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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSDP201000067 Legacy Document 2010-10-15 (6)This year staff is going to be bringing information to the Board at their fall, 2010 retreat. The Board will be setting their priorities at that time. Staff will then be bringing forth some recommendations for priorities this year. There are three objectives from the current plan that will be moving forward. In summary, the Strategic Plan does play an important role in our organization. The Board and staff work hand in hand in our Strategic Plan with an annual renewal process. Progress has been made in many areas. The plan does drive resources. They have connected the plan very strategically with the funding process. There are millions of local allocations involved this plan including grants and donations. There is at least 2 million dollars that staff identified in the presentation in grants that are helping to support the plan, which does not include the 6 million dollar grant the schools just pulled in. It is the connector between the Comp Plan and the Five -Year Financial Plan. There are really challenging times ahead. Resource reductions last year really affected the Strategic Plan. Staff anticipates decreasing revenues in the future as well. That basically summarizes the report for this year. Mr. Strucko invited questions for staff. Mr. Morris said knowing the Baldridge criteria is extremely demanding and national in scope what are the two fantastic organizations within the County that have received certification. Ms. Allshouse replied the Department of Social Services and the Human Resource Department. They have received the State Award not the Baldridge Award. Mr. Loach noted that national unemployment is about 9.7 percent. He asked what the state unemployment level is. Ms. Allshouse replied it was around 7 percent. Mr. Strucko thanked Ms. Allshouse for her presentation. The Planning Commission took no formal action. Regular Item: CCP- 2009 -00001 Pantops Fire Station (Station 13) This is a review for compliance with the Comprehensive Plan. (Va. Code 15.2- 2232) for a potential fire station in the Pantops area within Peter Jefferson Place (Rebecca Ragsdale) Mr. Benish presented a PowerPoint presentation and explained the proposal. (Attachment — See PowerPoint presentation) The Pantops Fire Station (Station 13) is identified as the next priority station in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) needed in the County and would serve the Pantops urban area. The Office of Facilities Development, in conjunction with Fire Rescue have been working to find potential sites for a station within Pantops, which includes an area of 2.3 square miles based on the Development Area boundaries. A potential site in Peter Jefferson Place for public dedication has been identified and is under consideration with the landowners. The first step towards discussing the project further with the property owner is to find the site in compliance with the comprehensive plan. Pursuant to the Virginia Code, the Planning Commission must find public facilities, including fire rescue stations, in substantial accord with the Comprehensive Plan, and in this case also the Pantops Master Plan. PURPOSE OF REVIEW A Compliance with the Comprehensive Plan Review (or "2232 Review ") considers whether the general location, character and extent of the proposed public facility are in substantial accord with the adopted Comprehensive Plan. It is reviewed by the Planning Commission and the Commission's findings are forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for the information. No additional action is required of the Board. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - Attachment E SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 FINAL MINUTES This is not a review and approval of the site plan or specific development plan for this site. It is only that this concept of use in this area is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The proposed station is intended to be a County operated permanent facility, although smaller than others in the system, and would primarily serve the Pantops Development Area. It would be operated as a County facility. It is expected that daytime shifts be covered by career staff and nighttime shifts may be supplemented, if not entirely covered, by volunteer staff. The facility would be approximately 7,500 square feet in size providing living quarters and service space for duty crews. Two apparatus (engine and ambulance) are envisioned to be based at the station, with the possibility of additional apparatus in the future. The proposed site under review is within the Peter Jefferson Place development. The site area is approximately one acre located within an open space area in an area that is currently developed with a maintenance building and a sewer pump station. The site is located below a fill area that is the fill area for Peter Jefferson Parkway, the spine road through the Peter Jefferson Place development. In terms of its consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and the recommendations of the Master Plan, the Master Plan does recommend that the construction of a fire station on Pantops. The Pantops station is one of two stations that have been identified for a number of years in our CIP. The other station is in the Ivy area. The Master Plan land use recommendations for this area when the Master Plan was developed was intended to be reflected of the approved development plans for the Peter Jefferson Place and the Martha Jefferson Hospital area. It therefore was recommended for green space consistent with that development plan. The plan also notes, however, that infill development could take place in Peter Jefferson Place in areas not serving as an amenity. This site is designated as green space and is functioning as a passive open space area, but is not serving as an active open space area. That is there are not ball fields or existing trails in the area. It is visible open space. The site is located in an area that has already been developed to some degree. There is an existing maintenance building for the Peter Jefferson Place development. There is also a sewer pump station in the site. There is also a major drainage outfall from the lake at the site. He was not sure if it was an official storm water detention, but has that drainage function to it sort of in the center of the general area. The site area of the station is not in conflict with the open space plan, which is another component of the Comprehensive Plan. The area was shown as forested area, but most of the area that was shown for forested at that time when that plan was developed in 1992 was actually cleared with the road construction and the fill for that site. But there are some portions of the site that are wooded and have a stream and stream buffer. But the area for the fire station will not impact the stream buffer or those wooded areas. Factors Favorable: 1. The site is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, including the Community Facilities Plan and Pantops Master Plan. The proposed facility in the site area generally will not impact environmental resources in the area and the open space function can still be maintained with the station located on the site. Factors Unfavorable: 1. The site is located adjacent to environmental features, but the station will be sited in an already developed area and is not anticipated to be detrimental to those features. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Commission find this potential site in substantial accord with the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Strucko invited questions for staff. He asked how the County acquired this property. Mr. Benish noted that Ron Lilley, of Office of Facilities Development and Dan Eggleston, Fire Official, were present to answer questions. He replied that he believed this site had been offered by the owner of Peter Jefferson Place. Attachment E ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 FINAL MINUTES Ron Lilley, with the Office of Facilities Development, acknowledged that was the correct understanding of the memorandum of agreement to that effect right now such that if the site is approved and that they can do a station there that it will be divided off and deeded to the County. Mr. Morris asked if there are any other sites in the Pantops development area where a fire station could be located. Mr. Lilly replied that over the past several years the County has been looking for sites and have found a couple of candidate sites where acceptable response times could be provided, but the cost for them is very high well over one million dollars and in some cases over three million dollars. This particular opportunity of essentially a free site came along. It is not to say that there are not other sites that would work, but this site was attractive from a financial point of view. Mr. Morris noted that staff is aware that the Pantops Steering Committee is concerned that this will take away from the Pantops green space and that green space in the Pantops area is very previous. He acknowledged that it was only an acre or so, but that it was a major concern to that particular body. He felt that it speaks for the entire community. As he recalled the maintenance of green space was the number one priority voiced by the community during the work sessions. Mr. Benish noted that the maintenance of green space and transportation were the number one priorities voiced by the community during the work sessions. Dan Eggleston, Fire Chief, pointed out that when they talked to the Peter Jefferson contact that was his concern as well. The configuration of the proposed station would be tucked back behind the maintenance shed so to not disturb any of the open green space and to try to minimize the impact if at all possible. They had some initial assessment done by an architect to see if that is possible and they indicated it was possible and favorable. The goal is to construct the station back behind the maintenance shed, leave the maintenance shed and leave the open space undisturbed. They felt like that was a requirement by the Peter Jefferson contact. Mr. Loach asked if this was all career fire fighters or a mix of volunteers and career. Mr. Eggleston replied that it would be a mix. They have talked and been in discussion with East Rivanna to help assist staffing that station nights and weekends. They will continue with that discussion. He felt that it looks favorable right now and that is their goal. Mr. Strucko asked if they have worked out at all the first due response area that this station would cover, and Mr. Eggleston replied no not at this time, but it would be part of the process. Mr. Morris asked what the feeling is of the current staff at Stony Point and East Rivanna Fire Department as far as the need for this new station. Mr. Eggleston replied that was why they had been discussing this with East Rivanna. This area has been protected by the city for a number of years, but those services have been provided as back up by East Rivanna. That is why they approached East Rivanna about a partnership to help staff this station. It has been a while since they had some detailed discussions, but at the time they were supportive with their involvement. They will certainly support that and actually reach out to other stations if need be to help make this a true combination volunteer /career station. Mr. Strucko asked if the career County staff provide day coverage service to East Rivanna now. Mr. Eggleston replied that is correct and includes Stony Point. Mr. Strucko asked if Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad was the first responder in this area, Attachment E ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 FINAL MINUTES Mr. Eggleston replied that was correct. He noted that the general feeling right now is based upon the demand that this station will open with a fire engine and not an ambulance. They feel right now after discussing this at their advisory board that the rescue services are covered. So it would be a minimal approach and open up with just a fire engine. Ms. Porterfield said that they were going to partner with East Rivanna, which does not have a rescue service. Mr. Eggleston replied that was correct. Ms. Porterfield asked what is the response time currently, and Mr. Eggleston replied that he did not know right off hand right now, but that their analysis of this general urban ring right now that it is adequately covered from the response time point of view and the number of ambulances to cover that call. He noted that this station will provide first response EMS through the fire department. So they have that as a first responder if there were delays in the ambulance arriving. Mr. Strucko noted that East Rivanna does first responder too on rescue calls, and Mr. Eggleston agreed that is correct. Mr. Strucko invited comment from other members of the public. There being none, the public hearing was closed and the matter before the Planning Commission. Mr. Morris said that he was torn. Number one, he knew they had been looking forever for a spot. As Mr. Lilley stated the spots that are available run between one and three million dollars. He did not think they had that at this particular time. Here they are faced with a possibility of getting a gift on this. However, that gift just happens to be in the green area. He knew that the Pantops Steering Committee briefed the Board of Supervisors the other day and that was one of the key areas that they stated that they need to protect the green space. He just did not know if this is setting an example for eating away at more and more of the green space. As they can recall, the Commission was faced with making a decision on critical slopes where an owner of the land would like to exercise his right to build condominiums and it just happened to be spot they thought was going to be a wonderful open space and green space. That was a number of acres that went off the board. It was something that they had looked at and were planning on and it fell through. He questioned if this was another one. He noted that he did not know. Mr. Strucko said that the way he was weighing it was that they have a public service that they deem is essential and then they have this commitment to keeping a rare green space in a development area. Does the public safety concern outweigh the policy to maintain green space? That is the question. The County has a fairly aggressive set of standards of a five minute response time for both fire and rescue services. If they look at the staff report it says that the current response time from the East Rivanna Station to the general Pantops area are double that. They are looking at a 12, 10 or 11 response times over 2006 and 2007. In order to reach the goal for a 5 minute response time within the designated growth area they need more facilities sprinkled around the growth area in strategic locations close to population centers. That is why he asked Mr. Eggleston if they had worked out the first due response area because each station has sort of a zone that they respond to. In some instances the zone may overlap. That is what he is weighing. Mr. Loach agreed that Mr. Morris makes a good point. They get coverage now from the city, but the County pays them. He asked what the cost differential is between what they pay the city now and what this will cost which includes the staffing. Secondly, he asked if it would be possible to continue with a piece of the contract to cover Mr. Morris' area and not have to use the open space. Mr. Strucko asked Mr. Eggleston to come forward and answer the question. Mr. Eggleston replied that the point right now is that the county pays roughly $750,000 to $800,000 for the county contract with the city fire services contract. That expires in 2013. So they would have to renew the contract. The big question is how much will that cost. A consultant's review of those services estimated it would cost close to two million dollars to provide those services. Mr. Elliott, the Assistant ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - Attachment E SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 FINAL MINUTES County Executive, and he met with the city and discussed this possibility. They were not given a hard number, but were certainly told that it would cost a lot more than what they were paying now. The fact is that area served by the city has response times similar to those if the area were served by East Rivanna. By extending services to the city and continuing to allow the city to cover that area they want to achieve their goal. That is really what they are faced with. In addition, at the end of the contract they have to replace those services. They are hoping to move towards more of a mutually aid style agreement. In order to do that with the city they both will need to give a little bit. They are trying to replace that service that would normally come out of the city. They have on one hand to try to achieve this five minute goal and the other hand they have to replace that consistent engine company that comes out of the city. They feel like this is the best bet at this point. Mr. Strucko pointed out that the Worrell Land and Development Company is planning to simply donate this acre so it won't come out as a cost to the county for the land. Mr. Benish replied that was what staff understood. Mr. Strucko assumed that there would have to be a road improvement to that gravel road to handle a Class A pumper. He asked if that would be at County expense or be part of the offer. Mr. Lilley replied that it would be a County expense to upgrade the road. Mr. Strucko asked how long the roadway was from Peter Jefferson Drive to this facility. Mr. Lilley replied that it was approximately 200 feet or so from the paved road turn off down to the maintenance shed. Mr. Strucko asked if any critical slopes would be impacted by this. Mr. Benish noted that there was not an actual site plan. The area shown in the staff report does not have any critical slopes. The intent is to avoid the critical slopes. The drawing in the staff report shows a four - bay station, but their intention is to build a two -bay station. Mr. Loach asked if the station does not go in this location to preserve the green space if the increased response time will affect the ISO rating and increase the insurance cost on homes in the area. Mr. Eggleston replied that it could, but it depends on where the station is located in the Pantops Development Area. There are certain areas that are more than five miles away from the fire station. Commercial buildings are rated separately and will certainly be affected if not located within the five mile radius. So it certainly is an issue when it comes to the ISO. He reminded the Commission that this particular area is high risk because over 27 percent of the population is above 65 years of age. It puts this area in the higher risk bracket. They have a number of elderly care facilities in the area. Westminister Canterbury has 640 units in addition to the hospital. They really consider the Pantops area as compared to some of the other development areas the highest risk area because of those attributes. Mr. Morris thanked Mr. Eggleston for the additional information. Mr. Strucko pointed out that information had affected his opinion. Mr. Franco asked Mr. Lilley in the CIP how much was allocated for the land. Mr. Lilley replied that the CIP has changed over the last couple of years, but his recollection was that three years ago there was 1.6 to 1.7 million dollars allocated for acquiring the land. When this option surfaced the working plan was that they could use that money to build most of the station needed if they don't need to acquire land. Mr. Franco noted that he was just trying to find other solutions for the green space. One solution was to find other land available that would meet the green space requirements for the Pantops area and ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - Attachment L SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 FINAL MINUTES purchase the land for under that amount. Instead of treating it as a savings they could treat it as an opportunity to get other public green space somewhere else. Mr. Morris agreed that it was a good idea. Ms. Porterfield said that it was prudent that they do something good for the tax payers. The tax payers are being offered a piece of land of one acre with a good looking building that could be used for other things, which will benefit Pantops and the Village of Rivanna. It sounds like a good thing to do if the money is there and in addition there is an available space. Mr. Strucko agreed that using the land for that intended use was good particularly because the use was outlined as a need in the Strategic Plan. Mr. Loach agreed, but that it should be kept in the back of the county's mind in the future that should there be some green space that could be purchased to make up for this that it should be done. He felt that was an excellent suggestion. Mr. Strucko noted that the matter before the Commission was to determine whether this proposal is in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan in terms of general location and character. Motion: Ms. Porterfield moved and Mr. Morris seconded to find the potential site within Peter Jefferson Place for CCP- 2009 -00001 Pantops Fire Station (Station 13) in accord with the Comprehensive Plan. The motion passed by a vote of 6:0 Work Sessions: CCP- 2008- 00002Crozet Master Plan Five Year Update Review of focus areas for revision to the Master Plan and public process (Rebecca Ragsdale) In Ms. Ragsdale absence, Ms. Echols and Mr. Benish presented the information. Ms. Echols presented a PowerPoint presentation on CCP- 2008 -00002 Crozet Master Plan Five Year Update and distributed copies of the tentative schedule. The Crozet Master Plan (CMP) was the first master plan to be completed in the County and was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on December 1, 2004, for the Community of Crozet. The Master Plan process included an extensive public participation process and resulted in a comprehensive plan amendment that updated the land use designations for Crozet. The five -year update was initiated by the Board of Supervisors in January of this year. The Planning Commission and Board both endorsed the public participation plan presented by Lee Catlin, Community Relations Director. The expectation was that staff and the Crozet Community Advisory Council (CCAC) would bring the list of Focus Areas to the Commission and Board for endorsement, prior to beginning work on the revision. Over the last several months, staff and the CCAC have put together the recommended list of Focus Areas. The proposed list was developed after two public meetings, completion of a community questionnaire, staff input, and discussion at several CCAC meetings. This staff report details the list of Focus Areas and plan to be followed for preparing the recommended revisions to the plan. Staff recommends that the Commission review and affirm the Focus Areas for revision and update of the Crozet Master Plan and endorse the general public process for developing strategies to address the Focus Areas. The fall of 2009 is the time staff is trying to get the endorsement of the list and the participation plan. ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION - Attachment SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 FINAL MINUTES