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PC_05-17-95_Meeting_MinutesMEETING MINUTES OF THE FREDERICK COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Held in the Board Room of the Old Frederick County Court House in Winchester, Virginia on May 17, 1995. PRESENT: Planning Commissioners present were: Charles S. DeHaven, Jr., Chairman /Stonewall District; John R. Marker, Vice Chairman /Back Creek District; John H. Light, Stonewall District; Marjorie H. Copenhaver, Back Creek District; Richard C. Shickle, Gainesboro District, Robert A. Morris, Shawnee District; Roger L. Thomas, Opequon District; Richard C. Ours, Opequon District; George L. Romine, Citizen at Large; Vincent DiBenedetto, Winchester City Liaison; and Jay Cook, Legal Counsel. ABSENT: Terry Stone, Gainesboro District; S. Blaine Wilson, Shawnee District; and Robert M. Sager, Board Liaison. Planning Staff present: Lawrence, Planner I; W. Tierney, Deputy Director. Robert W. Watkins, Director and Secretary; Eric Wayne Miller, Zoning Administrator; and Kris C. CALL TO ORDER Chairman DeHaven called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. MINUTES - MEETING OF APRIL 19, 1995 Upon motion made by Mr. Marker and seconded by Mr. Thomas, the meeting minutes of April 19, 1995 were unanimously approved as presented. 4012 E BIMONTHLY REPORT information. Chairman DeHaven accepted the Bimonthly Report for the Commission's COMMITTEE REPORTS Development Review & Regulations Subcommittee - 5111195 Mtg. Mr. Thomas reported that the DRRS discussed minor and major collector road development standards and came to the conclusion that separate development standards were needed for each. He said that if the standards are amended appropriately for the category of traffic using the road, it will allow roads to be constructed economically and will help the total road system. Comprehensive Plans & Programs Committee - 5/8/95 Mtg. Mrs. Copenhaver reported that there was a good turn -out for the Round Hill Community Meeting on May 8, 1995. Mrs. Copenhaver said that reactions were mixed - -some residents would like to see water and sewer, but most do not want to see any development. She said that some people do not care if they get water and sewer because they are happy with their wells and septics. Mrs. Copenhaver said that the general consensus was that if development occurs, they wanted it back at the interchange on Route 37 and not in the Round Hill community. Historic Resources Advisory Board - 5/16/95 Mte. Mr. Morris said that the HRAB met with school administration officials to review the Redbud Run Elementary School site plan. He said the HRAB also approved an application for a historic plaque for the Kennelworth property. 4013 3 Sanitation Authority - 5/17/95 Mt. Mrs. Copenhaver reported that the Sanitation Authority was interested in the results of the Round Hill community meeting. She said that the Sanitation Authority began review of the plans for the their new headquarters on Route 642 with their architect, Dave McClure, and engineer, Charles W. Maddox. Winchester City Planning Commission - 5/9/95 (WkSession) & 5116195 Mr. Shickle reported that the City Planning Commission is working on rewriting the outdoor storage and display of merchandise for sale ordinance. DISCUSSION REGARDING POSSIBLE REZONING ON SENSENY ROAD No Action Mr. Tierney presented a letter from Mr. Bill Cowley, the owner of a 3/4 acre parcel located at the northeastern corner of the Greenwood - Senseny Road intersection. Mr. Tierney said that the parcel is currently the location of a small convenience store, with gas pumps, which is a legal non - conforming use and Mr. Cowley is interested in building a larger store at the site. Mr. Tierney said that the parcel is adjacent to RA (Rural Areas) Zoning to its north and east, RP (Residential Performance) Zoning to the south across Senseny Road, and B2 (Business General) Zoning across Greenwood Road. Mr. Bill Cowley said that his main interest in rezoning is bank financing. Discussion between the staff and Commissioners determined that gas pumps were not a permitted use in the B1 (Business Limited) Zoning District; and therefore, under the current ordinance, Mr. Cowley would need B2 Zoning. Commissioners felt that a convenience store with gasoline pumps would be suitable for that location, however, some of the other B2 uses would be objectionable. The staff said that they would research the ordinance to see if B1 Zoning might be a better approach. 4014 9 DISCUSSION REGARDING REDBUD RUN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Action - Approved Staff Request for Administrative Approval Authority Mr. Tierney said that representatives of the School Board were present to acquaint the Commission with the proposed Redbud Run Elementary School site plan for their property on Berryville Avenue. Mr. Tierney said that the site is located in an area where the Third Battle of Winchester occurred. He said that the Battlefield Network Plan a document being prepared by the Battlefield Task Force, indicates that a portion of the School Board's property is located adjacent to areas delineated as primary and secondary preservation areas. He added that the main entrance to the property would be adjacent to the Greenwood Road intersection and the staff anticipates there would need to be some major improvements to that intersection and, at some point, a traffic light. He said that the plan also shows a connection to the Caleb Heights property to the west. Mr. Tierney said that if that property is acquired and becomes battlefield, the County may not want that connection, but it will be there if it's needed. Mr. Thomas R. Malcolm, Superintendent of Frederick County Schools, and Mr. Thomas Sullivan, Assistant Superintendent of Frederick County Schools, were both present to discuss the plans for the new school. Mr. Malcolm presented the plan to the Commission and pointed out the location for the building, roads, parking areas, etc. He said that the building design is a replication of Indian Hollow, Middletown, and Armel Schools and will accommodate approximately 750 students. Mr. Malcolm said that the size of the school will be approximately 73,000 square feet. He added that the Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB) offered recommendations concerning this site and the School Board is very willing to accommodate all of those recommendations. Mr. Morris, member of the HRAB, said that the HRAB discussed this project at their meeting of May 16, 1995. He said that the HRAB feels that historical and archeological surveys should be conducted on the property, however, the HRAB does understand that time does not permit such studies to occur for the elementary school portion of the property (which consists of approximately 24 of the 127 acres). Mr. Morris said that the proposed school is in the core area identified by the National Park Service, but outside of what the HRAB has identified as "preservation area." He said that the HRAB felt that the future development of the remaining 103 acres will be of greater concern because it is located closer to the focal point of the battle and is adjacent to areas identified as primary and secondary preservation areas. Mr. Morris noted for the Commission the three items the HRAB recommended that the School Board address prior to any land disturbance. The Planning Commission was in agreement with the HRAB's recommendations and noted that the School Board was willing to accommodate all of the recommendations. They had no other outstanding issues with the proposal. Upon motion made by Mr. Romine and seconded by Mr. Ours, 4015 5 BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously grant the Planning Staff administrative approval authority for the School Board's Redbud Run Elementary School Project based on the comments received from the Historic Resources Advisory Board, as follows: 1. Review any existing historical and archeological surveys which have been conducted on the elementary school site. These surveys may have been conducted by the Civil War Institute of Shenandoah University and /or the Battlefield Task Force. Based on these previously conducted reviews, a better understanding of the site may be gained. 2. Organize a group of local historians and archaeologists and allow them to walk the site prior to any land disturbance. This would enable them to locate and retrieve any artifacts which may still be on the site. 3. Establish a permanent display within the new elementary school to exhibit any artifacts found on the site. This would broaden the knowledge of both the school children and the surrounding community of the historical significance of the Third Battle of Winchester and specifically, the actions that occurred on the School Board property, some 130 years ago. Subdivision Application !#002 -95 of Winchester- Frederick County IDC for property located on the northeast corner of Shady Elm Road (Rt. 651) and Industrial Drive (Rt. 880) in the Back Creek District. Action - Approved Mr. Miller said that the proposed subdivision is part of an approved master development plan. He said that there were no problems with this application by any reviewing agencies, however, the City of Winchester commented on whether the proposed subdivision configuration best served the industrial park in the long run, given the proposed interchange at Route 651 and Route 37 as depicted on the pending Winchester Area Transportation Study (WATS). The City stated in their comments that by creating a deep lot fronting only along Route 651 in the area where an eastbound Route 37 on -ramp will go, the access will be undesirably close to the interchange and probably result in a total condemnation of the parcel. Mr. Miller said that the comments from the City of Winchester could not inhibit the approval process of this particular property, since there was no approved plan for the modification of Shady Elm Road (Rt. 651) or Route 37 at this time. Mr. Miller said that the applicant was aware of the City's comments. Mr. Morris commented that it would be beneficial to have an egress and ingress 4016 C of Route 37 into this industrial park because part of this property borders on the railroad track. Mr. Watkins said that the preliminary WATS plans suggest an interchange at this location which will certainly effect this particular property. Upon motion made by Mr. Morris and seconded by Mr. Romine, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously approve Subdivision Application #002 -95 of Winchester - Frederick County IDC. -- --- - - -- -- For clarification purposes, Mr. Miller commented that the 20 -acre tract is owned by the IDC. He said that the IDC is dividing the 20 -acre tract into two parcels because they have a sale for the ten -acre parcel. Mr. Miller said that Subdivision Application #003 -95 is a subdivision by the person who is buying the ten -acre tract to divide it into four parcels. Subdivision Application #003 -95 of Winchester- Frederick County IDC. This property is located on the northeast corner of Shady Elm Road (Route 651) and Industrial Drive (Route 880) in the Back Creek District. Action - Approved Mr. Miller said that Subdivision Application #003 -95 is part of an approved master plan for the IDC Industrial Park and is simply the division of the previously discussed ten -acre parcel into four lots. Mr. Miller said that the purchaser of the ten -acre parcel is Mr. Bruce Dawson. He said that Mr. Dawson has a client and will be submitting a site plan for development of one of those lots within the next week or two. Mr. Miller added that water and sewer to the site is supplied by the City of Winchester. Mr. Marker asked if the remaining acreage from the parcel would be accessed off Shady Elm Road. Mr. Miller replied that it may be feasible to extend Development Lane onto the other side. Mr. Marker said that if someone wanted to divide the remaining parcel into smaller parcels, there wasn't an industrial drive. Mr. Miller confirmed that it does restrict this parcel. Upon motion made by Mr. Marker and seconded by Mr. Romine, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously approve Subdivision Application #003 -95 of Winchester - Frederick County IDC. 4017 7 ADJOURNMENT No other business remained to be discussed and the meeting adjourned at 8:00 [am Respectfully submitted, Robert W. Watkins, Secretary Charles S. DeHaven, Jr., Chairman 4018