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PC_10-18-95_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 October 18, 1995. PRESENT: Planning Commissioners present were: Charles S. DeHaven, Jr., Chairman /Stonewall District; S. Blaine Wilson, Shawnee District; Terry Stone, Gainesboro District; Robert A. Morris, Shawnee District; Richard C. Shickle, Gainesboro District; John H. Light, Stonewall District; Richard C. Ours, Opequon District; Marjorie H. Copenhaver, Back Creek District; Roger L. Thomas, Opequon District;George L. Romine, Citizen at Large; Robert M. Sager, Board Liaison; Vincent DiBenedetto, Winchester City Liaison; and Jay Cook, Legal Counsel. ABSENT: John R. Marker, Vice Chairman /Back Creek District; and George L. Romine, Citizen at Large Staff present : Robert W. Watkins, Director and Secretary; Evan A. Wyatt, Planner I1; Kris C. Tierney, Deputy Planning Director; and Renee' S. Arlotta, Minutes Recorder. � Chairman DeHaven called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. BIMONTHLY REPORT Chairman DeHaven accepted the Bimonthly Report for the Commission's information. 4086 2 COMMITTEE REPORTS Comprehensive Plans &. Programs Committee - 10/9/95 Mtg. Mrs. Copenhaver reported that the CPPC is proceeding with the finalization of the comments to be placed in the Comprehensive Plan regarding the Round Hill area. Historic Resources Advisory Board - 10/17/95 Mtg. Mr. Morris said that the HRAB is currently reviewing an application for a historical plaque for the Claridge property. Winchester CitjPlanning Commission - 9/12/95 & 9/19/95 Mtgs. Mr. Shickle reported that the City is currently looking at an amendment to the City's Zoning Ordinance to allow transmitting and receiving facilities and towers for cellular communication systems and similar communication systems as an allowable conditional use in every zoning district. Citizen Comments Mr. Arthur Lee, resident on Westmoreland Drive in Fredericktowne Estates in Stephens City, presented a petition concerning the problem of construction traffic using Westmoreland Drive. Mr. Lee said that there is a great deal of construction traffic using Westmoreland Drive to get to other areas of Fredericktowne Estates currently under construction and it is becoming a serious traffic problem. He said that the letter requests that the Planning Commission somehow prohibit the construction traffic on Westmoreland and force construction 4087 3 traffic to use an alternative route. Mr. Wyatt said that VDOT will initiate a traffic study only by resolution of the Board of Supervisors and after the study has been completed, the Commonwealth Transportation Board will make the final decision on whether to post the road as `no through truck traffic.' Mr. Wyatt added that this road was just recently posted with 25 mph speed limit signs. Mr. Thomas said that he didn't know of any other area where an easement could be obtained for an alternative truck traffic route. Mr. Thomas was in agreement with the homeowners and felt the speed limit needed to he enforced. Mr. Ours said that Westmoreland is the only access for this development and the residents have been putting up with the construction traffic for the passed five years, which begins at about 6:00 a.m. and continues well after dark, sometimes seven days a week. Mr. Ours explained that this is a straight stretch of road, approximately 1 1 /2 miles and trucks pick up quite a bit of speed. Mr. Ours said they spoke with the Sheriffs office about enforcing the speed limit, but they have manpower and equipment limitations. Mr. Ours moved to make the petition a part of the official record. His motion was seconded by Mr. Thomas and unanimously approved. Chairman DeHaven requested that the Planning staff look into the matter and to also keep the Lees informed of any progress. PUBLIC HEARING A Preliminary Battlefield Network Plan to establish a network of battlefield sites to be used to support tourism and education. The plan describes concepts, strategies, and sites and includes a recommended plan of action. Action - Unanimously Endorsed Battlefield Discussion Mr. Watkins said that the Battlefield Task Force has been working for a couple 4088 n years on this effort and has involved a number of citizen groups. Mr. Watkins said that a strong theme of this effort has been to achieve a community consensus on the ideas and approaches. He said that the primary goal of the plan is to develop a successful battlefield park network that preserves key sites, attracts tourists from around the world, and supports education. Mr. Watkins said that the idea is to have a system of sites connected by tour routes, a uniform system of signage, and a uniform system of interpretation. Mr. Stanley M. Hirschberg, past president and current Board member of the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation, and resident of Frederick County for the past 21 years, came forward to speak in favor of the Frederick County Battlefield Network Plan. Mr. Hirschberg read a statement congratulating Mr. Watkins and the Battlefield Task Force on a job well done. Mr. Hirschberg felt the plan was excellent and well thought out and urged the Planning Commission to endorse the plan. He said that Winchester and Frederick County has six civil war battlefields of great national importance and without a concentrated and effective effi)rt, these sites will be lost to development in the next 20 years because of their location. Mr. Hirschberg said that a battlefield park network will provide substantial economic and educational benefits, however, a critical goal will be to develop long -term funding sources for battlefield preservation. The Commission discussed with the staff the primary and secondary preservation areas and how these areas would be incorporated within the Comprehensive Plan. Commission members felt the Battlefield Plan was an outstanding piece of work and expressed their gratitude to the people who put so much effort into it. They noted that the quality of work by the staff was excellent and they especially recognized the work by the Planning Department's Graphics and Mapping Manger, Mark Lemasters, noting that his research and work was outstanding and went above and beyond his particular job responsibilities. Upon motion made by Mrs. Copenhaver and seconded by Mr. Light, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously endorse the Frederick County - Winchester Battlefield Network Plan and does unanimously recommend to the Board of Supervisors that this plan be approved. Subdivision Application #010 -95 of Star Fort Estates, Section 1, for the subdivision of a 7.5713 acre portion of the larger parcel into 21 lots for single - family dwellings, with a minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet. This property is located on the east side of Lauck Drive (Route 832) and is identified with PIN 54 -A -1 in the Stonewall District_ 4089 5 Action - Approved Mr. Tierney presented the background information and review agency comments for the proposed subdivision. He said that the proposed subdivision was in conformance with the approved master development plan. There were no issues of concern raised by the Commission. Upon motion made by Mr. Light and seconded by Mr. Wilson, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously approve Subdivision Application #010 -95 of Star Fort Estates, Section 1, to subdivide a 7.5713 acre portion into 21 single - family dwellings. Discussion with Mr. E E Bayliss III regarding a possible Zoning Ordinance amendment to allow self storage in MI Zoning. No Action Mr. Wyatt said that Mr. Bayliss contacted the staff and requested that his item of discussion be postponed until December due to a scheduling conflict. The Commission had no objections to postponing the discussion. Informal discussion regarding a proposed master development plan for Hill Valley consisting of 54 single-family dwellings This proper is zoned RP and is located at the intersection of Valley Mill Road and Greenwood Road in the Shawnee District. No Action Mr. Charles W. Maddox, Jr., with G. W. Clifford & Associates, Inc., the consulting engineers for this project, said that they were adding another alternative to the 4090 Z proposal, as a result of discussions with VDOT. Mr. Maddox said that the parcel in question is a key proponent in the Greenwood Road improvement project, which involves the entire watershed in this area and is a fairly involved project. Mr. Maddox proceeded to explain the design concepts to the Commission. Commissioners noted that the transportation issue was the essential point requiring resolution for this proposal. They inquired about access through Blossom Drive. Mr. Maddox said the idea was pursued, but was not able to be worked out, because it was a private property issue and the owners were not willing to give access. Commissioners inquired about access via Valley Mill Road and Mr. Maddox explained why that was also not feasible. Commissioners noted that the site distance was not good at this intersection and hoped that the applicant could work something out with VDOT to improve that. Mr. David Holliday, the contract owner, said that he was aware of the transportation problems here and has had discussions with VDOT. He assured the Commission that they had a ready, willing, and able landowner that would work with VDOT to help solve the problem. Mr. Holliday recognized that roadway safety was definitely a factor. Informal Discussion for Hardee's Restaurants /Mobil Oil Convenience Center Site Plan Action - PC Requests to Review Final Site Plan Mr. Wyatt said that the Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for this project on October 4, 1995 and one of the conditions of the permit was for a formal review of the site plan by the Planning Commission. Mr. Wyatt said that the project consultants are interested in receiving input from the Planning Commission regarding site aesthetics and architectural design, which will be incorporated into the final site plan. He added that this project has been presented to the Frederick County Technical Review Committee for design recommendation; however, a formal site plan has not been provided to Frederick County for review agency comment at this time. Mr. Stephen M. Gyurisin and Charles W. Maddox, Jr., with G. W. Clifford & Associates, Inc., the consulting engineers for this project, presented a preliminary site plan to the Commission. The Planning Commission felt that the use and concept was good for this area, but 4091 they felt the following issues should be addressed: 1) special attention should be paid to the front of the building to soften the exterior and make it aesthetically pleasing; country-style windows, a steeper roof line, and softer colors were suggested; 2) landscaping should be placed at the front of the parcel to create a green rural -like atmosphere; 3) signs should not be overbearing and lighting should be directed away from residences; 4) the parking areas of the livestock exchange and the convenience center site should be separated in some way, perhaps by a strip of greenery; 5) attention should be made to the spacing of the entrance with the intersection of Ward Avenue and the livestock exchange lot; and 6) the Planning Commission should review the final site plan. 0016 1Ai;luM There being no further business to discuss, Chairman DeHaven adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Robert W. Watkins, Secretary Charles S. DeHaven, Jr., Chairman 4092