WILLIAMSBURG PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Wednesday, The regular monthly meeting of the Williamsburg Planning Commission was held on Wednesday,, at 3:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Stryker Building, 412 North Boundary Street, Williamsburg, Virginia. CALL TO ORDER and ATTENDANCE Chairman Driscoll called the meeting to order. Present in addition to Mr. Driscoll were Commissioners Bill Kafes, Dan Quarles, Sarah Stafford, Demetrios Florakis and Chris Connolly. Commissioner Greg Ballentine was absent. Staff members present were Deputy Planning Director Carolyn Murphy, Zoning Administrator Rodney Rhodes, City Attorney Christina Shelton, and Secretary Donna Scott. MINUTES Mr. Kafes moved that the minutes for the January 18, 2012 Regular Meeting and the January 25 and February 1 Work Sessions be approved as submitted. Ms. Stafford seconded the motion which carried by roll call vote of 6-0. CONSENT AGENDA -- None PUBLIC HEARINGS PCR #12-001, -002, -003: Request of Mark E. Wright to rezone 2.9 acres at 1439,1441, 1447, 1453, 1455, 1465, 1501, 1505, 1509 and 1527 Richmond Road from B-3 General Business District to B-2 Corridor Business District, reduce the setback requirements in the B-2 District for this area from 35 to 15 feet, and to approve a special use permit for a Hertz Car Rental business at 1441 Richmond Road. The Commission recommended to City Council, by a vote of 6-0, approval of the rezoning, reduction of setback requirement and the special use permit. Deputy Planning Director Murphy presented the above-noted three requests. The applicant notes that the B-2 zoning district is appropriate for this area, which now includes two restaurants (Mama Steve s and The Jefferson), a Goodyear Automobile Service Center, and a variety of other commercial uses. Hertz Car Rental will utilize the existing building (formerly Always a Happy Hour ) and four parking spaces on the lot at 1441 Richmond Road, as well as ten parking spaces on the adjacent Jefferson Restaurant parking lot. No changes are proposed for the site.
Page 2 Ms. Murphy said the 2006 Comprehensive Plan designates this area as General Commercial land use. She added that although both the existing B-3 General Business District and the proposed B-2 Corridor Business District allow restaurant, retail and office uses, the B-3 District does not allow automobile rental agencies. With the B-2 designation, automobile rental agencies with storage of vehicles on premises are allowed with a special use permit. Regarding the request for an amendment to change the setback requirement in the B-2 District, a similar situation existed along Second Street when the zoning was changed from B-3 to B-2 as part of the implementation of the 2006 Comprehensive Plan. To remedy this situation, a special 15-foot setback requirement was implemented for the streets in the Second Street area and with this request, is proposed along this section of Richmond Road, which will keep the existing 15-foot setback in place for this section of the B-2 District. The special use permit is required for the automobile rental agency since there will be storage of vehicles on the premises. Although the Zoning Ordinance establishes criteria for special use permits and allows for both additional standards as deemed necessary to protect the public interest and welfare, and additional studies needed in order to make a decision on the request, staff does not feel either is necessary. Ms. Murphy noted that the applicant, Mark Wright, is present for questions or comments. Mr. Kafes asked why the remaining B-3 District on the north side of Richmond Road going east to Bypass Road in the B-2 District isn t included in this rezoning because it shares all the same characteristics. Ms. Murphy responded that the area in question is due to be discussed as part of Planning Commission s Comprehensive Plan review, but because the applicant needs to get the rezoning accomplished as soon as possible and the introduction of other properties might cloud the issue, the area from Bypass Road to Ironbound Road will be reviewed later. Mr. Quarles asked if it s the case that the by-right uses in B-2 and B-3 are the same and it s only the special use permit uses that differ. Ms. Murphy responded that the reason for the changes is that there are some uses that differ and there are also some differences in the setbacks for the two zones. In response to Ms. Stafford s question whether there are significant by-rights in B-2 that aren t in B-3, Ms. Murphy said there are other by-right uses in each of the zoning districts, the ones mentioned were noted because they are the ones that are seen in this section of Richmond Road in both districts. She added that in thinking about Mr. Wright s requests, it makes sense to look at Bypass Road to the City line as being one zoning classification because typically the uses there are similar. Spot zoning will be avoided by taking the properties involved as one. Ms. Stafford pointed out that, for now, this is changing when the cross-over occurs, moving where that line is between B-2 and B-3, and is only a couple of lots. Ms. Murphy added that when the remaining areas are reviewed during the Comprehensive
Page 3 Plan review, the ED-2 District would still remain for High Street, and a smaller section on the other side could be reviewed for a change from B-3 to B-2. Ms. Stafford acknowledged that it does resonate with the Second Street change in setback because like Second Street it is a very constrained piece of property. Ms. Murphy noted the depth of the properties is very similar to the depth along Second Street. Mr. Florakis pointed out that by changing the setback, future redevelopment would be easier. Chairman Driscoll opened the Public Hearing. There being no comment the Public Hearing was closed. Mr. Florakis moved that Planning Commission recommend to City Council the following: PCR #12-001: Rezoning from B-3 to B-2. That approximately 2.9 acres at 1439, 1441, 1447, 1453, 1455, 1465, 1501, 1505, 1509 and 1527 Richmond Road be rezoned from B-3, General Business District to B-2 Corridor Business District. PCR #12-002: Text Amendment reducing the B-2 setback requirement from 35 to 15 feet. That the setback requirement for Richmond Road between High Street and Ironbound Road be reduced from 35 feet to 15 feet. PCR #12-003: Special Use Permit for Hertz Car Rental, 1441 Richmond Road. That a special use permit for Hertz Car Rental at 1441 Richmond Road, with up to ten vehicles parked on the adjacent property at 1447, be approved. Ms. Stafford seconded the motion which carried by roll call vote of 6-0. PCR #12-004: Request of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to revise regulations for museum and art gallery signs [(Sec. 21-747(9)], and to move 326 Frances Street (Public Hospital and Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg) from the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area Sign District to the Downtown Sign District. It is proposed to erect two 64 sq.ft. monument signs and a 100 sq.ft. banner sign for the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. The Commission recommended to City Council that the proposed amendments to the Sign Regulations be approved by a vote of 6-0. Ms. Murphy presented the request from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for revision to the sign regulations pertaining to The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg (the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum) at 326 Francis Street. The revision would allow the installation of two 64 square foot monument signs facing Francis Street and the installation of a 100 square foot banner sign at the southwest corner of the Museum adjacent to South Henry Street.
Page 4 The entrance to the museums is through the Public Hospital of 1773, a building that was constructed to accurately represent its eighteenth century predecessor. The museum space was designed to be largely underground and behind plain walls so as not to distract from the historical reconstruction of the Public Hospital. Unfortunately, however, this protection of the authenticity of the Public Hospital has resulted in the museums being commonly undiscovered by the public. The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg are located in the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area Sign District, and currently there are two 12 square foot signs identifying the Public Hospital and the Museums of Colonial Williamsburg at the corners of Francis and South Henry Streets, and at Francis and Nassau Streets. Because The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg has street frontage on three streets (Francis, South Henry and Nassau Streets), the proposed amendment would allow a maximum of three 64 square foot monument signs, and three 100 square foot building mounted banner signs. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is proposing two 64 square foot monument signs facing Francis Street and one 100 square foot light pole banner sign at the southwest corner of the museum facing South Henry Street. In addition, Ms. Murphy said nine banner signs are proposed to be hung from street light poles surrounding the Museum. These lights are on the City right-of-way and are not regulated by the Sign Ordinance; they are approved by the City Manager. Mr. Kafes stated that he understands there are plans to expand the museum to the south. He asked how many square feet will be involved and how far it will extend in the southerly direction. Mark Duncan, Colonial Williamsburg s Director of Community, College and Government Relations, said the current footprint is 100,000 square feet and the wing will be an addition of 50,000 square feet, running half way into the existing parking lot. Mr. Kafes said that in many ways, this is really a different usage than what is found in the Historic Sign District - the major use of the property is museum use. Chairman Driscoll stated for the record that he is a donor to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and also serves on the National Advisory Council and thinks this proposal makes a lot of sense. At the National Gallery and the Metropolitan Museum in New York there are large banners advertising changes in exhibitions and guest speakers. The proposed banner signs will help advertise changing exhibitions at the museums. Mr. Quarles agreed with Mr. Driscoll s comments adding that the museums have a fantastic collection and are one of Williamsburg s best kept secrets because of the lack of visibility of the signage; he supports revision to the ordinance to increase public awareness. He said he supports additional signage, but reviewed the current and proposed signage allowances and suggested the Commission may be considering more of a change to the ordinance than necessary. Mr. Kafes suggested, with the Comprehensive Plan review, consideration be given to carving this out as a separate Museum District because it is a separately defined use. Ms. Stafford noted that the scale of the proposed signage is more in keeping with the scale of the parcel; it s still within tasteful bounds.
Page 5 Chairman Driscoll opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Duncan, noted his colleagues Ron Hurst, Rick Hadley and Keith Johnson were present to respond to questions. Mr. Duncan thanked City staff, particularly Reed Nester and Carolyn Murphy for their guidance and assistance throughout the project. Mr. Duncan said the request to change the sign district map by moving the Public Hospital/Art Museum lot from the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Sign District to the Downtown Sign District, is to better orient, guide and educate guests to historic Colonial Williamsburg. The Art Museums are an integral component of the Foundation s offerings and programs showcasing an important array of collections. In order to rectify an unfortunate consequence of the attempt not to distract from the historical reconstruction of the Public Hospital, the building does not adequately reveal the stateof-the-art museums also housed there; however, with the amendment, the signage will appropriately advertise the museums. Ron Hurst, Colonial Williamsburg s Vice-President for Collections, added to Mr. Duncan s comments by saying that the Foundation s principal mission is educational and unfortunately guests often miss the museums because they turn away when they reach the Public Hospital thinking they ve come the wrong way. The new signage will remedy this situation. Mark Sakowski, 3 Chanteraine Close, Port Anne, said he travels along Henry Street nearly every day and wants the Commission to know there is a lot of traffic that comes into town from Rt. 199 and travels along Henry Street. He said he s all for this revision, but suggested more advertising might be accomplished if CW considers placing sign #1 at right angles so that it could be seen from both Francis and Henry Streets. There being no additional comment the Public Hearing was closed. Mr. Kafes noted that he has been a volunteer at The Art Museums for 18 years and has talked with thousands of visitors. He agreed with Mr. Duncan s assessment that these museums have been the best kept secret in Williamsburg and the revisions to the sign ordinance will improve the visibility situation. Ms. Stafford moved that Planning Commission recommend to City Council that the proposed amendments to the Sign Regulations pertaining to museum and art gallery signage in the Downtown Sign District be approved. Mr. Kafes seconded the motion which carried by roll call vote of 6-0.
Page 6 OPEN FORUM Chairman Driscoll opened the Open Forum portion of the meeting encouraging comments from the audience on any topic. There being no comment the Open Forum was closed. SITE PLANS AND SUBDIVISIONS -- None OLD BUSINESS Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (FY13 to FY17). The Commission approved the proposed memorandum to the City Manager with an addition, by vote of 6-0. After review of the proposed memorandum, Mr. Kafes suggested the following italicized wording be added to the second item: The Commission supports the proposed Stryker Center, which will provide needed facilities for the City s Municipal Center. The partnership between the City and the Williamsburg Regional Library will provide many benefits to our citizens, and will complement the extensive improvements made to the Municipal Center since 1999. The Commission also notes the favorable climate for construction projects both in terms of borrowing costs and construction costs and, accordingly, suggests that consideration be given to accelerating this project. There was consensus among Commission members to support the suggested additional wording. Mr. Kafes moved that the proposed memorandum with the additional wording be approved and sent to the City Manager. Mr. Florakis seconded the motion which carried by roll call vote of 6-0. NEW BUSINESS -- None OTHER None INFORMATION ITEMS RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSION Report from City Council Planning Department Monthly Report Monthly Financial Statement
Page 7 There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m. Sean Driscoll, Chairman Williamsburg Planning Commission PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 14, 2012 None Scheduled Comprehensive Plan Work Session Work Session on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. in the Williamsburg Municipal Building, 401 Lafayette St., 3 rd Floor Conference Room. The topic is.chapter 4, Population. Scheduled Comprehensive Plan Community Forums Lightfoot/Pottery area, hosted by James City County Thursday, February 23, 2012, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Warhill High School Auditorium, 4615 Opportunity Way, Williamsburg, VA Northeast Triangle and surrounding area, hosted by Williamsburg Monday, February 27, 2012, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Williamsburg Community Building, 401 North Boundary Street, Williamsburg, VA Yorktown/Lower York County, hosted by York County Thursday, March 15, 2012, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Tabb Library Meeting Room, 100 Long Green Boulevard, Yorktown, VA