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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC_09-21-05_Meeting_MinutesMEETING MINUTES OF THE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Held in the Board Room of the Frederick County Administration Building at 107 North Kent Street in Winchester, Virginia on September 21, 2005. PRESENT: Charles S. DeHaven, Jr., Chairman/Stonewall District; Roger L. Thomas, Vice Chairman/ Opequon District; John H. Light, Stonewall District; Pat Gochenour, Red Bud District; George J. Kriz, Gainesboro District; Robert A. Moms, Shawnee District; June M. Wilmot, Shawnee District; Greg L. Unger, Back Creek District; Cordell Watt, Back Creek District; Richard C. Ours, Opequon District; H. Paige Manuel, Member -At- Large; Barbara Van Osten, Board of Supervisors' Liaison; and Lawrence R, Ambrogi, Legal Counsel. ABSENT: Charles E. Triplett, Gainesboro District; Marie F. Straub, Red Bud District; and David Shore, City of Winchester Liaison. STAFF PRESENT: Eric R. Lawrence, Planning Director; Michael T. Ruddy, Deputy Planning Director; Mark R. Cheran, Zoning & Subdivision Administrator; and Renee' S. Arlotta, Clerk. • CALL TO ORDER Chairman DeHaven called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. MINUTES Upon motion made by Commissioner Kriz and seconded by Commissioner Wilmot, the Planning Commission minutes of August 17, 2005 were unanimously approved as presented. COMMITTEE REPORTS Comprehensive Plans & Programs Subcommittee (CPPS) — 09/12/05 Mtg. Commissioner Light reported that the CPPS reviewed Comprehensive Policy Plan changes for the BOwvnan/Shoemaker property for inclusion into the UDA (Urban Development Area) with mixed uses. Commissioner Light said the CPPS made a recommendation for denial, which will be sent forward. He said that in addition, the CPPS discussed the UDA Study and its goals. Frederick County Planning Commission Page 1603 Minutes of September 21, 2005 -z- Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB) — 09/20/05 Mtg. Commissioner Gochenour reported that the HRAB talked about bringing back Frederick County's Historic Plaque Program. She said that the HRAB not only reviewed information on the properties already included in the program, but heard about property owners who are interested in obtaining a plaque. Commissioner Gochnenour reported that the HRAB will be working on their approach to informing the public about how they can become involved. City of Winchester Plannine Commission — 09/20/05 Mtg. Commissioner Ours reported that the City Planning Commission forwarded an ordinance to City Council that would rezone approximately 134 acres of land as part of their new Corridor Overlay District. He explained that this is the Amherst Street - Merrimans Lane area on the western side of Winchester and is the first of three proposed overlay districts in the City. Commissioner Ours said that this action was taken after they had tabled the rezoning last month because of a last minute appeal by Winchester Medical Center. In addition, Commissioner Ours reported that the City Planning Commission approved a site plan for the construction of the History and Tourism Center at 1400 South Pleasant Valley Road, which is a joint project between the • Shenandoah University, the City of Winchester, and Frederick County because it will house the University's tourism center, as well as the Convention Visitor Bureau, and the Welcome Center. INTRODUCTION OF AREA VISITOR Commissioner Kriz introduced Mr. Kent Bagley, a Planning Commissioner from Littleton, Colorado, who was visiting the Frederick County area. Commissioner Kriz said that former Frederick County Planning Director, Robert W. Watkins, filled the position vacated by Mr. Bagley at the Aurora City Planning Office in Colorado. Everyone welcomed Mr. Bagley, who was present just to observe the proceedings. PUBLIC HEARING Rezoning 414 -05 of JCA IV White Hall, LLC to rezone five acres from RA (Rural Areas) to MI (Light Industrial) District and 15 acres from MI (Light Industrial) to MI with modified proffers. The properties are located 950 feet west from the 323 interchange, off of I -81, approximately 2,560 feet south of Rest Church Road, along proposed Zachary Ann Lane. The properties are further identified with PINS 33 -9 -6, 33 -9 -7, and 33 -9 -8 in the Stonewall Magisterial District. D Frederick County Planning Commission Page 1604 Minutes of September 21, 2005 -3- Action — Recommended Approval Deputy Planning Director, Michael T. Ruddy, reported that this application proposes to rezone five acres from RA (Rural Areas) to M 1 (Light Industrial) and 15 acres from M I (Light Industrial) to M 1 (Light Industrial) with modified proffers for the establishment of a Caterpillar Maintenance and Sales Facility. Mr. Ruddy explained that this property is within the Whitehall Business Park, which was approved by the Board of Supervisors through a rezoning on December 12, 1990 and a Master Development Plan on June 6, 1996. He gave the Commission some history of the site and how the configuration of the three lots came about. Mr. Ruddy noted that the parcels are located within the County's Sewer and Water Service Area (SWSA) and within the area encompassed by the Northeast Frederick Land Use Plan. He said that the addition of the five acres of RA -zoned land into the Whitehall Business Park under the M 1- Zoning classification would be consistent with the existing Whitehall Business Park development and would further the land use goals of the Comprehensive Policy Plan. Mr. Ruddy continued, stating that the site has approximately 1,940 feet of frontage along I -81. He said the applicant has made efforts through the proffer to minimize the disturbance of mature woodland areas along the southern perimeter of the property and along I -8 1. The applicant is proposing to construct their facility on the area of the property presently zoned MI; the application does not specifically proffer a use or building square footage for the five acres currently zoned RA. Mr. Ruddy reported that all of the transportation improvements identified in the proffer statement will be implemented prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit for the proposed facility. In addition, • Zachery Ann Lane will only be extended to the northern limits of Lot 6, instead of the northern limits of Lot 8, which was envisioned in the master development plan for Whitehall Business Park. Mr. Rudd) next proceeded to review the applicant's proffer statement, which included a monetary contribution, landscaping and tree preservation, road improvements to Zachary Ann Lane and Rest Church Road, and the extension of water and sewer from the east side of I -81 into the Whitehall Business Park. Mr. James (Jamie) C. Alban, IV, the President of the Alban Tractor Company, introduced himself and Mr. David E. Lellock, P.E., L.S., with Urban Engineering & Associates, Inc., the design and engineering firm for the project. Using a Powerpoint presentation, Mr. Alban presented an overview of the company and Mr. Lellock presented the technical aspects of the project. Commission members inquired about the water reclamation system and how it would function, they also asked how the residue, such as oil skim or other by- products, would be accumulated and disposed. The applicants described the water reclamation system they anticipate installing, noting that approximately 50-60% of wash water will be recycled within the truck wash and almost 100% of the wash -pit water for heavy equipment will be recycled. The applicants commented that their wash -pit water is tested every 18 months for contaminants. Mr. Bob Marano, Vice President of Alban Tractor, stated that primarily dirt and mud comes off of the tractors, which is non - hazardous and can be disposed of normally. The applicants added that an oil -water separator will be internal to the building within the truck wash. A Commission member asked about oil -water separators in the parking lot area. The applicants said they had considered it, but were not that far along in the design process. Frederick County Planning Commission Page 1605 Minutes of September 21, 2005 -4- There were no public comments. Upon motion made by Commissioner Light and seconded by Commissioner Kriz, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously recommend approval of Rezoning 414 -05 of JCA IV White Hall, LLC to rezone five acres from RA (Rural Areas) to M1 (Light Industrial) District and 15 acres from M 1 (Light Industrial) to MI with modified proffers. (Commissioners Straub and Triplett were absent from the meeting.) DISCUSSION WINCHESTER REGIONAL AIRPORT MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN The Executive Director of the Winchester Regional Airport, Ms. Serena (Reny) Manuel, came forward and thanked the Commission for the opportunity to present the Winchester Regional Airport's master development plan which depicts projected airport development on the northern side of the airport for the next 20 years. Ms. Manuel stated that an updated master plan is one of the components of the airport's Six -Year Capital Improvement Project Plan. She provided a copy of the master plan to each member of the Commission. Ms. Manuel next introduced Mr. John Longnaker with Delta Airport Consultants, the engineering fin that has worked with the Winchester Regional Airport over the last 20 years and who produced the airport's second • master development plan. Mr. Longnaker presented the plan to the Commission and reviewed with them in detail the sections dealing with the inventory of existing facilities, the forecast for future aircraft activity, facility requirements, and two alternative future development plans. Mr. Longnaker said that Alternative Development Plan 42 was selected by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), primarily because it met FAA criteria. He stressed the importance of FAA approval because projects would be eligible for FAA funding, which will pay for 90 -95% of improvements to the airfield. Mr. Longnaker next took questions from the Commission members. Commissioner Morris stated that one of the issues faced by the Planing Commission is the development activity around the airport and how this potential development fits in with the airport's future plans. He asked Mr. Longnaker if the airport's master plan would assist the Commission in making decisions about potential development around the airport. Mr. Longnaker said that the study on surrounding land use was actually done in the early 1990s as part of the airport's original master plan. Mr. Longnaker said an Overlay District was established and land use was a major component of that master plan. He said there was no reason to change anything in that first study with this more recent master plan update. Board of Supervisors' Liaison, Ms. Barbara Van Osten, commented that Mr. Longnaker had stated that the existing 5,500 feet of runway was satisfactory; she asked Mr. Longnaker if he anticipated this runway length to be acceptable into the future. Mr. Longnaker replied that it was up to the local community to make the decision of whether to accommodate larger aircraft that demand longer runways. He said a 5,500 -foot runway will accommodate DC -9s, Gulf Stream 4s and 5s, but will not have the overseas markets which would we require 6,500 feet of runway. He added that the Winchester Airport is in an area that has some constraints and Frederick County Planning Commission Page 1606 Minutes of September 21, 2005 -5- 5,500 feet will meet many of the needs of the market this area has captured; therefore, he believed the existing runway length was reasonable for the future. Ms. Van Osten inquired if land was available to lengthen the runway. Taking into consideration the existing runway orientation, Mr. Longnaker said that Victory Road would have to be closed with a cul -de -sac; he also suggested some limited space towards the interstate. Mr. Longnaker believed it could be done, but with considerable expense for road relocations, traffic generation changes, and relocation of the instrument landing system. Commissioner Thomas was interested in useful tools to assist the Commission in making land use decisions around the airport. He asked about a supplement to the plan that would show the decibel ratings of projected noise generation in relation to distance from the runway moving out from the airport. He was also interested in an aero dome map that would show height restrictions in the surrounding areas for development. Mr. Longnaker said that both of those documents had already been produced and were available, however, they were not a part of this plan. He said that he would work with the Planning Staff and make sure they had the updated information for the Commission's use. Ms. Manuel returned to the podium adding that the FAA relies on the local jurisdictions to protect their airports and their investments and that is why land use issues are not included in the airport's master plans; she said that land use was addressed in the first master plan and it has been incorporated into the Comprehensive Policy Plan by Frederick County. Commissioner Thomas suggested placing the airport's master plan on on a 3 -D CAD so that overlays or layers containing noise contours, aero domes, flight paths, or crash zones, could be viewed and visualized. • Chairman DeHaven thanked the Airport Authority and their consultant for this update. Chairman DeHaven said that he would be interested in seeing an even longer -term look into the future. He hoped the report included suggestions for long -range planning and for updating, as time passes and events change. Chairman DeHaven said that his concern was that 20 years from now, there will be even more constraints than there are today; he said he would like to see the County protect the long -term viability of its investment in the airport, so it can continue to grow. OTHER Commissioner Gochenour reported that she attended a conference entitled, "Growing Communities on Karst," at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Commissioner Gochenour reported on the topics of discussion, which included storm water management and sink -hole treatment. She had numerous informational materials to share with the Planning Commissioners. Frederick County Planning Commission Page 1607 Minutes of September 21, 2005 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. • 10 Lawwence, Secretary Frederick County Planning Commission Page 1608 Minutes of September 21, 2005 Respectfully submitted,