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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 11, 2005 Work Session 401 A W orksession ofthe Frederick County Board of Supervisors was held on Friday, March 11, 2005, at 12 :00 P.M., in the Board of Supervisors' Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT Chairman Richard C. Shickle; Vice-Chairman Gary W. Dove; Bill M. Ewing; Gene E. Fisher; Gina A. Forrester; Lynda 1. Tyler; and Barbara E. Van Osten. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Shickle called the worksession to order. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA - APPROVED Upon a motion by Supervisor Forrester, seconded by Supervisor Ewing, the Board approved the agenda by the following recorded vote: Richard C. Shickle Aye Gary W. Dove Aye Bill M. Ewing Aye Gene E. Fisher Aye Gina A. Forrester Aye Lynda 1. Tyler Aye Barbara E. Van Osten Aye COUNTY OFFICIALS CONSENSUS TO PREP ARE FY 2005-2006 BUDGET ADVERTISEMENT - APPROVED Finance Director Cheryl Shifflcr informed the Board that staff was seeking direction on a tax rate, transfer amount, and school construction amount for the advertisement of the FY 2005-2006 budget. She advised that she had prepared thirteen funding scenarios (A-M) based on the tax rates of $0.50 to $0.55. Supervisor Forrester asked what amount could be taken out of reserves without dropping below the recommended perccntagc. Director Shiffler responded that $5 or $6 million could be withdrawn without impacting the percentage. Supervisor Ewing moved to advertise scenario M, which reflected a 10% tax increase and tax rate of$0.55 with the school board budget to be advertised categorically for fll11ding purposes. The motion was seconded by Vice-Chairman Dove. Minute Book Number 30 Board of Supervisors Worksession on Budget, Rural Areas Study and New Public Safety Facility - 03/11/05 402 Administrator Riley advised that it was not necessary to categorically list the school budget for purposcs of advertising. Supervisor Ewing withdrew his motion with the understanding that he wants a categorical list of school funding at the time of budget adoption. Supervisor Forrester moved to advertise scenario M, which reflects a $0.55 tax rate. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Van Osten. The above motion was approved by the following recorded vote: Richard C. Shickle Aye Gary W. Dove Aye Bill M. Ewing Aye Gene E. Fisher Aye Gina A. Forrester Aye Lynda J. Tyler Aye Barbara E. Van Osten Aye Director Shiffler informed the Board that the School Board has requested that a $20.8 million construction fund be advertised. This amount includes a new transportation facility and the replacement of Gainesboro Elementary School. She asked for direction as to whether or not the Board wanted to include these items in the budget advertisement. She advised that ifthese projects were included in the advertisement then the Board would have the option of adopting them; however, ifthey were not in the advertisement then they could not be adopted. She went on to say that ifthe projects were adopted then there would be an appropriation, but if they were not included then they could be dealt with outside of the budget process. Upon a motion by Vice-Chairman Dove, seconded by Supervisor Ewing, the Board voted not to advertise the School Construction Fund amount of $20.8 million. Supervisor Tyler stated that she supported looking at the transportation facility and that by supporting the motion she was not saying that there was not a critical need for the transportation facili t y. Supervisor Van Osten echoed Supervisor Tyler's remarks. She stated that both the new transportation facility and the replacement Gainesboro Elementary School are priorities. Supervisor Forrester reminded the Board that ifthese requests are dealt with outside of the budget then the Board would have to do a supplemental appropriation. Supervisor Fisher stated that the exclusion ofthese projects were more ofa timing issue for Minute Book Number 30 Board of Supervisors Worksession on Budget, Rural Areas Stndy and New Public Safety Facility - 03/11/05 403. him and that he believed trying to compress the projects into this time frame would not do either project justice. The above motion was approved by the following recorded vote: Richard C. Shickle Aye Gary W. Dove Aye Bill M. Ewing Aye Gene E. Fisher Aye Gina A. Forrester Nay Lynda 1. Tyler Aye Barbara E. Van Osten Aye PRESENTATION AD HOC CITIZEN COMMITTEE PRESENTATION RE: ALTERNATE RURAL AREAS PROPOSAL Margaret Douglas thanked the Board for the opportunity to present the citizen committee's alternate proposal. She believed this proposal was good for the county and its citizens because it strcngthens environmental measures, strengthens design standards, and uses better and more green infrastructure. Bill Hardick, communications consultant, presented a broad overview of the committee's recommendations. He stated that the two goals of this proposal were to preserve rural character and preserve farmers' rights. The guiding principles of this proposal were: Protect existing rights. Maintain I lot per 5-acre density Maximize design flexibility Use Green Infrastructure approach Minimize up-front costs to farmer Point development towards the UDA These principles were then adapted to Frederick County with the following intent: Minimize farm fragmentation Keep more land in agriculture Flexible design for water and septic Flexible design for roads and entrances Density bonuses Expert design assistance "Reset button" Mr. Hardick reviewed statistics related to farming in Frederick County. He stated that the amount ofland under cultivation remains level. The number of orchards have declincd, but cattle and com have increased. The final area of the plan dealt with farms as mitigation arcas, which included: - Nutrient pollution credits Miuute Book Number 30 Board of Supervisors W orksession on Budget, Rural Areas Study and New Public Safety Facility - 03/11/05 404 Vegetated filtration buffers Wetlands habitat. Ken Stiles reviewed the committee's proposed changes. He stated that one ofthe group's principles was to protect the rights of landowners and they maintained the one lot per five acre density. He went on to say that this proposal would not slow growth in the rural areas, but neither would the plan proposed by county staff and committees. He stated that the way to slow this growth was to make the urban development area more efficient and user friendly. He informed the Board that the Committee appreciated staffs work on the original plan, as this proposal is based on that plan. The Committee focused on trying to protect workable and viable farmland. The Committee believed the core farmland needs to be protected so someone who wants to farm could farm. With lots 50 acres or less, there was a requirement for 5 acre lots or a cluster subdivision with a set aside for open space. Lots over 50 acres would require cluster subdivi sions and the minimum lot size was eliminated. The lots would be approved by the Health Department and served by standard or alternate waste systems. The plan would also allow the use of package treatment plants that would be dedicated to the Frederick County Sanitation Authority. The Committee went on to recommend the implementation of a vigorous inspection policy on alternate disposal systems. The design process is being based on grccn infrastructure. With regard to cluster development lots, the proposed plan would require subdivisions over 10 lots to submit a master development plan. Language was removed that would put the County in control of the development process. Mr. Stiles stated that the Committee did not see county staff review as a regulatory action, but as more of a consulti ng process. He went on to say that the density in the urban development area is 15 times that in the rural areas and that rural land has been subsidizing development in Frederick County. The proposed plan further gave the County the option to extend water and sewer into the rural areas and removed the mobile home prohibition. The Committee also recommended contiguous parcels under one owner be considered as one parcel for the purposes of clustering. The buffer requirement along state roads was eliminated. Entrances onto state roads would be permitted based on the road classification (e.g. primary, major collector, etc.) with actual numbers to be inserted when the ordinance is written. Mr. Stiles presented petitions signed by a number of people who supported the proposal. He concluded by asking the Board to refer this plan to the Planning Commission for Minute Book Number 30 Board of Supervisors Worksession on Budget, Rural Areas Study and New Public Safety Facility - 03/11/05 405 advertisement as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan and stated that the Committee was eager to work with the county to draft the ordinance. Cheryl Crowell, District Administrator for the Lord Fairfax Soil and Water Conservation District, discussed some of the external pressures the County will face, including the Total Maximum Daily Load, Virginia Tributary Strategies, and other water quality considerations. She advised that 13 streams in Frederick County and Winchester do not meet Total Maximum Daily Load requirements. She went on to say that Green lnfrastruchlre is important to the future health and well being of county citizens. Mr. Stiles stated that he believed the Committee's proposal puts the County in an enviable position. He went on to say that he firmly believes that the way to mitigate development is the Economic Development Commission and it should be supported and encouraged to bring new industry into Frederick County. Chairman Shickle stated that he would discourage the Board from making a decision on this plan today but he believed that the Board has interest in disposing of this issue and starting it on a path in the future. He recommended that the Board forward any questions to Administrator Riley, who would compile and forward them to the Committee. Supervisor Van Osten stated that she appreciated the Committee's work and she concurred with Chairman Shickle's remarks. She went on to say that there was a need to allow the Board to ask questions of staff, prior to making a decision. Supervisor Tyler thanked the Committee for their work and for including green infrastructure in their proposal. She went on to say that she would do what she could to eliminate the lot restrictions and she appreciated the "reset button" proposal. Supervisor Dove stated that he was not concerned about the farmers who own the land, but was concerned about the developers who will buy and develop these properties. There being no further discussion, the Board recessed until 2:00 p.m. Chairman Shickle reconvened the worksession. CLOSED SESSION CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO VA CODE &2.2-3711 A (30) FOR PRESENTATION OF PROPRIETARY INFORMATION RE: NEW PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING Minute Book Number 30 Board of Supervisors Worksession on Budget, Rural Areas Study and New Public Safety Facility - 03/11/05 406 Members of the Public Works and Public Safety Committees were present for this presentation. Administrator Riley advised that this was an opportunity to bring all of the board members up to speed on a new public safety building. He went on to say that the architect and developer were present to review their proposal. If the Board is comfortable with thc process then there would be an action item at their March 23, 2005 meeting appropriating funds and authorizing the County Administrator to proceed with executing the Comprehensive Agreement. Upon a motion by Vice-Chairman Dove, seconded by Supervisor Tyler, the Board convened into closed session pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) 30 to hear a presentation 0 proprietary information regarding the new public safety building. The above motion was approved by the following recorded vote: Richard C. Shickle Aye Gary W. Dove Aye Bill M. Ewing Aye Gene E. Fisher Aye Gina A. Forrester Aye Lynda J. Tyler Aye Barbara E. Van Osten Aye Upon a motion by Vice-Chairman Dove, seconded by Supervisor Van Osten, the Board withdrew from closed session. The above motion was approved by the following rccorded vote: Richard C. Shickle Gary W. Dove Bill M. Ewing Gene E. Fisher Gina A. Forrester Lynda J. Tyler Barbara E. Van Osten Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye Absent Aye Upon a motion by Vice-Chairman Dove, seconded by Supervisor Forrester, the Board reconvened into Regular Session. The above motion was approved by' the following rccorded vote: Richard C. Shickle Gary W. Dove Bill M. Ewing Gene E. Fisher Gina A. Forrester Lynda J. Tyler Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye Absent Minute Book Number 30 Board of Supervisors Worksession on Budget, Rural Areas Study and New Public Safety Facility - 03/11/05 407 Barbara E. Van Osten Aye Upon a motion by Vice-Chairman Dove, seconded by Supervisor Forrester, the Board certified to the best of each members knowledge that only items pertaining to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A) 30 were discusscd. The above motion was approved by the following recorded vote: Richard C. Shickle Gary W. Dove Bill M. Ewing Gene E. Fisher Gina A. Forrester Lynda J. Tyler Barbara E. Van Osten Aye Aye Aye Aye Aye Absent Aye UPON A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR EWING, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR FORRESTER, THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THIS BOARD, THE WORKSESSION IS HEREBY ADJOURNED. (3:30 P.M.) ~~~ Richard C. Shickle Chairman, Board of Supervisors Jm1ue~r. Clerk, Board of Supervisors Minutes Prepared By: Qo .? . '~-'r'.L..t) Jay E. Tit$s Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors Minute Book Number 30 Board of Supervisors Worksession on Budget, Rural Areas Study and Ncw Public Safcty Facility - 03/11/05