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PC_09-18-96_Meeting_MinutesMEETING MINUTES OF THE FREDERICK COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Held in the Board Room of the Old Frederick County Courthouse in Winchester, Virginia on September 18, 1996. PRESENT: Charles S. DeHaven, Jr., Chairman/Stonewall District; John R. Marker, Vice- Chairman/Back Creek District; Marjorie H. Copenhaver, Back Creek District; John H. Light, Stonewall District; Terry Stone, Gainesboro District; S. Blaine Wilson, Shawnee District; Roger L. Thomas, Opequon District; Robert A. Morris, Shawnee District; Jimmie K. Ellington, Gainesboro District; George L. Romine, Citizen at Large; Robert M. Sager, Board Liaison; Vincent DiBenedetto, Winchester City Liaison; and Jay Cook, Legal Counsel. ABSENT: Richard C. Ours, Opequon District STAFF PRESENT: Kris C. Tierney, Interim Planning Director; Evan A. Wyatt, Planner II; Eric R. Lawrence, Planner I; and Carol Gordon, Minutes Recorder. CALL TO ORDER Chairman DeHaven called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. MINUTES OF AUGUST 21, 1996 Upon motion made by Mr. Marker and seconded by Mr. Wilson, the minutes of August 21, 1996 were unanimously approved as presented. BIMONTHLY REPORT Chairman DeHaven accepted the Bimonthly Report for the Commission's information. LW OW COMMITTEE REPORTS Comprehensive Plans & Programs Subcommittee (CPPS) Mrs. Copenhaver reported that the information that was requested at the Planning Commission's joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors regarding sewer in Stephenson will be presented this evening to Commission members. Transportation Committee - 09/10/96 Mtg. Mr. Thomas reported that the committee reviewed the Secondary Road Plan and this will be forwarded to the Commission on October 16. Sanitation Authority (SA) - 09/17/96 Mtg. Mrs. Copenhaver reported the following: the extension of sewer out Boundary Lane has begun; Miller Heights will probably be bid at the next meeting; the Route 522 facilities are complete and in service; Hurricane Fran did not create any problems with Parkins Mill or the old water treatment plant, however, the quarry water is up; the SA adopted a resolution supporting the Virginia Association of Municipal Water Treatment Agencies regarding reduction of nutrients; and it was reported that according to a national survey of up -to -date, well- operated sewage treatment plants, 43% of well- designed systems contain ground water. Winchester Planning Commission Mr. DiBenedetto reported that the City Planning Commission is currently active in their review of the Comprehensive Plan. 4256 KERNSTOWN BATTLEFIELD RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN ACTION - RECOMMENDED APPROVAL Mr. Lawrence said that OCULUS, formerly known as West Main Design Collaborative (WMDC), has submitted the completed Kernstown Battlefield Resource Management Plan and he presented this plan to the Commission. Mr. Lawrence stated that the plan was funded partially by a grant from the National Park Service's American Battlefield Protection Program, and was received by the County two years ago. Mr. Lawrence explained that this final version of the Kernstown Battlefield Plan incorporates elements ranging from the site's role in the Civil War to visitor access and interpretation. He said that the plan proposes that interpretive zones be designated based on battles, farming characteristics, and the Pritchard House area and separate historical stories on each of these zones will combine together to interpret the overall story behind the Grim Farm during the Civil War Era. Mr. Lawrence added that the resource management portion of the plan addresses issues such as protection of natural features and physical structures on the property. He said that the overwhelming theme behind the plan is to protect, preserve, and promote the cultural, historical, and natural characteristics of the site for others to enjoy and learn from. Mr. Lawrence next reviewed the maps and proposed phases of the plan in detail for the Commission. Questions raised by the Commission included whether the plan needed to be forwarded to and endorsed by the National Park Service (NPS). Mr. Lawrence stated that upon receiving the County's endorsement, the plan will be forwarded to the NPS to show them the final product that was produced from the grant money received. Members of the Commission felt that with the completion of this plan, the historic value of the property will be established and a foundation laid for future plans. Some members felt that the grant money spent was an excellent investment. Upon motion made by Mr. Ellington and seconded by Mr. Light, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously accept the final version of the Kernstown Battlefield Plan as presented and does hereby forward the plan to the Board of Supervisors for final adoption. DISCUSSION REGARDING CORRIDOR APPEARANCE & DESIGN STANDARDS Mr. Wyatt stated that the Development Review & Regulations Subcommittee (DRRS) has been directed to examine design standards regarding the County's corridors going into the City of Winchester. He said that this topic has surfaced recently because of the proposed activities along 4257 the Route 50 West corridor; however, it was decided that the design standards in general needed to be discussed. Mr. Wyatt said that the DRRS is interested in making sure the Planning Commission is aware of the ideas being discussed and to receive input as well. Mr. Wyatt stated that the DRRS has recommended that limitations be established for specific site design features, such as entrance spacing requirements, signs, parking lot locations and setbacks, landscaping enhancements, and utilities. He noted that the DRRS is not interested in establishing architectural standards. Mr. Wyatt next presented slides to the Commission. Members of the Commission felt that salesmanship of the proposed Corridor Design Standards will be an important consideration. They felt the standards should not be viewed as simply governmental action forced upon the development community. It was pointed out that the impetus first came from the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Commission who said they had prospects reject this area because the prospects were turned off by the appearance of one of the entrances into the City. It was felt by the Commission that the impetus was more than just an aesthetic entrance into the City, but had everything to do with attraction and support of a business community. Members of the Commission asked what VDOT's position on this issue was. Mr. Wyatt said that the County's entrance spacing requirements far exceed VDOT's requirements. He said that VDOT is usually very cooperative and agreeable to working with local governments in support of their plans. He said that VDOT's concern generally is with vegetative plantings, particularly at the entranceway adjoining their right -of -way, and they have a height requirement for visibility. Another issue raised by the Commission was nonconforming status; for example, if a structure was destroyed, could it be rebuilt according to the old setback standards or would the new standards apply. Mr. Wyatt stated that for all legally nonconforming structures, there is a certain grace period to re- establish business. He said that if the business is not re- established within that time frame, then the new guidelines would have to be adhered to. Staff noted that there was dialogue with members of Top of Virginia Builders Association and designers, etc. and the feedback had been positive. Mr. Wyatt said that these groups are amenable to "beefing up" the standards, provided that plan reviews are not prolonged and they are allowed some flexibility, depending on the site. Regarding whether dialogue had been held with the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), Mr. Wyatt noted that when the Interstate Area Overlay Design Project was started a couple years ago, the DRRS felt it prudent to have a liaison from the BZA. Mr. Wyatt said that they still receive copies of our agendas, but have not been attending recent meetings. In conclusion, the Planning Commission was in agreement with all the main components presented by the staff. No formal action was made at this time. 4258 OTHER PROVISION OF SEWER SERVICE TO STEPHENSON Mr. Lawrence said that during the joint worksession on August 28, 1996, reference was made to providing sewer to the Stephenson community and the Sanitation Authority was contacted to generate cost figures. Mr. Lawrence said that in generating the estimates, the Sanitation Authority assumed that sewer existed along Route 11, specifically at the intersection of Routes 11 and 664. He said that the estimates were also generated under the assumption that all existing residences (about 180) would use the sewer. He said that the Sanitation Authority determined that, using the least expensive method, a small- diameter pressure line with pumps for each connection should be used and the total projected cost would be $1.3 million, or approximately $7,200 per residence. Chairman DeHaven asked if it was the staff's understanding that a pump for each tap is recommended and if so, if the cost was included in the residential fee? Mr. Tierney said that the staff is currently attempting to clarify that with the Sanitation Authority. Mr. Thomas felt that the Commission should not be overly concerned with the cost figures on this. He felt the Commission's role was to provide a planning service that is in the best interests of the residents of the community. He also felt that if the Commission plans development in this area and it precludes some future use, then they did not do a good job of planning. He stated that the Commission should plan for any future potential use with ability to grow and if part of that is planning for residential sewage and water, then it should be planned for. He added that the main line going up Route 11 should be designed for enough capacity for future residential development. Mr. Tierney said that the Planning staff's position is that it deals with land use by focusing on compatibility, traffic, etc. Mr. Tierney stated that if Stephenson is to be included in the Sewer and Water Service Area, that is in and of itself another land use study. He said that the staff's position is that the plan developed right now deals with land use along the Route 11 Corridor, and it attempts to generate some industrial development potential; however, it does not include Stephenson. Mr. Tierney said that the Sanitation Authority was asked if there was capacity for the Stephenson area and they have said yes. He said that the Sanitation Authority provided us with three different ways that it could be served. Mr. Tierney felt that it was not the Planning Department's, nor the Commission's responsibility, to try and figure out the best way to do it. He said that it will happen if it is marketably feasible. Mr. Tierney said that what this plan is saying is that when and if it does become marketably feasible, this is the way we want it to happen. Mr. Tierney added that he didn't think the Commission needed to worry about when the capacity will be available, who will pay for it, or how it was going to happen. Mr. Morris asked if the Commission may be copping out if they simply say, "well, we've done our part." He asked what would happen if the area began to develop and then it was determined that sewer capacity wasn't available. Mr. Morris said that he knew it was not the 4259 Commission or the staffs job to design and build sewer systems, however, he did not want to mislead an economic development community, residents, rural community centers, or anybody else, simply because our land use plan was based on a lot of "what ifs." Mr. Morris noted that capital planning in this County was tied to the Comprehensive Plan and maybe sewer should also, to a greater extent. Mr. Tierney stated that the capacity is at the Opequon Plant. He said that the existing lines along Route 7 may not be all that is needed to serve this area and certainly not further north to Clearbrook. He stated that if Stephenson and Brucetown are to be served, there would have to be another line extended up there. Mr. Tierney reiterated that the Commission needed to say that however and whenever the sewer gets there, this is what we would want to see happen. Mr. Tierney felt there was a division of responsibility there in terms of how detailed it could become in terms of the Comprehensive Plan. Presentation on Community Aesthetics Mr. Tierney announced that a presentation by Mr. Ed McMann will take place at Shenandoah University on October 30, 1996 at 7:00 p.m. on community aesthetics. Mr. Tierney said that he would provide the Commission with further information about the talk. ADJOURNMENT No further business remained to be discussed and the meeting adjourned by unanimous vote at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kris C. Tierney, Interim Planning Director Charles S. DeHaven, Chairman 4260