PC_04-21-93_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
April 21, 1993.
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, Opequon
District; Ronald W. Carper, Gainesboro District; Manuel C. DeHaven, Stonewall
District; John H. Light, Stonewall District; George L. Romine, Citizen at Large;
and Beverly Sherwood, Board Liaison.
ABSENT: S. Blaine Wilson, Shawnee District
Planning Staff present were: Robert W. Watkins, Director /Secretary; Evan A.
Wyatt, Planner II; and Kris C. Tierney, Deputy Planning Director.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Golladay called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
BIMONTHLY REPORT
Chairman Golladay accepted the Bimonthly Report for the Commission's
information.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Comprehensive Plans & Programs Subcommittee (CP&PS) - 4/12/93 Mtg.
Mrs. Copenhaver reported that the CP &PS studied rail corridors (land availability
and occupancy, zoning, etc.). She said that Mr. Hood from the Winchester- Western Railroad
is expected at the next CP &PS meeting.
Mrs. Copenhaver said that the CP &PS also reviewed the Sanitation Authority's
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list of projects that are ready for design or bid. She said that if President Clinton's federal
funding for local infrastructure projects is passed, the County may be eligible to receive federal
funding for completion of some of its water and sewer line projects. She said that the CP &PS
did not feel that they were familiar enough with the projects to prioritize them and they felt that
some guidance was needed from the Planning Commission and Board.
Development Review & Regulations Subcommittee (DR &RS) - 4/15/93
Mr. Thomas reported that the DR &RS reviewed and discussed the development
review fee schedule that is currently in effect. He said that the current fee schedule is a little
out of date and the DR &RS wants to insure that all our out -of- pocket expenses for permits
(advertising, adjoiner notification letters, sign posting, etc) are being covered.
Sanitation Authority - 4/14/93 Mtg
Mrs. Copenhaver said that she has informed the Sanitation Authority of the request
for water from approximately 12 -13 property owners along Route 636 South from Route 277 to
Pioneer Trailer Park. She said that the Authority will provide the Commission with an estimate
of the cost for this project. Mrs. Copenhaver said that the project will probably not be cost
effective.
Mrs. Copenhaver also informed the Commission that Ned Clelland can no longer
serve on the Authority because he recently moved out of the Gainesboro District he represented.
She said that Ms. Peggy Perdue will replace Mr. Clelland on the Authority.
Winchester- Frederick County Economic Development Commission
Mr. Romine said that he recently attended a Virginia Chamber Economic Summit
and discussions centered on promoting economic development throughout the state. Mr. Romine
said that the state is promoting incentives and the private sector seems not to be so pleased with
this as it may involve increased regulations.
Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB) - 4/20/93 Mtg.
Mr. Shenk said that Dr. Warren Hofstra was available at the meeting to discuss
the archeological sites and the HRAB's list of historically significant sites. He said that they also
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discussed comments from the last joint worksession and the plaque design contest.
Stephens City/Frederick Count Joint Planning Committee - 4/19/93 Mtg.
Mrs. Copenhaver said that the Joint Planning Committee is continuing their study
of improvements to vehicular corridors (Rts 11, 7, 50).
SITE PLANS
Site Plan #011 -93 of the Frederick County Sanitation Authority for a 181' elevated water
storage tank. This property is located east and adjacent to State Route 642, south of the
Kernstown /1 -81 Exit, in the Shawnee District.
Action - Approved
Mr. Wyatt said that this one half to one - million - gallon -per -day elevated water
storage tank is intended to maintain system pressure within the northern loop service area
(Lakeside). Mr. Wyatt said that this facility will utilize the Stephens City limestone quarries as
its source. (The site for the water storage tank was previously determined to be preferred by the
Planning Commission.) He said that the Sanitation Authority has asked G.W. Clifford &
Associates to present the plan to the Commission and Board. Mr. Wyatt said that there are no
unusual review agency comments, however, the Fire Marshal has requested that the width of the
service drive be increased from 12' to 20'.
Mr. Ron Mislowsky, Engineer with G. W. Clifford & Associates, said that the
lines running to and from the tank are already underground. He said that this tank will not
increase any water pressures in the area, but it will stabilize pressures and provide water storage.
The Commission had no problems with the site plan as long as all the review
agency comments were adequately addressed and upon motion by Mr. Romine and seconded by
Mr. Thomas,
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously
recommend approval of Site Plan #011 -93 of the Frederick County Sanitation Authority for a
181' elevated water storage tank on property zoned B2 and RA in the Shawnee District. This
property is identified by Property 1D #75 -1 -A.
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Discussion with Kenneth Y. Stiles Former Board of Supervisors Chairman Regarding
the Capital Improvements Program
Mr. Stiles was present to challenge enrollment figures that school officials plan
to use as justification for future school construction. Mr. Stiles had investigated the past 20
years' school enrollment trends and his tallies indicated that the number of students dropped an
average of 15 % when the same group of students moved through the three years from the ninth
to the twelfth grades. He said school officials are overestimating the number that will be in high
school by predicting the 2.5 percent annual growth for each year, instead of relying on a
statistical decrease in the enrollment.
Mr. Stiles asked that his comments and figures be used when the Commission
reviews its Capital Improvements Plan. He said that the county does not need a third high
school, which is now on the capital improvements plan, but is not funded, and'may not need
another elementary school. He suggested renovating and reopening the Gore and Gainesboro
elementary schools and to use the current school administration building for classrooms.
The Commission decided to forward this information to the CP &PS for their next
review of the CIP. They suggested that the CP &PS involve the School Board staff and the
Planning Department staff in their study of this matter.
CORRIDOR H DISCUSSION
Mr. Evan Wyatt said that "Corridor H" is one of the economic growth highways
that is being studied by Congress for the Appalachian Transportation System. This road segment
is proposed to provide a west to east connection that will begin just west of Elkins, West
Virginia, and will tie into Interstate 81. Mr. Wyatt said that the two road segments in Frederick
County that are being considered as part of Corridor H are Route 50 West and Route 55.
Mr. Wyatt said that the West Virginia Department of Transportation has gone on
record stating that they feel the best corridor is the one that would adjoin Frederick County at
Route 55. He said that VDOT is also focusing specifically on the Route 55 corridor and not on
the Route 50 corridor. Mr. Wyatt said that the staff feels that the Route 55 was the route that
would be eventually chosen.
The Commission was concerned about the funding impact of Corridor H on Frederick
County's share of money that is budgeted in the Stanton District to take care of primary road
improvements in Frederick County.
The Commission also discussed the positive transit impacts that would result from
Corridor H. It was noted that Virginia's Inland Port would benefit and there would also be a
positive impact on the Winchester /Frederick County area as a distribution center.
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Mr. Wyatt said that the staff will be requesting a recommendation from the
Planning Commission to the Board of Supervisors at the next meeting. He said that the
recommendation should include whether or not the Planning Commission is in favor of a "build
option," which corridor is preferred if a build option is desirable, and any other concerns the
Commission may have as far as funding mechanisms, etc.
ADJOURNMENT
No further business remained to be discussed and the meeting adjourned at 8:45
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert W. Watkins, Secretary
Ja 71 W. Golladay, Jr., Ch iy an
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