PC_03-18-87_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 March 18, 1987.
PRESENT: Frank H. Brumback, Chairman; James W. Golladay, Jr.,
Vice-Chairman; Marjorie H. Copenhaver; A. Lynn Myers; S. Blaine
Wilson; George L. Romine; Manuel C. DeHaven; Carl M. McDonald;
Robert W. Watkins, Secretary; Stephen M. Gyurisin, Advisory.
ABSENT: Kenneth Y. Stiles
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Brumback called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
MINUTES
The first order of business was the consideration of the minutes of
March 4, 1987. Upon motion made by Col. Myers and seconded by Mr. Romine,
the minutes of March 4, 1987 were unanimously approved as presented.
BIMONTHLY AND MONTHLY REPORTS
Mr. Gyurisin stated that he had received three requests for
administrative approval. He said that the first one concerns some minor
changes at Regency Mobile Home Park. Mr. Gyurisin said that they have
revised the shape of the community building, although parking space and
square footage remain the same. The Commission instructed the staff to
proceed with administrative approval.
The second item was an industrial addition to the Amoco Foam
facility located at the intersection of Routes 37 and 81. Mr. Gyurisin
presented a conceptual drawing and said that detailed plans would be
submitted later. The Commissioners had concerns with the building and
entrance and requested that Mr. Gyurisin bring the final plans in for the
Commission's information. Mr. Gyurisin said that he would bring this site
plan back as a regular agenda item.
The third request was for a flea market at the intersection of
Routes 81 and 672. The Commission had concerns about parking and size of
the flea market and therefore, requested the staff to bring it before the
Commission as a regular agenda item.
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COMMITTEE REPORTS
Economic Development Commission
Mr. Romine, Economic Development Coordinator, stated that the EDC
continues to receive many inquiries about the area. Mr. Romine also
congratulated the staff on their data base book on population and housing.
Mr. Romine felt the statistical information was very professional and would
be a real asset to the EDC.
SITE PLANS
Site Plan 11008 -87 of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University/
Winchester Fruit Research Lab for a pesticide storage building on Route 629
in the Back Creek Magisterial District.
Action - Approved
Mr. Watkins stated that the applicant does not plan to change the
existing entrance, but they are proposing an additional driveway to the
pesticide storage building. He said that the building will be equipped
with a fill -up and wash down area and a loading area.
Mr. Leonard Cobb, representative for this plan, stated that they
are in the process of moving their pesticide storage /spray operation to
their farm on Route 629. Mr. Cobb said that basically they are involved
in two types of service -- pesticide testing for chemical companies and
extension -type service for local growers. Mr. Cobb next described the
layout of the facility for the Commission.
Mr. Wilson asked if they would he moving the entire Route 11
operation to the new facility. Mr. Cobb said no, that the offices and
greenhouses will remain at the Route 11 location. Mr. Cobb added that they
will eventually, at some point in the future, move the entire operation to
the new location.
Upon motion made by Mrs. Copenhaver and seconded by Mr. McDonald,
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby
unanimously approve Site Plan #008 -87 of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and
State University Fruit Research Lab for a pesticide storage building on
Route 629, between Routes 622 and 628, in the Back Creek Magisterial
District.
MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLANS
Preliminary Master Development Plan 11002 -87 of Valley Mill Terrace
Apartments for multi - family residential apartments on Route 659 in the
Stonewall District.
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Action - Tabled
Mr. Watkins said that the applicant is proposing two structures
(three stories each) containing 12 two - bedroom apartments. He said that
the RP District only requires a 5' side yard for garden apartments. Mr.
Watkins said that additional information is needed on the plan regarding
distance to and screening of adjacent single - family dwellings.
Mr. Swagler Koonce, applicant and owner of the property, was present
to answer questions.
Chairman Brumback asked Mr. Koonce for the distance to the adjoining
residence. Mr. Koonce said that there is a vacant lot adjacent to this
property. Mr. Koonce explained that he had attempted to purchase the
property, but the owner does not wish to sell. Mr. Koonce said that Lee
and Allen Ebert, surveyors, worked with the staff and felt this was the
best layout for the buildings.
Mr. DeHaven felt that this proposal did not fit in with the trend of
existing dwellings in the area.
Mr. Wilson felt that the existing 30' entrance was inadequate for
this road. Mr. Wilson preferred to see the entrance increased to 50', due
to the number of vehicles that would be generated from 12 apartments.
Chairman Brumback felt the Commission needed to know the exact
distance to adjoining dwellings. He also felt that a design for the
buildings needed to be finalized so that the staff and Commission could
determine the amount and location of screening.
Mr. Michael Ewing, a resident of Ash Hollow Estates, came forward to
speak in opposition to this proposal. Mr. Ewing also felt the entrance
width was inadequate. He said that Valley Mill Road is very narrow and the
proposed entrance will be located on the crest of a hill. Mr. Ewing felt
the proposal was too high of a density and was not in character with the
existing neighborhood. Mr. Ewing was concerned about garbage disposal and
where children who live in the apartments would be playing. Mr. Ewing
agreed with the Commission's comments on screening and buffering.
Mrs. Deloris London, resident of Ash Hollow Estates, was also in
opposition to this proposal. Mrs. London said that she was in agreement
with Mr. Ewing's comments.
Mrs. Betty Clem, resident of Ash Hollow Estates, was also in
opposition to the apartments.
Mr. Koonce commented that his proposal was a permitted use in the RP
District. He said that if there is a flaw, it is in the zoning and not his
proposal. Mr. Koonce said that his proposal meets all the requirements
except for the 200' setback, which was an oversight. Mr. Koonce said that
he would change the plans to meet that setback.
Some members of the Commission expressed displeasure with this
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proposal as they felt it was not in keeping with the type of existing
dwellings in the area. They felt that the exact distance to the adjoining
dwellings needed to be determined so that setbacks and screening could be
finalized. The Commission was also concerned with the proposed 30'
entrance and felt it needed to be increased.
Upon motion made by Mr. Wilson and seconded by Col. Myers,
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby
table Preliminary Master Development Plan 6002 -87 of Valley Mill Terrace
Apartments for two structures (three stories each) containing 12
two - bedroom apartments to be located on 1.198 acres on the north side of
Valley Mill Road, Route 659, just west of Ash Hollow Estates, in the
Stonewall Magisterial District.
The vote on this item was as follows:
YES: Mrs. Copenhaver and Messrs. McDonald, Myers, Brumback, Golladay,
DeHaven, Wilson
NO: Mr. Romine
INFORMATIONAL ITEM ON FREDERICKTOWNE ESTATES PRELIMINARY MASTER DEVELOPMENT
PLAN.
Mr. Watkins noted for the Commission's information that the
applicant for Fredericktowne Estates Preliminary Master Development Plan,
Ms. Marian S. Zirkle, had withdrawn her application for the present time.
Mr. Watkins said that the applicant has informed the staff that she will
resubmit the plan as soon as the related sewer issues have been resolved or
clarified.
1987 PROGRAM OF WORK FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Watkins presented the 1987 Program of Work for the Department of
Planning and Development. He then reviewed each section of the plan with
the Commission. Mr. Watkins added that the work program would be submitted
to the Board of Supervisors at their meeting of March 25, 1987.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BUDGET LINE ITEM
Mr. Watkins stated that he had received a request concerning means
available to the Commission to enlist assistance from private engineers and
consultants. Mr. Watkins said that a line item in the Planning
Department's budget entitled, "Professional Services" is intended to allow
the purchase of services from consultants, engineers, architects, and other
services. Mr. Watkins added that this funding could be used for
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engineering review of plans or for specialized planning studies.
DISCUSSION ON REVISIONS TO THE POPULATION AND HOUSING SECTIONS OF THE
Mr. Golladay, Chairman of the Comprehensive Plan Subcommittee,
stated that basically, the revision is an extension of the previous
Population and Housing Section of the Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Watkins next proceeded to review the various sections of the
Population and Housing package.
JOINT WORK SESSION WITH PLANNING COMMISSION AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Mr. Watkins stated that there would be a joint work session of the
Planning Commission, the Board of Supervisors, and the Sanitation Authority
on Tuesday, March 24, 1987 at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Old
Frederick County Courthouse. Mr. Watkins said that proposals for the
Parkins Mill Sewage Treatment Plant and related sewer issues will be
discussed.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Brumback stated that there would be a brief presentation
after adjournment by Allan L. Tischler, a County resident, on Civil War
history and sites in Frederick County. There being no other business to
discuss, the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Frank H. Bru ba c, Chairman..„
Robert W. Watkins, Secretary
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