PC_11-16-88_Meeting_MinutesMEETING MINUTES
OF THE
FREDERICK COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
Held in the Board of Supervisors' Meeting Room in the Old Frederick County
Court House, 9 Court Square, Winchester, Virginia, on November 16, 1988.
PRESENT: Planning Commissioners present were: Frank H. Brumback, Chairman;
James W. Golladay, Jr., Vice - Chairman; Manuel C. DeHaven;
Beverly Sherwood; Marjorie H. Copenhaver; George L. Romine;
Kenneth Y. Stiles; and Carl M. McDonald.
Also present were: Robert W. Watkins, Secretary;
Kris C. Tierney, Advisory; and A. Bray Cockerill, Advisory.
ABSENT: S. Blaine Wilson
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Brumback called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
OF KRIS C. TIERNEY
Mr. Watkins introduced Mr. Kris C. Tierney, Frederick County's newly
hired Zoning and Subdivision Administrator. Mr. Watkins said that this
position was created at the deputy director level. Chairman Brumback
welcomed Mr. Tierney to Frederick County.
MINUTES
Upon motion made by Mr. Golladay and seconded by Mr. Romine, the
minutes of November 2, 1988 were unanimously approved as presented.
BIMONTHLY AND MONTHLY REPORTS
The Commission and staff discussed pending applications.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Economic Development Commission
Mr. Romine reported continued high levels of activity.
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Transportation Committee
Mr. Golladay presented the Transportation Committee's report from
their meeting of November 7, 1988.
Mr. Golladay reported that the consultant for the Thoroughfare Plan
has been chosen and the contract awarded. Mr. Golladay said that traffic
counts have been started and the consultant should be able to meet with the
City and County staff within a month or two.
Mr. Watkins informed the commissioners that in the future, the
Virginia Department of Transportation will only be monitoring traffic
counts on selective segments of secondary roads in the county. He said
that it would be up to the county to choose which segments they wanted
monitored.
Mr. DeHaven was concerned about the request to abandon the ford on
Route 644 in his district. Mr. DeHaven said that besides Route 7, this is
the only way for farmers to move livestock and hay to Clarke County.
Comprehensive Plan Subcommittee
Mr. Golladay reported that a comprehensive plan public meeting was
held on Monday evening, November 14, 1988 at the Indian Hollow School. He
said that the last meeting will be November 17, 1988 at the Stonewall
Elementary School.
Sanitation Authority
The Sanitation Authority met on Monday, November 14, 1988. Mrs.
Copenhaver reported that as of September, 1988, there were 2,790 lots
master planned with water and sewer available; 832 of those had service
completed and ready for hookups; 721 were under construction for hookup
next year; and 1,237 had design completed but no work started.
Regarding the Route 277 extension, it was noted that approvals had
been given by the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission,
however, approvals were still needed by the City of Winchester and Clarke
County. State prison officials for Camp 7 requested a six -inch line
(providing 600 gpm) to serve the 120 inmates at the facility.
SUBDIVISIONS
Final Subdivision Plat of Winchester- Frederick County Industrial
Development Corporation Land for two industrial lots in the Back Creek
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District.
Action - Approved
Mr. Jim Largent, counsel for the Industrial Development Corporation,
said that they had originally developed the property into five and ten acre
tracts; however, the 40 -acre and the ten -acre parcels are based on a
special request. Mr. Largent said that there are approximately 68 acres,
south of Route 37, left in the Industrial Development Corporation.
Upon motion made by Mrs. Copenhaver and seconded by Mr. McDonald,
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby
unanimously approve the final subdivision plat of the Winchester- Frederick
County Industrial Development Corporation Land for two industrial lots,
located south of Route 87 and east of Virginia Route 651, in the Back Creek
Magisterial District.
Final Subdivision Plat of Pembridge Heights, Phase I, (formerly Grove
Heights) for 76 single - family cluster lots. This property is zoned RP and
is located on the north side of Route 50, near Route 781, in the Shawnee
District.
Action - Tabled for 60 Days
Mr. Golladay noted for the record that his conflict of interest
regarding this project has been removed and, therefore, he would
participate in the discussion.
Mr. Watkins noted that the subdivision plat conformed with the
approved master development plan. He added that a road connection with
Route 781 will be provided as a part of the first phase.
Mr. Mark Nelis, with Brownell, Inc., was present to answer questions
from the Commission.
On behalf of Mr. Wilson, who could not be present at this meeting,
Mr. Golladay raised concerns about the traffic impacts on Purdue Drive. He
said that Mr. Wilson wanted to make sure that the connection on Route 781
was completed before any major construction started.
Chairman Brumback called for anyone wishing to speak regarding this
subdivision and the following people came forward to speak in opposition:
Mr. Griffin L. Davis, Lot 22 in College Park, was concerned because
construction equipment had been moved to the site without the completion of
the Route 781 entrance. He was also concerned because the size of the
lots adjacent to the existing College Park Subdivision were smaller than
those proposed at the master plan stage.
Mr. Barry Bryant, 1494 Yale Drive in College Park, also reported
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that heavy construction equipment was moved to the site via Purdue Drive.
Mr. Bryant voiced his opposition to the addition of 25 homes at the end of
Yale Drive. He said that the last time he came before the Commission, he
described the sewer backup problems he was experiencing at his home and he
was very concerned about adding 25 more homes to an already outdated sewer
system.
Mr. Leonard Newcome, resident of College Park, agreed with the
concerns raised by Mr. Bryant. He said that he had four drawings of the
proposed subdivision and all were different as far as road scheme, lot
sizes, and lot layout. Mr. Newcome was opposed to the small size of the
lots proposed adjacent to the existing College Park Subdivision. Mr.
Newcome said that adjoining property owners were promised at the onset of
this development that they would be protected by lot sizes with no less
than 12,500 square feet.
Mr. Gary Pugh, 1189 Vassar Circle in College Park, concurred with
all the previous statements made. Mr. Pugh also felt that the final
subdivision plat did not agree with the approved master development plan.
Mr. Wayne Nicholson, 1176 Princeton Drive in College Park, also
agreed with concerns previously stated. Mr. Nicholson felt that the most
recent road layout would cause the majority of traffic to use Purdue Drive
and not Route 781.
Mr. Hugh Price agreed with all the statements previously made and
also noted that Route 781 was blocked with a backhoe.
Rev. Tangeman, Yale Drive in College Park, agreed with all
statements previously made.
Mr. Jesse Bonney, 1174 Harvard Drive in College Park, agreed with
all the statements previously made.
Mr. Watkins verified that the street layout on the subdivision plat
conformed with the approved revised final master development plan. Mr.
Watkins agreed that the situation was confusing because many versions of
the plan had been submitted. He said that the latest master plan was not
done by the original designer. Mr. Watkins recalled the fact that the
latest designer, Brownell Inc., came before the Commission and requested a
revision to the master plan to change the long, straight streets to
curvilinear streets. Mr. Watkins said that this revision to the master
plan was approved. Mr. Watkins also noted that it was insured that the new
developer did not add more lots on the subdivision plan or on the revised
preliminary master plan than what was approved on the original version.
Mr. Stiles stated that a stipulation of the approval of the master
plan at the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors' meetings was that
the lots would be reasonably consistent in size with the adjoining College
Park lots.
Mr. Bruce Brownell, President of Brownell Inc., said that they were
very conscious of the fact that one of the strongest concerns of the
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neighbors was the Route 781 access. Mr. Brownell said that they had every
intention to build that road, however, he was under the impression that the
critical time for construction was after substantial construction traffic
had begun. Mr. Brownell said that excavation equipment was moved to the
site, however, the substantial amount of traffic that will be generated as
the project proceeds was yet to come.
Regarding the backhoe parked on Route 781, Mr. Brownell said that it
belonged to Buckley - Lagges and they were installing an off -site sewer line
for the city. Mr. Brownell said that they did not own the parcel where the
off -site roadway was to be located, however, they did have a contract to
purchase the property when they go to record. Mr. Brownell felt it was
argumentative whether or not they had the right to use the property at this
time.
Mr. Brownell said that he was not aware of the neighbors' concerns
about lot sizes adjoining College Park.
The Planning Commission's main consideration at this point was the
compatibility of lot sizes adjoining the College Park Subdivision. It was
noted that the Commission had approved the revision to the road layout and
it was felt that the revision would not put more traffic on Purdue Drive
than the original plan. The third concern of the Planning Commission was
the question of using Purdue Drive for construction equipment. Because the
Commission felt these items needed to be addressed by the applicant, Mr.
Stiles moved to table the subdivision for 60 days. This motion was
seconded by Mr. DeHaven.
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby
unanimously agree to table the final subdivision plat of Pembridge Heights
for 60 days in order to allow time for the applicant to address the
concerns of the Planning Commission and the residents of College Park.
Preliminary Master Development Plan #015 -88 of Oakdale Crossing for 68
single - family detached traditional housing lots on 38.88 acres, zoned RP,
in the Shawnee District.
Action - Approved
Mr. Charles Maddox, Engineer with G. W. Clifford & Associates, was
present to represent Bowman Trucking Company, the developers of Oakdale
Crossing. Mr. Maddox presented the plan to the Commission. He noted that
the development would have curb and gutter, a storm service system, wide
frontage, large lots, and approximately two units per acre.
Mr. Maddox noted that a proposal for this area was previously
brought before the Commission as the Echols tract. He said that one of the
objections to that plan involved a sewer pump station located on Fairway
View Estates. Mr. Maddox said that they have eliminated that problem by
installing a gravity sewer line. He said that an extension of Winchester
City mains is proposed with an alternative of pumping to the Frederick
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County Sanitation Authority facilities. Regarding transportation, Mr.
Maddox said that they have studied the transportation issues
affecting this area, especially the narrowness of Senseny Road into the
City of Winchester. Mr. Maddox said that the developers felt a connection
to Route 50 was absolutely necessary for the development of the site. It
was noted that road access was proposed through the parcel to the south,
however, that parcel was landlocked. Mr. Maddox said that negotiations
are being made with adjacent owners to attempt to secure an access to Route
50.
Mr. Ken Kissner, an adjoining property owner, said that he is
presently experiencing a great deal of stormwater problems on his property
and he was concerned that the flooding would be worse with additional
development. Mr. Kissner was very concerned about the engineering of
stormwater runoff for this development.
Mr. Frank Taylor, adjoining property owner, came forward to support
the statements made by Mr. Kissner. Mr. Taylor also requested engineering
solutions to handle surface water for the new development.
Mr. Steven Cody came forward to say that he supported the
preliminary master plan and thought it was a quality development.
Mr. Maddox felt that the drainage concerns of the neighbors could be
adequately handled.
Upon motion made by Mr. Romine and seconded by Mr. DeHaven,
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby
unanimously approve Preliminary Master Development Plan #015 -88 of Oakdale
Crossing for single - family detached traditional housing on 38.88 acres,
zoned RP. This property is located on Senseny Road, approximately 3,500
feet east of Interstate 81, in the Shawnee Magisterial District.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REQUESTS
Mr. Watkins presented two requests for parcels of land to be
included in the urban development area in the Comprehensive Plan.
The first request, by Justes -and Rosa Russell, was for 280 acres
located just east of Route 522 South, adjacent to the Airport Business
Center (M -1) land and RP land along Route 522 South, and located in the
Buffalo Lick Run drainage area. Mr. Watkins said that it was the staff's
opinion that the land around the Route 522 South corridor between the
airport and Parkins Mill would eventually need to be considered for
inclusion in the urban development area.
The second request, by Ryland S. Carper, was for 213 acres located
on Route 723, just north of Route 50 East, and partially located in the
Buffalo Lick Run drainage area.
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The Commission felt that in order to include both parcels, several
additional parcels of property surrounding these two particular sites would
also have to be included in the urban development area. It was noted that
portions of these two particular parcels were located in drainage areas
and, therefore, portions of property upstream would also need to be
included. It was decided to direct these requests to the Comprehensive
Plan Subcommittee for study.
DISCUSSION OF THE ROUTE 7 /STEPHENSON CORRIDER PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT BY
Mr. Charles Maddox, of G. W. Clifford & Associates, presented a
third request for inclusion in the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Maddox noted
that this property consists of 1400 acres located adjacent to and, in
certain cases, inside the urban development area. He said that the project
location is generally to the south of Stephenson, to the east of Route 11,
and in an area between the Route 7 corridor and Route 11 corridor. He said
that the project is for a planned unit development to take place within a
ten year period. It was noted that along with single - family and multi-
family housing, the project may include a shopping mall, a golf course,
schools, restaurants, and light industry.
Mr. Maddox introduced the owners: Mr. James Marlow and Mr. Allen
Nicholls; and the developers: Rocco Tricarico, Chief Architect with Driggs
Associates; Richard Barnas, Chief Engineer with Driggs Associates; Don
Heine, Urban Planner with Kellerco Associates; and Chris Izzo,
Transportation Planner with Kellerco Associates.
Mr. Don Heine focused on reasons why the developers felt this
property was suitable for development using population, income, employment,
traffic flow, and business establishments.
Mr. Chris Izzo, the Senior Transportation Planner with the Kellerco
consultant firm in Loudoun County, addressed the general transportation
issues that would be associated with the site.
Mr. Maddox said that the owners of the project are willing to
provide schools, central sewer and water, transportation corridors, roads
and streets, both within the site and off -site, in order to make this a
first class development area.
Mr. Stiles felt that this project was beyond the scope of the
current thinking on the Comprehensive Plan, however, it was not at odds
with the long -term planning for this area. He also noted that a small
portion of the property was currently indicated as an urban development
area. Mr. Stiles felt that the Commission should proceed with the current
Comprehensive Plan and not make any particular adjustments before the
public meetings or adoption process. He said that since the county reviews
the Comprehensive Plan on an annual basis, the commissioners could look at
the specifics during the comprehensive plan update next year. Mr. Stiles
felt that, in general terms, the project proposed was reasonably acceptable
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for the long term for Frederick County.
The Commission referred this item to the Comprehensive Plan
Subcommittee for further study.
DISCUSSION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN /ROUND HILL AREA
Mr. Watkins said that the staff has discussed the sewer line in the
Route 50 West /Abrams Creek area with the City. He said that the intention
was to allow the County to extend the main along Abrams Creek into the
County to serve approximately 1,000 acres in the County. He said that it
was generally agreed that sufficient additional capacity was provided to
serve 1,000 acres. A discussion followed on which areas in the Abrams
Creek Drainage area should be served by the additional capacity.
Mr. DeHaven said that since the people of Roundhill were having
sewer problems, he felt the Roundhill area should be served first. Mr.
DeHaven said that he thought the intention of increasing the size of the
line in the first place was to take care of the problems at Roundhill.
Mr. Cather, a Frederick County resident, felt that if the sewer line
was run to the Roundhill area, most of the residents would hook up to the
line. Mr. Cather felt it was time for something to be done about the sewer
problems in the Roundhill area.
The Planning Commission discussed this matter and came to the
conclusion that not enough information was available to include Roundhill
in the sewer service area.
F.V1X Gr(2I -""
Since there was no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at
10:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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drank H. Brumback, hairman
Robert W. Watkins, Secretary
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