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PC_03-17-93_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 March 17, 1993. PRESENT: Planning Commissioners present were: James W. Golladay, Jr., Chairman; John R. Marker, Vice Chairman /Back Creek District; George L. Romine, Citizen at Large; Todd D. Shenk, Gainesboro District; Roger L. Thomas, Opequon District; Manuel C. DeHaven, Stonewall District; Marjorie H. Copenhaver, Back Creek District; and John H. Light, Stonewall District. ABSENT: Ronald W. Carper, Gainesboro District; S. Blaine Wilson, Shawnee District; and Beverly Sherwood, Board Liaison. Planning Staff present were: Robert W Miller, Zoning Administrator; Evan A Deputy Planning Director. Watkins, Secretary/Director; W. Wayne Wyatt, Planner II; and Kris C. Tierney, CALL TO ORDER Chairman Golladay called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. MINUTES The first order of business was the consideration of the minutes of February 3, 1993. Upon motion made by Mr. Romine and seconded by Mr. Marker, the minutes of February 3, 1993 were unanimously approved as presented. BIMONTHLY REPORT Chairman Golladay accepted "the bimonthly report for the Commission's information. 3618 Allied Wood Products Site Plan - Request for Administative Approval Mr. Wyatt said that staff is currently reviewing a site plan for Allied Wood Products for replacement of a building that burned down last year. Mr. Wyatt said that submittal of the plan missed the Bimonthly Report due to comments not being ready by the review agencies. Mr. Wyatt requested that the staff be allowed to proceed with administrative approval, since Mr. Cutshaw, the owner, wanted to begin as soon as the weather permitted. Upon motion made by Mr. DeHaven and seconded by Mr. Marker, the Commission unanimously agreed that the staff be allowed to proceed with administrative approval of the site plan. COMMITTEE REPORTS Comprehensive Plans & Programs Subcommittee (CUPS) 3/8193 Mtg. Mrs. Copenhaver reported that the CP &PS discussed industrial zoning along the rail corridor and ideas on developing tourism along the railways. Sanitation Authority- 3/17/93 Mtg Mrs. Copenhaver reported that the Sanitation Authority awarded the contracts for the Lakeridge and Greenwood water connector lines. She also reported on various other water construction project bids and construction. Development Review & Regulations Subcommittee (DR &RS) - 3/11/93 Mr. Thomas reported that the DR &RS discussed a request by an individual business to allow facilities in M1 areas that are normally allowed only as an ancillary use to an individual business. The request would allow the use by right in M 1 areas as long as the use is ancillary to the majority of businesses located within the park. Mr. Thomas reported that the subcommittee also reviewed various applications for membership to the DR &RS. 3619 Economic Development Commission (EDC) Mr. Romine reported that the offices of the Economic Development Commission have moved to 45 East Boscawen Street in Winchester, Virginia. DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PROPOSED REDESIGN OF FREDERICK WOODS SUBDIVISION Mr. Tierney said that this request relates to the proposed realignment of Route 642 from just west of its intersection with Route 647 through to Route 522. He said that the realignment of Route 642 will cut into the northeastern corner of the approved Frederick Woods subdivision and the current owners are requesting approval of a slight revision to the approved plat. The purpose of the redesign was to minimize the loss of lots within the development while still enabling the proposed realignment of Route 642. Mr. Tierney said that the cul -de -sac serving the original lots 12 -16 would be eliminated and redesigned lots 12, 13, and 14 would replace the cul -de -sac and the original five lots fronting it. He said that the staff is suggesting that if the Commission has no major concerns over this proposal, that they be allowed to administratively approve the redivision once plats have been prepared and relevant agencies have approved the redesign. Mr. Thomas was concerned about the amount of wooded area that had been removed by the developer. Mr. Thomas said he would be surprised if 25% of the wooded area was left remaining. He was also concerned that the road efficiency buffer, shown on the staff's drawing, was significantly encroaching on two of the lots (Lots 12 & 13). Staff noted that the tree removal issue was being sent to the DR &RS. Staff also noted that the developer had stated that it would be their desire to put in the full screen and reduce the buffer. In any case, the road efficiency buffer requirements would have to be met. Mr. Light asked whether it was possible for the developer to get the necessary frontage for three lots into this area. Mr. Tierney said that they are really not that far short of what they need because the width of the lot increases quickly, however, they will need to widen Lot 12 somewhat. Lots 11 and 13 have much more area than needed, so a little can be taken from each of those lots to meet the requirement on Lot 12. It was the consensus of the Commission that the new design was an improvement over the original plat. It was noted that with the road efficiency buffer and open space on the original plat, the applicant had trouble placing houses and eventually came back with smaller homes. The Commissioners agreed to allow the staff to administratively approve the redivision once plats had been prepared and relevant agencies had approved the design. 3620 E7 1993 -1994 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT WORK PROGRAM Mr. Watkins presented the 1993 -1994 Work Program for the Department of Planning and Development. Chairman Golladay commented favorably on the transportation planning work being done jointly with the City and regionally with the Lord Fairfax Planning District. He felt it was very beneficial for the City and County to work together, especially when the time comes to seek funding for projects that are beneficial to both jurisdictions. Chairman Golladay felt that our region was head and shoulders above the metropolitan area because they have lacked transportation planning for many years. He said that our region is just beginning to grow and we have a very comprehensive transportation planning activity going on. Mr. Barnett, the City Liaison, spoke favorably regarding! the County's development of a GIS. Mr. Barnett said that several City representatives have been advocating this for the City. Mr. Barnett felt that if the City and County worked together and decided on mutually agreeable software, the City may be able to contribute funds towards its purchase. He felt that information from both the City and County was needed to make the program a success. The Commissioners were in favor of the work program presented by the staff and felt it was a comprehensive effort for the Planning Commission and staff. Discussion Regarding the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) Mr. Evan Wyatt said that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has directed all state transportation departments to adopt regulations for transportation system enhancements. The state enhancement programs are one component of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). Mr. Wyatt said that ISTEA has several funding categories and programs that are authorized over a six year period. The Surface Transportation Program (STP) provides $457.5 million dollars for primary, secondary and mass transit projects in urban and rural areas. He said that ISTEA requires states to set aside at least ten percent of their share of STP funds for enhancements. Mr. Wyatt next presented a 10- minute videotape entitled, "ISTEA: Shifting Gears," to provide the Commission with an explanation of what was involved in the ISTEA Enhancement Program and how the program will assist municipalities. Mr. Wyatt said that the Enhancement Program will have a direct impact on the Planning Commission in that specific projects will be reviewed by the Commission and recommended to the Board of Supervisors. 3621 Commissioners felt that with all the groups involved in the project, a coordinated effort and good communication was vital so that good ideas were not lost. They felt that the first award would probably go to the most imaginative scheme, one that might have social or environmental impacts, and the more people that could be tapped for ideas, the better. ADJOURNMENT No further business remained to be discussed and the meeting adjourned at 8:15 P. m.. Respectfully submitted, Robert W. Watkins, Secretary A � zeez/ 11 Ja s W. Golladay, Jr., Choi • an 3622