HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-19 PC Staff ReportCONDITIONAL USE PERMIT #03-19
Arthur Nelson Sisk – Landscape Contracting Business
Staff Report for the Planning Commission
Prepared: May 23, 2019
Staff Contact: Mark R. Cheran, Zoning Administrator
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 request. It may also be useful to others interested in this zoning matter.
Reviewed Action
Planning Commission: 06/05/19 Pending
Board of Supervisors: 07/10/19 Pending
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This is a request for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the establishment of a landscape
contracting business in the RA (Rural Areas) Zoning District. Should the Planning Commission
find this application for a landscape contracting business to be appropriate, Staff recommends
that the following conditions be attached to the CUP:
1. All review agency comments and requirements shall be complied with at all times.
2. An illustrative sketch plan shall be submitted to and approved by Frederick County and all
improvements completed prior to the establishment of the use, including the screening of
vehicles and equipment.
3. Two, non-illuminated freestanding monument business signs shall be allowed with this
Conditional Use Permit. Signage along Route 522 shall be fifty (50) sq. feet in area and ten
(10) feet in height. Signage along Gainesboro Road (Route 684) shall be twenty (20) sq. feet
in area and ten (10) feet in height.
4. Access to the site will only be via the existing Gainesboro Road (Route 684) entrance.
5. Hours of operation shall be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven (7) days a week.
6. There will be no more than six (6) employees with this use and on site at any given time.
7. Conditional Use Permit #004-98 shall be void upon approval of this Conditional Use Permit.
8. Any expansion or change of use shall require a new Conditional Use Permit.
Following this public hearing, it would be appropriate for the Planning Commission to offer a
recommendation concerning this application to the Board of Supervisors.
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CUP #03-19, Arthur Nelson Sisk – Landscape Contracting Business
May 23, 2019
LOCATION: The subject property is located at 154 Gainesboro Road.
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Gainesboro
PROPERTY ID NUMBER: 29-A-73C
PROPERTY ZONING & PRESENT USE: Zoned: RA (Rural Areas)
Commercial Outdoor Recreation (CUP #004-98)
ADJOINING PROPERTY ZONING & PRESENT USE:
North: RA (Rural Areas) Use: Country Store
South: RA (Rural Areas) Use: Residential
East: RA (Rural Areas) Use: Residential
West: RA (Rural Areas) Use: Residential
PROPOSED USE: The Applicant proposes the establishment of a Landscaping Contracting
Business. This use will be utilizing the existing structure on site as a business office, and new
outbuildings are proposed for storage of equipment. There will be outdoor storage that will
consist of trees, wood, and mulch for display to the public.
REVIEW EVALUATIONS:
Virginia Department of Transportation: The application for a Conditional Use Permit for this
property appears to have little measurable impact on Route 684, the VDOT facility providing
access to the property. Existing entrance is adequate for the proposed use. However, should the
use ever expand in the future, the entrance may need to be upgraded to VDOT commercial
standards.
Frederick County Inspections: No comments.
Winchester-Frederick County Health Department: This Health Department has reviewed the
request for comments for a Conditional Use Permit for a Landscaping Business to park trucks
and trailers at 154 Gainesboro Rd., Winchester, VA 22603 Tax Map #29 -A-73C. The applicant
says that he will have up to 4 (four) employees (drivers) who will leave their personal vehicles at
the lot and pick up company vehicles to perform the landscaping jobs. The applicant says that no
employees will remain on the premises during business hours, except for the owner/applicant and
a secretary who will occupy office in the miniature golf structure. This business is served by a
Pump & Haul sewage disposal system. This Health Department therefore has no objections for
the use of the property to serve as a parking area for the landscaping business. Applicant is
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CUP #03-19, Arthur Nelson Sisk – Landscape Contracting Business
May 23, 2019
welcome to notify this Health Department of any questions about any part of this correspondence
by calling (540) 722-3480 or (540) 771-3020.
See updated email addendum dated May 21, 2019, from Herbert Cormier, Environmental Health
Supervisor.
Frederick County Fire Marshall: Approve.
Planning and Zoning: This proposed Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is for a landscape
contracting business. This proposed use will take place on a three (3) acre tract of land. This tract
of land currently has an approved CUP (CUP#004-98) for a commercial outdoor recreation
facility (miniature golf) with an approved site plan. This proposed landscape business will
replace the miniature golf course use.
The 2035Comprehensive Plan of Frederick County (“Comprehensive Plan”) provides
guidance when considering land use actions. The location of this proposed landscaping
contracting business will be located within the Gainesboro Rural Community Center as identified
within the Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan addresses development within its
Rural Community Centers. The Comprehensive Plan discourages large residential development
within its Rural Community Centers but allows for commercial uses, if the uses are in scale and
nature for the Gainesboro Community Center. The uses near this proposed use are residential in
nature and an approved Off-Premise Farm Market across Gainesboro Road (Route 684). This
proposed use is consistent with the goals of the Comprehensive Plan. Specifically, land use
goals for the rural areas of the County identify the importance of maintaining a rural character in
areas outside of the Urban Development Area (UDA). A mix of agricultural, commercial and
residential uses are envisioned for this Rural Community Center.
The Frederick County Zoning Ordinance allows for a landscaping contracting business in the
RA Zoning District with an approved CUP. Based on the description of the use provided by the
Applicant there will be no more than six (6) employees, and contain no more than nine (9)
vehicles stored on the site. All business transactions of this CUP will occur within an existing
office with two (2) employees on site. Majority of the business operation will be conducted off
site. The hours of operation will be Monday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Applicant will be utilizing the elements of the approved site plan assigned to CUP #004-98
these elements include parking, screening, storage bays for stock, and location of signage.
There will be sales of stock that will take place on site. A new equipment building will be added
to the site. The Applicant proposes two (2) on-premise signs, the first sign facing Route 522 of
fifty (50) square feet in area and ten (10) feet in height. A second sign will be facing Gainesboro
Road (Route 684) of twenty (20) square feet in area and ten (10) feet in height. This signage was
approved with CUP #004-98. The existing entrance to access this site is located on Gainesboro
Road (Route 684), no other entrances will be used to access this site. The ultimate configuration
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CUP #03-19, Arthur Nelson Sisk – Landscape Contracting Business
May 23, 2019
of the site will be determined at time of submission of an illustrative sketch plan with this CUP.
The Applicant has agreed to the conditions of this CUP.
STAFF CONCLUSIONS FOR THE 06/05/19 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING:
This is a request for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the establishment of landscape
contracting business in the RA (Rural Areas) Zoning District. Should the Planning Commission
find this application for a landscape contracting business to be appropriate, Staff recommends
that the following conditions be attached to the CUP:
1. All review agency comments and requirements shall be complied with at all times.
2. An illustrative sketch plan shall be submitted to and approved by Frederick County and
all improvements completed prior to the establishment of the use, including the screening
of vehicles and equipment.
3. Two, non-illuminated freestanding monument business signs shall be allowed with this
Conditional Use Permit. Signage along Route 522 shall fifty (50) sq. feet in area and ten
(10) ten feet in height. Signage along Gainesboro Road (Route 684) shall be twenty (20)
sq. feet in area and ten (10) feet in height.
4. Access to the site will only be via the existing Gainesboro Road (Route 684) existing.
5. Hours of operation shall be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven (7) days a week.
6. There will be no more than six (6) employees with this use and on site at any given time.
7. Conditional Use Permit #004-98 shall be void upon approval of this Conditional Use
Permit.
8. Any expansion or change of use shall require a new Conditional Use Permit.
Following this public hearing, it would be appropriate for the Planning Commission to offer a
recommendation concerning this application to the Board of Supervisors.