1/13/10 Planning Commisison Agenda

8/9/2019 1/13/10 Planning Commisison Agenda

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VIII. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:

1.) None.

IX. ADJOURNMENT:

Comprehensive Plan Work Session

The next scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission is

February 10, 2010,at 7:00 p.m.

Council Summaries are attached. Page

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www.town.ashland.va.us

STAFF REPORT

To: Planning Commission, Town of Ashland, Virginia

From: Zack Robbins, Senior Planner

Date: January 13, 2010

Case Type: Rezoning & Preliminary Plat (Major Subdivision)

Case No.: REZ09-1012 & SUB09-1012

Case Name: Carters Hill Section II

Applicant: Rogers Chenault Incorporated

Location: West of North Macon Terrace subdivision, and fronting +/-430 feet on the east

side of Chapman Street +/-1450 feet north of Wesley Street, as well as thesouthern terminus of Wales Way.

GPIN(s): 7870-45-8350, -9225, -55-0040 and -4089

REQUEST:The applicant requests: (1) Rezoning from RR-1 (Rural Residential) and R-1 (Residential,Restricted) to R-2 (Residential, Limited) on +/-14.79 acres, (2) Preliminary plat approval tocreate a thirty lot residential subdivision on +/-14.79 acres, and (3) Exception to Sec. 17-42,which states that a subdivision block must be at least 500 feet in length.

RECOMMENDATION:Staff recommends deferral of the requests until the February 10, 2010 meeting. For the fullrecommendation, see Page 6.

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Planning CommissionTown of Ashland, Virginia Page 3 of 3

REZ09-1012 & SUB09-1012 January 13, 2010Carters Hill Section II

Cash Proffers. The applicant has submitted a cash proffer in the amount of $8,198.00, forHanover County Public Schools, in compliance with the Towns adopted Cash Proffer Policy.

Tree Preservation/Replacement. The applicant has proffered to attempt to minimize gradingon the site, except where clearing is necessary for road, drainage, and utility installation.The preliminary plat shows a significant portion of the site (about 20 of the proposed 30 lots)

may need to be cleared upfront for installation of the drainage improvements, due to the flattopography of the site.

The applicant has further proffered to plant two deciduous trees, two-inches in caliper oneach lot that is fully cleared. Staff suggests that if it is not possible to further minimizegrading, that the applicant proffer at least eight trees per lot, at 2 inches in caliper, to beconsistent with the twenty percent canopy coverage suggested by the landscaping provisionsof the Zoning Ordinance. The current proffer would only provide about five percent canopycoverage.

Stormwater Management. The proposal shows a system of underground stormwatersystems draining to a centralized basin (BMP). The plat shows the basin to be located

adjacent to Vaughan Road in the northeast corner of the site.

Staffs experience with past BMPs has been that when a BMP is hidden from view behindresidential lots, maintenance is not prioritized, impeding the ability of the BMP to performproperly. When BMPs are located in a highly visible area, along a public road, sufficientmaintenance occurs, however the BMP is not very attractive, particularly dry basin BMPs.The applicant has proffered to screen the BMP from the roadway. Staff suggests that theapplicant design the BMP as an amenity, such as a wet pond, or landscaped dry pond.

Proffered Home Sizes. The applicant has proffered the following regarding home sizes andheight:

Lots 29, 30, and 3, which front Chapman Street, will have least 2,000 square feethomes, and one of those shall be a rancher.

In the entire development, 25 to 50 percent will be single story homes. The minimum home size is 1,200 square feet, and the average home size shall be at

least 1,400 square feet.

Staff is neutral as to the implementation of home size or mandating one-story or two-storyhomes as there is no direction from the Comprehensive Plan. From an administrativestandpoint, staff does have concerns regarding enforcement of an average home size.Alternatively, staff recommends proffering that a certain number of homes will exceed acertain size for a similar effect.

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Street Connections. The subdivision provides connections to existing Wales Way (inCarters Hill subdivision), and completes about one-quarter of the proposed Vaughan RoadExtension, by tying into Chapman Street. Chapman Street would be realigned so that thewestern segment of Chapman Street free-flows into Vaughan Road, on a temporary basis,until the next section of Vaughan to the west (on the Green Acres property) is completed.

The applicant should provide additional information regarding the residual property at thesouthwest intersection of the two segments of Chapman Street, as to whether the formerright-of-way will be vacated and transferred to the adjacent property owners.

Stub streets are provided to the south andeast to provide for street connectionssuggested by the Comprehensive Plan, forVaughan Road Connector, as well as the

extension of Wales Way south to SneadStreet.

Staff believes that the applicant shouldprovide a stub street to the west to allowaccess to approximately 6 acres ofvacant land that is currently under commonownership. Should the owner of thisadjacent property choose to develop theirproperty, Sec. 17-46 of the SubdivisionOrdinance states that street arrangementmust be such as to cause no unnecessaryhardship to owners of adjoining propertywhen they plat their own land and it mustprovide for convenient access to adjoiningproperty.

Transportation Impact. Staff requested a Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) be submittedwith the zoning application, to help analyze the potential traffic impacts generated by theconnection of Chapman and James Street, and ultimately Route 1 North and Route 54 West(although it does not create the direct connection that is ultimately desired). The

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development itself will only generate a total of 343 trips per day, however the new trafficpatterns generated by the completion of through streets could have a significant impact.

The analysis looked at three scenarios for transportation impact in the year 2019: Background growth without the development or the Vaughan Road Connection Background growth with the development and the Vaughan Road Connection Background growth with the development, using the cut-through Carters Hill

subdivision.

The analysis showed that the intersection of Archie Cannon Road and US 1 should beclosely monitored in the future for potential signalization, as heading west on Sylvia Road atUS 1 will be affected by the volumes heading east on Archie Cannon Road. These volumesare generated by background growth, not this development itself. The background growthcreates 64 seconds of delay on westbound Sylvia, but only 10 seconds can be attributed tothis development.

EXCEPTION REQUEST:

The applicant has requested an exception to Sec. 17-42 of the Subdivision Ordinance. Thecode section states:

The maximum length of blocks generally shall be twelve hundred (1,200) feet, andthe minimum length of blocks which have frontage shall be five hundred (500) feet.

The authority to grant exceptions to Subdivision requirements are included in Sec. 17-5 ofthe Subdivision Ordinance, which states the following is necessary to grant an exception:

Extraordinary hardships or practical difficulties would result from strict compliancewith the Ordinance, or the purposes of the regulations would be served to a greaterextent by an alternative proposal.

The exception shall not have the effect of nullifying the intent and purpose of theregulations.

The following three findings must be met:o The granting of the exception will not be detrimental to the public safety,

health, or welfare, or injurious to other property.o Because of the particular physical surroundings, shape or topographical

conditions of the specific property involved, a particular hardship to the ownerwould result if the strict letter of these regulations are carried out.

o The exceptions will not in any manner vary the provisions of the zoningordinance, comprehensive plan, or official zoning map.

The applicant has submitted a letter (see attached) stating several reasons in support of thisrequest. The following reasons are notable:

Wetland impact would be greatly increased if Wales Place is shifted further south. The Comprehensive Plan prioritizes conservation of environmentally sensitive areas.

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Complication of the tie-in to Vaughan Rd. to ChapmanSt. and the future extension of Vaughan to Rt. 54. Stafforiginally requested Vaughan Rd. be shifted furthernorth, however the radius of the curve is already closeto the minimum VDOT standard for an Urban LocalStreet with a 30 MPH design, which is 273 feet. Any

greater radius would potentially require right-of-wayfrom adjacent property owners. Additionally, shiftingVaughan northward would potentially create a shortblock between Hillsway Drive and Vaughan. (seegraphic)

Staff also notes that the Comprehensive Plan states on page96 that blocks shall be kept fairly short.

Staff believes that the findings necessary for the granting of theexception have been met, and that they are in compliance withthe Comprehensive Plan.

RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends that the Planning Commission consider and approve the following:

The Planning Commission defers consideration of rezoning request REZ09-1012 to February10, 2010, to allow additional time for the applicant to address the following items:

1. Revision of Proffer #3 to provide eight deciduous trees at a minimum 2 inches incaliper.

2. Revision of Proffer #4 to provide more easily enforceable language than an average

minimum floor area.3. Revision of Proffer #9 to delete screening of the BMP and provide a more desirable,

attractive BMP, such as a wet pond, or landscaped dry pond.

The Planning Commission defers consideration of the subdivision request SUB09-1012 toFebruary 10, 2010, to allow additional time for the applicant to address the following items:

1. Provide additional information regarding the future ownership and treatment of theresidual property at the intersection of Chapman St. & Vaughan Rd.

2. Provide a stub street to the west, as an extension of Wales Way.3. Delete screening of the BMP and provide a more desirable, attractive BMP, such as a

wet pond, or landscaped dry pond.

The Planning Commission defers consideration of the exception request to Sec. 17-42 toFebruary 10, 2010.

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TOWN COUNCILACTIONS

NOVEMBER 17, 2009

PUBLIC HEARING

DENIED Ordinance PL2009-10, an ordinance to amend the Code of the Town ofAshland, Chapter 21, Zoning, Article I, In General, Section 21-3, Definitions, andArticle XI, Highway Commercial District B-2, Section 21-101, Use Regulations, todefine and allow pawnbrokers in the B-2 district

APPROVED - Ashland Community Theater Foundation: Proposed lease of aportion (approximately 2,000 square feet) of the old fire station located at thecorner of Duncan Street and Hanover Avenue

ACTION ITEMS

APPROVED Ashland Police Department request for reclassification of a corporalposition to the rank of sergeant

APPROVED - Invoices

APPROVED Town Council minutes for Sept 15 and Oct 6, 2009

APPROVED - Closed Session

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Chief Goodman presented a proposed ordinance to allow the police department to

better address the issue of motorized scooters on sidewalks and shared-use paths intown.

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TOWN COUNCILACTIONS

DECEMBER 1, 2009

PRESENTATION

Ashland Police Department recognized Auxiliary Officer, Sergeant Cliff Bancroft onhis retirement. Sergeant Bancroft was presented a resolution and shadow boxcontaining badges - the old design as well as the updated design and uniformpatches indicating the ranks he has held over the past 26 years.

Chief Goodman explained that it has been the tradition of the Town to allow retiringofficers to purchase their issued handguns upon retirement per Code of Virginia(Sec. 59-1-148.3) for full-time law enforcement officers who retire with at least 20years of service. The same code (subsection H) also allows the local governing bodyto approve the same sale to an auxiliary officer upon retirement with at least 20 yearsof service. Sergeant Bancroft served with APD from February 25, 1983 to December1, 2009 over 26 years of service.

ACTION ITEMS

APPROVED Ashland Police Department request for authorization of sale of firearmto retiree Cliff Bancroft

APPROVED Resolution for Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPTRA). Theassessment for the 2009 tax billings is 70 percent.

APPROVED - Closed Session

DISCUSSION ITEM

Chief Goodman, Captain Callahan and Support Officer Joe Perkins presented anoverview of the newly installed mobile data terminals in the police vehicles. Theseterminals were purchased with grant funds with no cash outlay to the town other thanpersonnel time.

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TOWN COUNCILACTIONS

DECEMBER 15, 2009

PUBLIC HEARINGS

APPROVED Disposal of Jane Street right-of-way. This is a transfer of 0.799 acresof real property to R-MC, said property being a 33-foot right-of-way formerly knownas Jane Street, running between North James St and North Center St, approximately300 feet north of Henry Clay Rd.

APPROVED Ordinance PL2009-12 an ordinance to amend the Town Code, toadd Adult Day Care Services to the list of permitted uses in the M-1, LimitedIndustrial District

APPROVED Ordinance PL2009-13 an ordinance to amend the Town Code forparking requirements within the HE, Higher Education District, to base the number ofrequired parking spaces on the number of students rather than the number of beds

within dorms, and to allow the reduction of off-street parking requirements when on-street parking spaces are adjacent. The motion to approve as presented but with themodification that the paragraph beginning 0.8 spaces per each student bemodified to add the language that includes an overall parking managementcomponent approved by the Town Council.

APPROVED Mayor Prichard suggesteda second motion to send the parkingmanagement component of the R-MC parking plan to the Planning Commission forreview

APPROVED Ordinance PL2009-14 an ordinance to amend the Town Code toestablish a procedure for granting exceptions to lighting standards for athletic fields

within the HE, Higher Education District.

ACTION ITEMS

APPROVED Heartland Subdivision, major subdivision, final plat

APPROVED Ashland 95 LLC, Sec. 2, major subdivision, final plat

APPROVED Risk Management Resolution

APPROVED Budget adjustment for police department this request is for approvalfrom Council to accept the FY1- DMV traffic safety grant. The actual grant award

reflects an increase over the projected budget amount, therefore, a budgetadjustment is requested. The amount budgeted was $20,000; the actual award fromDMV is $28,718.

APPROVED Request for vehicle purchase with insurance recoveries. Vehicle is aslightly used 2006 Mercury Milan for a purchase price of $12,000. This purchase willbe funded through insurance recoveries and anticipated savings from the policeoperational lines.

APPROVED Referral of the Carters Hill, Section II, rezoning request

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to the Planning Commission for review

APPROVED to pay the invoices

APPROVED minutes for October 20, 2009

APPOINTMENTS

RESIGNATION: Ned Henson announced that he is resigning from the PlanningCommission and nominated Alan Abbott to take his place. Mr. Abbotts nominationwill be voted on at the January 5, 2010 meeting of Council.

Mr. Henson reminded the Council that he agreed to continue as a member of thePlanning Commission as long as the Comp Plan was being updated and now feelsthat mission has been pretty much accomplished.

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TOWN COUNCILACTIONS

JANUARY 5, 2010

PRESENTATIONS

APPROVED Resolution of appreciation for Professor John Accordinos Urban

Commercial Revitalization Class. This is a graduate course in the Master of UrbanRegional Planning Program in VCUs Wilder School of Government and PublicAffairs. VCU selected the Ashland Main Street Association and the DowntownAshland area to create a long-term enhancement plan.

2009 Audit: Mr. Paul Lee presented the 2009 audit. This required no action fromCouncil.

ACTION ITEMS

APPROVED Resolution for the lane mileage additions into the Towns inventory ofstreets. Streets/roadways eligible for VDOT maintenance payments include the

following: Hillsway Drive from James St to Wales Way; Wales Way from CarterForest Dr to dead end; Carter Forest Dr from James St to dead end; GamekeeperPlace from Carter Forest Dr to dead end. These roads are all part of the Carters HillSubdivision.

APPROVED Resolution to accept right-of-way and various easements associatedwith Smith St relocation. Smith Street is being relocated north of the present SmithStreet in association with R-MCs expansion, and in order for the Town to accept theright-of-way and easements, Council must approve a resolution to permit the TownManager to sign the associated deeds.

APPROVED Appointment of Alan Abbott to the Planning Commission. Mr. Abbott

will fill the vacancy left by Edward (Ned) Henson, who resigned in December. Mr.Henson will continue to serve on the Town Council.

MANAGEMENT REPORTS PRESENTED

Town Manager as part of the managers report, Mr. Hartgrove thanked the policedepartment and public works department for a great job clearing the streets duringthe recent snow storm

Police Department will present its report on Jan 19

Public Works report question on intern in engineering dept no cost to the townexcept for personnel supervision

Planning and Community Development VCU students will present their program

regarding the downtown area study on January 27 at the Firehouse Theater;congratulations to Dennis Rabon and Beth Yates for obtaining their certification aszoning officials; the CIP will be presented to Planning Commission on Jan 13

Treasurer Real estate and personal property taxes due Jan 15; no change in themeals tax list

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1/13/10 Planning Commisison Agenda

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