North County Governmental Center
Attendees: Committee members – Edythe Kelleher (chair), Steve Cerny , Betty Little, Steve Psarakis, Sarah Newman, David Gibson, and Bruce Wright.
Other attendees: Frank de la Fe (Hunter Mill District Planning Commissioner), Goldie Harrison (Hunter Mill District Office), Jason Heinberg (Walsh Colucci), Robin Antonucci (Wells & Associates), Jane Kelsey (Jane Kelsey & Associates Inc), David Laughlin, Kevin Dougherty (Crimson Partners), Mike Gibson, Rob Thomsen., Tom and Carol Whitton, Kim Scott
Summary
RZ 2005-HM-024, 1884 Beulah Road – Decision deferred. Additional concerns were expressed about runoff to adjacent properties and condition of the existing trail. Committee deferred a decision until after concerns of the committee and those contained in the negative staff report are addressed. Commissioner de la Fe agreed to defer a Planning Commission decision until after the February 21 HMLU meeting. Applicant to return on Feb. 21.
PCA C-696-05, Dulles Station – Information-only presentation on request to amend RZ C-696 previously approved for mixed use development to permit a modification of approved proffers relating to road improvements. In order to proceed with development, applicant requests approval to offer funds in lieu of making the offsite road improvements along Frying Pan Road and Horse Pen Road. Applicant will return for decision at Feb. 21 meeting.
Election of officers – Current officers re-elected: Edythe Frankel (Chair), Steve Cerny (Vice-Chair), Bruce Wright (Recorder)
Steve Psarakis noted that he will leave when his term expires in April.
RZ 2005-HM-024, 1884 Beulah Road – Jane Kelsey presented an overview of the changes to the application since the last meeting. The staff report was published and staff recommended denial of the application. A Planning Commission decision on the application was deferred until March 2. One of the issues raised by staff involved drainage onto adjacent property. The applicant shifted the location of the rain garden and will add infiltration trenches. Because staff recommended denial of the stormwater waiver, the existing house will be removed. Staff was concerned about the large area in which the new houses could be placed. The house “envelope” has since been reduced in size and is now located further away from Beulah Rd. to reduce the noise impact.
Contrary to what is stated in the staff report, not all trees are located in the VDOT right of way. The large oak is partially on private property. The applicant still requests a waiver of the frontage improvements. A new plan for the trail was presented, but it is questionable as to whether VDOT will approve the new plan since it does not meet VDOT standards for a new facility.
Committee members expressed concern about the safety of the proposed trail and the need for not just a repaving of the old trail, but a new facility.
The owner of the adjacent property to the east, Mr. Whitton, expressed concern regarding the frontage improvements. They would impact his property which has vegetation growing where the trail would be located. He is in favor of the modified plan in which the trail is located near the road. There seemed to be an assumption that the improvements would extend to the trail in front of his property, which is badly in need of repair.
Kim Scott, HOA rep for Embassy Ct residents, wants to see the improvement to the trail, as it is used by many people in the neighborhood, including mothers with strollers. The residents also want the large oak tree saved. Is it possible to deviate the trail around the tree and still move it away from the road? Discussion ensued regarding feasibility of VDOT approval of such a trail.
Rob Thomsen, Abbotsford Dr. Does not want to see Beulah Rd widened as it encourages speeding and would result in the loss of the oak tree.
Mike Gibson, Abbotsford Dr. Stated that the trail needs to be improved and would prefer a concrete surface.
The committee was concerned that there was no proffer language for review regarding the issues addressed by the applicant. The committee agreed to defer a decision until all issues are addressed and there is proffer language to review.
------------------------------------
PCA C-696-05, Dulles Station – Information only presentation on request to amend RZ C-696 previously approved for mixed use development to permit a modification of approved transportation proffer (#5) relating to road improvements. In order to proceed with development, applicant requests approval to offer funds in lieu of making the offsite road improvements along Frying Pan Road and Horse Pen Road.
VDOT is upgrading Route 28 and any improvements made to Frying Pan Road would likely be affected. There is also a possibility that the developer of the adjacent property to the north (Pomeroy property) will provide some frontage improvements.
The applicant also stated that the current width of Horse Pen Road will preclude the need for the southbound right turn lane improvement in the proffer.
In lieu of the improvements the applicant offers to pay for the full cost of construction of all required improvements to an escrow account. The applicant stated that the county conceptually supports the application and that discussions are ongoing regarding the cost of the improvements. Any remaining money not applied to the improvements will be used for transportation projects in the area.
Concern was expressed that the value of the escrow will not be enough to cover the full cost to the county of the design and construction of the improvements, as has been the case in the pass regarding trail escrows.
There was also concern expressed that putting money in escrow now does not address the transportation needs created by the project.
There was a request by the committee that any remaining funds be used for both non-motorized and motorized transportation improvements in the area. The applicant agreed.
Applicant will return for decision at Feb. 21 meeting.
--------------------------
Approval of Minutes - November 2005 meeting minutes were approved.
Election of officers – Current officers were re-elected: Edythe Frankel (Chair), Steve Cerny (Vice-Chair), Bruce Wright (Recorder)
Steve Psarakis noted that he will leave when his term expires in April.
Steve Cerny noted that he is now a member of the Metro Riders Advisory Council and he hopes that there will be no conflicts with his work with the committee.
Meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
