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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-25 Impact Analysiskimley-horn.com 11400 Commerce Park Drive Suite 400, Reston, VA 20191 703 674 1300 June 17, 2025 Frederick County Planning and Development Attn: Tyler Klein 107 N Kent Street Suite 202 Winchester, VA 22601 RE:Impact Analysis Statement for the Rezoning Application of PIN #43-A-100F Stonewall Magisterial District INTRODUCTION The subject +/- 2.9553-acre property identified as PIN #43-A-100F is currently zoned B2 (General Business District) and located in the Stonewall Magisterial District. This application proposes to rezone the property to B3 (Industrial Transition District), which allows the proposed use of a Firestone Complete Auto Care Center by-right. Rezoning to B3 is in alignment with the current Frederick County Comprehensive Plan. The property is subject to a previously approved rezoning, Rutherford Crossing (RZ#17-06). The existing proffers will remain in addition to allowing automotive repair as an approved use. The adjacent shopping center parcels are zoned B2 with a RP (Residential, Performance District) parcel adjacent to the access road. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The subject property is located within the Northeast Frederick Land Use Plan (NELUP) and is entirely within the Sewer and Water Service Area (SWSA). This area encourages employment-generating and commercial land uses along key transportation corridors, with strategic infill and redevelopment opportunities that support infrastructure efficiency and compatibility with adjacent uses. The proposed use would be employment-generating and provide retail services in line with the surrounding Rutherford Crossing Retail Center, thus demonstrating conformance with the NELUP. LAND USE The subject property seeks to rezone from B2 (General Business District) to B3 (Industrial Transition District). B3 uses are light-industrial in nature, which is why B3 zoning districts are generally located between B2 and Industrial zoning districts; to provide a sensible transition between the two. The subject parcel, however, is not adjacent to any industrial districts, and even borders RP-zoned land to the east. To mitigate the potential for incompatibility with adjacent parcels, the Applicant has proffered the allowable land uses at the property to be limited to retail uses (that would otherwise be allowed in the B2 district) as well as automobile repair. All other industrial uses will be prohibited. This will ensure that the property maintains the retail character while also addressing the demand for automobile repair through this corridor. Page 2 kimley-horn.com 11400 Commerce Park Drive Suite 400, Reston, VA 20191 703 674 1300 ACCESS AND TRANSPORTATION The subject property has an existing paved right-in-right-out access drive on Martinsburg Pike – Route 11 that connects to Market Street and provides access to the adjacent retail parcels. Martinsburg Pike is classified by VDOT as a major collector road. As part of RZ #17-06 Rutherford Crossing rezoning process, a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) was prepared, analyzing the impact of the full buildout on the surrounding road network. Based on the recommendations from that report, road improvements were proffered and ultimately built during the initial phase of construction. It is assumed that the existing road network is adequate and may even be under-utilized given that there are a few undeveloped pads in the Rutherford Crossing Center. By rezoning the subject property from B2 to B3, it is anticipated that the number of trips will be reduced. B2 uses tend to be high-turnover retail/restaurant uses while B3 tend to be medium-turnover heavy retail/light industrial uses. Automobile repair, the intended use at the parcel, specifically is characterized by trips that are infrequent but multiple hours in duration. Table 1 below depicts trip data for the proposed use as well as some typical B2 uses for comparison. As shown, far fewer trips are anticipated for automobile repair/parts sales. Given that the existing road network is constructed in conformance with the original master plan, and the proposed use will likely reduce trips compared to the original allocation for the property, no further traffic analysis is warranted. Table 1 Proposed Trip Generation Comparison Land Use Description ITE Code Quantity Unit Daily Trips AM Peak Hour Trips PM Peak Hour Trips Enter Exit Total Enter Exit Total Enter Exit Total Tire Store 848 6607 SF 92 91 183 11 6 17 11 14 25 Automobile Parts Sales 843 6607 SF 181 180 361 9 8 17 15 17 32 Fast-Food Restaurant without Drive-Through Window 933 6607 SF 1488 1488 2976 165 120 285 110 109 219 Fast-Food Restaurant with Drive-Through Window 934 6607 SF 1545 1544 3089 150 145 295 113 105 218 Coffee/Donut Shop without Drive-Through Window 936 6607 SF N/A N/A N/A 314 301 615 107 106 213 High-Turnover (Sit-Down) Restaurant 932 6607 SF 354 354 708 35 28 63 37 23 60 SITE SUITABILITY As part of the original Rutherford Crossing phase of construction, the subject property was delivered in a “pad-ready” condition, meaning that the site was graded with mild slopes and utilities were stubbed to the edge of the parcel. According to FEMA FIRM panels, the site lies outside of Special Flood Hazard Areas (100-year floodplain). There are no mapped wetlands or Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas on the property. Development will be subject to state and county erosion and sediment control requirements. SEWAGE CONVEYANCE AND WATER SUPPLY Page 3 kimley-horn.com 11400 Commerce Park Drive Suite 400, Reston, VA 20191 703 674 1300 Public water is available and accessible via adjacent mains along Market Street and Martinsburg Pike/Route 11. Public sewer is available and accessible via an existing 8” PVC pipe along the access drive adjacent to the site. No off-site improvements are anticipated beyond standard service extensions. HISTORIC SITES AND STRUCTURES The Frederick County Rural Landmarks Survey and available Frederick County GIS maps identifies “34-727 Rutherford’s Farm” as a potentially significant property. The main house at Rutherford’s Farm has been demolished and all that remains is a set of stairs noted by a historical marker on Route 11. It is also important to note three Civil War wayside markers have been relocated to a small park contained on the periphery of the parcel abutting the subject property’s southern boundary between itself and Martinsburg Pike. It is anticipated that improvement of the subject property will not impact nearby historically significant structures, areas, or artifacts. IMPACT ON COMMUNITY FACILITIES Rezoning and ultimately developing the subject property into a Firestone Complete Auto Care will have a positive fiscal impact on Frederick County by introducing employment opportunities and commerce at an undeveloped parcel. Furthermore, this application will have no impact to infrastructure as discussed above and will not impact public facilities such as schools, parks, and emergency services since residential development is not proposed. Please contact me at (703-870-3644) or heather.timothy@kimley-horn.com if you have any questions. Sincerely, Heather Timothy, P.E. Project Manager