MINUTES OF THE STRASBURG PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSESSION HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2008, AT 7:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE TOWN HALL.

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

·         Fairfield Inn

Justin Spence, representing the applicant:  Explained the four signs to be on the sides of the building and the monument style sign at the entrance.  The signs will have channel letters and are in the style generally used in all Fairfield Inns.  He gave the measurements of the channel letters which was included in the package. 

Chairperson Smith asked about illumination of the letters and Mr. Spence said they would be illuminated from within.  Chairperson Smith said he appreciated the monument style sign, but felt it was a bit massive.  Mr. Spence explained how they normally put the sign as far as site distance, etc.  Planner Amos asked if the sign could be made shorter and Mr. Spence said a sign company is contracted to do these signs and added this could be looked at as he feels there will be enough visibility with the signs on the building that this will not be a problem.

Commissioner Terndrup asked if this sign would be for the commercial building, too, and she was told there would be two separate signs for the two buildings.  She also asked about the lighting of the signs on the building which would face the residential development and also the National Park; she thought it would be too bright and probably not even needed to attract business and maybe it could be turned off during the night.  Mr. Spence will look into this further and feels Fairfield Inn would be satisfied with the front sign and side signs and the monument sign; he does not think it is an unreasonable request. 

Ms. Carolyn Stalnaker commented that the signs will be facing residential homes.

Mr. Carlyle Swafford asked if this was a general Fairfield package and could he go to the Winchester hotel to see the signs.  Mr. Spence said all of the locations are tweaked a bit, but they are basically the same.

Mr. Spence was to get further information to the Commission after checking with Fairfield Inn.

·         Oxbow/Island Farm Preliminary Site Plan Review

Planner Amos said the plans have been going through the review process for four or five months and they have been waiting for comments from Dewberry.

Mr. Ron Mislowski, representing the applicant:  They have seen the comments from Dewberry and they are addressing these.  The 100 year flood plan has changed a little, but the 500 year flood plan remained the same and the clomar report will show this.  He said they are above the 500 flood plan and he has been working with Mr. Tim Gallagher on this.  If for some reason, the calculations are wrong, then it would be the applicant’s problem and they would have to come back with a new plan.  Chairperson Smith does not think it is appropriate to move forward until the government approval is given. 

Chairperson Smith asked about the recreational facilities --- the bathrooms, the dugouts, etc.  Mr. Mislowski said this will still need to be worked out and will come in a different set of plans.  Mr. Smith said they will have to be above the flood plan.

Council Member Terndrup asked when the recreational facilities will be built and Mr. Mislowski said this is clearly stated in the proffers and read from the proffer statement.  Commissioner Terndrup asked who would own the recreational facilities and Mr. Mislowski said it would be a private foundation as stated in the proffers.

Chairperson Smith asked about the space/open space behind the residential buildings.  Mr. Mislowski said this will probably be lumped into the same organization that will maintain the ball fields.

Commissioner Kepler asked about the dirt that was stockpiled on the other side of the crossing and thought the time clock should be running now on the ball fields since construction vehicles have been going across the creek to pile the dirt.  Chairperson Smith asked about the “bump out” shown on the plans and thought it would be hard for trucks to deal with when pushing snow, etc.  Mr. Mislowski said he thinks this was shown on the GDP and if it was shown on the GDP, then it must be provided.  Chairperson Smith said if it is not wanted by the Town, then it would not have to be provided.  This will be looked at further.

Also discussed were a number of 2’ pedestrian right-of-way lines.  Also, in regards to the retaining wall coming down from Fulton Drive --- need some guardrail along.  Planner Amos said VDOT would like to see the TIA, but they cannot require this as the plans were presented before this requirement became effective.  Chairperson Smith said he does not think the impact study really addressed the impact of the ball fields on Madison Heights.  Commissioner Kepler thinks a study on this needs to be done; Chairperson Smith agrees.  Mr. Athey said the proffers state the road going up to Fulton Drive would be completed or added when the Town wants it; if the Town decides it does not want this entrance, then they would not put this in.  Mr. Athey said the Town could purchase a right-of-way for a second entrance from other property owners.  Mr. Mislowski said he does not think the TIA is required and explained the proffers that were given for transportation could be used for this purpose. Planner Amos said the rezoning was approved so quickly that VDOT didn’t have time to review it adequately.  Mr. Athey said they will take this back to their client, but it is not a rezoning now and this is a preliminary site plan and as long as they abide by the current ordinances, he doesn’t think it can be denied.  They want to get the project going and they will need to assess additional costs, especially with the way housing is moving and added any traffic analysis would show the two entrances.

In further discussion, houses 36 – 39 are within the 500 year flood plan.  Commissioner Kepler said there are a couple of places in the plan that are not consistent with the contours and would like it to be looked at again.  Mr. Mislowski said he will go back to the consultant doing the flood plan.  Commissioner Kepler would like this to be shown on the plans. 

Commissioner Kepler said he was impressed with the plans and wants to make sure the plans are tight so the Town doesn’t get sued again.  Commissioner Kepler added comments about other aspects of the plans (attached here-to).  

Commissioner Terndrup asked about the comment saying there were no historical areas shown.  Mr. Mislowski said there are two types of battlefield – core areas and influence areas and this is in the influence area.  Planner Amos is not sure if a special study was done.  Mr. Athey said if a graveyard is found during construction, then construction will have to stop.  The Town will be notified of any findings.

Chairperson Smith asked about the building of the basements in the houses and if they will be in the flood plans.  This was discussed as to how this could be shown.

Commissioner Kepler asked about a note where the trees will be maintained by the Town.  Planner Amos said that will depend on where they are placed.

Mr. Athey said there are 61 acres of developable land and the rest can be used for recreational facilities.  He wanted to know if the Town would like to have any of the extra land put into conservation easements.

Council Member Terndrup said he does not have any issue with the client.  He is disappointed in the actions of Council, but this has nothing to do with the client and so Council is bound by what has been approved.  Because the Council decision was maybe a bit rash, the Town might have to come to the applicant on bended knee for assistance so that there will not be traffic nightmares.  Mr. Athey said his client does understand the Town’s position and the client wants to work with the Town.  The way the economy is, it might be hard to do all of the things because of the cost.

Mr. Jerry King asked how high the creek crossing would be and Mr. Mislowski said it will be about 28’ and there will be a retaining wall so it will not come onto his property.

Council Member Mauck asked about the historic research.  She thinks there will be areas where significant findings will be.  Mr. Athey said he agrees and this is one of the reasons for asking about conservation easements.

Ms. Stalnaker said she has a conservation easement and it is not legitimate to get any kind of payment for any easement that is required by the Town or County.

Commissioner Terndrup asked about lot 39, the corner of the lot is in the parking screen. Mr. Mislowski will look into this. 

Council Member Mauck asked about the concerns with the letter received from the Warren County Board of Supervisors

·         Ramada Inn Preliminary Sketch Review

Jerry King, applicant:  Stated he wants to move the pool to the same side of the road as the Ramada.  This will be added to a separate building and he would like to put eight suites above the pool.  There will be an above ground walkway from the Ramada to the new building.  The walkway will come off from the third floor of the Ramada to the second floor of the new building.  Mr. Bushman worked with the parking of the area.  Mr. King showed where a second entrance might be eventually, but said this could not happen until the speed limit is lowered.  Commissioner Kepler would like this to be sketched in now.  Mr. King and Commissioner Kepler discussed this further.

Chairperson Smith said the ground floor will be close to the level of Route 11; Mr. King said it is 1’ above.  Chairperson Smith said he has a problem with the aesthetics of the walkway; Mr. King said it will be made of glass.  Commissioner Kepler said he is not in favor of the walk way and does not think it matches the overlay district look.  Chairperson Smith said he has reservations of the look of the walk way, too, and it might not be ultimately approved.  Commissioner Kepler showed how the building could be designed closer to the current building, but Mr. King said this is not possible because of the fire code regulations.  Commissioner Kepler’s comments are attached here-to. 

Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.