Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC_06-01-94_Meeting_MinutesMEETING MINUTES OF THE FREDERICK COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Held in the Board Room of the Old Frederick County Court House in Winchester, Virginia on June 1, 1994. PRESENT: Planning Commissioners present were: James W. Golladay, Jr., Chairman; John R. Marker, Vice Chairman /Back Creek District; Marjorie H. Copenhaver, Back Creek District; Todd D. Shenk, Gainesboro District; Roger L. Thomas, Opequon District; S. Blaine Wilson, Shawnee District; Charles S. DeHaven, Jr., Stonewall District; Robert A. Morris, Shawnee District; and George L. Romine, Citizen at Large. ABSENT: Terry Stone, Gainesboro District; John H. Light, Stonewall District; Robert M. Sager, Board Liaison; and Vincent DiBenedetto, Winchester City Liaison. Planning Staff present were: Evan A. Wyatt, Planner H and Kris C. Tierney, Deputy Planning Director. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Golladay called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. MINUTES - MAY 4 1994 Upon motion made by Mr. Romine and seconded by Mr. Thomas, the minutes of May 4, 1994, were unanimously approved as presented. BIMONTHLY REPORT Chairman Golladay accepted the Bimonthly Report for the Commission's information. 3824 COMMITTEE REPORTS Development Review & Regulations Subcommittee (DR &RS) - 5/24/94 Mtg_ Mr. Thomas reported that the DR &RS discussed district use regulations and the recommendations of the Corridor Appearance Task Force. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WINCHESTER REGIONAL AIRPORT Mr. Wyatt stated that a representative of Delta Airport Consultants was present to describe improvements to the Winchester Regional Airport. Mr. Wyatt said the improvements reflect a portion of the Phase I planning outlined in the Winchester Regional Airport 2012 Master Development Plan. He said the purpose of the presentation is to provide the Planning Commission with an opportunity to discuss these improvements and to address any concerns with the applicant. Mr. Wyatt added that the improvements will require an approved site plan and he asked the Planning Commission to grant administrative approval authority. Mr. Michael D. Kane, P.E., of Delta Airport Consultants, said the project includes relocating the parallel taxiway further away from the existing runway in order to meet current FAA standards, some apron expansion, and dismantling an existing hanger on the southeast side of the airport. Mr. Kane explained that the FAA will fund the dismantling and the airport will procure funding locally or through the state to re -erect the hanger. He anticipated that construction will begin sometime in the middle of July. There were no public comments. The Planning Commission had no problems with the project outlined by Mr. Kane and upon motion by Mr. Shenk and seconded by Mr. Marker, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to allow administrative approval authority by the staff. Rezoning Application #004 -94 of Brown Lovett, Jr., to rezone 59.71 acres from RA (Rural Areas) to M1 (Light Industrial) for manufacturing uses. This property is identified as PIN 44 -A -75 and is located on Martinsburg Pike (Rt. 11 North), opposite the intersection with Stephenson Road (Rt. 664), in the Stonewall District. Action - Tabled for 30 Days Chairman Golladay announced that the representative for the applicant, G. W. Clifford & Associates, has requested that this item be tabled for 30 days. Chairman Golladay 3825 3 said that because this item was scheduled for a public meeting, the Commission would take public comments. Mr. Tierney said that the staff had concerns about the traffic impact analysis, VDOT's comments regarding relocation of the entrance, and the Health Department's comments on whether or not septic permits could be obtained. Mr. Tierney said that the applicant wanted to address these issues before coming before the Commission and asked that this item be tabled until July 6. Mr. O. L. Payne, adjoining property owner, felt this was not the proper place for M1 (Industrial) Zoning and Mr. Lovett's intended use. Mr. Payne remarked about the close proximity of neighborhood facilities, stating that Mr. Lovett's property was 2/10 mile from the fairgrounds, 3/10 mile from the Ruritan Club, 4/10 mile from the Stonewall School, and 6 /10 mile from Clearbrook Park. He said that most of the people in the area are opposed and he had acquired 400 names on a petition. Mr. Payne said that he has seven wells that adjoin the property in question. He said these wells are tested on a regular basis by the State Health Department and there has not been one bad sample reported. Mr. Payne felt the addition of 100 people next door would certainly contaminate the groundwater. Mr. Payne also said that during the times of 6:30 -8:00 a.m. or 4:30 -6:00 p.m., the traffic and noise around the L. F. Franklin & Sons, Inc. site is heavy. Mrs. Loretta Shuster, adjoining property owner, commented that Stephenson was a small, peaceful, family- oriented neighborhood. She felt that if industry was permitted here, it would change the character of the neighborhood. Mrs. Shuster felt that the applicant should instead use any of the several industrial parks that were located in the area. She was concerned that the proposed industrial use would produce pollutants, contaminate local wells, cause increased traffic, and threaten the safety of neighborhood children. Mr. Maurice Conner, Jr., adjoining property owner at 2833 Martinsburg Pike, said this particular parcel was previously petitioned for rezoning in September of 1989, but was turned down. He said that most of the concerns raised at that time were the same as for this rezoning. Mr. Conner commented about the numerous limestone ledges in the area. He said in the past, he has experienced his house rock when Frye's Quarry dynamite blasts. He said there are cracks in his basement and in the carport. Mr. Conner felt if blasting takes place to construct the factory, there was a good chance it would open wells and cause structural damage throughout the neighborhood. Ms. Ann H. Wilder, adjoining property owner, was also opposed to industry locating in this area and agreed with the previous comments made. No other citizen comments were made and no discussion was held by the Commission. Upon motion made by Mr. Romine and seconded by Mr. Thomas, 3826 C! BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously agree to table Rezoning Application #004 -94 of Brown Lovett, Jr., to rezone 59.71 acres from RA (Rural Areas) to Ml (Light Industrial) for 30 days (July 6, 1994 Meeting). An amendment to the Frederick County Code, Chapter 165, Zoning, Article VI, Residential Performance District, Section 165 -59, Permitted Uses, Section 165 -63, Open Space Requirements, and Article XX, Definitions, to allow public libraries in the Residential Performance District. Action - Recommend Approval Mr. Wyatt said that the Planning Commission held an informal discussion on May 18 to review an amendment to allow public libraries or public schools to be located in the common open space area of a residential subdivision. Mr. Wyatt said the Planning Commission requested that language be provided that would require proposed public schools and public libraries to be depicted on the master development plan for the proposed residential neighborhood. He said that this would allow the Commission to ensure that suitable location and adequate access and buffers were provided for these facilities. Mr. Wyatt said the staff amended the proposed language to reflect that request. The Commissioners were in favor of the concept, but some debate ensued about the wording of the amendment. Members of the DRRS said that their intent was to preclude the open space being dedicated to other facilities or private schools that were not public libraries or public schools. In addition, they wanted it to be allowed only at the initial master development plan stage, so that future purchasers of homes would know up front what was planned for their neighborhood. Ms. Trish Ridgeway, of the Handley Library, was present to answer questions. There were no citizen comments. Upon motion made by Mr. Thomas and seconded by Mr. Morris, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously approve the amendment to allow public libraries and public schools in the RP (Residential Performance) District, as follows: 165- 59B(i1) Permitted Uses Libraries 3827 5 165 -63 Open Space Requirements A. A minimum percentage of the gross area of any proposed development shall be designated as common open space. This open space shall be for purposes of environmental protection and for the common use of residents of the development. Such open space shall be dedicated to a property owners association or to Frederick County. Open space shall be dedicated to Frederick County only with the approval of the Board of Supervisors. The Planning Commission may allow public libraries and public schools to be located within areas designated as common open space, provided that the proposed facilities are indicated on the original master development plan for the residential development. During the review of the master development plan, the Planning Commission shall ensure that the location of a proposed public library or public school is appropriate, and that adequate buffers, screening, and access are provided to prevent negative impacts to adjoining residential uses. Public libraries and schools shall be dedicated to Frederick County for acceptance by the Frederick County School Board or the Handley Library. Developments which contain any of the following housing types shall provide open space as specified below: An amendment to the Frederick County Code, Chapter 165, Zoning, Article X, Business and Industrial Zoning Districts, Section 165 -82B, B2 (Business General) District, and Article IV, Supplementary Use Regulations, Section 165 -48.3, to allow electrical and plumbing supply businesses in the Business General District. Action - Recommend Approval Mr. Wyatt said that the Planning Commission held an informal discussion on May 18 to review the proposed amendment. He said the Commission suggested that staff revise the language specified under Subsection B of the Performance Standards to ensure the uses were limited in size (8,000 square feet), as well as limited in the overall floor area within shopping centers (25 %). There were no public comments. The Planning Commission had no problems with the amendment and were satisfied with the wording. Upon motion made by Mr. Romine and seconded by Mr. Wilson, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously recommend approval of the amendment to allow electrical and plumbing supply businesses in the B2 (Business General) District, as follows: Imm P 165 -82B B2 Business General District Use Regulations Allowed Uses SIC Electrical Supplies 506 Plumbing Supplies 5074 165 -48.3 Electrical and Plumbing Supply Businesses Electrical and plumbing supply businesses located in the B2 (Business General) District shall meet the following requirements: A. Electrical and plumbing supply businesses shall not exceed 8,000 square feet of total floor area. B. Only twenty -five percent (25 %) of the total floor area within a shopping center may contain electrical supply businesses or plumbing supply businesses. C. Electrical and plumbing supply businesses shall not be permitted to have outdoor storage. CANCELLATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S JUNE 15 1994 MEETING Chairman Golladay said the only item scheduled for the Planning Commission's June 15 meeting was the Fieldstone Heights MDP and the applicant has indicated that they will not be ready until July 6. Upon motion made by Mr. Light and seconded by Mr. Thomas, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to extend tabling of the Fieldstone Heights MDP to July 6. Upon motion made by Mr. Light and seconded by Mr. Thomas, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to cancel their June 15, 1994 meeting. 3829 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 3830 Robert W. Watkins, Secretary