WILLIAMSBURG PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES WORK SESSION Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Transcription

1 WILLIAMSBURG PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES WORK SESSION Wednesday, A work session of the Williamsburg Planning Commission was held on Wednesday, July 27, 2016, at 4:00 p.m., in the Council Workroom, Room 123, at the Stryker Center, 412 North Boundary Street, Williamsburg, Virginia. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE First Vice Chair Sarah Stafford called the meeting to order. Present in addition to Ms. Stafford were Commissioners Elaine McBeth, Andrew Edwards, and Jeffrey Klee. Absent were Commissioners David Julien, Justin Shawler, and Demetrios Florakis. Staff members present were Planning & Codes Compliance Director Carolyn Murphy and Secretary Donna Scott. Chair Stafford announced that the purpose of the work session was to review the FY17-21 Capital Improvement Program and to formulate recommendations for City Council s consideration as they update the Goals, Initiatives and Outcomes (GIOs) for the Biennium. OPEN FORUM David Kranbuehl, 201 Harrison Avenue, addressed the Commission commending them for their early beginning on their part in the CIP process. Mr. Kranbuehl s comments included the following: Transportation Mr. Kranbuehl said he has spent a lot of time studying the Williamsburg Area Transportation system, from riding buses to reviewing related information. If we want a vibrant community that young professionals will be attracted to, we need to offer an urban atmosphere with public transportation; more attention needs to be paid to our bus system. Ms. Stafford noted that generally, people who use the bus are not young professionals who have their own cars. Mr. Kranbuehl agreed that the focus should be on those without cars, but in the future, the young professionals will be more and more interested in public transportation. This needs to be an integral part of the City s vision. Corridor Enhancement Lafayette Street needs to be on the list at a higher level for underground wiring. Mr. Klee pointed out that City Manager Collins is aware of the need, but with the redevelopment of Mid-town and the Super 8 property, there is going to be a lot happening in that area and we wouldn t want to have to undo work that has been done for that redevelopment. The underground wiring on Lafayette Street is scheduled for the 2020 timeframe. Mr. Kranbuehl said that we also need to be putting in sidewalks and that the Arts District will flourish once installed; of course the underground wiring needs to be installed prior to the sidewalks, but we need safe, walkable, doable paths to destinations. Mr. Kranbuehl suggested that the City needs to save for future expenditures for the Shopping Center and Super 8 property; these are going to be huge

2 Page 2 expenses. He said we could do underground wiring in alternate years and get the commercial section done first. Parking Garage Some people would like to see free parking in the parking garage, or maybe coupons or tickets for parking. He said he hopes it won t be a waste of money to install the new payment equipment will it take the chip on credit cards? Will there be a totally different fee structure? He just doesn t want to pay for something we can t use in the future. Ms. Stafford noted that it is not in the purview of the Planning Commission to micromanage this type expenditure. Vehicle Replacement Mr. Kranbuehl expressed concern that we replace vehicles with relatively low mileage, but Mr. Edwards pointed out that some of them are years old. Mr. Kranbuehl asked why replacement of some of the vehicles couldn t be extended a year. We only have so much money and he doesn t want to hear that we don t have enough for expenses for the Shopping Center redevelopment. Ms. Murphy stated that replacement is being considered and Ms. Stafford added that this is not in the Planning Commission s purview. Ms. McBeth said she trusts the Fire and Police Chiefs to determine when replacement is needed for safety vehicles, and sometimes even their recommendations are bumped. Capital Projects Mr. Kranbuehl addressed the CIP FY , Capital Projects Contingency and said he would be a lot more comfortable if there was more in that line item than the $200,000. It was clarified that this is for possible overruns on projects and that the $300,000 under Biennial GIOs is to support the GIO initiatives and further goals. Mr. Kranbuehl concluded his comments by saying that we need to know we ll have the money when we need it. There being no additional comments, the Open Forum was closed. PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSION First Vice Chair Stafford stated that the purpose of the work session is for the Commission to determine what they feel are the top priorities for the GIOs, and whether something needs to be added or if they need to be reordered. Character of the City Ms. McBeth spoke regarding the Arts District from the perspective of the Planning Commission representative on the EDA and whether setting aside a different Architectural Review District for the Arts District would be appropriate. Ms. Murphy responded that when the Design Review Guidelines were updated, it was decided that the AP-3 District was appropriate with some tweaking for the Arts District. Mr. Klee said the key thing is compatibility. The AP-3 District sets expectations but doesn t limit. He suggested the ARB make a presentation to the EDA about how the districts function

3 Page 3 and what the role is of the ARB. Ms. McBeth suggested the ARB and the EDA work together to prepare an explanatory pamphlet about the ARB. Mr. Klee added that a master plan for the Arts District would be a good move toward redevelopment of the area, and it could give guidance as to what can be done creatively in the area. It was suggested that Planning Commission recommend to City Council that a master plan for this part of the City be developed to encourage redevelopment. A way needs to be found to encourage good quality development and a master plan would be fabulous. This needs to be on the list as well as the sidewalks Mr. Kranbuehl noted. Economic Development The EDA would like thought to be given to zoning in the Southeast quadrant and building requirements for that area allowing taller buildings than the 45 feet (about four stories), currently permitted; maybe 6-8 stories. Ms. DeWitt, Economic Development Director, said there is a tipping point at which a steel structure is required, but if we want to target this kind of use, we need to allow 6-8 or 8-10 stories. Ms. McBeth added that senior living could be in such a location with the hospital nearby. Public discussion would be needed but we need more information first. Ms. DeWitt said the Quarterpath Community Development Authority also needs to be brought into the discussion. Mr. Klee expressed his nervousness with the prospect of a 6-8 story structure. Ms. McBeth said she can appreciate that emotion, but the City has no comparable senior citizen living facility. She added that she would be happy to explore this idea and see what others are doing. Ms. Stafford said this would be the right location and Mr. Edwards said this is the only place in the City this could be done. Mr. Klee said he doesn t see it as a slam dunk like he does density which would limit sprawl. We would need to be willing to go above the tree line, and would need to do it carefully. It was noted that the area is not in an architectural review area, but control can be maintained with the requirement for Planning Commission review if an applicant wishes to construct a taller structure. Sidewalks Mr. Edwards raised the issue of poor pedestrian access along Merrimac Trail. On some portions of the road there are no sidewalks and at others they are very narrow and in poor condition. They need to be safe and walkable. Mr. Klee added that from Berkeley Middle School to John Tyler, along Strawberry Plains Road, sidewalks are needed; he proposed this area also be on the wish list, second to Merrimac Trail. Shopping Center Ms. DeWitt reported that the contract with the first developer fell through and the sale of the property for redevelopment continues to be pursued. Transportation

4 Page 4 Mr. Klee said he appreciates the high quality of bus service in the City as well as Mr. Kranbuehl s comments. Ms. Stafford agreed adding that workers needing transportation need to be the target population at this time to assist them to be selfsufficient. About bus shelters, there are a lot of issues and a lot of things have to go into their installation, e.g. huge infrastructure cost. Recreation and Culture The $1.2 million slated for the fourth ballfield at Kiwanis Park was questioned. Ms. McBeth added that she is stunned that we ve gone this long without the fourth ballfield; it s been bumped out again to Ms. Stafford said we need to continue with the Country Road West it is a great amenity and connection with other paths. Human Services Mr. Klee stated that it is important that we have affordable housing in town, but there is no grocery or other necessary services/businesses within walking distance from the Blayton Building. This may not be a prime piece of property depending on who lives there; maybe it should be a mixed age community. Ms. Murphy noted that there is a bus stop there as well as Peninsula Agency on Aging transportation. Ms. DeWitt said that with the demolition of the current Super 8 motel, something could happen with that redevelopment that would benefit the shopping center and Arts District. She mentioned the Virginia Brewery as being a vibrant business and said maybe the City could subsidize an applicant to make something like this come to that location. OPEN FORUM Susan Gaston with the Williamsburg Area Association of Realtors (WAAR) noted the need for workforce housing and employment opportunities. Ms. Gaston said the WAAR is a resource and asked that we turn to them to see how they can help the City. There being no additional comment, the Open Forum was closed. Ms. McBeth suggested that the minutes of this meeting be distributed to the Commission prior to the Planning Commission meeting in August, especially for those on the Commission who were not able to attend the work session today. Mr. Edwards said the $620,000 for underground wiring on York Street is still in the budget even though he understood it was to be removed at this time. Ms. Stafford said this will be reiterated. Mr. Edwards noted that the underground wiring along Henry Street was supposed to extend to the Port Anne subdivision, but it has terminated before that point. Ms. Murphy will check into this. There being no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.

5 Page 5 Sarah Stafford, 1 st Vice Chair Williamsburg Planning Commission