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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-10-15 adjOctober 15, 1986 (Afternoon Meeting Adjourned from October 8, 1986) (Page 1) 035 An adjourned meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, was held on October 15, 1986, in Meeting Room 5, County Office Building, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia at 2:35 P.M., said meeting being adjourned from October 8, 1986. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. F. R.. Bowie, Mrs. Patricia H. Cooke, Messrs. Gerald E. Fisher, J. T. Henley, Jr., C. Timothy Lindstrom and Peter T. Way. BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None. OFFICERS PRESENT: Mr. Guy B. Agnor, County Executive, and Mr. Robert W. Tucker, Jr., Deputy County Executive. Agenda Item No. 1. Chairman, Mr. Fisher. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 2:35 P.M. by the Agenda Item No. 2. Review: Route 29 North Construction Plans. Mr. Fisher turned the meeting over to representatives of the Virginia Department of Highways to present the plans. He said that the meeting would be handled as informally as possible. Mr. Dan Roosevelt, Resident Highway Engineer, opened the presentation with an introduction of the people who had accompanied him to the meeting: Messrs. Fred James, Location and Design Engineer in the Culpeper office, John Woodard, his assistant, and Franklin Barfield, one of the designers who has direct responsibility for the plans. Mr. Roosevelt then explained that he had brought an aerial photograph of the Highway 29 North corridor between the Route 29/250 bypass and the South Fork Rivanna River which he will use as a means of orienting the Board. He also brought a set of detailed plans which he proposed to cover sheet by sheet in order to fill in the details of the planned construction. Mr. Roosevelt began the presentation by explaining the aims of the project. He stated that the project is basically to widen Route 29 North to eight lanes, four lanes each direction, with dual left turn lanes at Hydraulic Road, southbound at the entrance to Seminole Square, northbound at Greenbrier Drive, and at the entrance to Fashion Square and Shoppers World with a three-phase, grade-separated interchange at Rio Road. The project includes widening Greenbrier Drive to four lanes back to the entrance into Comdial and widening a distance on Rio Road toward the Berkmar intersection. The basic concept is to widen Route 29 North on the northbound side by adding one lane to the outside and one lane to the inside of the present road, with the two middle lanes remaining as they are. On the southbound side the entire roadbed will be rebuilt, changing its elevation, but all the widening of the southbound side will be on the inside toward the median. He began a detailed explanation of each area shown in the aerial photograph and on the plans, starting with Hydraulic Road. The Hydraulic Road area is the only place where the southbound lane will be widened one lane to the outside of the present road. This is necessary in order for the road to be aligned with the construction already in place. He emphasized that except for that small portion, the outer edge of the southbound lane will be the same as the existing road, but the elevation of the road will be constructed to conform to the northbound lanes of Route 29. Continuing north, he said, the entrance to Seminole Square will remain untouched. A second left turn lane will be added so there will be dual left-turn lanes into Seminole Square. The median is only 26 feet wide in this project because of space needed for dual turn lanes. A right-turn lane into the Post Office will be added. The Highway Department is recommending the relocation of the truck entrance to Comdial. Once the southbound lanes are realigned, that entrance will be too steep for trucks to use. A bus turnout is planned in front of Comdial. One entrance from Comdial onto 29 will be closed, and at the same time Greenbrier Drive will be widened to four lanes to the back entrance of Comdial in order to eliminate a lot of U-turn movement. He discussed several entrances in this area that will be closed or modified to improve the traffic flow at the Greenbrier intersection. North of Greenbrier, there is no third northbound lane, so the road must be widened one lane to the outside in order to have four lanes. Southbound, the road will be rebuilt so that the roadbed matches the northbound lanes because of the sight distance problem. The next section Mr. Roosevelt discussed is the area from the Branchlands entrance to Dominion Drive. The proposed stream crossing has been reduced allowing the Highway Department to use an 84-inch pipe to parallel the existing 6'x6' box culvert at this location. It appears that the Highway Department will be able to bore this pipe under the road rather than having to reroute traffic in order to build a box culvert. The crossover at Dominion Drive will be closed and the traffic at Dominion will only be able to turn to the right into and out of Dominion. Mr. Roosevelt said he had failed to mention that a sidewalk is planned from the bus turnout at Comdial to Greenbrier, running parallel to Route 29, in order to have a recog- nized route to the bus stop. The Department is also recommending a sidewalk from Dominion Drive to run along Route 29 up to the bus stop in front of Shoppers World. The elimination of direct access to Route 29 caused by the ramps leading to the interchange at Rio Road, will begin just soutk of the north entrance to Fashion Square. This lack of access will run to a point just north of the entrance to Albemarle Square. In order to take care of access to properties in the southwest quadrant (Hardee's, Wendy's, Brown Oldsmobile, and East Coast Gas Station) the Highway Department is recommending a service road that would be entered from the southbound lane just north of Jiffy Lube. The intersection of the service road with the access road is placed back a distance from Route 29 to eliminate traffic problems. Mr. Roosevelt said a retaining wall will be needed between the service 03S October 15, 1986 (Afternoon Meeting Adjourned from October 8, 1986) (Page 2) road and the adjacent properties between the ramp and Route 29. very close to and parallel to Route 29. The service road will run The Highway Department wants to have a three-phase traffic movement at this inter- section. Phase one, the through traffic on Rio Road; phase two, left turns from Rio to 29; and three, the two ramps working together. Mr. Lindstrom asked if this would give us a better level of service than originally projected. Mr. James stated that the three-phase interchange would give the intersection a service level of C. Mr. Fisher asked that the Board be shown the rest of the plans quickly, as another meeting was scheduled immediately after this one. Mr. Roosevelt discussed the problem of the entrance to Albemarle Square. The Highway Department recommends the closing of the Route 29 entrance to Albemarle Square and its relocation at a point about 100 feet north of the existing Greene Gardens entrance. It would be approximately across from an easement that is planned to be constructed as a road that will serve the new Cadillac dealership. The entrance to Albemarle Square will be placed at that point. The road will circle back and run as a parallel road apprOximately 150 feet east of Route 29 coming into the shopping center at the point where now there is an entrance to several supplemental shopping areas. This will eliminate the Virginia House of Music and will run through the Greene Gardens nursery. Mr. Fisher asked what kind of compensation can the people most adversely affected expect. Mr. Roosevelt said that they had met with the Albemarle Square Merchants' Association and Mr. Bower's answer was that the entire matter of compensation is a detailed, complicated process which will be dealt with by right-of-way agents, and that answers to questions of that nature will be dealt with at the pre-hearings the Highway Department will be holding. Mrs. Cooke asked Mr. Roosevelt whether this proposal eliminates the western bypass or whether the western bypass would eliminate the necessity for this elaborate change on Route 29 North. She stated that she needed that information in order to formulate her position on this question. Mr. Roosevelt responded by reminding the Board that they had received a letter from the Highway Commissioner stating that the traffic that will be in this area in 20 years warrants both the improvements shown on these plans and another route. Mr. Bowie stated that the letter from Mr. Bower emphasized that these improvements would expedite through traffic. Mr. Roosevelt stated that he thinks these improvements will affect the timing, but not the need, for the second route. Mr. Roosevelt said, in closing, that the Highway Department's public hearing on October 30 is for the purpose of taking public comments. Anything submitted to the District Engineer's office within 10 days after that time will be included as part of the public transcript. Mr. Fisher thanked the members of the Highway Department for the work they had done. Mr. Fisher declared a recess at 3:45 P.M. Agenda Item No. 3, Joint Meeting with the School Board: School Board Members Present: Messrs. Charles S. Armstrong, Edward H. Bain, John E. Baker, Walter F. Perkins, Robert E. Taylor and Charles R. Tolbert. Mr. Fisher called the meeting back to order at 3:53 P.M. Item No. 3a. Review of Building and Site Plans for Meriwether Lewis Replacement School. Mr. Andy Overstreet, Superintendent of Schools, introduced Mr. Richard Rife, architect with Smithey and Boynton, to review the building and site plans for the Meriwether Lewis replacement school. He stated that the Department of Education comments have been incorporated into the site plan and the plan has been submitted to the County Planning Department for review. The new building will have two entrances, a public and visitor entrance, and a loop which handicapped children can use. There will be a second loop for bus loading and teacher parking. There are two paved outdoor play areas, a soccer field size recreation area and a second recreation area the size of a baseball and soccer field combined. The student entrance is in the rear. The arrangement of the school is different. The large spaces, such as the administrative area, the cafeteria, the library and the gym are all placed together at the main intersection of the two main hallways. Since the first three and the second three grades are being combined, it was decided to maintain the separation they have heretofor had. The lower grades are located in the primary wing, and the third, fourth and fifth grades are in another wing. There is room on the site for additional classrooms at both ends of the school. Mr. Fisher asked about the location change on the site. He asked why the building was not placed behind the existing Meriwether Lewis School. Mr. Rife responded that the original site would have required a two-story school, which is considered undesirable. Mr. Fisher added that it seemed to him to be a very difficult site plan. Mr. Rife explained that they felt the new site was the most suitable. Mr. Fisher asked why the building has to have 24 corners. He added that he felt these architectural details are unnecessary and can cause unneeded expense for the taxpayers. If the project comes in over cost, it will certainly be deferred. Mr. Rife responded that the contours of the site would have involved a large amount of grading in order to place a rectangular school there. He explained that the firm has attempted to reach an accommodation between the design of the school, its layout and how it sits on the land. Mr. Fisher again mentioned the dollar amount available and that the School Board has a ceiling on what is to be spent. Mr. Overstreet said that the design reflects to some extent the requests by the committee in terms of educational requirements. Mrs. Sylvia Henderson, Principal at Meriwether Lewis School, said the teachers, staff and parents all had a part in the design process and have been very conscious of expenses involved. Mrs. Henderson explained that the corners were part of a much needed storage plan. Mr. Rife added that the school is not a palace, but has been designed based on the standard of the recent Broadus Wood School renovations. He stated that this school should last the County for 40, 50 or 60 years. The school will be reasonable to maintain and to operate. October 15, 1986 (Afternoon Meeting Adjourned from October 8, 1986) (Page 3) 037 Mr. Rife also said that the design contains several energy-saving features. Mr. Bowie mentioned that the Board must be sure that what goes into the school makes sense to the citizens who will never see that school but who have to pay for it. Mr. Way said he feels there is merit about not having all the schools identical. The community input is certainly valuable, but the important thing is to do it within the dollar limit. Mr. Lindstrom and Mrs. Cooke also agreed that the funding limit must be kept. Mr. Rife said that in his professional judgment the building should be within those limits. Item No. 3b. sive Plan. Discussion of Planning Commission Schedule for Review of County Comprehen- Mr. Agnor presented the revised work schedule for the Comprehensive Plan. May - July, 1986 - Completion of Planning Commission review of issues as identified through Goals and Objectives statements Completion of priority list of issues to be researched by staff for presentation to Planning Commission - Written comments from public - Organization of Planning Commission into topical subcommittees August, 1986 Presentation of background data (population, socio-economic, fiscal, projections, neighborhood profiles) to Planning Commission for overall county trends Presentation of public participation options to Planning Commission and decision on public participation methods to be used by topical sub- committees - Production of special background information for subcommittees environment, transportation, community facilities, etc.) September - February, 1986/1987 - Public notification - Subcommittees adopt working goals and objectives Development of material and presentations for subcommittee recommendations to report to full Planning Commission - Written comments from public March - May, 1987 - Full Planning Commission adoption of goals and objectives Assimilation and coordination of subcommittee recommendations by full Planning Commission into chapters of Comprehensive Plan June - July, 1987 Preparation of Comprehensive Plan material by staff for presentation at public meetings - Scheduling of Comprehensive Plan public meetings August, 1987 - Public meetings and written comments from public September - October, 1987 - Comprehensive Plan public hearing(s) and adoption by Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors Proposed Subcommittees: LAND USE - Agricultural development - Rural residential policy - Villages - Environmental/Natural Resource - Historic Preservation - Neighborhoods - Hollymead, Crozet - Economic development - City/County/UVA coordination TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC SERVICES - Roads and Highways 038 October 15, 1986 (Afternoon Meeting Adjourned from October 8, 1986) (Page 4) - Mass transit - Pedestrian/Bike circulation - Water and sewer - Communications - Housing - Fiscal resources - Emergency services (Fire/Rescue/Police) - Recreation - Schools - Libraries - Social services Ail committees should address the institutional and enabling legislation effects on their issue areas. Mr. Agnor presented a discussion of how the School Division should be involved in the Comprehensive Plan and how to accomplish that involvement. The schedule is about three months old and has 12 more months to go. The amended plan will be scheduled for adoption next fall. The first three months have been spent in collecting data and looking at trends with the Planning Commission reviewing the significant issues involved. This is a five-year revision cycle which should project out the next 20 years. The recent enrollment is being looked at now to see if enrollment figures have altered any of the trends the staff has been working on. From now until February two subcommittees of the Planning Commission will be working in numerous areas, including the area of Transportation and Public Services, to which the school system relates. Goals will be reviewed to determine whether the data base indicates a need to amend those goals. In the spring, the subcommittees will be reporting to the Commission. Commission. The School Division needs to be involved should there be changes and amendments. Next summer there will be a series of public meetings to introduce the draft of the revision. It will be reviewed by the Planning Commission and the public and finally by the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Agnor said that the Comprehensive Plan is working, just not working in its entirety. The urban area is absorbing its share of expected growth. The villages and communities are not absorbing their share, and the rural areas are absorbing more than the expected share. The plan should not have any major change, but implementation tools (subdivision ordinance, capital improvements program and zoning ordinance) will be scrutinized carefully. Mr. Agnor recommends a liaison person be designated from the school division to work not only with the planning staff, but also with the appropriate subcommittees of the Planning Commission. Item No. 3c. School). Summary of Opening of 1986-87 School Year (County Schools and Voc-Tech Mr. Overstreet, working from a chart, explained the enrollment data to the Board. He noted the significant increase in enrollment in the elementary schools. This increase will have a cumulative effect as those students begin to pass through the grades. The decline in the middle schools won't last long, and will pass in several years. The downward trend in the high school enrollments will continue for the next four to five years. Mr. Overstreet provided information on CATEC, the vocational-technical school. The enrollment there has increased by 34 students this year. This is because of some work that has been done in this area. There are several new programs. The childcare program has been successful as well as a program which enables students to spend the whole school day there because an additional teacher of English 12 and Government has been added. Adult programs have an increase of 41 compared to last year. Mr. Way asked if there is any relationship with Piedmont Community College. Mr. Overstreet said a partnership exists with Piedmont for several programs. Mr. Fisher noted enrollment is nearly one percent lower than projected; he asked if enrollment is expected to increase. Mr. Papenfuse said it will decrease during the year because of expected attrition. Item No. 3d. Report on Compliance with State Ten Percent Teacher Salary Mandate, Including Information on Career Ladder Incentive Pay Plan for Teaching Staff Mr. Overstreet explained that a ten percent average salary increase for teachers has been mandated by the State. The state views this mandate as an incentive and the localities see it as a whip. There are state funds tied to it. To get the state funds, the School Board must show that it has not only budgeted for the mandate, but also complied with it. The School Board has tried to meet it. Because of the accounting method the State uses in determining whether the mandate has been complied with, Albemarle County has experienced some difficulty in showing compliance. The difficulty lies in the large attrition rate in this area. The School Board will not know until after November 1 how well it has done. It is believed that salaries will run a little short in terms of expending the numbers of dollars the State says should be spent. The funds are in the budget; a method of distributing the money must be determined. Item No. 3e. Discussion of Planning Budget Concept. Mr. Overstreet said the concept of a planning budget is to enable the school division to set priorities for long-term projects. It would be similar to the five year capital improve- ments program. It would help the School Board to anticipate expenses in the future. For special areas, such as capital improvements, which require a lot of planning, and become major funding items, it might be worth taking a planning budget approach. It would give the school division a better long range examination. Mr. Agnor said it will force the County to October 15, 1986 (Afternoon Meeting Adjourned from October 8, 1986) (Page 5) 039 look at anticipated Changes. Mr. Overstreet, in response to a request from Mr. Fisher, said that he would hope that such'a concept would prevent the School Boar'd from having to make so many crisis management decisions. Item No. 3f. Report on Goals of-School Board for FY 1986-87. Mr. Taylor read the School Division Goals - 1986-87 which were adopted by the School Board on September 23, 1986: To develop better curriculum and instructional consistency throughout the school division. This goal consists of establishing a baseline of the expectation for students and then monitoring achievement. To analyze the function and performance of Guidance Program. To provide better opportunities for our teachers and administrators for professional growth through innovations in salary and incentive systems. e To implement major Capital Improvements Plan for school facilities and set standards for building maintenance. 5. To maintain the Board's emphasis on minority hiring. Mr. Taylor stated that that the School Board had found that the goals set for last year were for the most part well mes. Mr. Way asked how Goal No. 1 was evaluated. Mr. Taylor stated that one tool is the Curriculum Based Measurement (CBM), a program to collect data, through which students' achievements can be measured at frequent intervals based on what is actually being taught in the County. Mr. Way asked if this measured what the students learn, or what is being taught to them. Mr. Taylor said this was to measure what was learned. National standardized tests may not reflect what students are learning as accurately as a locally normed test. The CBM consists of a broad sampling process of students and their achievements here in Albemarle County. Content areas would be across grade levels in the primary grades. It is hoped that the results of this sampling will lead to better curriculum and better instructional con- sistency. Mr. Overstreet said the school division has a five-year plan detailing the objectives over a long period. The annual goals adopted each year are the primary focus for that year. Mr. Way asked whether the goal referring to the Guidance Program includes adding guidance counselors to the elementary grades. Mr. Overstreet said the intention is to examine secondary level programs. The existing program must be evaluated before expanding it to the elementary level. The state may mandate elementary guidance counselors in the future. Mr. Way encouraged the School Board to continue to be innovative in achieving the goal of emphasizing minority hiring. Agenda Item No. 4. Other Matters not Listed on the Agenda. Mr. Agnor reported on the improvement to the intersection of Routes 678 and 250 in Ivy. He stated that with regard to this improvement to the road to Meriwether Lewis School, the County and the Highway Department have agreed to fund it. The improvement should be put out to bid during the coming spring construction season, with completion expected in a year. Mr. Fisher said that the project will result in a safer intersection because of better sight distance. Agenda Item No. 5. Adjourn. Board, the meeting was adjourned. At 5:15 P.M., with no further business to come before the CHAI RM'g~