MINUTES OF THE STRASBURG PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSESSION HELD ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2008, AT 7:30 P.M. IN THE BASEMENT MEETING ROOM OF THE TOWN HALL.

Commissioners present:  Chairperson Smith and Commissioners Davis, Dean, Kepler, and Terndrup and Council Member Whittle. Absent:  Commissioner Cromer.  Others present:  Planner Amos.

¨       Skyline Realty Entrance Corridor Preliminary Sign Review

Planner Amos explained the owners came to apply for a sign permit today and she told them they needed to come before the Planning Commission.  She showed the signs they want to use and said they were one of the two types approved for use in Williamsburg.  The sign is not wood, but weathers to look like wood.  The large 50’ sign will be on the side of the building facing Route 11; the other will be on the front facing Founders Way.  The applicant is not proposing a free-standing sign as they will probably be added to the sign already on the property.  It takes several months to make the signs so the applicants are hoping to get preliminary feedback as to the likes and dislikes of the Commissioners.

Wendy Conner, representing the owners, said it will be a very fancy sign which will look like a house; it will not be like any sign currently in Strasburg.  The sign will be lighted.  Examples of the signs this company makes can be found at www.woodenapplessignmakers.com

The consensus of the Commissioners was they were satisfied with the sign.

¨       Ordinance Review

Ø                  Amendment to sign regulations for one-story buildings with multiple tenants

This ordinance amendment came about because of the Rosenfeld commercial building.  Mr. Rosenfeld does not think the signs allowed by the current ordinance are large enough.  Currently, the entire commercial building would be allowed 50 square feet.  Mr. Rosenfeld would like to see each unit be allowed at least 20 square feet and said he is having trouble getting people to sign leases because of the signage issues. 

Chairperson Smith noted that the signs at Founders Landing do not attract business and it is hard to read them.

Commissioner Davis said he would like to see the signs be all the same style and color.  He feels the whole sign ordinance should be looked at.

Commissioner Kepler and Council Member Whittle would like to have some research done as to what size, etc. helps with the marketing, etc. of the businesses.  Planner Amos said she will contact some sign companies and obtain other localities sign ordinances.  The regular meeting will be used to work on the sign ordinance.  Chairperson Smith strongly suggested all Commissioners review the current sign ordinance and list suggestions.  Commissioner Davis said the APA has suggested having graphics in the ordinance. 

Commissioner Davis asked for the status of Mr. Rosenfeld’s project.  Planner Amos said he is having some financial problems in getting backing and the investor he is talking to now wanted him to change the plan.  Commissioners Kepler and Davis said it should have been an entirely new application because the original re-zoning was from X-Transitional and now it has already been re-zoned so it should have been a new application.  There were also some minor changes to the proffers.  Chairperson Smith suggested that in proffer statement, those things that are required by the Town, not be listed.   

Ø      Comprehensive Plan Update

      Planner Amos and Chairperson Smith met with Milton Herd, the consultant hired to help with the Comprehensive Plan, and he sent back a preliminary proposal.  Planner Amos feels most of what he has proposed can be covered by what has been budgeted in this year’s budget. 

Planner Amos reported the Town Council approved the sending out of a RFP for the transportation study.  She will also be talking to Terry Short of VDOT on the study.

Being no further business, the Worksession adjourned at 8:06 p.m.