PC_06-20-79_Meeting_Minutes(PC 6/20/79) p. 1
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
FREDERICK COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
Held in the Board of Supervisors' Room
PRESENT: C. Langdon Gordon, Chairman; Frank Brumback, Vice - Chairman; W. French
Kirk; James Golladay, Jr.; Thomas B. Rosenberger; Herbert Sluder
ABSENT: Elmer Venskoske; Manuel DeHaven
CALL TO ORDER
The first order of business was the introduction of the new Secretary,
Beverly Sherwood,by Ms. Stefen. Mr. Gordon welcomed her to the Commission.
Second was consideration of the minutes of June 6, 1979. As no
changes were requested, these were voted unanimous approval.
BIMONTHLY REPORT
Mr. Gordon inquired if Ash Hollow had been approved by the City,
and Ms. Stefen said it had. Ms. Stefen explained to both Mr. Golladay and
Mr. Rosenberger that the date on the Ed Shirley site plan was misleading. Prior
to his submittal of a site plan, Mr. Shirley's building was there.
As for the Baltimore Lounge, she said this was a proposed use of an
abandoned restaurant and is planned to be a restaurant - lounge. Mr. Sluder pin-
pointed its location as being near the Trading Post. And the applicant for Oak
Hill subdivision has submitted no final plat.
Ms. Stefen further explained that because of the cut in staff, she
has been compelled to hold to such priorities as involved new development over
the instance of Ed Shirley, for example. She also indicated that the agenda for
the next Planning Commission meeting would be lengthy, with conditional use per-
mits and rezoning.
The Bimonthly Report was accepted as information.
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(PC 6/20/79) p.2
Road right -of -way alignment, Fredericktowne Wythe Avenue, Lots 50, 51 and 52,
Section III, Opequon District.
ACTION -- approved
In her background remarks, Ms. Stefen said the wording for this should
probably be re- subdivision. The reviewing agencies have approved. There is a
right -of -way at the end of Wythe Avenue at Lot 54. Fredericktowne wants to secure
right -of -way to property they do own, in an area they partially own.
Petitioner, Dennis McLoughlin, was called forward, representing Kuykendall
Whiting. Fredericktowne, he said,owns a parcel of land known as the Nichols land, on
the south -east side of Wythe Avenue, and desires additional access to that tract by
putting in a road which affects lots 50, 51, and 52, which are presently of record
on an approved plat. The access is desired for future development on the Nichols
tract. The land behind Lot 49 or Lot 53 is not owned by Fredericktowne. This would
obtain good access for people coming down Westmoreland Drive, at one end of Wythe
Avenue, and Rockbridge Avenue at the other end of Wythe. This future development
area would be Section IV of Fredericktowne.
In response to questioning from the Vice - chairman, Mr. McLoughlin said
there would be no "detrimental effects to the lots except that Lot 51 will no longer
be developable for a house, obviously. The way the road is proposed to be put in,
where one of the lots would lose some acreage at one end, it would pick it up in the
other end, so the actual size of the lots would not be reduced."
Mr. Gordon explained that the concern of the Commission was that the
reduced lot would not become "a no -man's land." The right -of -way, he ascertained,
is the boundary line of Lot 52.
The drainage easement would be moved to run parallel along Fairfax Drive,
as proposed, said Mr. McLoughlin.
Mr. Golladay moved, Mr. Brumback seconded, approval of the resubdivision.
The vote was unanimous.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission recommend approval to the
Board of Supervisors of Fredericktowne's resubdivision provided the remaining land
adjacent to the right -of -way be included in lots 50 and 52 respectively.
(PC 6/20/79) p.3
Site Plan Revision 023 -78, Doug Toan
Stonewall District.
Revision to include two new buildings.
Ms. Stefen's briefing established that the site plan was the same as
previously submitted except for the addition of two more buildings. Approved by all
review, agencies.
Doug Toan came forward and identified himself as the owner of the property
and the builder. The site plan was submitted three months ago, he said,
the first buildings are "pre- engineered buildings, on a concrete slab, identical in
size and structure, metal and will house dry goods storage only, strictly an
industrial storage building. There will be traffic of van trucks, or maybe flat -bed
trucks, to haul to the site and from it with goods .. One - twenty by two -forty in
size."
Replying to Mr. Sluder's question, Mr. Toan said "I've heard from Ferman
Perry they're starting /water and sewer lines /in the Fall. The contract's been let."
Mr. Golladay amplified that staking has also been done though work has not yet
commenced.
As to Mr. Toan's plans to use water and sewer lines, he stated that if,
for example, one company decided to rent all three buildings and place an office,
he would then hook in. "At this time we have no need for it."
There was no one in opposition present. Mr. Brumback moved for approval,
Mr. Rosenberger seconded. The vote was as follows:
Kirk; Golladay; Brumback; Rosenberger; Gordon -- YES
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission recommend approval to the
Board of Supervisors the Doug Toan revision cited above.
In free time before the public hearings, the communication from the
Department of Highways proposing the naming of Highway 236 and U. S. 50 between
Alexandria and Winchester the John S. Mosby Highway was considered. No one was
opposed to this proposal, already approved by the Senate and the House, and a vote
711
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followed motion by Mr. Golladay, seconded by Mr. Rosenberger, unanimous in favor
of the suggested name. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Commission recommend approval
of the highway name of John S. Mosby to the appropriate authorities.
The first official contact of P. C. members with the Board of Zoning
Appeals was discussed. Mr. Golladay reported that BZA is receptive to occasional
significant variances pertinent to Planning Commission's areas of concern receiving
comment by the Commission. In the ensuing discussion, the Chairman suggested a
unified approach of one comment representing the entire Commission's views.
The next meeting of the BZA will be in August, and these meetings are
held every two months on the third Tuesday. Mr. Golladay said the Chairlady Mrs.
Starliper had invited P.C..members to attend the meetings either in lieu of or in
addition to making recommendations to the Board. Routine variances would not be of
interest, but in discussion it was brought out that sometimes the actions of the BZA
have widespread effect, this point by Mr. Brumback. BZA may be unaware of these
implications of their actions at times. -
Mr. Golladay suggested the procedure of including the variances as part
of the regular agenda to afford an opportunity for study. Planning Commission
comments would be added to a letter regularly sent out to.the BZA. Mr. Gordon spoke
to the delicacy of avoiding all infringements or appearances thereof in the
relations between the two bodies.
The report by Mr. Golladay was accepted as information. The Chairman
thanked Mr. Kirk and Mr. Golladay for representing the Commission. Mr. Golladay in
turn - thanked the Commission for their patience: "It took four months to get there."
At this point a fifteen - minute recess was called.
The Chairman called attention to the Transportation Plan for the City of
Winchester, the periphery of which is of interest to the Commission; said it would
be available in the office for scrutiny.
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(PC 6/20/79) p. 5
CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS (tabled from 6/6/79)
Conditional Use Permit No. 008 -79 - withdrawn 6/14/79
Conditional Use Permit No. 009 -79 of Richard and Merle Kerns Cross Junction, Va.,
zoned Agricultural- Limited (A -1) for the operation of a grocery store in a vacant
store structure. Property identification no. 13(A) 25 on Siler Route 600 in
Gainesboro District.
The Kerns, said Ms. Stefen, are contract - holders of the property
described above; the type of use, an old grocery store to be remodelled and re-
opened for business, with no new buildings envisioned. Additions to existing
building: attach a storage area to the existing building, new front porch.
Adjoiners were notified, and applicants have furnished snapshots.
Petitioners appeared, and spelled out further details: they have not
purchased the property yet. Survey is being done on 7 8 -acre portion, off
the 48.75 acres to be sold with the store. Owner is keeping the rest of the property.
The Kerns wished to find if the use planned is permissible before buying.
Mr. Kerns said "This is the old original store with the Siler Post
Office in the same building. It was discontinued in 1964. The closest grocery
is Alkire's Store on 522, roughly four miles away."
The first floor would hold the store. on the top floor and in the back
is storage area. The front porch needs repair or replacement; a small addition
for storage is under consideration. The dimensions: 25 to 30 feet wide, and 40
feet long, "adequate at the present time," said Mr. Kerns.
Ms. Stefen said when the staff comment was drawn up, she was not aware
that the Kerns would be buying only a- portion of the property. She spelled out
the conditions proposed: that the CUP be applicable only to the immediate area
of the store, one acre in extent; the submission of a modified site plan approved
by the Zoning Administrator before occupancy, showing an expansion no greater than
50o of the existing structure; hard - surfaced parking of one space per two hundred
square feet of floor space. Building to be confined to use only as a general
store; no conditions regarding time or transferability are suggested to be imposed.
Mr. Kerns saw no problems in conforming to these conditions. He did
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ask if any objection would be made to his adding gas pumps.
On the issue of sufficient parking, it was agreed that not much was
needed and that there is ample space for it. The kind of surfacing for parking
was also considered, and general agreement was that highway standards were not
intended. Ms. Stefen specified that she did not mean asphalt; "Like chip- and - seal ?"
asked Mr. Rosenberger. Mr. Kerns described it as tar - and -chip, at perhaps one -
fifth the expense. "There is a home," said Mr. Kerns. "The home is being sold with
the store that the property is on. That would be fine, to separate the store
from the rest of the property," he allowed. "We're not going to require you to
survey that," stated Ms. Stefen.
The limitation of the CUP to the one acre around the store, she
replied to the Chairman's question, she would hold to. Her concern is that parts
and functions of the store should not appear at different parts of the seven acres.
Only zoning change, Mr. Rosenberger asked, would require a survey? Right, said
Ms. Stefen. The applicant can draw up a modified site plan himself without paying
a surveyor's fee, she added.
No objection was made. The Chairman observed that a store would
probably be welcome in the area. Mr. Kerns mentioned receiving favorable com-
ments. Replying to Mr. Rosenberger's question about adequate parking, Mr. Kerns
stressed the relatively small selling area, 25' x 30'.
Mr. Kirk spoke of his familiarity with the property when the store
was operating, and when it was a postoffice, even when Mr. Shade was operating
the store, "going 'way back," as he said. "I would think there should be a store
there. It's not a crossroads, but it is a T going off the main road, and there
should be a store..Four miles up that grade is a long way for a loaf of bread, or
a pound of coffee, and if you would like a motion I'd be more than glad to make
a motion that we accept this under the conditions stated."
Other than obtaining another conditional use permit, said Ms. Stefen,
this would be acceptable. On discussion, it was decided to incorporate the gas
pump request in the present instance. 714
(PC 6/20/79) p.7
Mr. Rosenberger seconded Mr. Kirk's motion. The vote was:
Kirk; Golladay; Brumback; Rosenberger; Gordon -- YES
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Planning Commission recommend approval to the
Board of Supervisors the Kerns petition subject to these conditions: Hard - surfaced
parking, one space per two hundred sq. ft. of floor space in store, submission of
modified site plan before occupancy, limiting expansion to 50% of structure, use as
general store only, CUP to apply only to the one acre including the store, and the
permitted use as a gas station.
Replying to the Chairman's question, Ms. Stefen said the petition
withdrawn from the June 20, 1979 agenda will be resubmitted when better researched.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE FREDERICK COUNTY CODE, Chapter 21, Zoning, adopted July
12, 1978, to amend Section 21- 16v(5) and Section 21- 26x(14).
This amendment is familiar, has been checked out by Mr. Ambrogi. To
campgrounds as defined in A -1, the term "family campgrounds" has been added, and
this will appear in both A -1 and A -2.
Mr. Renalds when asked said he saw no problem in holding a joint public
hearing on this one, and that it might be well to do so. The 22nd of August would
be the date on which such joint hearing could be held.
Mr. Golladay moved, Mr. Kirk seconded, the necessary motion. Mr. Brumback
was asked to chair the meeting.
BE IT RESOLVED, that a Joint Public Hearing with the Board of Super-
visors be held on the Ordinance cited above on August 22, 1979.
The motion was carried unanimously.
Mr. Golladay proposed discussion of CUP's at the next scheduled work
session on Tuesday, June 26. A priority list was mentioned to include home
occupations as well, and - rezoning. Mr. Renalds spoke of compressing the time frame
on all public hearings to less than sixty days from advertising to completion. The
target, he said, was from thirty to forty -five days.
715
(PC 6/20/79) p.8
Ms. Stefen expressed the wish not to put conditional use permit changes
into final form until there is time to discuss this with Warren county.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorothea L. St en
Acting Secretary
. n Gordon
MINUTES OF THE WORKSESSION MEETING
OF THE
FREDERICK COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
Held in the Frederick County Administration Building, June 26, 1979, 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: C. Langdon Gordon, Chairman; Frank Brumback, Vice Chairman; Manuel DeHaven,
James Golladay, Jr.; W. French Kirk, Elmer Venskoske.
ABSENT: Thomas Rosenberger
CALL TO ORDER
The Chairman called the meeting to order. No citizens were present for the
scheduled fifteen minute citizen comment session.
The Planning Commission discussed Home Occupation and after much debate the
following wording shows their consensus:
Home Occupations would have two listings in the definition section of the Zoning
Ordinance as follows:
Home Occupation Any occupation or business use conducted entirely within a
dwelling house by members of the family residing on the premises, and that is clearly
incidental and secondary to the residential use of the building.
Home Occupation -- Accessory Structure An occupation or business conducted
within any existing accessory structure by members of the family residing on the
immediate premises, and that is clearly incidental and secondary to the residential
use of the parcel or premises.
Individual Section Changes should include the following:
Sec. 21 -16(1) Home occupations as defined, with off - street parking as
required by Sec. 21 -13 and with a zoning or building permit.
Sec. 21- 16(v)(7) Home Occupation - Accessory structure as defined, with off-
street parking as required by Sec. 21 -13
Sec. 21 -26(1) Home occupations as defined, with off - street parking as
717
(PC 6/26/79) p.2
required by Sec. 21 -13 and with a zoning or building
permit.
Section 21- 26(x)(19) Home occupation - Accessory structure as defined,
with off - street parking as required by Sec. 21 -13.
Section 21 -36(1) Home occupations as defined, with off - street parking
as required by Sec. 21 -13 and with a zoning or building
permit.
Section 21 -36(m) Home occupation - Accessory structure as defined, with
off - street parking as required by Sec. 21 -13.
Section 21 -44(c) Home occupations as defined, with off - street parking
as required by Sec. 21 -13 and with a zoning or building
permit.
Section 21 -44(1) Home occupation - Accessory structure as defined,
with off - street parking as required by Section 21 -13.
Section 21 -52(i) Home occupations as defined, with off - street parking
as required by Sec. 21 -13 and with a zoning or building
permit.
Section 21 -52(p) Home occupation - Accessory structure as defined,
with off - street parking as required by Sec. 21 -13.
The Commission will again consider Home Occupations when the proposal has been
checked by staff and the Commonwealth's Attorney.
The status of Down Zoning was discussed.
It was Agreed that the second regular meeting in July would be used for a
workshop meeting as well as the meeting scheduled for July 23.
There being no further business, Mr. Brumback moved to adjourn. Mr. Golladay
seconded. The vote was unanimous and the Chairman adjourned the meeting.
718
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Respectfully Submitted,
Dorothea L. Stefen, Acti g Secretary
��L�OwMA6, ' /.
C. ..& Gordo
719