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PC_08-07-02_Meeting_MinutesMEETING MINUTES • OF THE FREDERICK COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION F_ I L Held in the Board Room of the Frederick County Administration Building at 107 North Kent Street in Winchester, Virginia on August 7, 2002. PRESENT: Charles S. DeHaven, Jr., Chairman /Stonewall District; Roger L. Thomas, Vice Chairman/ Opequon District; Charles E. Triplett, Gainesboro District: George J. Kriz, Gainesboro District; Greg L. Unger, Back Creek District; Cordell Watt, Back Creek District; Robert A. Morris, Shawnee District; Pat GochenOUr, Red Bud District; Marie F. Straub, Red Bud District; Richard C. Ours, Opequon District; John H. Light, Stonewall District; William C. Rosenberry, Shawnee District; Gene E. Fisher, Citizen at Large: and Jay Cook, Legal Counsel. ABSENT: Robert Sager, Board of Supervisors' Liaison; and Vincent DiBenedetto, Winchester City Liaison. STAFF PRESENT: Eric R. Lawrence, Planning Director; Abbe Kennedy, Senior Planner; Jeremy F. Camp, Planner II; and Renee' S. Arlotta, Clerk. CALL TO ORDER Chairman DeHaven called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II L MEETING MINUTES -,JUNE 5, 2002 AND REVISED MAY 1, 2002 Upon motion made by Commissioner Kriz and seconded by Commissioner Thomas, the minutes of June 5, 2002 were unanimously approved as presented. Upon motion made by Commissioner Kriz and seconded by Commissoner Thomas, the revised minutes of May 1, 2002 were unanimously approved as presented. Frederick County Planning Commission Minutes of August 7, 2002 Page 905 -2- COMMITTEE REPORTS Development Review & Regulations Subcommittee (DRRS) - 07/25/02 Mtg. Commissioner Thomas reported that the DRRS continued their discussions on amendments to the woodlands disturbance ordinance, which will be coming before the full Commission for discussion in September or October. He also reported that the DRRS is also reviewing setback requirements in the rural ordinance dealing with setbacks adjacent to agricultural land and apple orchards. Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB) - 07/16/02 Mtg. Commissioner Gochenour reported that the HRAB considered the interpretive sign for the Rutherford Farm site. She said it has been suggested that Dr. Brandon Beck write the script and be involved in the historical documentation of the sign. Commissioner Gochenour also reported thatthe HRAB is seeking additional input for their ideas and suggestions and suggested the possibility of having a historical planner on staff for Frederick County. Economic Development Commission (EDC) Commissioner Thomas reported that the EDC is working on an out - commuter study to determine the destination of commuters going out of Frederick County and Winchester to work. He said the preliminary numbers for Frederick County indicate that close to 12,000 out - commuters per day are going to work outside of Frederick County, which contributes to the traffic problems. Commissioner Thomas stated that the EDC also discussed having a planning share -it to talk about the direction of the EDC and its future goals and missions. Sanitation Authority (SA) Commissioner Fisher reported that at the July SA's meeting, Wellington H. Jones, Director, reported that under the current conditions, the quarries at Stephens City have been producing about one million gallons per day. • Frederick County Planning Commission Minutes of August 7, 2002 Page 906 • AMENDMENT TO AGENDA Chairman DeHaven announced that Item Number 6, Subdivision 407 -02 of MBC, L.C./ Frederick County School Board, for the Millbrook Drive Access Road to Millbrook High School, has been pulled from the agenda this evening at the applicant's request. PUBLIC HEARING Proposed Amendment to the Frederick County Code, Chapter 165, Zoning Ordinance, Article IV, Supplementary Use Regulations, Section 165 -48.6, Commercial Telecommunication Facilities. The proposed amendment is intended to establish a minimum setback distance for commercial telecommunications towers when a setback waiver is requested, and to require engineer certification when the requested setback is less than the tower height. Action - Recommended Approval Planner Jeremy F. Camp stated thatthe Development Review and Regulations Subcommittee (DRRS) has prepared a text amendment to Section 165 -48.6, Commercial Telecommunication Facilities. Planner Camp stated that if the amendment is approved, it will establish a minimum setback distance for commercial telecommunications towers when a setback waiver is requested, as well as require engineer certification when the requested setback is less than the tower height. Fie said that the changes will provide clear guidelines for the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors to follow when reviewing applications for new telecommunications towers. Planner Camp also noted that th is amendment was discussed at the Commission's June 19, 2002 meeting and the Board of Supervisors' meeting of July 10, 2002. Chairman DeHaven called for public comments, however, no one was present to speak. There were no questions raised bythe members ofthe Commission. The Commission believed the amendment to be appropriate as presented. Upon motion made by Commissioner Thomas and seconded by Commissioner Light, BE IT RESOLVED, Thatthe Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously recommend approval of the Amendment to the Frederick County Code, Chapter 165, Zoning Ordinance, Article IV, Supplementary Use Regulations, Section 165 -48.6, Commercial TelecommunicationFacilitics. The proposed amendment is intended to establish a minimum setback distance for commercial telecommunications towers, when a setback waiver is requested, and to require engineer certification when the requested setback is less than the tower height. • Frederick County Planning Commission Minutes of August 7, 2002 Page 907 -4- • Proposed Amendments to the Frederick County Code, Chapter 165, Zoning Ordinance, Article V, RA, Rural Areas District, Section 165 -55 C, Existing Structures. The proposed amendment is intended to clarify that only lots created around existing "dwellings" may qualify fora special 50' side and rear ya rd setback. Action - Recommended Approval Planner Jeremy F. Camp stated that the Development Review and Regulations Subcomm ittee (DRRS) has prepared a text amendment to Section 165 -55C of the Frederick County Code, Chapter 165, Zoning Ordinance, dealing with setbacks for existing structures in the RA (Rural Areas) Zoning District. Planner Camp said the proposed amendment would change the wording from existing "structures' to existing "dwellings" and will eliminate potential misuse of this exemption. Planner Camp also noted that this amendment was discussed atthe Commission's June 19, 2002 meeting and the Board of Supervisors' meeting of July 10, 2002. Commissioner Morris inquired if the "Definitions` section of the ordinance needed to be amended to reflect the proposed change and Planner Camp replied that it did not. Chairman DeHaven called for public comments, however, no one came forward to speak. The Commission believed the amendment to be appropriate as presented. Upon motion made by Commissioner Morris and seconded by Commissioner Thomas, • BE IT RESOLVED, Thatthe Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously recommend approval of the amendments to the Frederick County Code, Chapter 165, Zoning Ordinance, Article V. RA, Rural Areas District. Section 165 -55 C, Existing Structures. The proposed amendment is intended to clarify that only lots created around existing "dwellings" may qualify for a special 50' side and rear yard setback. DISCUSSION ITEM DISCUSSION ON PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSION ITEMS Planning Director, Eric R. Lawrence, gave a brief follow -up to the Planning Commission's work session on July 17, 2002. Director Lawrence stated that staff summarized the items discussed so the Commission could prioritize the items in the order of work importance. Commissioner Rosenberry suggested the possibility of several Commissioners getting together on an item of interest to do preliminary work for the Commission; he believed considerable progress could be achieved in this way, rather than the entire Commission working on the items individually. Commissioner Thomas mentioned that a couple of the work items needed the establishment and /or a consensus of a County Vision Statement for the next 10 -15 years. He said that a work session • Frederick County Planning Commission Minutes of August 7, 2002 Page 908 -5- between the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors to determine the County's goal, or vision • statement, was needed before work on these items could begin. Commissioner Thomas also pointed out that an item or two could be turned over to the Development Review and Regulations Subcommittee (DRRS) and the Comprehensive Plans and Programs Subcommittee (CPPS). Commissioner Fisher suggested that the Commission propose a vision statement for the Board to consider, which would put the process in motion. Commissioners agreed that the accomplishment of each of the items may require a different approach than any of the other items. They also believed the Commission should spend more time together to discuss planning issues. It was decided to send the Zoning Ordinance Exceptions item on the list to the DRRS and the Transportation Planning Item on the list to the CPPS. Members of the Commission agreed that the other items would be handled by small groups of the entire Commission. They considered the possibility of getting together in October at a work session to get briefing from the small committees on each subject. It was decided that individual members would sign up for items that were of interest to them; small groups would be formed to study the topics. OTHER CERTIFIED PLANNING COMMISSIONERS PROGRAM Planning Director, Eric R. Lawrence, reported that he received a notice from Michael Chandler, Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics, that he retired from his academic position at Virginia Tech effective July 1, 2002. Director Lawrence had provided copies of the letter from Mr. Chandler to the Commission. Commissioner Morris said that although Mr. Chandler has retired from Virginia Tech, the Virginia Citizens Planning Association has contracted with Mr. Chandler to continue the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Planning Commission Certification Programs, as well as the annual Institute. Commissioner Morris added that there was apossibilitythata local community group may have Mr. Chandler in the Frederick County area to offer a Citizens Planning Seminar. Commissioner Morris stated that more information will be forthcoming on that issue. APPOINTMENTS TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLANS & PROGRAMS SUBCOMMITTEE (CPPS) Chairman DeHaven formally appointed the following Stonewall citizens as members of the Comprehensive Plans & Programs Subcommittee for the duration of the restudy of the Northeast Land Use Plan: Mr. James Stillwell, Mr. Glen Penton, Mr. Doug Cochran, and Mr. Tom Stevenson. • Frederick County Planning Commission Minutes of August 7, 2002 Page 909 ADJOURNMENT No further business remained to be discussed and the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. by a unanimous vote. submitted, EriP. La Secretary Charles S. DeHaven, Jr., Chairnla C � J E Frederick County Planning Commission Minutes of August 7, 2002 Page 910