DRRC 05-25-06 Meeting AgendaTo:
From:
COUNTY of FREDERICK
Department of Planning and Development
MEMORANDUM
Development Review and Regulations Subcommittee
Mark R. Cheran, Zoning Administrator/0
Subject: May Meeting and Agenda
Date: May 17, 2006
540/665-5651
FAX: 540/665-6395
The Frederick County Development Review and Regulations Subcommittee (DRRS) will be meeting
on Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in the BOARD ROOM of the County Administration
Building, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia. The DRRS will discuss the following agenda
items:
AGENDA
1) Discussion of Amending Section 144-18C of the Frederick County Code (Subdivision).
This section of the subdivision ordinance currently requires that sidewalks be at a minimum
of four (4) feet wide. Staff believes that sidewalks should be increased to five (5) feet wide
as per VDOT requirements. Staff is seeking input from the DRRS on this amendment. (See
attachments)
2) Discussion of Section 144-2 of the Frederick County Code (Subdivision). This section of
the zoning ordinance applies to definitions of the subdivision code. Staff is
seeking input from the DRRS on changing the intent of this section to reflect the definition
section of the zoning ordinance. (See attachments)
3) Other
Access to this building is limited during the evening hours. Therefore, it will be necessary to enter
the building through the rear door of the four-story wing. I would encourage committee members
and interested citizens to park in the County parking lot located behind the new addition or in the
joint Judicial Center parking lot and follow the sidewalk to the back door of the four-story wing.
MRC/bad
Attachments
107 North Kent Street, Suite 202 • Winchester, Virginia 22601-5000
Item #1: Section 144-18C
This is a staff request to amend this section of the subdivision ordinance to change the width of
sidewalks from four (4) feet to five (5) feet. VDOT currently requires a width of five (5) feet for
sidewalks. Frederick County Code currently requires four (4) feet. This proposed change will clear
up any misunderstandings between the Frederick County Code requirements and VDOT
requirements. As the Code is currently written, an applicant only has to follow the Frederick County
Code. Staff is seeking DRRS input on this proposed amendment to the Frederick County Code. The
current section of the code is included for your review.
§ 144-17 SUBDIVISION OF LAND § 144-19
dwellings within a subdivision prior to the placement of required street
signs serving those residences.
§ 144-18. Sidewalks and pedestrian walkways.
A. Sidewalks shall be installed in the right-of-way and adjacent to the
boundary of the right-of-way of all proposed streets and shall contain
adequate handicapped ramps at all intersections at intervals acceptable
to the Virginia Department of Transportation. There shall be a grass
border strip between the street edge of the sidewalk and the curb face
where sidewalks are required. Sidewalks are required as follows:
(1) Along both sides of all local streets in any subdivision containing
one (1) or more lots of less than fifteen thousand (15,000) square
feet in size.
(2) Along both sides of all collector and arterial streets.
B. The Planning Commission may waive the sidewalk requirement along
local streets when pedestrian walkways are provided that allow
pedestrian access to each lot or use. Such walkways must provide
appropriate connections to pedestrian systems on adjoining properties.
C. All sidewalks and walkways shall be a minimum of four (4) feet wide.
Sidewalks shall conform to VDOT standards. Alternative walkways shall
be approved by the Planning Commission and shall be constructed in
a manner that is acceptable to the Subdivision Administrator.
§ 144-19. Streetlights.
Streetlights of adequate type and intensity shall be required to promote public
health and safety in any subdivision containing lots of less than fifteen thousand
(15,000) square feet in size. Streetlights shall be provided at all intersections
when required. The design proposal for streetlighting shall be approved by the
Subdivision Administrator. The Planning Commission may waive the
requirement for streetlights.
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Item #2: Section 144-2
Staff would recommend changing the intent of Section 144-2 of the Frederick County Code
(Subdivision). This change will add clarification and understanding to the definitions of the
Frederick County Code. Staff is seeking input from the DRRS on these proposed changes to Section
144-2. The current section and proposed changes are included for your review. (See below.)
144-2 Definitions and Word Usage.
Words and Terms set forth below shall have the meanings ascribed to them. Any word,
term(s), or phrase used in the Frederick County Code Subdivision of Land not defined below
shall have the meaning ascribed to such word, term or phrase in the most recent edition of
Merriam -Webster's Dictionary, unless in the opinion of the Subdivision Administrator,
established customs or practices in Frederick County, Virginia, justify a different or additional
meaning. Furthermore, the purpose of this Code, certain words, terms and phrases are herein
defined as follows:
§ 144-1 FREDERICK COUNTY CODE § 144-2 46
County's Comprehensive Plan and County Code and provide for the public's
health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity and general welfare. These
standards shall guide public and private actions to ensure that adequate and
efficient systems are provided for transportation, water, sewerage, fire protection,
drainage, erosion control, recreation, open space and other public services and
utilities to promote the development of an economically sound and stable
community. This chapter shall provide for reasonable survey standards to ensure
proper subdivision layout, appropriate recordation of all land divisions, legal
descriptions, monument placement on urban land and appropriate procedures
and standards for land development.
ARTICLE II
Definitions
§ 144-2. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ABUT — To physically touch or border upon, or to share a common
property line. 0
ADMINISTRATOR, SUBDIVISION — The representative of the Board of
Supervisors who has been appointed to serve as the agent of the
Board in approving the subdivision plats.
AFFIDAVIT — A written declaration conducted before a notary public or
other authorized official.
AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES — Any of the following activities on land
which is eligible for land use assessment,
A. Cultivating the soil, raising or harvesting any agricultural,
aquacultural, horticultural, floricultural or viticultural commodity
on a farm, including the raising, feeding, training or management
of animals and poultry, excluding kennels.
B. Handling, drying, packing, grading or storing on a farm any
agricultural or horticultural commodity in its unmanufactured
state but only if the owner, operator or tenant of the farm regularly
produces more than half the commodity so treated.
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