HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-24 Impact Analysis
April 2024 D&M Container Rezoning
II
IMPACT ANALYSIS
April 2024 D&M Container Rezoning
INTRODUCTION
The subject +/- 13-acre property identified as Tax Map 86-A Parcel 180 is currently zoned
RA Rural Areas District and located in the Opequon Magisterial District. It is located on the
south side of Rt 277 Fairfax Pike immediately across from the +/- 6.8 acres tract recently
rezoned to M1 in application RZ# 01-24 and less than 100’ east of PIN# 86-A-168
containing +/- 3 acres of M1 zoned property. Properties along this stretch of Fairfax Pike
are mixed industrial and residential land uses. Most notably, the M1 zoned Berlin Steel
(formerly Irongate) property is located +/- 700’ to the east of the subject site off Ridings
Lane and M2 zoned Storage Solutions property just 525’ to the west. RA zoned residential
tracts are currently mixed in with the industrial zoned land. The site is located wholly within
the Sewer and Water Service Area (SWSA). The applicant is confident that the proposed
rezoning is consistent with the land use policies of the Comprehensive Policy Plan, and
development of the rezoned property under the M1 zoning district will not result in negative
net impacts.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The subject property is located within the Southern Frederick Land Use Plan (SFLUP) and
is wholly within the Sewer and Water Service Area (SWSA). These documents are intended
to serve as a guide for the intended future land uses within the SWSA as properties within
those growth boundaries develop. The plans identify the subject property as industrial and
adjacent to other property also intended to be a industrial. Consequently, the proposed
rezoning of a portion of the subject property to M1 is in conformance with the
Comprehensive Plan, as the property would develop as an extension of the existing and
future commercial land uses intended by the plan.
LAND USE
The subject property seeks to rezone from the RA zoning district to the M1 Light Industrial
District. The property is bounded on all sides by RA zoned properties. However, on the
North, West and East the neighboring properties are bordered by Industrial zoned land. M1-
April 2024 D&M Container Rezoning
Light Industrial District is to the North and East (Berlin Steel Property) while M2-Industrial
General District is just to the West in the existing WP Business Park. The adjacent property
to the South is currently zoned RA and is bisected by the new Minor Arterial Road identified
in the comprehensive plan. The proposed land use will be compatible with the existing and
planned commercial development along the Route 277 Fairfax Pike corridor and is in
conformance with the Industrial land use planned for the property in the comprehensive
plan. The applicant proposes to utilize the front half of the property for operating the
applicants existing container service facility. The rear half of the property is planned for
future expansion and similar low traffic generating land uses. The applicant will meet all
required Zoning and subdivision requirements at the time of Site Plan or Subdivision
application.
ACCESS AND TRANSPORTATION
The Property has approximately 460’ of frontage on Route 277 – Fairfax Pike. The proposed
land use will be for the applicant’s waste container business. This facility anticipates a
maximum 10 employees and will generate a low level total daily trip. We have calculated a
total generation of 85 ADT’s for the uses in this application. These trip counts result in no
need for a right turn taper or a left or right turn lane. The applicant acknowledges any land
uses proposed with a site plan application will require full compliance with VDOT access
management design standards. Future Site Plan applicants will need to provide calculated
ADTs generated by the proposed land uses. Land uses that require additional roadway and
turn lane improvements will need to be constructed per the current VDOT design
requirements at the time of development application. This rezoning application includes a
proffer statement committing to the reservation of Right-of-Way for future road widening
improvements to Fairfax Pike should they be initiated. We are not aware of any plans to
widen this segment of the roadway at this time but have anticipated that this may occur in
the future based on recent improvements completed to the west of Warrior Drive.
April 2024 D&M Container Rezoning
SITE SUITABILITY
The site conditions relate very positively to the proposed development activities. The
proposed rezoning would not result in impact on areas of steep slopes, stream channels,
lakes, ponds, flood plain, or wetlands. The site lies on a ridgeline sloping away to the east
and west from 2-5%. During the engineering phase of the project, a stormwater
management plan will be created to adequately and effectively retain stormwater in a manner
that will avoid negative impacts on adjacent properties. The existing soils on the subject
property are predominantly identified as 3B - Blairton Silt Loam at 2-7% slopes. There are
small areas of Blairton Silt loam with 7-15% slope and Weikert-Berks Channery silt loam
with 7-15% slopes in the southernmost end of the property. None of these soils present any
significant challenges to potential commercial land development.
SEWAGE CONVEYANCE AND WATER SUPPLY
The subject property has access to the existing watermain located on the south side of Route
277 Fairfax Pike. There are no current sanitary sewer facilities serving this property or other
properties in the subject property’s vicinity. The applicant plans to continue to utilize the
existing septic and water facilities operating for the existing structures. These facilities will
be maintained in conformance with Health department requirements.
HISTORIC SITES AND STRUCTURES
The Frederick County Rural Landmarks Survey does not identify any structures of historic
importance on the subject site. It is also observed that the previous land use and
development of the property has resulted in the loss of any historical integrity. As such, the
re-development of the subject property will not impact historical sites and structures. It is
the desire of the applicant to preserve the existing residential building and convert its use to
the general office and meeting facility for the future business land use.
The property will reserve the necessary Right-of-Way for the widening or improving of
Route 277 Fairfax Pike provided continued use and occupancy of the existing building will
not be compromised by any potential nonconformity due to revised building setbacks from
April 2024 D&M Container Rezoning
the roadway expansion. This structure will not be allowed to expand its footprint in the
future as a condition of the rezoning approval.
IMPACT ON COMMUNITY FACILITIES
The development of the property for the allowed commercial uses under the proposed M1
zoning will result in a net positive fiscal impact for Frederick County. Furthermore, this
application recognizes a potential increase in services for the Frederick County fire and
rescue services. The proffer statement associated with this application secures a provision
for a $0.10 per building square foot monetary contribution, specifically directed to the
Frederick County fire and rescue services.