HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-15 BOS Staff Report - October
REZONING APPLICATION #09-15
Artillery Business Center – Proffer Amendment
Staff Report for the Board of Supervisors
Prepared: October 22, 2015
Staff Contact: John A. Bishop, AICP, Deputy Director-Transportation
Reviewed Action
Planning Commission: 10/21/15 Public Hearing Held; Recommended Approval
Board of Supervisors: 10/28/15 Pending
PROPOSAL: To amend proffers on 57.6+/- acres made up of parcels 75-A-1 and 75-A-1F. The
rezoning would modify proffers approved by the Board of Supervisors on February 18, 2008 as part of
Rezoning Application #07-08. The proffer revisions address the timing and commitments for
transportation proffers.
LOCATION: The property is located approximately 1,500 feet south of Route 37 on the east side of
Shady Elm Drive (Rt. 651) and across from Soldier’s Rest Lane.
STAFF CONCLUSIONS FOR THE 10/28/15 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING:
This is an application to modify proffers on 57.6+/- acres of land currently zoned M1, (Light Industrial).
Please note that this report responds to the most recent proffer draft dated October 5, 2015.
The proposed modified proffers replace transportation commitments for improvements to Shady Elm
Road, $250,000.00 in cash transportation proffers, and right-of-way provision across 74-A-68 with a
commitment to participate in revenue sharing to complete Renaissance Drive from its existing terminus
near Prosperity Drive to Shady Elm Road. Building permits are limited to 2 on the property (1 per
parcel) until such time as the applicant enters into a revenue sharing agreement with the County.
A motion was made, seconded, and passed to recommend approval by the Planning Commission with a
suggestion that the Applicant include within the proffers a deadline for road construction to reflect 24 to
36 months.
While there are still items that could potentially lead to the ultimate roadway being delayed in its
construction such as the right-of-way acquisition process or potential difficulties achieving a rail
crossing, the proffer modifications return equivalent value to provisions that are being replaced and
move forward the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan and the Eastern Road Plan.
Following the required public hearing, a recommendation regarding this rezoning application to
the Board of Supervisors would be appropriate. The applicant should be prepared to adequately
address all concerns raised by the Board of Supervisors.
Rezoning #09-15 Artillery Business Center
October 22, 2015
Page 2
This report is prepared by the Frederick County Planning Staff to provide information to the
Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors to assist them in making a decision on this
application. It may also be useful to others interested in this zoning matter. Unresolved issues
concerning this application are noted by staff where relevant throughout this staff report.
Reviewed Action
Planning Commission: 10/21/15 Public Hearing Held; Recommended Approval
Board of Supervisors: 10/28/15 Pending
PROPOSAL: To amend proffers on 57.6+/- acres made up of parcels 75-A-1 and 75-A-1F. The
rezoning would modify proffers approved by the Board of Supervisors on February 18, 2008 as part of
Rezoning Application #07-08. The proffer revision addresses the timing and commitments for
transportation proffers.
LOCATION: The property is located approximately 1,500 feet south of Route 37 on the east side of
Shady Elm Drive (Rt. 651) and across from Soldier’s Rest Lane.
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Back Creek
PROPERTY ID NUMBERS: 75-A-1 and 75-A-1F
PROPERTY ZONING: M1 (Light Industrial)
PRESENT USE: Vacant/Agricultural
ADJOINING PROPERTY ZONING & PRESENT USE:
North: M1 (Light Industrial) Use: Industrial
South: RA (Rural Areas) Use: Agricultural
East: B3 (Industrial Transition) Use: Commercial/Vacant
West: RA (Rural Areas) Use: Agricultural
M1 (Light Industrial) Vacant
Rezoning #09-15 Artillery Business Center
October 22, 2015
Page 3
REVIEW EVALUATIONS:
Virginia Dept. of Transportation: Please see attached communication dated October 13, 2015 and
September 25, 2015, from Lloyd A. Ingram, VDOT Land Development Engineer.
Frederick County Attorney: Please see attached communication dated October 21, 2015 and
September 28, 2015, from Roderick B. Williams, County Attorney.
Planning & Zoning:
1) Site History
The original Frederick County zoning map (U.S.G.S. Stephens City Quadrangle) identifies the
subject parcels as being zoned A-2 (Agricultural General). The County’s agricultural zoning
districts were subsequently combined to form the RA (Rural Areas) District upon adoption of an
amendment to the Frederick County Zoning Ordinance on May 10, 1989. The corresponding
revision of the zoning map resulted in the re-mapping of the subject property and all other A-1
and A-2 zoned land to the RA District. This property was rezoned with proffers to M1, (Light
Industrial) District, on February 13, 2008.
2) Comprehensive Policy Plan
The 2030 Comprehensive Plan is the guide for the future growth of Frederick County.
The Frederick County Comprehensive Policy Plan is an official public document that serves as
the community's guide for making decisions regarding development, preservation, public
facilities and other key components of community life. The primary goal of this plan is to
protect and improve the living environment within Frederick County. It is in essence a
composition of policies used to plan for the future physical development of Frederick County.
[Comprehensive Policy Plan, p. 1-1]
Land Use
The property is located within the County’s Sewer and Water Service Area (SWSA). The
Sewer and Water Service Area defines the general area in which more intensive forms of
planned commercial, and industrial development will occur. The Land Use Plan and the Eastern
Frederick County Long Range Land Use Plan designate this area for industrial land use. The
Plan recognizes the desire to provide for industrial uses along the CSX Railroad.
The application of quality design standards for future development is also an objective of the
Plan; in particular, along business corridors. These include landscaping, screening, and
controlling the number and size of signs.
Rezoning #09-15 Artillery Business Center
October 22, 2015
Page 4
Transportation
The Frederick County Eastern Road Plan provides the guidance regarding future arterial and
collector road connections in the eastern portion of the County by identifying needed
connections and locations. Plans for new development should provide for the right-of-ways
necessary to implement planned road improvements and new roads shown on the road plan
should be constructed by the developer when warranted by the scale, intensity, or impacts of the
development. Existing roads should be improved as necessary by adjacent development to
implement the intentions of the plan (Comprehensive Plan 7-6).
The Eastern Road Plan of the Comprehensive Policy Plan call for Shady Elm Road to be
improved to a major collector road. In addition, a new east and west major collector road
connecting Shady Elm Road to Route 11 is identified. The County’s Eastern Road Plan further
defines the appropriate typical section for these major collector roads as an urban divided four-
lane facility.
The Plan also states that proposed industrial and commercial development should only occur if
impacted roads function at Level of Service (LOS) Category C or better.
3) Site Suitability/Environment
The site does not contain any environmental features that would either constrain or preclude site
development. There are no identified areas of steep slopes, floodplains or woodlands. The
Frederick County Engineer has referenced the potential for wetlands to exist on this site based
upon the presence of an existing pond. Also, the Frederick County Engineer has identified that
a detailed geotechnical analysis will be needed as part of the detailed site plan design as this
area is also known for karst topography.
4) Potential Impacts
The primary impact of the proposed proffer revision would be to shift resources from
implementing an additional lane of Shady Elm Road and $250,000 cash proffer for
transportation to a commitment to revenue sharing for the full connection of Renaissance Drive.
5) Proffer Statement
Clean and redline versions of the proffer statement are attached to this report.
Changes are as follows:
1. $250,000 cash proffer toward transportation has been removed.
2. Additional right lane on north bound Shady Elm has been removed.
3. Commitment to enter into revenue sharing agreement to provide local match for the
Rezoning #09-15 Artillery Business Center
October 22, 2015
Page 5
completion of Renaissance Drive from its current terminus to Shady Elm Road has been
added.
4. Limitation of 1 building permit per parcel 2 permits total until such time as a revenue
sharing agreement has been executed has been added.
5. Right-of-way dedication along Shady Elm Road has been removed due to its
completion.
6. Right-of-way obligation across parcel 74-A-68 (Carbaugh) has been removed.
7. Five year limitation on warehouse and distribution has been removed.
8. Internal access road proffer has been removed due to redundancy with the ordinance.
PLANNING COMMISSION SUMMARY AND ACTION FROM THE 10/21/15 MEETING:
Staff reported this rezoning is a proffer modification to Rezoning #07-08 which was approved by the
Board of Supervisors on February 18, 2008. The proffer revisions address the timing and commitments
for transportation proffers.
Staff explained the proposed proffer modifications replace transportation commitments for
improvements to Shady Elm Road, $250,000 in cash transportation proffers, and the right-of-way
provision across 74-A-68 with the commitment to participate in revenue sharing in the completing of
Renaissance Drive from the current ending location to Shady Elm Road. Staff noted building permits
are limited to 2 on the property (1 per parcel) until the Applicant enters into a revenue sharing
agreement with the County.
Staff noted there are items that could delay the completion of the roadway such as the right-of-way
acquisition and acquiring a rail crossing. Commissioner Unger requested that Mr. Bishop clarify the
shift in proffers from Shady Elm and cash to the revenue sharing agreement. Mr. Bishop emphasized
that the full connection of Renaissance Drive offers greater value to the County than Shady Elm
improvements. Commissioner Oates noted a concern about there not being a time requirement for
entering into the revenue sharing agreement in addition to the building permit trigger. Mr. Bishop
agreed a time frame would be beneficial due to the timeline for availability of funds from VDOT.
A motion was made, seconded, and passed to recommend approval by the Planning Commission with a
suggestion that the Applicant include within the proffers a deadline for road construction to reflect 24-
36 months.
Absent: Crockett
Rezoning #09-15 Artillery Business Center
October 22, 2015
Page 6
STAFF CONCLUSIONS FOR THE 10/28/15 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING:
This is an application to modify proffers on 57.6+/- acres of land currently zoned M1, (Light Industrial).
Please note that this report responds to the most recent proffer draft dated October 5, 2015.
The proposed modified proffers replace transportation commitments for improvements to Shady Elm
Road, $250,000.00 in cash transportation proffers, and right of way provision across 74-A-68 with a
commitment to participate in revenue sharing to complete Renaissance Drive from its existing terminus
near Prosperity Drive to Shady Elm Road. Building permits are limited to 2 on the property (1 per
parcel) until such time as the applicant enters into a revenue sharing agreement with the County.
A motion was made, seconded, and passed to recommend approval by the Planning Commission with a
suggestion that the Applicant include within the proffers a deadline for road construction to reflect 24 to
36 months.
While there are still items that could potentially lead to the ultimate roadway being delayed in its
construction such as the right-of-way acquisition process or potential difficulties achieving a rail
crossing, the proffer modifications return equivalent value to provisions that are being replaced and
move forward the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan and the Eastern Road Plan.
Following the required public hearing, a decision regarding this rezoning application to the
Board of Supervisors would be appropriate. The applicant should be prepared to adequately
address all concerns raised by the Board of Supervisors.