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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC_04-20-94_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 April 20, 1994. PRESENT: Planning Commissioners present were: James W. Golladay, Jr., Chairman; John R. Marker, Vice Chairman /Back Creek District; Marjorie H. Copenhaver, Back Creek District; Todd D. Shenk, Gainesboro District; Roger L. Thomas, Opeyuon District; Charles S. DeHaven, Jr., Stonewall District; John H. Light, Stonewall District; Robert A. Morris, Shawnee District; Terry Stone, Gainesboro District; George L. Romine, Citizen at Large; Robert M. Sager, Board Liaison; and Vincent DiBenedetto, Winchester City Liaison. ABSENT: S. Blaine Wilson, Shawnee District Planning Staff present were: Kris C. Tierney, Deputy Planning Director; Lanny C. Bise, II, Planner; Jean M. Moore, Planner. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Golladay called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. MINUTES - MARCH 16 1994 Upon motion made by Mr. Romine and seconded by Mr. Marker, the minutes of March 16, 1994, were unanimously approved as presented. BIMONTHLY REPORT Mr. Morris commended Mark Lemasters and staff for the work on the GIS newsletter, "On- Line." Mr. Morris said that he appreciated receiving the GIS newsletter and he felt it was very worthwhile. He said that he was trying to implement a GIS in his agency and felt salesmanship was a key element in realizing the worth of the system. He said that he has adopted the "On- Line" approach as a way of introducing the GIS. Mr. Morris felt that it was an excellent way to sell the program as well as identify its uses and benefits. 3800 2 information. Chairman Golladay accepted the Bimonthly Report for the Commission's INTRODUCTION OF JEAN M. MOORS PLANNER I Mr. Tierney introduced Ms. Jean M. Moore, the Planning Department's newly - hired Planner 1. COMMITTEE REPORTS Comprehensive Plan & Programs Subcommittee (CP &PS) - 4111194 Mtg. Mrs. Copenhaver reported that the CP &PS continued their discussions on corridors. She said that they also briefed new citizen members. Economic Development Commission (EDC) Mr. Romine reported that the EDC has just completed the 1994 -95 Strategy Program. He said that copies are available to anyone who might want one. City Of Winchester Mr. DiBenedetto, Winchester City Liaison, reported that a site plan has been approved by the City for a McDonald's restaurant to be located on Amherst Street. Mr. DiBenedetto described some of the concerns raised by the City. PRESENTATION BY WILLIAM H. BUSHMAN FROM VDOT. REGARDING ALTERNATIVES TO ALLEVIATE EXISTING TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN AND AROUND THE I -81/ 11 NORTH/ ROUTE 37 INTERCHANGE_ William H. Bushman, the resident engineer with VDOT, was present to discuss alternatives that will attempt to alleviate existing traffic problems in and around the t -81/ 11 North/ Route 37 interchange area. Mr. Bushman said that if there was a "malfunction junction" 3801 3 in Winchester, this area was it! He said that this interchange does not provide full directional facility for motorists entering the area. He said the design problem was compounded by the Ft. Collier Industrial Park, which is well - established and has several major industries which are now in full production. He said that these industries are generating in excess of 100+ tractor trailer loads per day and apparently, this number is going to double very shortly. Using overhead slides, Mr. Bushman explained VDOT's proposed improvements: Eliminate the crossover at Crown, Cork & Seal and relocate it opposite the AMOCO Foam Products entrance. Relocate Crown, Cork & Seal's entrance and driveway. Extend the acceleration lane, which merges into Route 37 from 1 I North, as a right turn lane all the way to the south-bound ramp at 81. Relocate frontage road F -733 by tying it into the entrance road at AMOCO Foam Products. Power Tech, Miller Tool, and other companies will be served. This is a major part of the suggested improvement. In order to go south on Route 11, northbound 37 traffic must go down to the relocated crossover, make a U -turn, and come back. To address this problem, a new ramp is proposed adjacent to Cives Steel and will line up with the existing intersection of Route 1323, which goes back into Ft. Collier Industrial Park (serving Hershey Products). Mr. Bushman stated that VDOT engineers in Richmond, upon reviewing this area, saw an opportunity for perhaps adding a new ramp which would come off relocated Rt. 1323 and under Rt. 37 to provide access to Rt. 37 South. He said this has been tested against the WATS model and this ramp alone would help traffic problems elsewhere in the northern Winchester- Frederick County area, around Sunnyside. Mr. Bushman said that it was estimated that the project, including the first ramp, would cost about $1.7 million, however, the second ramp proposal looked so good in the preliminary evaluation that they were going to try and incorporate that into the project as well. No action was needed by the Commission at this time. Revised Master Development Plan #002 -94 of Lake Front Apartments (formerly Lake Centre) for 28 garden apartments within three structures. This property is located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Macedonia Church Road (Rt. 642) and Chinkapin Drive and is identified with PIN 75B -A -80C in the Shawnee District. 3802 4 Action - Recommend Approval Mr. Charles Maddox, Jr., with G.W. Clifford & Associates, the Project Engineers, was representing this MDP. Mr. Maddox said that the revised MDP calls for the construction of 28 apartment units on 3.4113 acres. He said that this creates an overall gross density of 8.21 units per acre. It was noted that the original MDP was approved for 23 townhouse units, or 6.74 units per acre. This revision increases the density; however, the allowable gross density for this site is 10 units per acre. The Commissioners were concerned about the adequacy of the entrance to Lakeside on Chinkapin Drive, especially as development increased. Elevations of living areas and parking lots were discussed in relation to the 100 year storm. The Commissioners also discussed the buffer between Rt. 642 and the proposed units. They felt a berm with trees would act as a noise barrier and would also keep children away from the highway. Overall, they felt the concept was good, provided all review agency comments were addressed. Mr. Maddox said that this plan calls for two buildings with eight units and one building with 12 units. He explained that the owner has been given the opportunity to purchase the 7/10 acre that was proposed for a day care center. He said that feasibility to construct the day care center has not come about. Mr. Maddox said that the owner would like to purchase the 7/10 acre, consolidate the properties, and construct three structures with 12 units as an alternate proposal. Commissioners commented that the existing complex established by this owner was aesthetically appealing and seemed to be well - built. They also liked the idea of consolidating the vacant day care parcel because of the uncertainty of its future use, if it remained as a separate parcel owned by another party. Commissioners were concerned about the increase in density, but the majority of members still felt the second option presented by Mr. Maddox was a good one. Upon motion made by Mr. Morris and seconded by Mr. Shenk, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously recommend approval of MDP #002 -94 of Lake Front Apartments for 28 apartment units within three structures on property zoned RP (Residential Performance) and located at the southeast corner of the intersection of Macedonia Church Road (Rt. 642) and Chinkapin Drive (Lakeside Estates). 3803 l.7 Discussion Regarding a Proposed Rezoning and Master Development Plan for 91 Acres Surrounding Star Fort. No Action Mr. Tierney said this is a 91 -acre site surrounding Star Fort, zoned RP (Residential Performance), and involves rezoning 20 acres to B2 (Business General) and the remaining 71 acres to the rear would be developed into 163 single - family 12,000 square foot lots. Mr. Charles Maddox, Jr., of G. W. Clifford & Associates, was the representative for this pre - application discussion. Mr. Maddox said that Star Fort is currently owned by the Middlesex Artillery, Fleet's Battery Group. He said the focal point of the design is to protect and enhance the Star Fort site, supplying help and support as needed to the Middlesex Group in their quest to provide'a high - quality, interpretive site for civil war battlefield history. Mr. Maddox said the site is served with sewer and water on several sides and the site is partially developed with a long -term care nursing facility and a Chevron gasoline station. Mr. Maddox explained that the area to the south of the fort is a 15% sloped hillside, zoned RP. He said that he has looked at various alternatives, but feels this area would be best suited for low volume commercial use consistent with the enhancement of the Star Fort facility. Commissioners were concerned that development of this site would contribute to flooding problems in the Route 11/ Weber's Nursery area. Questions were also raised about the existing vegetation of the site, the planned sequence for development, and buffers between this site and the Shockey property. Chairman Golladay called for citizen comments and Pat Zontine raised the issue of buffers around the Star Fort Site. No action was required by the Commission at this time. Discussion with Mr_ Edwin E_ White regarding a request to extend a sewer line to a 78- acre parcel which lies outside of the UDA (Urban Development Area) and the SWSA (Sewer and Water Service Area). This property is located approximately 1/2 mile east of the Parkins Mill Plant on the south side of Route 644 (West Parkins Mill Road) in the Shawnee District. Referred to CP &PS 3804 Mr. Tierney said that Mr. Edwin E. White has requested an informal discussion with the Commission regarding his interest in extending a sewer line to a 78 -acre parcel, zoned RA, which lies beyond the limits of both the UDA and the SWSA. Mr. Tierney said that this parcel is located approximately 1/2 mile east of the Parkins Mill Plant, on the south side of West Parkins Mill Road (Rt. 644). He said that Mr. White wishes to develop the property under the Rural Preservation Lot (cluster) provision within the RA zone. Mr. Edwin E. White said that he desires to subdivide the property into 12 -15 two to eight acre parcels. Mr. White said that he has approval for alternate wastewater treatment facilities, however, the Health Department and Sanitation Authority would prefer a pumping station and high pressure line to the Parkins Mill Plant. He said that a three -inch line would need to be extended about 2,100' and it would not accommodate any other hook -ups. Mr. White said that he has also received approval from Mr. Eugene Grove, the owner of the adjacent property, to extend the line across his land. The Commissioners were concerned about the possibility of setting a precedent for extending sewer lines into the county's RA -zoned areas. However, they liked the idea of cluster development here and allowing the property to remain RA. The Commission also felt it would be preferable to pump sewage to the treatment plant rather than installing sand filtration, or other treatment systems, and possibly polluting the water table. It was also noted that the Comprehensive Plan would need to be amended to extend the UDA, if the Commission approved of Mr. White's request. The Commission decided to forward Mr. White's request to the Comprehensive Plans & Programs Subcommittee for further study. Discussion with Mr_ E. Frank Smith regarding a request to relax the Subdivision Ordinance regulation pertaining to depth and width ratio requirements. Action - Tabled Since there was no representation on this request, a motion was made by Mr. Romine and seconded by Mr. Light to table the request until the next meeting. BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby table consideration of Mr. E. Frank Smith's request to relax the Subdivision Ordinance until the next scheduled meeting. 3805 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, M Robert W. Watkins, Secretary