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Minutes
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
November 14, 2007
The Planning Commission met in regular session on Wednesday, November 14, 2007, at 8:00 PM in the Council Room of the Vienna Town Hall, 127 Center Street, South, Vienna, Virginia, with Melvin R. McCoy, Jr. Chairman, presiding. The following members were present: Charles “Chuck” Anderson, Emil D. Attanasi, John Brunow, Edward H. Chase and William G. Womack, Jr. Absent were George J. Creed, Laurie A. DiRocco and David W. Miller. Also in attendance and representing the Town Staff were Gregory M. Hembree, Director of Planning and Zoning, Heather Diez, Engineer and Denise Rose Borgatti, Board Clerk.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
Mr. Attanasi asked to have added as Item No. 2, Proposed Planning Commission Church Street Parking Study, saying that he has been working with Mr. Chase and Mr. Brunow on an outline regarding same. Chairman McCoy complied with the request.
ITEM NO. 1:
Recommendation to the Board of Zoning Appeals on a conditional use permit for the continued use, the construction of additions and the renovation of the Vienna Elementary School, 128 Center Street, South, in the RM-2, Multi Family, Low density, PR-Park and Recreation and C-2, General Commercial zones. Filed by John Souser, PE, Adtek Engineers, agent for Fairfax County Public Schools and the Mayor and Town Council for the Town of Vienna, owners. (Deferred from the regular meetings of September 25th and October 25th, 2007)
Sonny Sarno, Engineer with Fairfax County Public Schools was present on behalf of the application.
Mr. Sarno said that this is a continuation from the last meeting and felt that it was straight forward and asked if there were any questions.
Chairman McCoy noted a list of ongoing activities and intended uses for Vienna Elementary School (VES) as requested at the last meeting by the Planning Commission.
Mr. Attanasi asked about the C-2 portion listed in the application item and said that he thought the C-2 portion allowed public schools. Mr. Hembree said that if you look at the zoning map there is a distance from Maple Avenue, East and that line intersects a portion of the school grounds which is a part of the parking lot near the library. Mr. Attanasi said that he did not think that in commercial zones a conditional use permit is needed for schools and thought that maybe it should not be included as part of the conditional use permit. Mr. Hembree said that they may not but included that but wanted to be “safe rather than sorry” in the publication posting for the public hearing. Mr. Attanasi asked if there are any changes in the use with this application with regard to what VES is using the field for. Mr. Sarno said it is a continuation of past activities and uses and there is no change to the use. There was discussion of whether the PR zoning needed to be included in the conditional use because it is assumed that the PR zone would be used for recreation which does not require a special use permit. Mr. Hembree said that in Section 18-126.2, it mentions conditional use as recreational facilities and athletic fields and that is why he included that language in the application for the conditional use permit.
Mr. Chase said that he had prepared a proposed motion to help move things along and passed around copies to fellow Commissioners. Mr. Chase said, using the list of activities provided by Fairfax County, he included in the proposed motion activities that take place at the site and hours in which they do so, also it includes building usage and playground usage which should cover all of the uses and all of the time frames. Mr. Chase said he included in the motion the RM-2 zoning but did not include the park in this motion, in thinking that since the Commission believed it was a separate parcel not covered by the application and not to be consolidated for lot coverage purposes it would be inconsistent to make the same conditional use permit apply to all of the property.
There was discussion amongst the Planning Commission on the proposed motion with suggested minor word changes and clarifications. Based on that discussion and edits the following motion was made.
It was moved to recommend to the Board of Zoning Appeals approval on a conditional use permit for the continued use, the construction of additions and the renovation of the Vienna Elementary School, 128 Center Street, South, in the RM-2, Multi Family, Low density, and C-2, General Commercial zones. Filed by John Souser, PE, Adtek Engineers, agent for Fairfax County Public Schools and the Mayor and Town Council for the Town of Vienna, owners, subject to the following conditions:
The hours of operation shall be 6:00 AM to Midnight, 7 days per week for the following activities:
public education, including Student Aged Child Care (SACC) and school evening and weekend activities, outdoor classes, Vienna Elementary PTA, Fairfax County Recreation, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other suitable community purposes.
Use of the Town-owned right-of-way by Vienna Elementary School shall also be subject to the conditions set forth in the September 26, 2007, agreement between the Town and the Fairfax County School Board.
This recommendation does not cover the PR zone property included in the application, as the Planning Commission considers it to be a separate parcel not affected by the application.
Motion: Chase
Second: Attanasi
Carried: 6-0
Absent: Creed, DiRocco, Miller
ITEM NO. 2:
Discussion of Work Session of Proposed Planning Commission Church Street Parking Study.
Mr. Attanasi said himself, Mr. Brunow and Mr. Chase worked on this and sent a memorandum to the Mayor to find out if this is what the Mayor and Council had in mind, saying that they have not heard back from them as of yet. Mr. Attanasi said the group came up with two (2) parts. Part 1 is the current and long term Church Street district parking demand and supply analysis. Part 2 are options for immediate and long term solutions. Mr. Attanasi said the group welcomes participation by any members in assisting which the proposed study group. Chairman McCoy offered his services to the group. It was noted that there would be a work session on December 5, 2007, and any Commission members are welcome to come. There will be a an update status report of field work that has been done by staff at that time.
Mr. Chase complimented the Clerk on a good report (Planning Commission minutes) of a difficult issue.
It was moved to approve the minutes of October 25, 2007 with minor corrections.
Motion: Chase
Second: Anderson
Carried: 5-0-1
Abstain: Womack
Absent: Creed, DiRocco, Miller
It was moved to adjourn at 8:37 PM.
Motion: Chase
Second: Womack
Carried: 6-0
Absent: Creed, DiRocco, Miller
Respectfully Submitted
Denise Rose Borgatti
Board Clerk