PC_10-21-87_Meeting_MinutesMINUTES OF THE MEETING
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 October 21, 1987.
PRESENT: Planning Commissioners present were: Frank H. Brumback, Chairman;
James W. Golladay, Jr., Vice - Chairman; George L. Romine;
Kenneth Y. Stiles; A. Lynn Myers; S. Blaine Wilson;
Carl M. McDonald; and Manuel C. DeHaven.
Also present were: Robert W. Watkins, Secretary;
Stephen M. Gyurisin, Advisory; and Bray Cockerill, Advisory
ABSENT: Marjorie H. Copenhaver
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Brumback called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
BIMONTHLY REPORT
The staff and Planning Commission reviewed pending applications.
Mr. Gyurisin noted for the Commission that he is working on a site
plan with D. K. Erectors, a construction and maintenance company, located
on Route 50 West at the former Ritter Sawmill location, just east of the
Winchester Western railroad tracks. Mr. Gyurisin said that the applicant
has located some of its offices and facilities in the existing buildings
and in the near future will be submitting a plan for a larger storage and
maintenance building on the site.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Comprehensive Plan Subcommittee
Mr. Golladay said that the Comprehensive Plan Subcommittee is
working on a drainage basin concept to be included in the Comprehensive
Plan and used as a basis for guiding development in the County. Mr.
Golladay said that after some additional work on the concept, they will
bring it before the Planning Commission and Board for comments.
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SUBDIVISIONS
Final Subdivision Plat of Bettie E. Winslow for the subdivision of 20.688
acres into two lots in the Shawnee Magisterial District.
Action - Approved
Mr. Watkins said that the master development plan is proposed to be
waived due to the small number and size of the lots.
Mr. Benjamin Butler, attorney representing the Winslows, said that
the 10.688 acres will be retained by the Winslows and the 10.000 acres is
under contract to sell. Mr. Butler said that at the time of RP rezoning on
this property, he had stated to the Commission that the principals involved
were George Glaize, Carlin Smith, and Benjamin Butler.
There being no one present to speak in opposition, motion was made
by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Romine, and passed unanimously for approval
of the subdivision.
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby
unanimously approve the final subdivision plat of Bettie E. Winslow, Zoned
RP, for the subdivision of 20.688 acres into two lots (Tract A -1 10.000
acres and Tract A -2 10.688 acres) fronting on Route 656 (Greenwood Road) in
the Shawnee Magisterial District. (Mr. Stiles was not present for this
vote.)
MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLANS
Final Master Development Plan of Bedford Village for single family
traditional dwellings in the Shawnee Magisterial District.
Action - Approved
Mr. Watkins said that the final master plan was drawn in conformance
with the approved preliminary plan. He said that the staff recommends
approval of the final master development plan with the open space
requirement waived and the buffer reduction approved along Senseny Road.
Mr. H. Bruce Edens, of Greenway Engineering 6 Surveying Company,
Inc., stated that the lots range from 8,700 - 30,000 square feet.
There was no one present to speak in opposition.
Upon motion made by Mr. Wilson and seconded by Mr. Romine,
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby
unanimously approve the Final Master Development Plan of Bedford Village,
Zoned RP, 6 acres, for 16 single family traditional lots with roads,
located on the north side of Senseny Road, across from Glenmont Village, in
the Shawnee Magisterial District. (Mr. Stiles was not present for this
vote.)
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Revised Preliminary Master Development Plan #005 -87 of Grove Heights for
single family cluster housing in the Shawnee Magisterial District.
Action - Tabled
Mr. Golladay noted that due to a business conflict of interest with
one of the participants of this development, he would abstain from all
discussion and voting on this plan.
Mr. Watkins said that the revisions on the plan primarily change the
road layout and access. Mr. Watkins said that under this proposal, there
will be no access to Columbia Circle, Stanford Drive, or Harvard Circle in
the College Park Subdivision. He said that access will be via Purdue Drive
and Route 781.
Mr. H. Bruce Edens, of Greenway Engineering & Surveying Company,
Inc., was the representative for this application. Mr. Edens said that
they have provided a main thoroughfare through the subdivision exiting onto
Route 50. He said that this thoroughfare will eventually be continued to
Senseny Road. Mr. Edens said that they have enlarged the lots adjoining
College Park to approximately 12,600 square feet each.
Chairman Brumback called for anyone who wanted to speak regarding
this proposal and the following persons came forward to speak in
opposition:
Mr. Bary Bryant, resident at 1494 Yale Drive, College Park and newly
elected president of the College Park Association, thanked the Commission
for allowing their concerns to be heard and for the changes that had been
made so far. Mr. Bryant felt, however, that there were some concerns still
unresolved. Issues that College Park residents were still concerned about
were 1) the inadequacy of the present sewer system; (Mr. Bryant presented
photographs taken during the time of the last rain storm in September of a
manhole at the end of Harvard Drive. The photographs showed waste water
and toilet paper coming out of the manhole); 2) what access would be used
during the construction of the development; Mr. Bryant felt that Purdue
Drive would not be able to handle the amount of traffic because of its
narrow width and limited sight distance). Mr. Bryant added that a number
of College Park residents who were opposed to this proposal were in
attendance and he asked them to raise their hands for the Commission
(approximately 15 persons).
Mr. Leonard Newcome, resident at 1470 Yale Drive, College Park, was
also concerned about the present inadequacy of the sewer system. Mr.
Newcome said that water floods from the sewer with as much as 1/4" of rain.
He was concerned that additional connections to the sewer system would
cause severe problems.
Ms. Evelyn Bly, resident on Lot 50, College Park, was concerned
about maintenance and access control to open space areas. She was also
concerned about parking availability in Grove Heights due to the small size
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of the lots. She felt emergency vehicles would have a difficult time
getting through if all the residents parked on the streets.
Mr. Gary Pugh, resident at 1189 Vassar Circle, College Park, was
concerned about the increased burden to an already overcrowded school
system. Mr. Pugh expressed concern about the disturbance of woodlands and
hardwood trees. He also expressed concern about the possibility of
annexation by the City of Winchester if the City supplied water to the
development.
Mr. Jessie Barney, resident on Harvard Drive, College Park, agreed
with all the comments made previously by his friends and neighbors.
Mr'. Jessie Brittain, resident at 1429 Yale Drive, College Park, said
that he purchased his home in April, but has not received any notification
on this proposal.
Mr. Leonard Newcome came forward again and asked for clarification
on the location of the new proposed entrance onto Route 50. Mr. Edens
explained where the proposed entrance would be located. During this
clarification, Mr. Watkins realized that Mr. Edens had a revised plan that
was different from the one the commissioners received in the mail. Mr.
Watkins noted that the revised entrance did not come out on Route 781, but
Route 50. He said that the staff report would have to be revised and
suggested to the commission that the plan be tabled until the Department of
Transportation could review the new Route 50 entrance.
Upon motion made by Mr. Wilson and seconded by Mr. McDonald,
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby
table the Revised Preliminary Master Development Plan #005 -87 of Grove
Heights, Zoned RP, containing 74.359 acres, for single family cluster
housing, until the Department of Transportation could review the new
revised entrance onto Route 50. This property is located on the north side
of Route 50, a short distance from Interstate 81, in the Shawnee
Magisterial District.
The vote on this action was:
YES (TO TABLE): Messrs. McDonald, Myers, Brumback, Wilson, DeHaven, Romine
ABSTAIN: Messrs. Golladay, Stiles
Preliminary Master Development Plan #014 -87 of A. Brokers Associated for
multi - family townhouse residences in the Stonewall Magisterial District.
Action - Approved
Mr. Watkins said that the proposal appears to be compatible with
surrounding uses and all master plan requirements have been met.
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Mr. Butch Kerns, of ABA Realty, introduced himself and Mr. Swagler
Koonce, his partner. Mr. Kerns said that the structures will be two -
bedroom, two -story units with open space across the street.
Mr. Craig Harper, spokesman for the Ash Hollow Estates Homeowners
Association, said that they had attended two previous Commission meetings
to voice their opposition to plans submitted by A. Brokers Associated;
however, in review of the current plans, they are pleased with the design
of the latest proposal.
Upon motion made by Mr. DeHaven and seconded by Mr. Wilson,
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby
unanimously approve Preliminary Master Development Plan #014 -87 of A.
Brokers Associated, Zoned RP, 1.198 acres, for multi - family (townhouse)
residences to be located on valley Mill Road, VA. Route 659, in the
Stonewall Magisterial District.
Revised Preliminary Master Development Plan #008 -87 of Westside Station for
single - family detached cluster lots in the Back Creek Magisterial
District.
Action - Approved
Mr. Edward Dove, President of Dove 6 Associates, the engineers/
surveyors for the Westside Station project, said that 43 of the lots will
be located in the County and five lots will be located in the City. Mr.
Dove said that one concern of the Commission on the previous plan was that
Wayland Drive was shown as a "through" street. Mr. Dove said that they
have revised the plan to terminate Wayland Drive into two cul -de -sacs. He
said that the Department of Transportation has no objection to this
proposal, however, the City did express some concern. Mr. Dove said that
the City was concerned that there would be confusion for the residents on
this street about snow removal and trash pick -up because some of the lots
on the street were located in the city and some in the county. Mr. Dove
said that they have eliminated all pipestem lots. He said that they have
kept several lots adjoining Merrimans Estates and Wayland Drive as rural
type lots for conformity between the two neighborhoods.
Mr. Stiles felt the revised plan addressed the concerns of the
residents in the area.
Mr. Watkins presented a letter from Mr. Thomas V. Monahan, who had
three main areas of concern: 1) provisions for properly maintaining open
space; 2) problems with thru traffic in relation to Wayland Drive; 3)
responsibility for development of school bus routes. He also presented a
letter from the Round Hill Community Fire Company. Motion was made by Col.
Myers, seconded by Mr. Stiles, and approved unanimously to make the two
letters a part of the official record, as follows:
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HALL, MONAHAN, ENGLE, MAHAN & MITCHE
WILBUR C_ HALL (1692-1972)
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
THOMAS V. MONAHAN LEESSURG, VIRGINIA WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA
SAMUEL D . ENGLE R. o ... 3so R. o.....1.
O. LELAND MAHAN 3 EAST MARKET STREET s EAST 00ECAWEN STREET
ROBERT T. MITCHELL. JR. TEIE1..NE>o3 -111 .o.l TEiEwKORE -s sz azoo
.JOHN F. LANHAM
KARL 1. KNOCHE
NATE L. ADAMS III
October 5, 1987
Mr. Robert W. Watkins
Director
Departments of Planning and Building
County of Frederick
Winchester, Virginia 22601
Re: Application of Westside Station
Dear Mr. Watkins:
C : " T 191.7
' wLLSS wcb �io.
�5HESTER, VIRGINIA
.hi.�P. O. Box EP4`6
I was present at the presentation of the Preliminary
Master Development Plan for the 48 single - family detached
cluster lots tentatively referred to as Westside Station.
The matter was carried over from September 16, 1987, to
the next meeting of the Frederick County Planning Commission
for further study.
Among the concerns expressed by the Planning Staff
were the pipestem designs contained within the preliminary
plat. This is of course a matter of major concern and
deserves the full consideration of the Planning Staff and
the Planning Commission.
However, I would suggest to you other matters of concern
which I believe should properly be considered at this time.
While a master plan at the preliminary stage is not as detailed
in terms of its internal lot lines, setbacks, and other matters
as will be the final development plan, nevertheless before
preliminary approval is given, I think that the following
questions certainly should be resolved:
1. It seems to me that, without knowing the details
necessary to a final plan, the Planning Commission not only
is entitled to but owes an obligation to future purchasers of
lots to find out how the developer intends to maintain and
HI
A MEMBER OF COMMONWEALTH LAW GROUP, LTD.
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HALL, MONAHAN, ENGLE, MAHAN & MITCHELL
Mr. Robert W. Watkins
October 5, 1987
Page 2
keep in satisfactory condition that property which will be
devoted to open space. There have been numbers of develop-
ments in Frederick County and elsewhere in which adequate
provision was not made and the developer walked away from
the problem, leaving the individual owners to wrestle the
matter out between themselves.
2. Without going into the final plan details, it
seems to me that the Planning Commission is also entitled
to an analysis of how traffic will be handled not only within
the subdivision but more importantly as it enters Route 50
West or enters and travels over Merriman's Lane. A heavily
traveled subdivision exit which bottlenecked into a two
lane country road certainly would not be justified and would
throw an additional burden for road construction on the
state and the county to the west on Merriman's Lane and the
city to the east. An exit onto Route 50 in the face of
eastbound traffic requires safety precautions.
3. It is my understanding that the School Board is
charged with the responsibility for development of school bus
routes. Without knowing the final details of the plan, it
still would appear that the plan must adequately provide for
either school bus access to the development or access of the
children to school buses.
The environmental impact, and a number of other factors
are spelled out as the concern of the Planning Commission. I
submit that the various aspects of development encompass not
only the development itself but with respect to these concerns as
spelled out in the ordinance, extend to the manner in which
the subdivision will fit into the community as a whole.
The developer owes a full explanation at this stage in regard
to these factors.
I am not at all certain that answers do not exist. I
simply feel that they should be made available at this stage.
Very truly yours -,.,�
Thomas V. Monahan _-�,\
TVM /ke
CC: Benjamin M. Butler, Esquire
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ROUND HILL COMMUNITY FIRS COMP
Route 4
h
Winchester, Virginia 22601 _� _ t 1i 1 '' 7
Mr. Watkins,
In reviewing the plans of Westside Station we
have found the Fire Hydrant placement to be satisfactory.
Our major concerns are that the main drive connect the
existing Wayland Drive for two purposes. It would greatly
assist us with access from Rt. 50 to the existing subdiv-
ision and the proposed fire hydrants will be much more
accessable than those on Merrimans Lane.
If the new devolpment is not to connect the
existing Wayland Drive we recommend that the new drive
have a different name to eliminate conflict in an emerg-
ancy response.
Respectfully,
Timothy L. Welsh
Fire Chief
Round Hill Community
Vol. Fire Co. Inc.
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Mr. Thomas V. Monahan was present to discuss his concerns with the
Commission.
Mr. Stiles moved to approve the revised preliminary plan of Westside
Station and noted that any change to the alignment of the roads or the lot
between the cul -de -sacs would have to come back before the Commission for
approval. This motion was seconded by Mr. Golladay and unanimously
approved.
BE PC RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby
unanimously approve Revised Preliminary Master Development Plan #008 -87 of
Westside Station, Zoned RP, 18.19 acres, for single - family detached cluster
lots south of Route 50 West, east of Route 37, and north of Wayland Drive,
in the Back Creek Magisterial District. Any change to the alignment of the
roads or the lot between the cul -de -sacs would have to come back before the
Commission for approval.
(Mr. Stiles left the meeting at this point.)
DISCUSSION OF THE REVISED MASTER DEVELOPMENT PLAN OF GREENBRIER SOUTH
Mr. Watkins said that the staff has received a request for a
relatively minor revision to the master development plan for Greenbrier
South. Mr. Watkins said that the revised plan shows a change in the street
layout and access to the site. He said that overall, the number of lots
accessing Route 647 through Finch Court is reduced, from 18 to six. Mr.
Watkins said that Falcon Court is now being proposed to access the
remaining 11 or 12 lots through the existing Greenbrier Village Subdivision
currently under development, via Nightingale Avenue.
Mr. H. Bruce Edens, of Greenway Engineering S Surveying Company,
Inc., explained that the revisions were made because of some problems they
ran into with gas lines.
The Commission was concerned about Lot 18 accessing onto Route 647.
Mr. Edens felt that the Department of Transportation would not permit an
access there. He felt that a notation on the final plat would take care of
the situation. Mr. Golladay suggested removing Lot 18 and replacing it
with open space. Mr. Edens said that he would address the matter prior to
the final subdivision plat.
Upon motion made by Mr. Golladay and seconded by Mr. McDonald,
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby
unanimously approve the revisions to the Greenbrier South Master
Development Plan #013 -86, Zoned RP, 5.544 acres for single family
traditional development. This property is located north of Stephens City,
on the north side of Route 647, in the Opequon Magisterial District.
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Preliminary Master Development Plan of the Airport Corporate Center for
industrial uses in the Shawnee Magisterial District.
Action - Approved
Mr. David Anhold, with the Cox Company in Charlottesville, designers
of the plan for the Airport Corporate Center, gave a presentation of the
plan concerning the road system, utilities and stormwater. Mr. Anhold said
that their intent for this master plan was to show how industrial and
businesses uses could be accomodated on the site while preserving the
natural beauty of the site.
Mr. Watkins said that the plan met all master plan and M -1 District
requirements.
Mr. Golladay was concerned that enough right -of -way be reserved for
the eventual dual laning of Route 728 because this was the only way to get
to Route 50 from the southern end of the City. Mr. Golladay did not want
anything to jeopardise this road going through.
Mr. Golladay asked if the airport would be given the opportunity to
comment on site plans that were submitted for the Airport Corporate Center
and Mr. Watkins replied that they would.
Upon motion made by Mr. Wilson and seconded by Mr. Romine,
BE IT RESOLVED, That the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby
unanimously approve Preliminary Master Development Plan #012 -87 of the
Airport Corporate Center, Zoned M -1, containing 107.20 acres, for M -1 and
B -2 uses. This property is located at the south corner of the Route 728
and the Route 50 East intersection, 1 1/2 miles east of Winchester, in the
Shawnee Magisterial District.
FROM THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONCERNING MINING
Mr. Watkins stated that the Board of Supervisors tabled the Raymond
Brill rezoning request on October 14, 1987 and asked that the Planning
Commission consider the possibility of allowing certain types of mining as
a conditional use in the A -2 (Agricultural General) or A -1 (Agricultural
Limited) Zoning Districts.
The Commission discussed the pros and cons of using a conditional
use permit for certain types of mining operations. Regarding control of
mining operations, the Commissioners felt that the Bureau of Mines had very
strict regulations regarding runoff, dust control, revegetation, etc. that
would protect the neighbors. Some Commissioners recalled when the.EM
District was first adopted and said that it was written specifically for
mining operations in the County. They said that professional help was used
to write the EM District to be certain that all bases were covered. After
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considerable discussion, the Planning Commission asked the staff to further
research alternative solutions to the problem for discussion by the
Commission.
INFORMAL DISCUSSION REGARDING THE ALTON C. ECHOLS, JR. PROPERTY, ZONED RP
eNn rnNSTSTTNG OF 39 ACRES. ON SENSENY ROAD
Mr. Watkins stated that representatives from Patton, Harris, Rust &
Associates, were present to informally discuss the Alton C. Echols, Jr.
property on Senseny Road. Mr. Watkins said that Mr. Finnegan was in the
process of preparing a preliminary master development plan for the site and
wanted to discuss potential development of the site.
Mr. Charles Blackley, Jr., Vice President of Patton, Harris, Rust &
Associates, introduced himself and Mr. T. Basil Finnegan, Design Engineer
from the same company. Mr. Blackley gave a presentation of the plan for
the commissioners.
Mr. Alton C. Echols, Jr. was also present to talk about his plan and
answer questions from the Commission.
The Commission's main concern regarding this proposal was that
several hundred acres behind the Echols' property may be landlocked. Mr.
Watkins pointed out that there were basically only two access points, one
on Route 780, through an existing development, and one onto Route 50.
Other than this concern, the Commission felt the design and concept was
very good. After considerable discussion, the applicant stated that he
would come back before the Commission with a formal preliminary plan.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:25
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Frank H. Brumback, Chairman
d49 41-4�z
Robert W. Watkins, Secretary
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