurisin presented a request for administrative approval on a site plan by Bethesda Management Company, located in the Stonewall Industrial Park. The applicant is proposing a 5,000 square foot office and warehouse facility on the site. The Commission gave the staff authority to proceed with administrative review and approval. COMMITTEE REPORTS Economic Development Commission Mr. Romine, Economic Development Coordinator, reported that the EDC has been in contact with several prospects and continues to receive many inquiries. 2466 - 2 - SUBDIVISIONS Final Subdivision Plat of Carlisle Estates, Section 1, for 19 single-family cluster lots in the Shawnee Magisterial District. Action - Tabled Mr. Watkins noted the Department of Transportation's recommendations that Lots 1 through 4 be reserved until they know for certain if the relocation of Routes 656 and 659 would affect this development. Mr. Stiles felt the first four lots should not be approved and built on in light of the fact that this road is a priority in the Transportation Plan and that the Department of Transportation has stated that they plan to realign the intersection. Mr. Bruce Edens, representing this application, stated that one of the four lots has been taken off the final subdivision plat. Mr. Edens said that Transportation Department has recommended a temporary surface on the street. He said that beyond that, he has heard no definite plans for the road. Mr. Stiles questioned the four to five lots that had frontage on two roads. Mr. Stiles said that he understood that the whole configuration of land in this particular area could change. Mr. Edens said that the existing road in the rear is too far from the lots to get a driveway entrance to. Mr. Stiles moved to table this request until the Commission's next meeting and to have a representative from the Department of Transportation present at the meeting to answer questions. This motion was seconded by Col. Myers and was passed unanimously. BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby table the final subdivision plat of Carlisle Estates, Section 1, for 19 single-family cluster lots until August 5, 1987 in order for a representative from the Highway Department to be available to answer questions. Road Plans and Profiles for Long Meadows Subdivision, located on the south side of Route 622, Cedar Creek Grade, and west of Route 621, in the Back Creek Magisterial District. Action - Approved Mr. Watkins said that the applicant is proposing a 50 foot right-of- way improved to Department of Transportation standards. He also noted that this is a five -acre lot subdivision in an A -2 (Agricultural General) Zoning District, which is normally approved administratively. Mr. Watkins said that the Commission does need to approve the road plan to dedicate the road. 2467 - 3 - Mr. Charles Maddox, with G. W. Clifford & Associates, designers of this project, was present to answer questions. Upon motion made by Mr. Stiles, seconded by Mr. McDonald, and passed unanimously, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby recommend to the Board of Supervisors the acceptance of the proposal of the road design and right-of-way for Long Meadows Subdivision. This subdivision is located on the south side of Route 622, Cedar Creek Grade, and west of Route 621 in the Back Creek Magisterial District. SITE PLANS Site Plan 11022 -87 of State Farm Insurance Claims Office for a 1,255 square foot office building with an accessory garage, parking, and site improvements, in the Back Creek Magisterial District. Action - Approved Mr. Watkins said that with the exception of the fire hydrant requested by the Stephens City Fire Company, the plan meets all applicable site plan and zoning requirements. Mr. Douglas Toan said that his company, Construction Management, was the owner and builder of this project. He said that they will lease the building to State Farm Insurance Claims Office. Mr. Toan said that they will install the fire hydrant if it is required. Upon motion made by Mr. Romine and seconded by Mr. McDonald, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously approve Site Plan 11022 -87 of State Farm Insurance Claims Office for a 1,255 square foot office building with an accessory garage, parking, and site improvements to be located on the east side of Route 11 South, Parcel 5, of the Battlefield Partnership Industrial Development. This property is zoned B-3 (Industrial Transition). Site Plan 11029 -87 of Emmart Oil Company for an 8,000 square foot warehouse and oil tank farm area in the Stonewall Magisterial District. Action - Approved Mr. McDonald said that he would not participate in any discussion or vote on this site plan due to a possible conflict of interest. Mr. Watkins said that the proposal met all applicable site plan and zoning standards and that the entrance has been enlarged as per Department of Transportation recommendations. 2468 - 4 - Mr. Edward Strawsnyder, with Foundation Engineering, stated that they designed this project on behalf of Emmart Oil Company in conjunction with Gilbert W. Clifford & Associates, Inc. Mr. Strawsnyder said that this is basically a relocation of the facilities on Pleasant Valley Road. Mr. Strawsnyder proceeded to explain some of the structural and site plan details to the Commissioners. Chairman Brumback asked what agency was responsible for policing tank farms. Mr. Strawsnyder replied that the State Water Control Board controls the design and does groundwater monitoring. Upon motion made by Mr. DeHaven and seconded by Mr. Wilson, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby approve Site Plan #029 -87 of Emmart Oil Company for an 8,000 square foot warehouse and oil tank farm area with access and loading area. This project will be located on Brick Kiln Road (Route 783) in the Stonewall Magisterial District. The vote on this site plan was: YES: Messrs. Stiles, Myers, Brumback, Golladay, DeHaven, Wilson, Romine ABSTAIN: Mr. McDonald Site Plan #033 -87 of American Woodmark Corporation for a 150,000 square foot warehouse with 6,000 square feet of offices located in the Stonewall Magisterial District. Action - Approved Mr. Watkins said that this proposal is a permitted use in the M-1 (Industrial Limited) Zoning District. He added that all applicable parking, loading, zoning, and site plan standards have been met. Mr. James Wilson, representing the applicant, was present to answer questions. Mr. DeHaven inquired about the Sanitation Authority's comments on a standpipe system. Mr. Watkins said that the Building Official has stated that this will be covered with the review of the plumbing plans. Mr. Wilson said that hydrants are on the site and the building will be completely sprinkled. Mr. Wilson said that there will be a partition between the office and the warehouse. Upon motion made by Mr. Stiles and seconded by Mr. DeHaven, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously approve Site Plan #033 -87 of American Woodmark Corporation for 2469 - 5 - a 150,000 square foot warehouse with 6,000 square feet of offices, loading and parking areas, and site improvements to be located on the north side of Tyson Drive in the Stonewall Industrial Park, Stonewall District. Site Plan #032 -87 of Nain Salvage, Inc. for an automobile sales area and sales office building, 10 -bay service building, impound yard area, covered fence storage area, access, parking, screening, and site improvements in the Gainesboro District. Action - Tabled Mr. Watkins said that the existing kennel will be renovated and used as an office. Mr. Watkins said that the applicant shows a storage lot to be leased to CBL Fencing Company and he noted that any storage must be under cover. Mr. Watkins said that screening is shown using an eight foot solid fence around the impound yard. Some members of the Commission were concerned that this was going to be a junk yard. Mr. Gyurisin said that the impound area is an accessory use to the service use. He said that when a vehicle is towed in, it would be put in the impound area until it was repaired. He said that the service facility would have to be in operation for the impound use to be accessory. He added that this is not a salvage operation. Chairman Brumback inquired about the Department of Transportation's recommendations for a 50 foot entrance and appropriate culverts. Mr. Gyurisin said that the applicant is in the process of preparing revised plans to show the Department of Transportation's recommendations. Chairman Brumback called for the representative for this site plan, but no one came forward. Upon motion made by Mr. Golladay and seconded by Mr. Wilson, the Planning Commission unanimously voted to table this request until the end of the meeting in the event the applicant would arrive later during the meeting. PUBLIC MEETING Preliminary Master Development Plan 11006 -87 of Dominion Knolls for 200 lots for two - bedroom townhouses located in the Stonewall District. Action - Denied Mr. Watkins said that the staff recommends approval with the addition of one more recreational facility and a reduction of the required buffer distance. He added that the applicant has shown six tot lots on the plan. Mr. Stiles commented that screening, if done properly and with 2470 - 6 - sufficient height, could be a better buffer than 100 feet of open space. Mr. Thomas Davis, with Dove and Associates, the engineers and representatives of this plan, said that instead of the seven tot lots, they are planning to work with Mr. Watkins and the Parks and Recreation Department on a more varied proposal for recreational facilities. He said that they are thinking about a recreational trail and perhaps picnic tables. He noted that regarding the buffer between the single- family dwellings in the City and this site on the south side, there is an eight foot fence proposed at that point. Mr. Stiles asked Mr. Davis if he had a list of the people financially involved in the Dominion Associates Group, Inc. Ms. Jean Calloway, Project Coordinator with Dominion Associates Group, Inc., gave the following names of persons financially involved with this development: Daniel Harris, President; Peter Morabito; Marty Schor; Lawrence Jager. Mr. DeHaven was concerned about future sewer capabilities in light of the high density of this project. Some Commissioners were not in favor of reducing any of the buffers. Mr. Watkins pointed out that if the applicant used a 200 foot buffer distance, they technically would need no screening at all. He felt it may be better to have a total screen than to have 200 feet of open space. Mr. Watkins pointed out that because the applicant wishes to reduce the distance to 100 feet on the south side, they must have a total screen and will need to do more than erect an eight foot solid fence. He said that on the other side, partial screening and an eight foot fence may be sufficient. Mr. Stiles next moved for approval of the preliminary plan showing a reduction in the buffer and full screening adjacent to the houses on the south side and partial screening on the north side. This motion was seconded by Mr. DeHaven, however, the motion was lost due to a tie vote. BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby deny the preliminary master development request #006 -87 of Dominion Knolls for the development of 200 lots for two - bedroom townhouses, located off Baker Lane, just north of the City of Winchester, in the Stonewall District. The vote on this preliminary plan was: YES (TO APPROVE): Messrs. Romine, DeHaven, Stiles, McDonald NO (TO DENY): Messrs. Wilson, Golladay, Myers, Brumback 2471 - 7 - INFORMAL DISCUSSION WITH MR. JAMES MARLOW ON REZONING OF LAND Mr. Watkins said that Mr. James Marlow has requested audience with the Planning Commission to discuss rezoning a large track of land (approximately 200 acres) north of Route 7 and east of I -81 from A -2 (Agricultural General) to RP (Residential Performance) for single - family housing. Mr. Scott Marsh, Engineer with G. W. Clifford & Associates, was present to discuss the proposal with the Commission. Mr. Marsh asked the Commission for their thoughts on any factors or situations involving the site that they should consider while working on a formal application. Mr. Marsh pointed out the major roadways that would be involved with the site. He also discussed sewer and water options in light of the fact that the property did not perk well. Mr. Charles Maddox, also with G. W. Clifford & Associates, asked the Commission if development in this area fit in with the County's Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Stiles said that in large scale view of the project, it was not in conflict with the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Stiles commented that the one positive benefit of development would be the sewer, due to the fact that there is a need for sewer in the Stephenson area. He was concerned, however, whether or not the County could handle that much development at one time in that location. Mr. Stiles also felt that Route 661 was not equipped to carry the traffic of a subdivision of this scale. The Planning Commission felt that at this point in time, and in light of the fact that the Commission was currently in the process of updating the Comprehensive Plan, that the developer should put this project on hold until the Comprehensive Plan was revised and updated. The Commissioners felt they could not adequately provide answers to the developer on the proposal until this task was accomplished. Mr. Golladay left the meeting at this point. INFORMAL DISCUSSION WITH RAYMOND BRILL ON REZONING OF LAND Mr. Watkins said that Mr. Raymond Brill has requested time with the Commission to discuss rezoning a portion of his property in Star Tannery from A -1 (Agricultural Limited) to EM (Extractive Manufacturing) for a small sand mine. Mr. Watkins noted that some time ago, a similar request on a much larger scale was heard by the Planning Commission and denied. Mr. Raymond Brill said that he bought the 17 -acre property and would like to run the sand mine on a small scale, enough to make the payments on the property. 2472 Mr. Watkins also noted that he received a phone call from Mrs. Wilson, a neighbor, who was in opposition to this operation. After considerable discussion with Mr. Brill on the type of operation he proposed, the Commission suggested that Mr. Brill submit a formal application for rezoning with a reduced amount of acreage rather than the entire 17 acres. The Commissioners wanted to work with Mr. Brill on this situation and to reach a positive solution. Mr. McDonald left the meeting at this point. CONTINUATION OF DISCUSSION ON SITE PLAN #032 -87 OF NAIN SALVAGE, INC. At this point of the meeting, Chairman Brumback inquired if a representative for the Nain Salvage site plan was present. There being no representative present, Mr. Stiles moved to table the site plan until the Commission's next meeting. This motion was seconded by Mr. Wilson. BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously agree to table Site Plan 0032 -87 of Nain Salvage, Inc. until their meeting of August 5, 1987, due to lack of representation. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, 2473 F a H. BBrum cl-,`� hairman Robert W. Watkins, Secretary 2473