[00:00:02]
ORDER THE REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OF MONDAY, JULY 24TH TO ORDER.
UH, OUR FIRST, UH, ITEM IS A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
[1. MOMENT OF SILENCE]
AND WHILE UH, WE ARE HOLDING THIS MOMENT OF SILENCE, WE WOULD JUST ASK THAT YOU REMEMBER THE FOCAL FAMILY IN YOUR PRAYERS.UM, ONE OF, UH, MR. FOGLE, ONE OF OUR TOWN EMPLOYEES, UH, LOST, UH, HIS FATHER LAST WEEK, I BELIEVE.
[2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
IS, UM, OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, AND WE HAVE TWO YOUNG MEN THAT ARE GONNA COME UP, UH, THIS EVENING AND LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE, AND YOU'LL HEAR A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THEM LATER.BUT, UM, BRAXTON AND MAX ARE, UH, GONNA LEAD US.
SO WE'LL WAIT FOR THEM TO GET UP HERE TO THE FRONT IF EVERYBODY WILL RISE.
AND TO REPUBLIC STANDS, ONE NATION OF GOD, INDIVIDUAL OF LIBERTY, LIBERTY, JUSTICE.
[3. ROLL CALL ]
WE'RE GONNA HAVE A ROLL CALL.[4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
IS OUR APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM OUR PAST MEETINGS, UH, AND WORK SESSIONS.DO I HEAR A MOTION? MADAM MAYOR? I MOVED WITH COUNCIL ER MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE.
OH, MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 26TH AND WORK SESSION MEETINGS OF JULY THE 10TH AS PRESENTED.
ANY DISCUSSION? I, MADAM MAYOR, I DID, UM, GIVE SOME CORRECTIONS THAT WERE JUST GRAMMATICAL OR, YOU KNOW, SPELLING TO, UM, MS. PRESLEY.
SO, UM, AND I HAVE TO ABSTAIN ON THE JULY 10TH BECAUSE I WASN'T PRESENT.
SO WHEN I, SO I ABSTAIN FOR BOTH? UH, PROBABLY SO SINCE IT WAS ONE MOTION.
THANK YOU FOR EXPLAINING THAT TO PABLO.
OKAY, MS. PRESLEY, CAN WE DO A ROLL CALL? COUNCILWOMAN DE DEMON PAYNE HAS ABSTAINED.
[5. ADDITION/DELETION OF ITEMS FROM THE AGENDA OR REVISION TO ORDER OF BUSINESS]
UM, ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS OF ITEMS FROM THE AGENDA OR A REVISION TO THE ORDER OF BUSINESS? OKAY, WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON THEN TO ITEM NUMBER SIX.[6. RECOGNITIONS/AWARDS/REPORTS/PRESENTATIONS ]
AND THAT IS OUR RECOGNITIONS AWARDS, REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS.AND SO, UM, THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS THAT I GET TO DO.
SO, UM, MAX AND BRAXTON, DO YOU GUYS WANNA COME UP AGAIN? SINCE YOU'RE REPRESENTING YOUR TEAM, IF YOU JUST WANNA COME UP FRONT, IF YOU JUST STAND RIGHT THERE.
SO, UH, THE FRONT ROYAL TOWN COUNCIL WANTED TO RECOGNIZE, UM, THE FRONT ROW LITTLE LEAGUE EIGHT, NINE, AND 10 YEAR OLD ALL-STAR TEAM FOR 2023.
AND SO, UM, CAN I READ THIS PROCLAMATION? OKAY? MM-HMM.
WHEREAS THE 2023 FRONT ROW LITTLE LEAGUE EIGHT, NINE, AND 10 YEAR OLD ALL-STAR TEAM FINISHED THE 2023 SEASON WITH AN 11 AND TWO RECORD.
AND WHEREAS THE 2023 FRONT ROLL LITTLE LEAGUE EIGHT, NINE, AND 10 YEAR OLD ALL-STAR TEAM WON THE DISTRICT THREE CHAMPIONSHIP AND ADVANCED TO THE LITTLE LEAGUE VIRGINIA STATE TOURNAMENT IN ABINGTON, VIRGINIA.
AND WHEREAS THE 2023 FRONT ROLL LITTLE LEAGUE EIGHT, NINE, AND 10 YEAR OLD ALL-STAR TEAM BATTLED OUT OF THE LOSERS BRACKET BY GOING ON TO BEAT TEAMS FROM RIDGEVIEW, SPOTSYLVANIA, TUCKAHOE, AND SOUTH COUNTY TO PLAY IN THE EIGHT, NINE, AND 10 YEAR OLD ALLSTAR STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
[00:05:01]
THE 2023 FRONT ROW LITTLE LEAGUE EIGHT, NINE, AND 10 YEAR OLD ALLSTAR TEAM COACHED BY JESSE HENRY, SHANE WINES, JOE COOK, AND JAMIE SEALE, AND ALONG WITH THE 2023 TEAM MEMBERS, GRAYSON COOK, TRENTON COOK, JAY DELPHY, MAX ELLIOT, WESLEY, GRENDEL MILES, HENRY CAM MCINTYRE, CHASE MCLINDEN, HUNTER SEALE, JORGE SMER, OR BRAXTON TOLSON AND REMY WINES LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY ON THIS COMMUNITY.AND NOW, FOR NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND THE FRONT ROYAL TOWN COUNCIL RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE THE 2023 FRONT ROYAL LITTLE LEAGUE EIGHT, NINE, AND 10 YEAR OLD ALL-STAR TEAM FOR A VERY SUCCESSFUL BASEBALL SEASON.
BUT DO YOU WANT ME TO HUNT DOWN COACH HENRY AND GIVE IT TO HIM? MM-HMM.
AND THEN I ALSO, UM, HAVE A GOOD CERTIFICATE FOR YOU GUYS.
SO MAX, AND SO THEY'RE ALSO GONNA BE GETTING A GIFT CERTIFICATE TO C N C FROZEN TREATS.
CAN WE GET A PICTURE WITH YOU GUYS? MM-HMM.
SO ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, UM, WE HAVE, THAT'S FOR OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS AND OUR, UM, BEFORE, UH, WE, UH, START ON OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS, I JUST WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY OF A FEW THINGS.
UH, PUBLIC HEARINGS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNSEL TO LEARN OF INFORMATION OF WHICH THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY AWARE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, PLEASE WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE RECOGNIZED, THEN COME FORWARD TO THE MICROPHONE AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
IF THE COMMENTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE, YOU MAY SIMPLY SAY THAT YOU AGREE WITH THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER, AND THERE IS A THREE MINUTE TIME LIMIT FOR SPEAKERS.
UM, JUST SO YOU KNOW, WHEN THE THREE MINUTES IS UP, THE MICROPHONE WILL GO OFF.
UM, AND SO OUR, UM, MS. PRESLEY, I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND HAVE YOU READ, UH, SEVEN A'S SUMMARY
[7.A. Receive Public Input Concerning a Request from Donald McCarty to Vacate a Portion of North Street and a Portion of an Unimproved Alley]
COUNSEL HAS REQUESTED TO RECEIVE PUBLIC INPUT PURSUANT TO VIRGINIA CODE 15.2 DASH 2 0 0 6, PERTAINING TO AN APPLICATION FROM DONALD MCCARTY REQUESTING THE TOWN TO VACATE 13,001 SQUARE FEET OF NORTH STREET EXTENDED TERMINUS, SOUTH OF THE INTERSECTION OF NORTH STREET AND ORCHARD STREET, AND A 14 FOOT PORTION OF AN UNIMPROVED ALLEY ADJACENT TO THE SOUTHERN PROPERTY BOUNDARY.THE REASON FOR THE REQUEST IS TO INCREASE THE AREA OF PARCELS FOR DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL FRONT ORCHARD STREET, AND WITH THE INTENT TO PURCHASE THE 13,001 SQUARE FOOTAGE AND A PORTION OF THE UNAPPROVED ALLEY FROM THE TOWN.
THE DEPARTMENTS OF PLANNING PUBLIC WORKS AND ENERGY SERVICES DID NOT HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR CONCERNS.
THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED 30 DAYS IN ADVANCE OF TONIGHT'S PUBLIC HEARING.
I'M GONNA ALLOW STAFF TO SPEAK FIRST.
STAFF, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANNA OFFER? YOU DON'T HAVE TO, BUT JUST NO, NO, NOT AT THIS TIME, MAYOR.
UM, WITH THE APPLICANT, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WISH TO SAY OR SPEAK? I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, UH, BUT I MEAN, I THINK IT'S, I DON'T, IT SEEMS PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD, BUT OKAY.
IF THERE'S ANY UNCERTAINTIES ON EVERY SPEAK.
DOES, UH, COUNSEL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS POINT? NOPE.
[00:10:01]
GO AHEAD AND THEN WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION? I'M GONNA, DO YOU WANNA ASK FIRST AND THEN I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING? NOPE.
I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.
DO, DO WE HAVE ANYBODY SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? NO ONE SIGNED UP.
IS THERE ANYBODY WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? YES.
AND WHEN YOU COME UP, IF YOU'LL JUST STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS.
MY NAME'S TOM
AND, UM, I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THE EASEMENT THERE BECAUSE I THINK IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A BUFFER THERE.
AND, UM, AND THAT, THAT EASEMENT ACTUALLY GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO CHERRY STREET AND THERE GOES OTHER DIRECTION, ALL THE WAY DOWN ALMOST ASSAU AVENUE WHERE IT CUTS BACK TO, UH, SCO.
AND I THINK WHEN JIM EASTON WAS MAYOR HERE, HE ALSO, UH, WAS SUGGESTING USING THESE ALLEYWAYS AS BIKEWAYS OR WALKING PATHS THROUGH THE TOWN.
I'VE OWNED THIS HOUSE FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS, AND I'VE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS EASEMENT.
I BASICALLY HAVE MAINTAINED THE EASEMENT BEHIND THE HOUSE I OWN.
AND SO, AND THEN MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS, MRS. BILLY ROOT BONE, SHE IS 97, CLOSE TO 98, AND I WISH SHE COULD HAVE BEEN HERE TONIGHT, BUT SHE COULDN'T.
AND, UH, MARY WOOD, WHO LIVES DOWN THE STREET, WHO'S AT THE OTHER END, SHE'S, UH, EVERY BIT THAT OLD.
AND WE ALL THINK THE EASEMENT'S GOOD TO BE THERE.
AND WE'VE ALL LIVED FOR ALL THESE YEARS.
AND IF THE TOWN JUST WANT TO GIVE THIS PROPERTY AWAY, I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.
BUT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON GRAND AVENUE SHOULD NOT BE, UH, TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY JUST GIVING TO ONE PERSON FOR A DEVELOPMENT.
I DID SIGN ON THE SHEET THAT WAS HERE, SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT THAT WAS FOR DISTINCTLY.
IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE PUBLIC COMMENTS, BUT THAT'S OKAY.
WELL, GOOD EVENING TOWN COUNSEL.
I RESIDE AT 3 27 GRAND AVENUE.
I AM CO-OWNER OF THAT HOUSE WITH MY HUSBAND, DERRICK GREEN.
I'M HERE TONIGHT SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION, AT LEAST IN PORTION TO THE PROPOSED VACATION OF AN UNIMPROVED PORTION OF NORTH STREET, AS WELL AS A 14 FOOT PORTION OF ALLEYWAY THAT IS AN ADJACENT TO OUR SOUTHERN PROPERTY BORDER.
AND MR. MCCARTY'S ORIGINAL APPLICATION, ALTHOUGH CROSSED OFF, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE REQUEST FOR VACATION IS TO EXPAND UPON THE AVAILABLE LOT WIDTH SO THAT FUTURE DEVELOPMENT MAY INCLUDE LARGER LOTS AND OR UNITS RUNNING ORCHARD.
HOW THAT RELATES TO THE ALLEYWAY AND REMOVAL OF BUFFER BETWEEN THE R ONE AND R TWO ZONING AREAS IN THE ADJACENT PROPERTY ON OUR SOUTHERN BORDER IS BEYOND ME.
ALTHOUGH MR. MCCARTY HAS ALL THE RIGHT TO DEVELOP HIS PROPERTY, HOW HE SEES FIT, THE REMOVAL OF THE ALLEYWAY AND WOODED BUFFER BETWEEN THESE TWO ZONING LOCATIONS DOES NOTHING TO PROMOTE HARMONY BETWEEN EXISTING AND POTENTIAL INCOMING COMMUNITY RESIDENCE, WHICH, AS I MAY REMIND, COUNSEL APPEARS, AND I WANNA SAY THAT AGAIN, APPEARS TO BE A PRIORITY IN THE TOWN'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
AND THE ADDITION OF ANY PROPERTY SHOULD NOT WARRANT THE ABANDONMENT OF ESTABLISHED ZONING BOUNDARIES, OR THE OVERLAP OF THESE BOUNDARIES WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT CONSIDERATION PULLED DIRECTLY FROM THE TOWN'S COMPREHENSIVE WEBPAGE.
THE MAIN GOAL OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS TO MAINTAIN AND AMPLIFY THE QUALITY AND APPEARANCE OF FRONT ROYAL'S NATURAL AND MANMADE ENVIRONMENT, ENCOURAGING THE VALUABLE USE AND CARE OF THE TOWN'S LAND AND NATIVE RESOURCES.
THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AGAIN, GOES ON TO SAY, ON PAGE 17, COMMUNITY WILL PROTECT ITS NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
ITEM THREE, CLEAR CUTTING TREES SHOULD BE AVOIDED.
ITEM FOUR, PRESERVE MATURE CHEESE THROUGHOUT THE TOWN.
ITEM NINE, CONSIDER STRATEGIES TO MITIGATE THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT.
THE REFERENCES IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN GO ON SECONDARY TO OUR PERSONAL VIEWPOINTS AND OPINIONS ON THE VACATION OF THE ALLEYWAY.
IF THE TOWN IS SEEKING FINANCIAL GAIN FROM THE SALE OF THIS MINUTE STRIP OF LAND, WHICH AGAIN WILL AFFECT EXISTING HOMEOWNERS BOTH IN HARMONY AND EQUITY, IT SHOULD START BY FULFILLING PROMISES MADE TO THE ADDRESS THE NUMEROUS DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS AND RESIDENCES WITHIN ITS BORDERS.
IN JUST TWO YEARS AS PROPERTY OWNERS OF 3 27, WE HAVE ALREADY HAD TO STEP IN FRONT OF TWO TOWN MEETINGS REGARDING ADJACENT PROPERTY AND PROPERTY LINES TO EXPRESS OUR POSITION ON PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS WHILE REGULARLY DRIVING PAST HOMES AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT VACANT, EMPTY, AND LACKING ANY SORT OF IMPROVEMENT.
[00:15:02]
EXCUSE ME, THEY DID PUT SOME FLOWERS ON THE OLD AFTERNOON, PARTICULARLY CONSIDERING THE TOWN IS IN JEOPARDY OF LOSING, OR EXCUSE ME, FLOWERS ON THE BOARDED UP WINDOWS OF THE ADEN END, WHICH WAS A NICE TOUCH, PARTICULARLY CONSIDERING THE TOWN WAS IN JEOPARDY OF LOSING UPWARDS OF 750,000 AS REPORTED BY THE RURAL EXAMINER IN 2020 IN FEDERAL GRANTS.BY NOT INCLUDING THE BUILDING WHEN SEEKING DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS, RATHER THAN HANDING ALLEYWAYS TO DEVELOPERS THAT ARE ONLY GONNA TAKE IN RESALE THAT LAND AT A PREMIUM TO NEW OWNERS AND TAKE THE MONEY RIGHT BACK OUT OF FRONT ROYAL, IT SHOULD FOCUS ON PROTECTING ITS CURRENT RESIDENTS PIECE AND MAKE STRIDES TO BRINGING IN ACTUAL REVENUE TO THE TOWN BY FIXING CURRENT AREAS THAT ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF ATTENTION.
ENCLOSING THE GRANTING OF THE VACATION OF EXISTED WOODED BUFFER BETWEEN THE ZONING AREAS IS NOT CONDUCIVE TO GOOD RELATIONS.
AND A GOOD FENCES MAKES GOOD NEIGHBORS FEEL FOR THE COMMUNITY.
AS OUTLINED IN NUMEROUS SECTIONS OF THE TOWN'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, IT SERVES TO DIVIDE EXISTING LONG-TERM RESIDENTS AND PROMOTE A SENSE OF BIAS BETWEEN THE TOWN COUNCIL AND THE RESIDENTS YOU SERVE.
YOUR CONSTITUENTS MATTER, AND KEEPING PROMISES TO THE COMMUNITY MATTERS.
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THIS COMMUNITY.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK ABOUT, UH, ITEM SEVEN A? ANYBODY ELSE? ANYONE ELSE? OKAY.
AND THIS, THIS IS, THIS IS YOUR TURN.
THIS IS WHAT, THIS IS MY TURN.
SO, UM, SINCE THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE WHO WISHED TO SPEAK, UM, WE'RE GONNA HEAR FROM THE APPLICANT.
UM, WELL, I, I'M A LITTLE BIT SURPRISED, BUT, BUT IT'S A PUBLIC FORUM AND, AND I, AND ALL DUE RESPECT TO ALL THE SPEAKERS, UM, I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED ACTUALLY.
THE, UH, I, I HAD NO IDEA THAT THEY WERE MAINTAINED, UH, IN ANY FASHION.
UM, BUT, UH, I MEAN, IT DOESN'T, AND I DON'T MEAN THIS IN A SMART WAY AT ALL, BUT IT, IT, IT DOESN'T REALLY NEGATIVE IN NEGATIVELY IMPACT WHAT OUR PLAN IS.
AND I MEAN, IT'S NOT LIKE WE WERE GONNA CLEAR CUT ALL THE BORDERS OF EVERYTHING ANYWAY, BUT, UM, I, UH, I, UH, I GUESS, UH, I DON'T KNOW.
I GUESS THE, IF THERE WAS A, AN UNMAINTAINED STRIP OR AREAS THROUGHOUT THE TOWN BETWEEN DEVELOPED PROPERTIES, IS THAT MORE DESIRABLE? I MEAN, I'M, SO I'M TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE TOWN'S NOT GONNA MAINTAIN IT BECAUSE IT'S KIND OF, IT, IT'S, IT'S DEAD END.
SO, UH, A WALKING TRAIL OR BIKE TRAIL WAS SUGGESTED, AND I'M ALL FOR THAT.
I LOVE THE IDEA, BUT IN THIS CASE, IT'S A DEAD END.
UM, AT ANY RATE, UH, I DIDN'T HAVE ANY PREPARED COMMENTS, SO I'LL, IT'S OKAY.
DO YOU WANT US TO, I'LL OPEN IT UP TO COUNCIL TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS.
DOES COUNCIL, UM, UH, WELL, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANTED TO SAY? 'CAUSE YEAH, THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE.
I'LL, I'LL SAY, OKAY, I'LL, I'LL SAY THIS.
YOU KNOW, OUR PLAN ON THIS, I WILL SAY, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT IS NOT TO PUT THE HIGHEST DENSITY, UH, IT'S ZONED OUR THREE, WE COULD REALLY PACK 'EM IN TIGHT AND DO WHAT WAS DONE ON DISCO'S AVENUE.
UH, WE'RE, YOU KNOW, OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO DO, UH, DUPLEXES WITH GARAGES AND, UH, MASTER BEDROOMS ON THE FIRST FLOOR.
SO IT'S, UH, DESIRABLE FOR RETIREES AND FAMILIES ALIKE.
UH, BUT FRANKLY, THIS, I'M KIND OF, THAT'S OFF, THAT'S NOT REALLY WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOESN'T IMPACT THAT.
UM, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE BUFFERS AROUND THE SIDE.
SO, UM, ANYWAY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
IF THERE QUESTIONS, COUNSEL'S GONNA ASK QUESTIONS IF THEY HAVE QUESTIONS.
AT THIS TIME, I'M, I'M, I WON'T SAY WHO GOES FIRST 'CAUSE I ALWAYS GET WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FIRST? DID YOU CLOSE THE PUBLIC? DID THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSE? UM, I BELIEVE, YES.
BUT IF I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, THEN I'VE GOTTA OPEN IT UP FOR A MOTION.
AND I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNCIL TO ASK QUESTIONS.
WHAT WOULD YOU PREFER
COUNSEL, HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? I GUESS THE ONLY QUESTION THAT I, I HAVE, UH, FOR THE APPLICANT IS, UH, WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE 14 FOOT, UH, THOUSAND FOOT, UH, AREA GAIN FOR YOU? I MEAN, WELL, IT APPEARS THAT YOU, YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO WHAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED WITH WITHOUT IT, BUT, WELL, WE, WE CAN'T NOW, UH, AS, UH, LAUREN POINTED
[00:20:01]
OUT ON THE PLATT THAT, THAT YOU ALL MAY HAVE GOTTEN, UM, THAT WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY BECAUSE IT WAS A CORNER LOT.IF THE RIGHT, IF THE RIGHT OF WAY IS NOT ABANDONED, THAT BECOMES A CORNER LOT AND THE SIDE, AM I CORRECT? THE, THE SETBACK IS GREATER, SO YOU WOULD NEED, YOU WOULD'VE TWO FRONT YARDS, ESSENTIALLY.
AND SO WITHOUT THIS VACATION, I THINK OF NORTH STREET, HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MEET THAT, UH, THE FRONT YARD REQUIREMENTS FOR THAT.
BUT THE FACT IS, IF, IF INSTEAD OF DOING LARGER DUPLEX, IF WE WANT TO DO A SMALLER DUPLEX, WE CAN GAIN THAT LOT BACK BY COMPRESSING IT.
SO WHAT'S THE ADVANTAGE? UH, YOU KNOW, IT'S A LITTLE MORE LARGER UNITS SPREAD OUT A LITTLE MORE.
THAT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S A LITTLE MORE AESTHETICALLY PLEASING THAN A TIGHTER, TIGHTER BOX, I'LL SAY.
BUT TO BE CLEAR, YOU KNOW, OUR OBJECTIVE IS NOT A BOX THAT'S, THAT'S SLANG.
SO, SO YOU'RE SPEAKING OF NORTH STREET EXTENDED, RIGHT? THAT'S CORRECT.
THE, SO HOW MUCH, HOW MUCH, UH, SURFACE AREA WOULD YOU NEED FOR THAT? YOU KNOW, FRANKLY, UH, I MEAN THE, THE, THE INITIAL PLATT THAT WE DID WAS DONE BEFORE THIS APPLICATION WAS PUT IN OVER A YEAR AGO, AND MM-HMM.
UH, BUT WHAT I, I MEAN, WE'VE KIND OF BEEN WAITING FOR THIS TO DETERMINE, OH, WELL, OKAY, THIS IS WHAT WE CAN PLAN.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE CAN PLAN ON THIS OR 40 FEET MORE, OR 10 FEET MORE OR SO.
UM, I'M THINKING ABOUT THE NEIGHBOR, I GUESS IT WOULD BE ON THE EAST SIDE, RIGHT? THAT EXISTING.
UH, IF HE WANTED TO GET IN BEHIND, THEN, YOU KNOW, HE, HE WOULD NEED SOME AREA THERE.
SO, SO LIKE, IF HE COULD GET, I KNOW SEEMS 14 FEET IS THE NUMBER, IF, IF YOU, YOU HAD 14 FEET AND THEN YOU GET 26, UM, IS THAT AN OPTION FOR YOU? I, YOU KNOW, ANYTHING IS AN OPTION BECAUSE MM-HMM.
WE, I MEAN, I THOUGHT OF IT, I THOUGHT IT WAS KIND OF A, A NO BRAINER BECAUSE THE 63 YEARS THAT WE'VE OWNED THE ADJACENT PROPERTY, NOT $1 AND TAX REVENUE HAS EVER BEEN PAID ON ANY OF THIS.
AND I NEVER EVEN KNEW THE 14 FEET WAS BEHIND THE BACK UNTIL MORE RECENTLY, THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.
BUT ANYWAY, UM, I FORGOT YOUR QUESTION.
WELL, THE, THE, THE, THE QUESTION WAS FOR THE NEIGHBOR THERE, OR THE NEIGHBORS, RIGHT? SO IF THEY NEEDED TO GET IN THE BACK THEN RIGHT, THEN IT'S, IF THEY HAD IT, YEAH.
I MEAN, IT'S A 10 FOOT SETBACK ON THE SIDE, SO THEY, I MEAN, I GUESS THEIR PROPERTY LINE GOES OVER 10 FEET RIGHT NOW, BUT, YOU KNOW, IF THEY NEED MORE OR THEY WANT MORE, THAT'S, THAT'S FINE.
I MEAN, I DON'T, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE A HARD PLAN, OH, WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS TO DO THIS OR, OR WHATEVER.
IT'S KIND OF A, A MOVING WHITE SHEET OF PAPER, IF YOU WILL MM-HMM.
ANYTHING, GUESS THAT'S ANOTHER QUESTION.
THE, UM, SO WITHOUT VACATING THE ALLEY IS THE PLAN IS YOUR, IS YOUR PLAN TO BUILD THE SAME AMOUNT OF HOUSES, BUT BY VACATING THE ALLEY, YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE SQUARE FOOTAGE FOR EACH? I I FEEL LIKE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE YEAH.
THAT WE HEARD AT THE WORK QUESTION.
THAT'S, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S WHAT, THAT'S, THAT'S, YEAH, WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE, OUR DRIVING FORCE IS A TASK GARAGE, UH, AND MASTER BEDROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR.
AND IN ORDER TO DO THAT, YOU CAN'T DO THAT WITH A A 20 FOOT WIDE UNIT.
UH, SO THAT'S OUR, THAT WAS YOUR OUR PERSONAL GOAL.
ANYBODY ELSE ON COUNCIL HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR MR. MCCARRY? ANYBODY? NO.
ANYBODY? JOSH? NO, WE'RE GOOD.
I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING THEN.
AND THEN I'M GONNA OPEN UP TO COUNSEL.
DO I HEAR A MOTION? AND REMEMBER, WE HAVE TO HAVE A MOTION TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS.
SO I MOVE THAT COUNSEL APPOINT VIEWERS TO VIEW THE VACATION REQUEST FROM DONALD MCCARTY FOR THE TOWN VACA SHOULD BE VACATION FOR THE TOWN VACATION, 13,001 SQUARE FEET OF NORTH STREET EXTENDED TERMINUS, SOUTH OF THE
[00:25:01]
INTERSECTION OF NORTH STREET AND ORCHARD STREET IN A 14 FOOT PORTION OF AN UNIMPROVED ALLEY ADJACENT TO THE SOUTHERN PROPERTY BOUNDARY.AND REPORT ANY INCONVENIENCES TO COUNSEL THAT WOULD RESULT FROM GRANTING AN APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST OF DONALD MCCARTY.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND WE HAVE A SECOND.
SO NOW, UH, WE WILL OPEN THAT UP FOR COUNSEL TO, UH, ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT MOTION OF APPOINTING VIEWERS.
MADAM MAYOR, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT I THINK APPOINTING A VIEWING COMMITTEE FALLS IN LINE AND CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING AS THIS CURRENT COUNCIL FOR ALLEY VACATIONS.
UM, WITH THAT BEING SAID, IT ALLOWS US TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PRIOR EXPERIENCE AND THINGS LIKE PLANNING COMMISSIONS, ZONINGS, UM, AND SETBACKS TO GIVE US THEIR PROFESSIONAL OPINION.
UM, AND SO AS A RESULT, I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT CONSISTENT WITH THAT.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REMIND THE PUBLIC, UM, WE DID HAVE ONE OF THESE THAT CAME UP A FEW MONTHS AGO AND THERE WAS SOME MISINFORMATION REGARDING ALLEY VACATIONS AND WHAT THOSE ENTAIL, BUT I BELIEVE THE WAY THAT THE PROCESS WORKS IS IF THE TOWN WERE TO AGREE TO VACATE AN ALLEYWAY, WE DON'T GIVE IT TO A DEVELOPER OR A PROPERTY OWNER, IT'S NOT GIVEN TO ANYONE.
WHAT THEN HAPPENS IS THE NEXT STEP MOVING FORWARD IS AN APPRAISER IS BROUGHT IN AND GIVES US THE AMOUNT IN WHICH THE PROPERTY APPRAISES FOR, AND THEN THE DEVELOPER PURCHASES IT FROM THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL FOR SET AMOUNT.
UM, SO WE DON'T EVER GRANT OR GIVE GIVEAWAY TOWN PROPERTY OR UNIMPROVED ALLEYWAYS OR VACATED LAND.
UM, AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE ALSO, AS COMMUNITY SERVANTS, IT'S OUR DUE DILIGENCE TO REVIEW ALL APPLICATIONS, WHETHER, UM, THEY'RE CONTENTIOUS OR OPPOSED OR SUPPORTED.
IF SOMEBODY COMES TO THE PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT AND SUBMITS AN APPLICATION FOR AN ALLEY VACATION, WE CANNOT DENY REVIEWING THAT REQUEST, UM, FOR ANY MEANS NECESSARY.
SO, UH, THEY ALL HAVE TO COME BEFORE COUNSEL, HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING, AND BE CONSISTENT WITH THE LAW AND THE GOVERNANCE.
MS. MORRIS? I HAVE A QUESTION.
IT'S PROBABLY FOR STAFF, UM, AS PART OF THE, IS IT TYPICALLY PART OF THE VIEWING COMMITTEE TO ALSO, UM, MAKE CONTACT WITH NEIGHBORS DURING THAT PROCESS? UH, IN MY PREVIOUS HISTORY, I DON'T THINK THEY'VE EVER CONTACTED THE CITIZENS.
THIS ACTUALLY, THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITIZENS TO VOICE THEIR OPINION.
I JUST, I, IF YOU, I MEAN, I, IF IT COULD, IF THERE WAS A WAY TO, UM, TO INCORPORATE THAT PROCESS AT ALL, GIVEN THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE PARTICULARLY ON GRAND AVENUE, THERE MAY BE SOME, UH, RESIDENTS WHO DON'T GET OUT OR HAVE ABILITY TO GET OUT 'CAUSE OF THEIR AGE OR ABILITY.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S POSSIBLE.
I I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GONNA BE POSSIBLE FOR THREE, UM, INDEPENDENT VIEWERS TO TALK TO THE EIGHT OR 10 CITIZENS.
I PERSONALLY HAVE TALKED TO ALMOST ALL THE ADJOINING PROPERTY OWNERS ON HERE.
THERE ARE CONCERNS, AND I THINK IT IS VALID REASON TO GET A VIEWING COMMITTEE TO GET THAT THIRD PARTY VIEW OF IT.
ANYBODY ELSE WISH TO SPEAK? YES, I I HAVE ONE COMMENT ON THAT.
UH, I DO NOT, I, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE, UH, THIRD PARTY COMING IN AND DOING THE VIEWING ASSESSMENT.
UM, HOWEVER, UH, YOU KNOW, I HAVE, I HAVE TO SAY THAT I BELIEVE IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE APPLICANT CAN PROBABLY ACHIEVE, UH, THEIR GOAL, UM, WITHOUT, UH, OBTAINING THE 14 FOOT, UH, PORTION.
I, I DO AGREE THAT, UH, I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY, WHY THE, THE, UH, NEIGHBORS, UH, UH, WOULD LIKE THE BUFFER THERE, UM, THEIR, THEIR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES UP THERE.
UM, I KNOW THAT, UH, THE, THE HOFFMAN HOUSE, A MARY BYRD'S HOUSE UP THERE IS, UH, IT'S AN OLDER HOME, UH, WELL KEPT, UH, UH, STATE, UH, AND, UH, SO I CAN CERTAINLY, UH, UNDERSTAND THEIR POSITION.
AND, UH, UH, I BELIEVE, UH, I, I, I BELIEVE THAT IF, IF THAT THE BUFFER SHOULD RESIDE.
I GREW UP IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND I USED TO RIDE BIKES DOWN THESE DIRT TRAILS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO AFT TECHS.
WE HAD TREE HOUSES IN 'EM AND NOW IT'S A JUNGLE.
UM, BUT, UH, THAT BUFFER, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER DEVELOPMENT, IF IT WAS A NEW DEVELOPMENT, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY WANTS A BUFFER, YOU KNOW, FROM THE NEXT, UH, DEVELOPMENT.
[00:30:01]
SO THAT'S MY PIECE FOR TONIGHT.ARE THERE ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WISH, WHO WISH TO SPEAK BEFORE WE TAKE ACTION? THE LAST THING THAT I'LL ADD THAT I FORGOT TOO, IS THAT, UM, AT A PREVIOUS WORK SESSION, COUNSEL HAS DISCUSSED, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE SEEN IT OR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT, UM, WE ARE CURRENTLY, UM, STAFF IS WORKING ON IMPLEMENTING A PROCESS TO REVIEW ALL OF OUR VACATED, UM, OR UNIMPROVED ALLEYWAYS, CURRENTLY NOT VACATED, SORRY, UM, TO JUST ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF OVERGROWTH LIKE MR. RAPPAPORT MENTIONED AND WHO TAKES CARE OF THEM AND HOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE MAINTAINED GOING FORWARD.
SO I JUST ALSO THINK MY MOTION OF APPOINTING A VIEWING COMMITTEE HELPS US HAVE ONE MORE ALLEYWAY ALREADY CHECKED OFF THE LIST PRIOR TO, UM, IMPLEMENTING THAT PROCESS THAT WE'RE BRINGING FORWARD.
THE MOTION BEFORE COUNSEL IS, UM, TO APPOINT VIEWERS, UH, TO VIEW THE VACATION REQUEST.
SO I JUST WANTED TO REMIND EVERYBODY WHAT IT IS WE ARE ACTUALLY TAKING ACTION ON.
COUNCILWOMAN D DAMON PAYNE? YES.
THERE WILL BE A VIEWING COMMITTEE THAT IS GONNA BE APPOINTED.
[7. B. Rezoning of Approximately 43.9 Acres from R-E District to R1-A District – NVR Inc for Saddle Crest Project]
UH, WHICH IS THE REZONING OF APPROXIMATELY 43.9 ACRES FROM RE DISTRICT TO R ONE A DISTRICT M V R, UH, INCORPORATED FOR SADDLE CREST PROJECT.MS. PRESLEY, UM, COULD YOU READ THE SUMMARY FOR US PLEASE? COUNSEL'S REQUESTED A REQUEST.
COUNSEL HAS RECEIVED A REQUEST FROM N V R INC FOR A REZONING APPLICATION AMENDMENT OF THE ZONING MAP OF THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL TO RECLASSIFY APPROXIMATELY 43.9 ACRES.
TAC NUMBER TWO OH A 2 2 1 DASH THREE A FROM A STATE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT TO RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT R ONE A.
THE STATED PURPOSE OF THE REZONING REQUEST IS TO ALLOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 1 28 LOT SUBDIVISION.
THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST INTERSECTION OF HAPPY CREEK ROAD IN CHAND SHORES ROAD.
THE TOWN CODE IDENTIFIES THE RE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT AS COMPOSED OF QUIET, VERY LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL AREAS ON A STATE SIZE, LOTS CONNECTED TO PUBLIC WATER AND SEWER.
THE R ONE DASH A RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT IS DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF A MEDIUM DENSITY ON SMALLER INDIVIDUAL LOTS.
THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ENVISIONS THIS AREA OF TOWN DEVELOPED AS RESIDENTIAL LAND URBAN GROWTH AREA DESIGNATION, PROFFERS, AND A CONSTANT PLAN CONCEPT PLAN HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED FOR THE SITE.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT PROFFERS TAKE A CREDIT FOR BUYRIGHT HOUSING.
THE APPLICANT HAS CHOSEN TO REMOVE CASH PROFFERS IN EXCHANGE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A PORTION OF THE EAST WEST CONNECTOR AND THE RESERVATION OF 5.5 ACRES FOR EXTENSION OF THE LEE RUN PARK WAVE FLYOVER IF IT IS EVER DEEMED NECESSARY.
THE CONCEPT PLAN SHOWS THE CONSTRUCTION OF WALKING TRAILS AND PARK AREAS, WHICH WILL BE MAINTAINED BY HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION.
THE TRAFFIC STUDY PERFORMED BY TELSON ENGINEERING DEMONSTRATES NO NEED FOR RIGHT OF WAY IMPROVEMENTS BECAUSE OF THIS DEVELOPMENT.
THE ORIGINAL PROFFERS WERE SUBMITTED SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2022, AND HAVE BEEN REVISED DECEMBER 28, 22, 2 MARCH 6TH, 2023, APRIL 27TH, 2023, MAY 25TH, 2023, AND THE CURRENT REVISION OF JUNE 27TH, 2023.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION HELD THEIR PUBLIC HEARING ON FEBRUARY 15TH, 2023.
THERE WAS A TIE VOTE IN THE MOTION TO APPROVE WITH CONDITIONS FAILED.
UH, AT THIS TIME I'M GONNA OPEN OR GONNA ALLOW STAFF TO SPEAK.
UM, I HAVE A FEW CORRECTIONS TO THAT SUMMARY, BUT I'LL GET TO THEM AS WE DO THIS PRESENTATION.
UM, SO THIS PROPOSAL, THIS PROPOSED REZONING IS FOR THE 44 ACRE PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF, UH, SHENANDOAH SHORES ROAD AND HABBIT CREEK ROAD.
UM, SO IT IS A REQUEST TO REZONE TWO R ONE A FROM RE, WHICH IS OUR RESIDENTIAL ESTATE ZONE.
UM, THEY'RE REQUESTING, UH, TO BUILD NO MORE THAN 130 SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED HOMES WITH TWO CAR
[00:35:01]
GARAGES.UH, THEY WOULD BE AT A DENSITY OF UNDER JUST UNDER THREE UNITS PER ACRE, AND THE LOT SIZE WOULD BE AT AT LEAST 7,000 SQUARE FOOT.
SO THAT IS THE MINIMUM LOT SIZE FOR THE NEW ZONE.
THE CURRENT ZONE WOULD REQUIRE THE ONE DWELLING UNIT PER ACRE.
UM, THE, UH, COMMUNITY WOULD ALSO HAVE THE PUBLIC STREETS, WHICH THE APPLICANT, UH, WOULD CONSTRUCT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS.
UM, SO WHAT THEY'RE OFFERING TO DO HERE IS PROVIDE FIVE AND A HALF ACRES OF RIGHT OF WAY RESERVATION FOR THE FUTURE EXTENSION OF LECH RUN PARKWAY.
UM, THEY HAVE REDUCED THE NUMBER OF LOTS.
ORIGINALLY THE PLAN CALLED FOR 142 LOTS, THAT IS NOW DOWN TO NO MORE THAN 130.
UM, THEY'VE ADDED WALKING TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE AREAS.
UM, AND THEY'VE ALSO PROFFERED $3,551 AND 25 CENTS PER UNIT FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OR TRANSPORTATION NEEDS.
AND THAT WOULD INCLUDE A POTENTIAL, UM, CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST PORTION OF THE EAST WEST CONNECTOR, UH, DOWN THE ROAD.
AND THEN THEY'VE ALSO PROFFERED $200 PER UNIT FOR A YOUTH CENTER OR AS THE, UM, REVISED LANGUAGE STATED, UM, WHATEVER PURPOSES THE TOWN DEEMS APPROPRIATE FOR THE YOUTH IN FRONT ROYAL.
HERE IS THE, UH, MOST RECENT CONCEPT PLAN.
SO AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE WAS A CONCEPT A AND A CONCEPT B THAT WAS SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT.
UM, THIS CONCEPT B UM, SHOWS THE ENTRANCE OFF OF SHENANDOAH SHORES ROAD, UH, CONCEPT A WOULD POTENTIALLY HAVE THE, UM, EAST WEST CONNECTOR, AND THEN THE, UH, COMMUNITY YOU'D ENTER THE COMMUNITY FROM, UH, THE EAST WEST CONNECTOR.
AND THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF THE HOUSES TO BE BUILT.
AND THEN I CAN TAKE ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.
UM, MS. CAPISH, I, I HAVE ONE QUESTION BEFORE WE GET STARTED.
WHAT COULD, UM, HOW MANY HOMES COULD BE BUILT THERE IF THIS REZONING DID NOT HAPPEN? UH, ONE PER ACRE, SO YOU'D BE LOOKING AT 44, BUT WITH INFRASTRUCTURE AND THINGS LIKE THAT, YOU'D PROBABLY BE IN THE LOW TO MID THIRTIES.
UM, DOES COUNSEL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF? ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? NO.
UM, DOES, DOES THE APP APPLICANT WISH TO SPEAK OR THE APPLICANT'S REPRESENTATIVE?
MEMBERS OF, UH, COUNCIL TY LAWSON AND RICK LANAM IS HERE ALSO.
UM, STAFF'S DONE A, A GREAT JOB, UH, REVIEWING THE, THE, THE SUBMITTALS.
I WAS LOOKING AT THE, AT THE REPORT, AND IT KIND OF TAKES ME BACK.
THE, THE INITIAL PROFFERS WERE DATED SEPTEMBER 14 OF 22, AND OF COURSE, WE'VE, WE'VE APPEARED BEFORE YOU ALL, UH, SEVERAL TIMES, UH, INCLUDING WORK SESSIONS.
AND AS LAUREN POINTED OUT, WE, WE DID UPDATE, UH, THE VERSION OF THE PROFFERS FROM THE JUNE 27 TO THE JULY 18 TO GIVE YOU ALL FLEXIBILITY, UH, FOR THE, THE PAYMENT, UH, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FRONT ROYAL YOUTH.
UM, BUT WE'VE, WE'VE BEEN BEFORE EACH OTHER QUITE A BIT.
UH, WE'VE RECEIVED A LOT OF COMMENTS, UH, REMEMBER GOING BACK TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND THAT OF COURSE RESULTED IN THE, THE, THE BIGGER REDUCTION IN THE DENSITY BECAUSE WE, WE AGREED TO PROFFER THE FIVE AND A HALF ACRES ACROSS THE FRONT IN THE EVENT THE, THE FLY EVER DOES, UH, COME TO PASS IN THE FUTURE.
WE'VE, WE'VE PROFFERED TWO DIFFERENT, UH, CONCEPTS.
ONE, UH, IN THE EVENT, UH, THERE'S A, THERE'S A DEDICATION OF THE EAST WEST CONNECTOR AND THE OTHER, UH, IF NOT, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO, TO CONNECT TO, UH, SHENANDOAH SHORES, UH, ROAD.
AND CERTAINLY WE'VE HEARD YOUR, YOUR COMMENTS ALONG THE WAY TO INCLUDE THAT IF WE DO BUILD AND, AND IT LOOKS LIKE CONCEPT B IS, IS WHERE WE ARE AT THIS POINT.
THERE'S A SEPARATED ENTRANCE IN THE EVENT, UH, OF AN, OF AN EMERGENCY, THERE'LL BE ACCESS.
AND I APPRECIATE MR. SEA LOCK'S COMMENTS, UH, ON THAT.
UM, WE, WE ARE FOLLOWING IN TERMS OF THE PROFFERS, WE'RE USING THE COUNTY, UH,
[00:40:01]
NUMBERS IN TERMS OF, UH, IMPACTS AND IN PARTICULAR, THEIR, THEIR SCHOOL NUMBERS.AND WE DID TAKE YOUR CREDIT, UH, FOR BUY, RIGHT? BUT I, I BELIEVE IT WAS THE 30 UNITS, NOT THE 44, WHICH YOU COULD DO UNDER THE, UNDER THE BUY RIGHT ZONING.
UM, SO WE'RE HAPPY TO BE HERE.
UH, VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THE COLLABORATIVE PROCESS IN THE VARIOUS MEETINGS THAT WE'VE HAD.
AND, AND FRANKLY, WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF THIS COMMUNITY WITH ALL OF ITS AMENITIES, THE WALKING TRAILS, SIGNIFICANT OPEN SPACE, UM, AND, AND OF COURSE THE CASH PROFFERS.
AND, AND WE DID THE FISCAL IMPACT ANALYSIS, WHICH, UH, VERY CONSERVATIVELY, UH, HAS A SET A TAX POSITIVE, UH, POSITION OF GREATER THAN $300,000, UH, EACH AND EVERY YEAR.
UH, SO APPRECIATE, UH, WORKING WITH YOU ALL AND WITH YOUR STAFF, AND BE PLEASED TO RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS AND, AND IF THERE ARE ANY COMMENTS AS A RESULT OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, WOULD, WOULD ALSO APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO THOSE.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME.
UH, COUNSEL, DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. LAWSON AT THIS TIME? UH, AS HE AS, UM, WE WILL BE DOING, WE, WE WILL ALLOW YOU THE OPPORTUNITY AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING AS WELL, BUT DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY NOW BEFORE PUBLIC HEARING BE BEGIN? MM-HMM.
UM, IT, IT SHOWS THE ONE COMING IN OFF OF SANDAL SHORES ROAD.
WILL THE SECOND ENTRANCE STILL BE ACCESSIBLE IF WE NEED TO USE IT? IF IT NEEDS TO BE USED? I, I BELIEVE THE PLAN AND MR. UH, LANAM CAN CORRECT ME, BUT I BELIEVE WE STILL SHOW A CONNECTION TO THAT FUTURE EAST WEST CONNECTOR COMING INTO OUR PROPERTY, WAYNE.
IT SAYS GRAB THAT'S NOT, BUT THAT'S, THIS IS THE OLD ONE THAT THEY'RE, THEY'RE SHOWING IT OFF.
IS THAT, WAS THAT THE ANSWER? YES, SIR.
UM, IT'S, THEY'VE CHANGED A LOT, SO PLEASE FORGIVE ME, BUT IT SEEMS IN THE NEWEST, UM, SET OF PLANS AND THE UPDATES THAT, UM, AT THE END OF, IN THE EXHIBIT, IT'S CALLED ROAD A, IT'S NOW A CUL-DE-SAC, AND FORMERLY IT WAS GOING TO CONNECT INTO THE ADJACENT PROPERTY, THE PLANS THAT I HAD ALLOWING TO INGRESS, EGRESS RIGHT HERE AT THE END OF ROAD A AT THE CUL-DE-SAC FORMALLY THAT WAS CONNECTING TO THE NEXT PROPERTY.
IT WAS NEVER SHOWN TO BE, I, I THINK THERE'S A, A WATER ISSUE THERE AND SO ON.
THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN A, A CUL-DE-SAC.
THE, THE CONNECTION TO POINTS TO THE LEFT HAVE ALWAYS BEEN, UH, VIA THE EASTWEST CONNECTOR.
WE, WE DID NOT, I, I'M SURE Y'ALL REMEMBER THERE WAS, THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ABOUT SUCH A THING, BUT WE'RE, WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE A COMMUNITY AND NOT HAVE A, A BOULEVARD OR A THROUGH STREET THROUGH, THROUGH THE RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY.
PLUS THERE ISN'T A, AN ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURE THERE THAT WOULD BE A BIT OF A CHALLENGE TO, TO PULL THROUGH.
I GUESS MY UNDERSTANDING JUST WAS THAT YOU HAD, AND IT OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT PROGRESSING TO MY KNOWLEDGE, NOT THAT IT MATTERS, BUT YOU HAD DISCUSSED WITH ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS THEIR DEVELOPMENTS AS WELL.
I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS HAD MENTIONED THAT YOU HAD TALKED TO THE, SOME OF THE MULTIPLE, NOT JUST THE ONES RIGHT NEXT TO THAT.
SO I GUESS MY THOUGHT WOULD BE IT WOULDN'T BE A THROUGH STREET.
IT WOULD BE AN EXTEN, AN EXTENSION OF THAT COMMUNITY TO POTENTIAL RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE FUTURE.
WE, WE HAVE CERTAINLY HAD NUMEROUS CONVERSATIONS WITH VARIOUS FOLKS, UH, INCLUDING, UM, ADJOINING PROPERTY OWNERS, BUT THAT, AS MR. LANHAM POINTED OUT, THAT'S, THAT'S THAT PART OF THE PLAN HAS ALWAYS REMAINED CONSTANT.
DOES ANYONE ELSE ON COUNCIL HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. LAWSON BEFORE WE OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING? I, I HAVE ONE QUESTION.
UH, MR. LAWSON, UH, HOW YOU MENTIONED, UH, YOUR PHYSICAL IMPACT ANALYSIS, UH, HOW, HOW DID YOU COME ABOUT WITH THOSE NUMBERS? UH, ARE YOU AT LIBERTY TO OH, YES, SIR.
UH, WE, WE ENGAGED, UM, UH, MR. ARIEL GOLD RING FROM, UH, STU
[00:45:01]
PATSON ASSOCIATES.AND, UH, HE BELIEVE WE HAD A WORK SESSION.
HE WAS, WAS ACTUALLY PRESENT AND IF THE, HIS FISCAL IMPACT ANALYSIS WAS, WAS UPDATED OVER TIME, BUT HE ACTUALLY ATTENDED, I'M, I DON'T KNOW IF HE ACTUALLY SPOKE OR NOT.
I KNOW WE SPOKE ABOUT THE REPORT AND ASKED IF THERE WERE QUESTIONS, BUT HE, HE GETS ALL OF HIS NUMBERS, NOT ONLY FROM THE TOWN BUT ALSO FROM THE COUNTY, ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATES TO SCHOOLS AND PARKS AND REC AND, AND, AND THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.
AND AS A RESULT, HE PUT TOGETHER THE ANALYSIS AND, AND THAT'S WHAT WE WERE SPEAKING FROM.
AND WHEN I MENTIONED THAT IT'S 300,000 PLUS, I BELIEVE IT'S CLOSER TO 330,000, BUT IT WAS IN HIS REPORT, UM, THAT AFTER CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS AND DOING THE ANALYSIS, VARIOUS BENEFITS, AND THEN THEN COSTS, IT CAME OUT AS, AS NET TAX POSITIVE.
AND I BELIEVE HE'S, HE'S GOT, WELL, I KNOW HE HAS FAMILIARITY WITH YOU ALL THIS, THIS TOWN AND ALSO THE COUNTY AND, AND I BELIEVE HE'S, HE'S DOING SEPARATE WORK BY A SEPARATE ENGAGEMENT FOR THIS TOWN.
ANYBODY ELSE ON COUNCIL HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. LAWSON BEFORE HE SITS DOWN AND WE OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING? ANYBODY? OKAY.
AT THIS TIME I'M GONNA OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MS. PRESLEY, UM, IS THERE ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? YES, WE HAVE THREE SIGNED UP.
THE FIRST ONE'S JOHN LUNDBERG.
I LIVE IN AT 2 0 3 PEACH P COURT IN FRONT ROYAL.
MY MESSAGE TO THE TOWN COUNCIL TONIGHT IS THE SAME MESSAGE I PRESENTED TO YOU FOUR MONTHS AGO WHEN TOM SAYER FIRST REQUESTED TO REZONE HIS PROPERTY THAT HE OWNS NORTH OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS SO HE COULD BUILD A THEN 135 HOME HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
MY MESSAGE TONIGHT IS QUOTE, DON'T REZONE AN ACRE OF PROPERTY ON SHENANDOAH SHORES ROAD NORTH OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS UNTIL THE SOLUTION TO END THE LANDLOCK STATUS OF RESIDENTS LIVING IN THAT AREA HAS BEEN AGREED TO BY THE FRONT ROYAL TOWN COUNCIL, THE WARREN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, VDOT DEVELOPERS BUILDING HOMES ON THAT PROPERTY SUCH AS THE APPLICANT THAT JUST SPOKE.
AND IF NECESSARY, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PART OF THE SOLUTION TO END THE LANDLOCK STATUS OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THAT AREA INCLUDES AN EMERGENCY EXIT OFF OF I 66.
THE THREEFOLD RATIONALE FOR MY REQUEST IS THIS ONE INCREASING ON TRAFFIC BACKUPS CURRENTLY PER OCCUR NINE TIMES A DAY ON SOUTHBOUND SHENANDOAH SHORES ROAD.
WHEN MILE LONG TRAINS ARE MOVING INTO OR OUT OF FRONT ROYAL BACKUPS ALSO OCCUR ON HAPPY CREEK ROAD BY VEHICLES TRYING TO TURN NORTH ON SHENANDOAH SHORES ROAD TO INCLUDE FIRE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSON VEHICLES, EXCUSE ME, RESPONDING TO A NINE 11 CALL.
I HEARD THE APPLICANT SAY ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO TONIGHT ABOUT THOSE BACKUPS.
ITEM NUMBER TWO, THESE TRAFFIC BACKUPS, WHICH ARE GETTING LONGER AND LONGER AS DEVELOPMENTS OCCUR, NORTH OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS ARE A TICKING TIME BOMB.
SOONER OR LATER, A GRANDFATHER SUFFERING A HEART ATTACK OR A YOUNG MOTHER SUFFERING A DIFFICULT PREGNANCY, BUT STUCK IN A BACKUP ON THAT TRAFFIC IS GOING TO DIE.
ITEM NUMBER THREE, PAST FRONT ROYAL TOWN COUNCILS HAVE KICKED THIS CAN DOWN THE ROAD FAR TOO LONG.
TAKE ACTION NOW TO END THE LAND BLOCK STATUS OF AND BUSINESSES NORTH OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS.
TWO ADDITIONAL BRIEF ITEMS. THE BEST TEMPORARY SOLUTION APPEARS TO BE AN EASTWICK CONNECTOR BETWEEN SHE NORTH SHORES ON THE EAST AND MANASSAS AVENUE TO BRING CROSBY STADIUM ON THE WEST.
HOWEVER, DO NOT REZONE AN ACRE OF PROPERTY UNTIL, AND I REPEAT UNTIL THE EAST WEST CONNECTOR HAS BEEN BUILT.
I REPEAT, DO NOT REZONE A SINGLE ACRE OF PROPERTY UNTIL THIS EAST WEST CONNECTOR HAS BEEN BUILT.
NO PROMISES WE WANT A CONNECTOR BUILT.
ALSO, THE KIND OF HOUSING NEEDED IN THIS BLUE COLLAR COMMUNITY IS NOT MCMANSIONS COSTING A HALF A
[00:50:01]
MILLION DOLLARS OR MORE THAT FUEL IN THIS BLUE COLLAR COMMUNITY CAN AFFORD, BUT CONDOS AND NICE APARTMENTS FOR SENIORS THAT ARE TRYING TO DOWNSIZE OR TOWNHOUSES, STARTER HOMES, DUPLEXES, AND NICE APARTMENTS FOR YOUNG MARRIED COUPLES JUST STARTING THEIR FAMILIES.THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING.
WHO ELSE, UH, IS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? JOHN STAN MEYER.
I LIVE AT 75 STONEGATE COURT IN FRONT ROYAL, WHICH IS OFF OF SHENANDOAH SHORES ROAD.
UM, AS WAS JUST STATED, IT'S, IT'S A LANDLOCKED COMMUNITY HERE.
WE'VE GOT, UM, 2,500 PEOPLE BACK THERE BEHIND THOSE RAILROAD TRACKS ON ANY GIVEN DAY.
UH, THE TRAFFIC IS NOT JUST THE HOMES.
WE HAVE A COLLEGE BACK THERE AT K THROUGH 12.
A LOT OF BUSINESSES IN INDUSTRIAL PARK AND ZONING ALREADY APPROVED FOR ANOTHER INDUSTRIAL PARK.
THIS IS A BUSY AREA AND THE TRAIN, UH, THE TRAIN IS AN ISSUE.
IT'S HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR OR TWO, UH, WHERE THEY'VE STOPPED FOR SEVERAL HOURS, UH, FOR REASONS OUT OF ANYONE'S CONTROL.
UM, AND INDEED THERE WAS A GENTLEMAN WHO WAS NEEDED TO BE LIFTED OVER THAT TRAIN AS IT WAS STOPPED TO GET TO A MEDICAL, UH, SERVICE.
LUCKILY, IT WAS AN ELECTIVE APPOINTMENT, BUT IT WAS A SURGERY.
UM, THE COUNTY, UM, PARDON ME, THE, UH, EASTWEST CONNECTOR IS A GOOD SOLUTION.
MY UNDERSTANDING, FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD, TALKING TO NUMEROUS STAKEHOLDERS, IT'S BEST CASE SCENARIO, AT LEAST SIX YEARS AWAY FROM GOING ANYWHERE AND PROBABLY MORE LIKELY 10 YEARS.
UM, THERE'S NO OTHER WAY IN, IN OR OUT OF THERE.
UM, SADDLE CREST WOULD INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HOMES, UH, IN THE LANDLOCK AREA BY ABOUT 25%.
UM, AND IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
UM, IT'S GREAT THAT N V R IS WILLING TO PUT A SECOND ENTRANCE, BUT IF IT GOES TO AN EAST WEST CONNECTOR THAT'S NOT THERE YET, IT DOESN'T DO ANY GOOD.
UM, I ALSO COMMEND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, TRANS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE FOR LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS, INCLUDING EMERGENCY ACCESS TO 66.
BUT WHAT THEY FOUND SO FAR HAS BEEN MORE ABOUT, UH, GETTING VEHICLES ON BOTH SIDES AND WALKING UP A GRASSY EMBANKMENT.
UH, NOTHING THAT WOULD ALLOW FIRE SUPPRESSION.
MY HOME THAT I BOUGHT IN 2017 WAS THE SUBJECT OF A FIVE ALARM FIRE IN 2015.
AND FIVE FIRE DEPARTMENTS RESPONDED TO THAT FIRE AND PUT IT OUT.
ONLY ONE OF THEM WAS BEHIND THE TRACKS.
THE OTHER FOUR HAD TO COME IN FROM ELSEWHERE.
MS. MR. SAYER IS AN, UM, A RESPECTIVE CITIZEN IN OUR COMMUNITY AND A GOOD MAN.
UM, I UNDERSTAND HE'S HAD TROUBLE IN THE PAST TRYING TO, TO DO WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO WITH HIS PROPERTY AND SEE WHAT HE'S, HE'S AT HIS LAST STRAW REALLY WITH THIS.
BUT, UM, GOING BY RIGHT AND PUTTING IN 30 HOMES, NOT THE WORST SOLUTION.
IT WOULD STILL STRAIN THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
IT WOULD STILL STRAIN THE ROADS, BUT IT WOULD BE MUCH BETTER THAN 135 HOMES.
MS. PRESLEY, IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK GLENWOOD? I'M GONNA PASS MAYOR AND MAKE MY COMMENTS DURING THE, UH, GENERAL COMMENTS.
AT THIS TIME, WOULD ANYBODY ELSE, UH, WISH TO SPEAK? YES.
COUNCIL MEMBERS, MY NAME IS JANE ELLIOT.
I LIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS IN THE LANDLOCKED AREA.
IF A FLYOVER IS DEEMED A NECESSARY, ACCORDING TO THE PROFFERS, WELL, NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILROAD, WHICH RUNS HERE, HAS HAD THREE MAJOR TRAIN DERAILMENTS IN THE LAST FIVE MONTHS.
FIRST, THERE WAS THE ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER IN EAST PALESTINIAN, OHIO IN FEBRUARY.
NEXT, A NINE CAR DERAILMENT IN NEW CASTLE, PA ON MAY 10TH, THEN A DERAILMENT ON JULY 17TH, A WEEK AGO IN PHILADELPHIA.
LAST SUMMER, JUNE 17TH, THERE WAS A TWO AND A HALF HOUR DELAY CAUSED BY A TRAIN STOPPED AT THE RAILROAD CROSSING INTO SHE NANO SHORES ROAD.
THIS WAS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AS THERE HAS BEEN
[00:55:01]
MANY EXTENDED TRAIN STOPPAGES BEFORE AND SINCE, SINCE, AND YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD THAT AFTER LAST WEEK'S DERAILMENT IN PHILADELPHIA, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COLLABORATORY AT DREXEL UNIVERSITY STATED, IF YOU'RE GOING TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE A HARD LOOK ABOUT HOW TO PROJECT THE REST.THE RISK GOING INTO THE FUTURE, GIVEN THE NUMBER OF RECENT TRAIN DERAILMENTS, COMMUNITIES SHOULD TREAT TRAIN CRASHES AS A SERIES OF WAKE UP CALLS AND NOT ISOLATED INCIDENTS.
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR COMMUNITIES NEAR RAIL LINES TO PLAN FOR SUCH EVENTS AND UNDERSTAND HOW TO EVACUATE.
YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE HEALTHCARE FACILITIES ARE PROPERLY TRAINED AND HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE KIND OF HAZARDS RESIDENTS COULD BE EXPOSED TO.
WHAT HAPPENS IF NORFOLK SOUTHERN'S NEXT DERAILMENT HAPPENS HERE? AND HAS ANY CONSIDERATION BEEN GIVEN IF AN EMERGENCY, LIKE A FIRE OR INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT OCCURS WHEN THERE'S NO OTHER IN OR OUT ACCESS FROM SHENANDOAH SHORES ROAD? A POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF LIFE SURE.
POTENTIALLY SERIOUS LEGAL REPERCUSSIONS FOR THE TOWN AND AND COUNTY? SURE.
TRAFFIC BACKUP A DEFINITE, THIS IS NOT TO OPPOSE MR. ER'S RIGHT TO SELL AND DEVELOP HIS PROPERTY, BUT SOMETHING FIRST MUST BE DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM OF THE ONE WAY IN AND OUT ACCESS OF THIS AREA.
UNLESS AND UNTIL A SECONDARY ROAD IS CONSTRUCTED, AVAILABLE, USABLE, ADDING 100 PLUS HOMES WITH ONLY WILL ONLY COMPOUND AN ALREADY VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM.
UH, I MEAN, MS. ELLIOT, MS. ELLIOT, UM, YOU SAID LIVES IN FRONT ROW, MS. PRESLEY, DO YOU NEED HER ADDRESS? YES.
UM, IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK, UM, DURING THIS PUBLIC HEARING FOR SEVEN B? YES, I COME UNPREPARED.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S TOO MUCH THAT YOU REALLY NEED TO PREPARE FOR.
MY NAME IS MAGGIE NIK, AND I'M A HOMEOWNER IN SHENANDOAH SHORES, UH, SUBDIVISION.
UM, I THINK IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.
GETTING IN AND OUT OF SHENANDOAH SHORES IS ALREADY DIFFICULT AT TIMES, ESPECIALLY DURING, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WHEN THEY'RE GOING INTO WORK OR COMING HOME.
AND CERTAINLY WITH THE TRAIN STOPPAGES, UM, I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE FOOLISH AND, UH, POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TO ALLOW, UH, AN INCREASE OVER AND ABOVE WHAT IS ALREADY ALLOWABLE BY RIGHT ALREADY WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN, EVEN WITH 30 MORE HOUSES AT THAT JUNCTURE IS A PROBLEM.
SO TO ALLOW IT, LIKE TO TRIPLE IT, QUADRUPLE IT, I THINK IS, IS KIND OF A LITTLE BIT HARD TO IMAGINE THAT YOU COULD ACTUALLY ALLOW THAT.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK ABOUT SEVEN B I I'M TAKING IT AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK SINCE YOU'RE MOVING FORWARD.
UH, DAVID ANA FAKI COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
UH, I'VE KNOWN MR. SAYER FOR 20 YEARS NOW.
UH, I WANT HIM TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS PROJECT.
UH, THAT BEING SAID, UH, I'D LIKE THE GUYS AT N B R.
I THINK, UM, THEY'VE ACTUALLY BEEN AT THIS LONGER THAN EIGHT MONTHS.
MY FIRST MEETINGS WITH M V R WERE IN 2015.
THEY'VE HAD THESE ROAD DESIGN PLANS SINCE 2015.
UM, I COMMEND THEM AND COMMEND THE, THE TOWN FOR WORKING WITH THE COUNTY.
AS FAR AS, UH, THE SCHOOL PROFFER, I THINK THAT IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE TOWN AND COUNTY WORK TOGETHER TO, UH, TO ENSURE THAT DEVELOPERS, UH, PAY THEIR SHARE WITH THE SCHOOLS.
MY CONCERN WITH THE APPLICATION AS PROPOSED TONIGHT IS THE TRANSPORTATION.
AND THIS AREA OF TOWN HAS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TRANSPORTATION ISSUES FACING IT OF
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ANY AREA WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.UH, I DO NOT THINK THAT, UM, I, IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THEY'VE NOT OFFERED ANY SORT OF CASH CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY TO HELP THE COMMUNITY ADDRESS THE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES THAT ARE FACING THIS AREA.
IF YOU LOOK AT HAPPY CREEK ROAD PHASE TWO ALONE, THE ESTIMATES FOR THAT IMPROVEMENT ARE EIGHT TO $15 MILLION.
THE TOWN AS A SCHOOL AND A HOSPITAL THAT USE HAPPY CREEK ROAD ON A DAILY BASIS.
UM, AND IT CONCERNS ME THAT THERE HAVE NOT BEEN, UH, MORE EFFORTS ON THE APPLICANT'S PART TO HELP CONTRIBUTE TO, UH, TO ITS TRAFFIC IMPACT.
SIMILARLY, UH, THE INTERSECTION AT HAPPY CREEK ROAD AND COMMERCE IS, UM, IS SUBPAR TODAY AND WILL BECOME WORSE.
UM, ADDITIONALLY, AS PREVIOUS SPEAKERS HAVE NOTED 6 0 6 AND HAPPY CREEK ROAD, UM, THAT INTERSECTION, UH, IS VERY CONCERNING MOVING FORWARD.
AND I THINK ADDING ADDITIONAL HOUSES TO THAT INTERSECTION WITHOUT A PLAN TO EXTEND LECHES ON PARKWAY OR FIND ANOTHER WAY IN AND OUT OF THE AREA, UH, WILL CAUSE, UH, SIGNIFICANT, UH, ISSUES IN THE FUTURE.
UM, RECOMMENDATION TO THE TOWN THAT HAS ALSO BEEN IN EVERY SINGLE VDOT PLAN THAT THEY HAVE DONE SINCE 1991, IT'S BEEN IN EVERY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, EVERY TOWN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
AND SO THE ISSUE WITH LEACH RUN WAS NOT THAT THE FLYOVER WAS NOT BUILT, THE ISSUE WAS THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS SET UP IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT CREATES, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOTTA GO DOWN LECHES RUN AND TAKE A RIGHT AND THEN AN IMMEDIATE LEFT, AND THERE'S NOT ADEQUATE SPACING BETWEEN THOSE TWO INTERSECTIONS, UM, MOVING FORWARD.
AND SO YOU HAVE THESE STACKING ISSUES THERE THAT THESE TRAFFIC STUDIES DO NOT FULLY ACCOUNT FOR.
I FEEL LIKE THE MORE TIMES I ASK IT WILL JUST
UM, NUMBER ONE, THERE DOES NOT, UH, APPEAR TO BE ANY POSITIVE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THIS PROJECT WITH INFRASTRUCTURE AS IT STANDS.
I THINK THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT POINT TO TAKE CON INTO, UH, CONSIDERATION.
AND I, UH, OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, I BELIEVE THAT WAS ALSO THE CASE AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, UM, BACK IN, UH, FEBRUARY.
UM, NUMBER TWO, I THINK THAT THIS DOES, AS WE'VE HEARD TONIGHT, UH, PROVIDE A BURDEN RATHER THAN A, THAN A POSITIVE TO THE CURRENT EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE.
IT WILL BE A STRAIN ON THE SYSTEM AS IT STANDS.
AND WHILE IT IS, IT'S NICE THAT, UM, M B R IS OFFERING TO PROFFER FOR THIS, UM, IT'S, UM, IF WE DON'T HAVE IT NOW, THERE'S ALL SORTS OF DELAYS, HANGUPS THAT COULD LEAD TO IT, YOU KNOW, NEVER HAPPENING.
AND IT JUST, THEY CAN CONTINUE BEING KICKED DOWN THE ROAD.
UM, NUMBER THREE, I ALSO DO THINK IF THIS IS APPROVED AND THIS GOES THROUGH AND THERE'S STILL NO CONNECTION, I THINK IT DOES SET A, UH, A BAD PRECEDENT FOR OTHER FUTURE DEVELOPERS THAT MAY WANT TO REZONE.
AND I THINK IF THERE'S NO CONNECTOR EXISTING NOW, IF THERE'S NO, IF THERE'S NO, YOU KNOW, ISSUE TO THE ACCESS IN THE SHORES, UM, THERE'S NOT AS MUCH OF A WAY TO, YOU KNOW, PREVENT REZONING GOING FORWARD DESPITE, YOU KNOW, THE TEST.
AND I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A WHOLE PROCESS TO IT.
UM, SO THOSE ARE MY THREE THOUGHTS ON THAT.
IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK, UM, DURING THIS PUBLIC HEARING? OKAY.
UM, AT THIS TIME, HOPE I'M DOING THIS RIGHT AGAIN, DOES THE APPLICANT WISH WISH TO, UH, SPEAK BEF? UM, UH, YEAH, GO AHEAD.
UM, THE, THE FIRST SPEAKERS KIND OF REMINDED ME IT IS BEEN A WHILE, BUT WE WERE IN FRONT OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION IN FEBRUARY, AND AS A RESULT OF THAT, AND, AND FOLKS NEED TO KNOW THAT, THAT THEIR TOWN AND COUNTY HAVE MET AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH WITH A JOINT TRANSPORTATION
[01:05:01]
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS THESE AND OTHER ISSUES.BUT, BUT THESE WERE VERY PRESSING AND CERTAINLY THE COMMENTS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION WERE, WERE HEARD AND WERE PRESENTED.
AND I KNOW THAT BECAUSE I ATTENDED MANY OF THOSE MEETINGS, AND I THINK MR. LANHAM ATTENDED ALL OF THOSE, ALL OF THOSE MEETINGS.
AND IT WAS POINTED OUT BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION THAT THERE ARE INDEED, UH, TRIPS GOING BACK AND FORTH ACROSS SHENANDOAH SHORES ROAD.
IT WAS POINTED OUT, AND I BELIEVE IT WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION HAD THE, THE ACTUAL NUMBERS.
BUT, BUT THE, THE BOTTOM LINE WAS THE TRIPS ORIGINATING FROM THE TOWN WERE, WERE VERY SMALL COMPARED TO THE TRIPS COMING ACROSS FROM, FROM OTHER PLACES.
AND, AND CERTAINLY FROM THE COUNTY.
WE OF COURSE, DID A TRAFFIC STUDY AND, UH, I THINK I POINTED OUT SEVERAL TIMES, IT WAS REMARKABLE TO ME, UH, THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MAINTAIN A LEVEL OF SERVICE B YEAH.
EVEN WITH 130 UNITS BEING, BEING BUILT, I, I ALMOST NEVER SEE THAT.
THAT'S, THAT'S VERY POSITIVE AND, AND ENCOURAGING.
AND, AND WHAT FOLKS ALSO NEED TO KNOW IS SUBSEQUENT TO THAT FEBRUARY HEARING, WE WERE ABLE TO, WE HEARD ABOUT THE BLOCKAGES AND TWO IN PARTICULAR, AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET AN EMERGENCY NUMBER, A CELL NUMBER, UH, OF A GENTLEMAN AT NORFOLK SOUTHERN WILL RECEIVE CALLS AND, AND YOUR STAFF HAS THAT IF, IF THAT AWFUL SITUATION OCCURS AGAIN.
AND WE ALSO, AND I CAN'T REMEMBER WHO BROUGHT IT UP AT THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, UM, BUT CAN WE DO EMERGENCY HANDOFFS ON 66? AND THE ANSWER FROM OUR DISTRICT ENGINEER, VDOT S DISTRICT ENGINEER WAS YES, OF COURSE YOU CAN.
AND SO WE WERE ABLE TO, TO SHORE THAT UP AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT COULD HAPPEN IN THE EVENT OF, OF A CATASTROPHE AS, AS HAS BEEN DESCRIBED HERE.
AND I'M NOT SURE THAT THAT, THAT THE GREATER PUBLIC KNEW ABOUT THAT BECAUSE WE, WE HAD THESE CONVERSATIONS IN THESE, IN THESE JOINT, UH, TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
AND I, I THOUGHT THOSE WERE VERY POSITIVE.
THERE'S ALSO BEEN, AND FOLKS NEED TO KNOW, UH, FOLLOW UP MEETINGS WITH VDOT.
WE'VE HAD FOLKS FROM THE STANTON DISTRICT IN TO WORK ON, ON VARIOUS PLANS AND SOLUTIONS.
AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT LED TO THE, THE, UH, THE TWO CONCEPTS, ONE OF WHICH HAD N V R BUILDING THE, THE FIRST PART OF THE EAST WEST CONNECTOR.
OF COURSE, THERE'S ONE HOLDUP ON THAT, AND THAT IS THE PROPERTY OWNER NEEDS TO GIVE US THAT PERMISSION AND, AND DEDICATE THAT.
AND THAT WAS THE, THE ONE COMMENT THAT YOU JUST HEARD, WHICH IS SOMEWHAT CURIOUS BECAUSE, UM, THAT GENTLEMAN COULD IN FACT DEDICATE THE RIGHT OF WAY.
AND THAT WAS THE, THE ONE CONCEPT, I BELIEVE IT WAS A, THAT WE WOULD BUILD THAT AND THERE AT AN ADDITIONAL EXPENSE TO N V R.
AND WE CERTAINLY RESPECT EVERYONE'S PROPERTY RIGHTS AND, AND THEY CAN DO WHAT THEY WILL WITH THEIR PROPERTY.
AND THAT'S WHY WE, WE CAME ACROSS WITH, UH, UH, CONCEPT B BECAUSE WE DO FRONT ON SHENANDOAH SHORES ROAD.
AND THAT'S, UH, WE, WE, WE CAN'T GO ACROSS SOMEONE ELSE'S PROPERTY WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION.
I KNOW AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION, UH, TRAFFIC WAS, WAS CERTAINLY THE ISSUE.
AND, AND FOLKS NEED TO UNDERSTAND, AND, AND THIS COUNCIL CERTAINLY KNOWS THAT THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT, BOTH TOWN AND COUNTY, HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER ON THOSE ISSUES ALONG WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF VDOT.
AND I WAS PLEASED THAT WE WERE ABLE TO, UH, TO GET THOSE SOLUTIONS AND, AND TO POINT OUT, UH, AND, AND ADDRESS THOSE, THOSE VERY DIRE SITUATIONS OF SOMEONE BEING BLOCKED AND TRAPPED.
AND, AND THAT ISN'T GONNA HAPPEN.
AND WE'RE PLEASED, PLEASED ABOUT THAT.
UM, BUT AGAIN, I BEGAN WHERE I, OR END, WHERE I BEGAN WITH LEVEL OF SERVICE B IS, IS A VERY HIGH MARK INDEED.
UH, EVEN WITH THE 130 UNITS, ALTHOUGH WITH THE COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE, I THINK THEY WERE RIGHT.
THERE WERE HIGHER UNIT COUNTS WHEN WE DID OUR STUDY, EVEN OF THE LEVEL OF SERVICE.
SO WITH THE LOWER, UH, I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE WE'RE AT A B PLUS IF THERE'S SUCH A THING, BUT IT'S, IT'S GONNA BE BETTER STILL.
AND AGAIN, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND, AND, AND, UH, ATTENTION TO THIS.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. LAWSON BEFORE WE, UM, CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? OKAY.
UH,
[01:10:01]
SO YOU MENTIONED THAT, THAT THERE WAS A ACCESS IN EMERGENCY ON 66 I VISUALLY ON HOW, HOW, HOW WOULD, HOW WOULD THEY BE ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO 66? FROM WHAT I OBSERVE, THERE'S NO, THERE'S NO ACCESS.AND YOU HAVE TO GET AGREEMENT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROBABLY TO DO THAT.
IS THAT, ISN'T THAT THE FED'S, MADAM MAYOR COUNCIL REPPORT? MAY I ANSWER THAT FOR YOU? UH, I ACTUALLY SITTING ON THE SUBCOMMITTEE, TRANSPORTATION.
THE, IN, ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE RAILROAD, THERE IS A FIRE DEPARTMENT AND RESCUE SPOT.
UH, THAT STATION IS NOT MANNED BY CAREER PERSONNEL.
BUT, UH, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN COME TO EITHER SIDE OF THE BRIDGE AND ONE OF THE OTHER UNITS FROM IN THE COUNTY CAN RESPOND ON 66 AND THEY COULD PASS A PATIENT OFF THAT WAY IF THEY, IF NEED BE.
THAT'S A WORST CASE SCENARIO TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
MAY I ASK COUNCILWOMAN MORRIS, WHO SERVES ON THE TRANSPORTATION MATTER? SO ACTUALLY, UM, MR. LAWSON WAS PRESENT FOR THE FIRST MEETING WHERE THIS WAS DISCUSSED BETWEEN THE TOWN, COUNTY AND, UM, VDOT, AND I THINK NORFOLK SOUTHERN ACTUALLY ATTENDED THAT MEETING AS WELL.
UM, BUT WE HAVE SINCE LEARNED, UH, TWO MONTHS AGO THAT THAT IS NOT THE CASE.
IT IS, WE DO HAVE TO INVOLVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
UM, THERE HAS TO BE ENOUGH ADEQUATE ROOM FOR A EMERGENCY VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AND MERGE OFF TO PASS A PATIENT OVER.
UM, SO THAT IS NO LONGER THE CASE.
WE DID MEET, UM, LAST WEEK ON JULY 19TH, AND THAT WAS, AGAIN, REITERATED WITH VDOT PRESENT.
UM, AND IN AN EXTREME INSTANCE WHERE SOMEBODY WERE PASSED OVER ON A GURNEY, UM, WE'RE LOOKING AT A ONE PERSON TRAUMA PATIENT.
I MEAN, IF THERE WERE SOMETHING LARGER THAN THAT, IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN.
AND EVEN ONE IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN, WE LEARNED.
IF NO ONE, IT'S A LIABILITY TO THE FIRE AND RESCUE, TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT, AND TO THE LOCALITY.
UM, IF AN, IF NO ONE ELSE HAS ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. LAWSON, I'M GONNA HAVE HIM SIT DOWN AND CLOSE THE HEARING, THEN OF COURSE OPEN IT UP TO COUNSEL.
SO NOBODY ELSE HAS ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
AND OF COURSE, OBVIOUSLY IF COUNSEL HAS QUESTIONS, PEOPLE CAN ANSWER THEM FOR I KNOW I HAVE SOME FOR STAFF, SO.
UH, I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND I'M GONNA, UM, IS THERE A, UH, NOPE.
YEAH, NOW, OH, I, YEAH, I, I I WAS GONNA, BEFORE I CLOSED OVER HERE, I WAS GONNA ASK IF COUNCIL HAD A MOTION.
MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE THAT COUNCIL DENY THE REZONING APPLICATION AMENDMENT OF THE ZONING MAP OF THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL FROM N V R INC TO RECLASSIFY APPROXIMATELY 43.9 ACRES TAX MAP TWO ZERO A 2 21 DASH THREE A FROM A STATE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT RE TO RESIDE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT R ONE A FOR SADDLE CREST PROJECT AS PRESENTED.
WE HAVE A, UH, A MOTION AND A SECOND, AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO OPEN IT UP TO COUNCIL.
UM, OR JUST OPEN UP FOR DISCUSSION.
I, I ACTUALLY HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS THAT, AND I'D JUST LIKE TO START OFF AND THEN EVERYBODY CAN HAVE AT IT.
UM, FIRST I WANTED TO MENTION THAT SOMEONE SAID EARLIER IN THEIR COMMENTS THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FORMED THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, AND I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC WAS AWARE THAT, THAT ACTUALLY THAT COMMITTEE ACTUALLY CAME OUT OF THE TOWN COUNTY LIAISON MEETING.
UM, AND IT WAS THERE THAT WE DISCUSSED, UH, FORMING AN AD HOC TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.
SO ACTUALLY THE TOWN AND TOWN AND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ARE INVOLVED IN THAT.
WE HAVE TWO MEMBERS, UH, TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT SERVE ON THAT COUNCILWOMAN MORRIS AND COUNCILMAN INGRAM.
UM, AND OF COURSE, THEY'VE, UH, REPORT BACK TO US AND REPORT BACK TO LIAISON.
UM, IS THERE ANY, UH, WAY THAT STAFF EITHER PD OR ZONING CAN CONFIRM, UM, THAT THERE ARE NON BACKUPS, A DAY LONG TRAFFIC BACKUPS? NINE A DAY? I, I JUST, AND I, AND I GUESS PROBABLY WHAT WE'D HAVE TO DO IS DETERMINE WHAT THE WORD BACKUP, LIKE, WHAT THE DEFINITION OF A BACKUP IS.
'CAUSE I MEAN, LIKE, I THINK I LIVE OFF OF WALKER AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A BACKUP
SOMETIMES THERE COULD BE 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 OF US THAT ARE
[01:15:01]
TRYING TO GET OUT.SO I, I JUST THAT, THAT, UH, IF, IF, UH, IF, IF THAT'S CONFIRMED, I JUST THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR US TO KNOW IF THAT IS, UH, THE CASE.
I MEAN, I'VE HEARD PEOPLE TALK ABOUT WHEN THE TRAIN BLOCKS IT, YOU KNOW, WE WOULD, WE'VE GOTTEN CALLS OR EMAILS WHEN IT'S BEEN LARGE, BUT I DEFINITELY DON'T GET CALLS OR EMAILS NINE TIMES A DAY.
SO I WAS JUST CURIOUS IF THAT'S SOMETHING DID THAT STEMS FROM THE FACT THAT NORFOLK SOUTHERN HAS PERMISSION FROM THE, IT'S, IT'S FROM VDOT TO CROSS NINE TIMES IN A 24 HOUR PERIOD.
SO THERE ARE PERMITTED TO HAVE FIVE DAYTIME CROSSINGS AND FOUR NIGHTTIME CROSSINGS.
I CAN'T VERIFY IF THEY ACTUALLY CROSS NINE TIMES A DAY.
I JUST KNOW THAT THEY CAN CROSS UP TO NINE TIMES IN A 24 HOUR PERIOD.
AND SO AT NIGHT, I'M ASSUMING WHEN YOU SAY NIGHT, YOU MEAN DARK, THAT THEY'RE DARK, SO BACKUPS EVEN.
SO I'M JUST TRYING TO CONFIRM WHETHER OR NOT THAT, UM, I'M JUST BACK CHECKING, MAKING SURE THAT THAT'S TRUE.
IF IT, IF WE DO HAVE NON BACK LONG, LONG TRAFFIC BACKUPS, THAT'S QUITE A BIT.
SO IT'S JUST THE TRAIN MOVING THROUGH THAT INTERSECTION.
THEY HAVE PERMISSION TO DO SO UP TO NINE TIMES IN A 24 HOUR PERIOD.
AND THEN THE OTHER QUESTION IS, SOMEBODY, UM, MENTIONED IN THE PUBLIC COMMENTS THAT THERE, I THINK IT, THEY SAID 70 2500 PEOPLE LIVING OUT THAT ROAD, ISN'T THAT WHAT THEY NO, 2,500 ARE BACK THERE AT ANY GIVEN TIME DURING THE DAY, AND I HAVE THE EXACT NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT LIVE BACK THERE.
SO 2,500 OR BEHIND THE RAILROAD TRACK IS THE WAY I TOOK THAT.
SO I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, IF THERE WAS ANY WAY TO, I'M JUST CURIOUS, HOW MANY OF THOSE ARE TOWN CITIZENS? ABOUT APPROXIMATELY 51 TO 53, UM, DWELLING UNITS OFF OF SHENANDOAH SHORES ROAD THAT ARE IN TOWN.
THE REST, I BELIEVE THERE'S AROUND 427 ARE LOCATED WITHIN THE COUNTY LIMITS, BEYOND, SO BEYOND THE INDUSTRIAL, UH, SECTION MM-HMM.
AND SO IT JUST, I THINK I KNOW THE ANSWER, BUT I WANNA MAKE SURE I KNOW THE ANSWER.
SO THERE'S 427 HOMES THAT WOULD'VE BEEN BUILT BEYOND THE TOWN LIMIT, THAT WOULD'VE BEEN THE COUNTY THAT WOULD'VE APPROVED THOSE, CORRECT.
SO, SO THIS REALLY IS A, A, UH, IT'S, IT'S FALLING ON THE TOWN'S, UM, TOWN'S, UH, UH, RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS THIS, BUT THAT, BUT THERE'S QUITE A FEW, UM, YOU KNOW, AND I'M GUESSING THAT WAS PROBABLY PART OF THEIR COMP PLAN TO ALLOW THAT MANY, UM, YOU KNOW, RESIDENCES BEYOND THAT WITHOUT ADDRESSING ANY SAFETY.
THAT WAS THE, I THINK I ASKED MY QUESTIONS.
I THINK I, UM, I THINK THAT I, UH, ADDRESSED ANYTHING THAT I HEARD THAT MIGHT BE INACCURATE WITH THE, THAT THE TOWN AND COUNTY WAS TOGETHER.
ALRIGHT, WE CAN TAKE IT FROM THE TOP OR WHO ELSE OR ANYBODY WANTS TO SPEAK.
ANYBODY HAVE A PREFERENCE TO BE FIRST? I'LL GO FIRST.
UM, SO I WANNA FIRST THANK MR. LAWSON AND MR. LANAM FOR THEIR GRACIOUSNESS IN COMING AND PRESENTING TIRELESSLY.
UM, OVER THE LAST, I KNOW IT'S BEEN AT LEAST A YEAR SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO AMEND THEIR PROFFERS CHANGE THEIR PLANS DESPITE ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING DESIGNS, ET CETERA.
I, IT'S JUST UNFORTUNATE THAT, UM, THERE WAS NO VISION OR FORETHOUGHT FROM THE LEADERS OF OUR COMMUNITY BEFORE US.
UM, AS WE'VE HEARD TONIGHT, IT'S BEEN AN ISSUE FOR DECADES IN SHENANDOAH SHORES AND THE ROUTE 6 0 6 ISSUE, BUT THERE ARE LAR MUCH LARGER, FUNDAMENTALLY INACCURATE THINGS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITHIN THE TOWN AND THE COUNTY.
UM, AS MR. ANO HAD MENTIONED, I'VE BROUGHT IT UP IN THE TRANSPORTATION SUBCOMMITTEE PRIOR.
IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE THAT YOU COME TO A STOPLIGHT AT THE END OF LEACH RUN PARKWAY.
YOU TURN RIGHT, YOU TURN LEFT, AND THEN THERE'S A TRAIN.
IT SHOULD HAVE GONE STRAIGHT ACROSS FROM LEACH RUN PARKWAY, WHICH IS WHAT IT WAS INTENDED TO DO BY THE COUNTY.
UM, AND THAT WAS FROM FORMER LEADERSHIP IN THE COUNTY WHO DID NOT DO WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO.
UM, WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE TALK ABOUT LANDLOCKED.
UH, WE HAVE 450 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES IN SHENANDOAH FARMS, UM, SHENANDOAH SHORES, I APOLOGIZE.
[01:20:01]
PLUS CHRISTENDOM STUDENTS, AND THEN WE HAVE THE PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRIAL PARK, WHICH WE MENTIONED.I KNOW THAT THIS IS A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD BECAUSE, UM, IN SOME OF THE REQUESTS TONIGHT, WE'VE HEARD THAT WE WANT IT TO BE FUNDED PRIOR TO ANYTHING CHANGING, AND THAT'S JUST REALISTICALLY NOT LIKELY GOING TO HAPPEN IN MY LIFETIME.
UM, WHAT THE SUB COMMITTEE FOR THE TRANSPORTATION IS WORKING TOWARDS IS REVENUE SHARING FUNDING WITH V O T.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, THE APPLICATION TIMELINE HAS CLOSED FOR THIS YEAR.
TYPICALLY, IT TAKES UP TO TWO YEARS TO RECEIVE THOSE FUNDS.
AFTER APPROVED, THE FIRST STEP IS STARTING A SIX MONTH STAR STUDY, WHICH HAS NOT YET BEEN STARTED BY V O T.
IT'S A FREE STUDY THAT WOULD FORECAST TRIP GENERATIONS, UM, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
THE ORIGINAL PLANS FOR THE CONNECTOR WAS A FOUR-LANE ROAD TO RESEMBLE MUCH LIKE LEACH RUN PARKWAY.
HOWEVER, IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A FOUR-LANE ROAD IS GONNA BE NECESSARY.
YOU HAVE TWO, TWO LANE ROADS RUNNING SIMULTANEOUS TO EACH OTHER.
THAT WOULD, OF COURSE CUT DOWN THE COST A LOT.
BUT WITH THE REVENUE SHARING, 50% COMES FROM THE STATE.
THE OTHER 50% HAS TO COME FROM THE LOCALITY.
HOWEVER THAT COMES, THE STATE DOES NOT CARE.
HOWEVER, WE CAN ACCEPT PROFFERS FROM DEVELOPERS TO DO THAT.
I MENTIONED IT AT A WORK SESSION IN THE SPRING THIS YEAR.
I BELIEVE THAT IT'LL BE A ROAD TO NOWHERE FOR A LONG TIME.
AND I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING AND BEING FACED WITH HERE TODAY.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, N V R IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT WITH THE INGRESS EGRESS.
IT'S A HEALTH AND HUMAN SAFETY HAZARD, IT ALREADY IS WITHOUT THOSE HOMES BEING BUILT.
UM, AND WE ALSO LEARNED IN OCTOBER, I'M SORRY, WE ALSO LEARNED IN, UM, MAY, THAT THERE'S NOT REALLY MUCH FEDERAL REGULATION ON THE LENGTH OF A TRAIN.
SO OUR TRANSPORTATION SUBCOMMITTEES FIRST RULE OF BUSINESS WAS TO TRY TO GET A SECOND, NOT BUILD THE ENTIRE CONNECTOR, BUT HAVE TWO POINTS OF INGRESS EGRESS.
AND WE THOUGHT MAYBE MARY SHADYS LANE IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES OR CATASTROPHES.
UM, HOWEVER, WE THOUGHT WE PROBABLY SEE FIVE TO 6,000 FOOT TRAINS IN FRONT ROYAL WARREN COUNTY.
NORFOLK SOUTHERN RUNS TRAINS THROUGH WARREN COUNTY UP TO 12,000 FEET LONG.
SO THAT WOULD BLOCK ALL OF THE ENTRANCES AT THE SAME TIME.
SO THAT MAKES THAT A MOOT POINT.
UM, WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE DO HAVE NORFOLK SOUTHERN ATTENDING THESE MEETINGS.
FINALLY, UM, THE, WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT EIGHT TO 10 YEARS.
VDOT SAID LAST WEDNESDAY THAT WE'D BE LOOKING AT FOUR TO SIX YEARS IF WE COULD FIND THE OTHER 50% OF THE FUNDING TO DO THAT.
WE DO HAVE TO WORK WITH THE POTENTIAL LAND DEVELOPERS, UM, TO FUND THAT.
UM, SO WITH ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, IT'S UNFORTUNATE AND IT'S NOT TOWARDS THE APPLICANT, BUT I DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS IS IN THE BEST INTEREST.
AND AS WE'VE HEARD HERE TONIGHT, I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY EXPRESSED SUPPORT FROM ANYBODY EXCEPT THE LANDOWNER AND THE APPLICANT FOR THIS, SINCE IT'S COME BEFORE COUNCIL IN THE LAST YEAR.
AND, UM, I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT WE ARE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE FOR THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE.
SO THAT IS WHY I MADE THE MOTION THAT I MADE TONIGHT.
WHO ELSE WISHES TO SPEAK? UH, MADAM MAYOR, I, IF I MAY, UH, I'M NOT GONNA REPEAT THE SENTIMENTS OF, UH, OF, OF, UH, COUNCILMAN OMAN MORRIS.
I MEAN, SHE SAID, UM, A LOT OF WHAT I AGREE TO, I, I TOO HAVE SERVED ON THE TRANSPORTATION SUBCOMMITTEE THAT WAS FORMED, UH, REALLY AS A RESULT IN A WAY OF THIS APPLICATION.
BUT I ALSO WANNA POINT OUT THAT THE SUBCOMMITTEE IS NOT ONLY JUST WORK LOOKING AT THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION, IT'S ALSO LOOKING AT TOWN AND COUNTY, UH, THROUGHOUT.
SO IT HAS, UH, INVOKED A LOT OF, UH, DISCUSSIONS FOR, FOR, UH, FUTURE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AS COUNCILWOMAN, UH, MORE, UH, SUGGESTED.
WE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE LEARNED QUITE A BIT, UH, FROM VDOT, FROM THE, UH, FROM, UH, THE RAILROAD, UH, COMPANY, WHICH, OR THE RAILROAD REPRESENTATIVE.
AND, UM, AND, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF WORK HAS BEEN DONE.
THE APPLICANT HAS, HAS JUMPED THROUGH ALL THE HOOPS THUS FAR THAT THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITY.
UH, BUT AGAIN, AT THIS POINT WITH, I WOULD SAY THE WIND KIND OF BEING TAKEN OUTTA THE CELL WITH THE LENGTH OF THE TRAIN, AND THERE'S NO IMMEDIATE SOLUTION FOR, UH, YOU KNOW, THE, THE SITUATION OF THE, UH, THE CROSSING.
I JUST, I, I CAN'T SEE IT, UH, BEING GOOD FOR THIS COMMUNITY AT THIS POINT TO, UH, TO HAVE THAT MANY HOUSES BACK THERE.
SO THEREFORE, ARE THERE ANY OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WISH TO SPEAK? ANYBODY ELSE WANNA ADD TO THE DISCUSSION? I, I JUST WANT TO ADD MADAM MAYOR, UH, YOU KNOW, THIS, THIS IS A REALLY DIFFICULT SITUATION, AND I KNOW THAT, UH, THE, YOU KNOW, THE, THE APPLICANT HAS GONE THROUGH A LOT OF HOOPS TO HELP BRING THIS TO SOME KIND OF FRUITION.
[01:25:01]
THE ACCESSIBILITY, YOU KNOW, I BET YOU IF THE HOSPITAL HAD BEEN BUILT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS, THAT OVERPASS WOULD'VE BEEN BUILT, RIGHT? MM-HMM.UH, AND, UH, BUT ANYWAY, UH, I'M HOPEFUL THAT, UH, THIS AREA AT SOME POINT IN TIME CAN BE DEVELOPED.
UH, IT'S BEEN THERE WHAT FOR 20 YEARS, UH, THAT WE BROUGHT IT INTO THE TOWN.
AND, UH, UH, SOMEHOW, UH, YOU KNOW, I I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THERE CAN BE SOME SYNERGY BETWEEN ALL OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS, UM, AND, UH, VDOT, UH, RAILROAD.
AND THROUGH THAT PROCESS, UH, HOPEFULLY, UH, AT SOME POINT, UH, WE CAN BRING SOME FRUITION TO THIS.
UH, I DO APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT, UM, THE APPLICANTS HAVE BROUGHT TO THE TABLE.
UH, APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS REGARDING THE GIFTING, UH, TO, UH, THE YOUTH CENTER FOR THE YOUTH.
UM, BUT I, I HAVE, HAVE TO AGREE AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
IT JUST MAY NOT BE THE RIGHT TIME.
THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, I FORGOT TO MAKE A POINT TO MS. ELLIOT'S COMMENTS.
I KNOW WE'VE HEARD FROM HER A LOT OVER THE LAST YEAR, AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK.
WE DID FIND OUT ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 19TH, UM, ALONG WITH PLANNING COMMISSIONER CONNIE MARNER, THAT, UM, APPLICATIONS ARE OPENING IN SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR FOR $570 MILLION IN GRANTS FROM THE FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION TO HELP BUILD BRIDGES UNDERPASSES, AND IMPROVE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY AROUND RAILROAD TRACKS THAT WE, UM, ARE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ON APPLYING FOR THOSE GRANTS.
I JUST DON'T WANNA, I DON'T WANNA LEAVE YOU ALL OUT, HAVE ANYTHING TO OFFER.
UM, IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE, THEN I GUESS MS. PRESLEY, WE'RE READY FOR THE VOTE NOW.
THIS IS A VOTE, UM, TO DENY THE REZONING APPLICATION.
JUST WANNA MAKE SURE EVERYBODY'S HADN'T GOTTEN LOST IN THE WEEDS.
COUNCILWOMAN D DEMON PAYNE? YES.
AND THEN WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON TO OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS
[8. PUBLIC COMMENTS NOT RELATED TO PUBLIC HEARINGS ]
THAT ARE NOT RELATED TO THE PUBLIC HEARING.AND, UH, BEFORE, UH, WE BEGIN THIS SECTION, I JUST WANNA REMIND PEOPLE,
UH, PLEASE WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE RECOGNIZED, THEN COME FORWARD TO THE MICROPHONE AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
UM, PUBLIC COMMENTS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS.
AGAIN, JUST A REMINDER, AT THE END OF THREE MINUTES, THE MICROPHONE CUTS OFF THE SPEAKER'S COMMENTS, UH, SHALL BE RELEVANT TO THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL AND DIRECTED TO THE COUNCIL.
THE SPEAKER'S COMMENTS DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS SHALL NOT ADDRESS THE SUBJECT MATTER OF A PUBLIC HEARING BEING HELD DURING THE SAME MEETING.
UH, THERE SHOULD BE NO PERSONAL ATTACKS AND DECORATOR'S, LANGUAGE OR DISPLAY OF SIGNS, PLACARDS, POSTERS, OR OTHER DISRUPTIVE CONDUCT OR DISPLAY.
UH, MS. PRESLEY, HAS ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? YES, WE HAVE FIVE.
WILLIAM OR MR. UM, COULD WE GO AHEAD AND LET THE PERSON GO? SHOULD WE GO AHEAD AND, UM, YEP.
YOU WANNA GO AHEAD AND LET THEM KNOW WE'RE NO LONGER NEED? I'M SORRY.
AM I READY?
I LIVE AT 1250 HIGH KNOB ROAD, BUT I'M HERE TO ADDRESS, UH, 1314 NORTH ROYAL AVENUE, WHICH IS THE, UH, OLD LOAD INAX BUILDING.
UH, I AM, UH, THE OWNER OF, UH, FIRST RESPONSE CHIMNEY SWEEPS AND SERVICES, WHICH IS A CHIMNEY REPAIR BUSINESS, UH, IN FRONT RAIL.
UM, WE BOUGHT THE BUILDING, UH, WE THINK WE CLOSED ON APRIL 15TH, 2023.
AND IT IS OUR GOAL TO DO A GRAND OPENING FOR THE BUILDING ON, UH, OCTOBER 7TH, 2023.
WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TO TRY TO FLIP THIS BUILDING AROUND AND, UH, MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT BETTER OF A, UH, LESS, LESS OF AN EYESORE,
[01:30:01]
I GUESS YOU COULD SAY, UM, AROUND THAT BUSY INTERSECTION.UM, OUR GOAL, UH, LONG STORY SHORT, AND THE REASON I'M HERE IS WE ARE TRYING TO PAINT A MURAL ON BOTH LONG SIDES OF THE BUILDING, EACH LONG SIDE, AND STRETCHES ABOUT 12 FEET TO 14 FEET IN HEIGHT AND 75 FEET LONG.
UH, WE HAVE TWO MURALS THAT WE WANNA PAINT ONE ON EACH SIDE.
ONE IS ABOUT 410 SQUARE FEET, ONE'S ABOUT 240 SQUARE FEET.
THE MURALS ARE IN REMEMBRANCE OF, UH, FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS.
UH, AND IT'S A TRIBUTE TO THEM.
UM, A BIG THING WITH OUR BUSINESS IS FIRE SAFETY AND, UH, UH, CHIMNEY INSPECTIONS.
SO YES, WE WOULD BE AND WOULD NOT BE, UH, SELLING THE BUSINESS AS PART OF IT, BUT THE GOAL IS TO, UM, UH, REMEMBER FIREFIGHTERS AS A, AS A WHOLE AND THE ONES THAT HAVE PASSED.
UM, UH, THE GOAL FOR THIS, UH, FOR THE, FOR THE, FOR THE, UH, UH, THE REASON I'M SPEAKING IS BECAUSE, UH, WE'VE BEEN TO THE TOWN A COUPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST, UH, FEW MONTHS, UH, IN REFERENCE TO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS.
AND, UH, ONE OF THE, THE CLASSIFICATION OF A MURAL FALLS UNDER A SIGN.
BUT OVER THE CONVERSATIONS OF THIS, UH, OVER THE, OKAY, OVER THE, UH, THE, THE SPEAK OF THE, UH, UH, MURAL IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS OF TRYING TO GET IT, UH, APPROVED, IT WAS JUST, UH, LAST WEEK, UH, WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT A MURAL QUALIFIES AS A SIGN WHEN WE THOUGHT IT WAS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
SO NOW WE'RE RESTRICTED TO WHAT IS 60 SQUARE, 60 SQUARE FEET WITHOUT APPLYING FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT.
SO THE GOAL NOW IS THAT WE NEED TO GET THE, UH, MURAL PAINTED BY OCTOBER 7TH FOR THE GRAND OPENING.
UH, BUT WE ARE LIMITED TO THIS, UH, THE LONG PROCESS THAT IT TAKES.
SO MY BIG ASK IS THAT SOMEHOW, SOME WAY WE COULD EXPEDITE THIS PROCESS, UM, TO GET THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPROVED SO WE COULD PAINT THE MURAL FOUR, OUR GRAND OPENING ON OCTOBER 7TH.
IF YOU, I WAS GONNA SAY, IF YOU DON'T, I KNOW YOU, WE GOT A, YOU GOT DISTRACTED, YOU FIND A COUPLE OF THINGS FINE.
SO IF YOU WANTED TO SAY ANY MORE, I'M GONNA GIVE YOU EXTRA TIME.
I, UH, I BELIEVE I COVERED EVERYTHING.
THERE'S TWO MORE THAT WANNA SPEAK ABOUT IT AFTERWARDS.
SO PLUS WE ALSO RECEIVED AN EMAIL, SO I DO FEEL LIKE WE'VE BEEN EDUCATED ON WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.
YEAH, IT'S MORE FOR, IT'S ALL GOOD.
MY BIG ASK IS IF WE COULD EXPEDITE IT SOMEHOW SOME WAY.
AND AS YOU'RE WALKING, AND WHEN YOU'RE COMING UP HERE, IF YOU WOULD SAY YOUR LAST NAME AGAIN.
KEEP AND, AND SPELL IT FOR ME, BECAUSE THE EMAIL JUST SAID FIRST NAME.
SO WHAT WAS THE LAST NAME? K A R Y S S I N G K.
IS THAT HOW YOU SAY IT? CHRIS? CHRIS, YES, MA'AM.
SO, UH, UH, I LIVE ON THE SAME ADDRESS AS WE, WE ARE BOTH MARRIED AND WE BOTH OWN THE BUSINESS.
AND JUST A LITTLE BACK, A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON US.
UH, WE ARE BOTH FIRST RESPONDERS AND WE ENDED UP RESIGNING OUR CAREERS TO BECOME BUSINESS OWNERS.
AND, UM, THE FACT THAT WE WANNA DO THIS MURAL, IT'S BECAUSE WE REALLY LIVED THE REALITY OF BEING FIRST RESPONDERS.
WE TAKE PRIDE OF THE PROFESSION, AND WE REALLY WANT TO DO SOMETHING TO BRING THAT PRIDE THAT WE HAVE.
AND ALSO TO KIND OF, UM, UPLIFT THE FIRST RESPONDERS IN THE COMMUNITY AS BOTH OF US STARTED OUR CAREERS HERE.
SO IT'S NOT A BUSINESS A RELATED DECISION, IT'S A TRIBUTE TO FIRST RESPONDERS LIKE US.
HI, HOW ARE DOING? UM, I'M WORKING WITH, I'M SORRY.
SO I'M NOT A TOWN RESIDENT, BUT I AM A, UM, UH, A COUNTY RESIDENT.
I'M WORKING WITH BOTH, UM, WILLIE AND JULIANA ON THIS MURAL.
UM, I'M ASKING FOR AN EXPEDITED PROCESS, UM, FOR US TO GET THIS APPROVAL.
AND MY REASONING IS BASICALLY JUST THE FACTS OF WHAT I DO FOR A LIVING.
UM, PAINT IS VERY FICKLE, AND IT DOES NOT LIKE HIGH HEAT, AND IT DOES NOT LIKE LOW TEMPERATURES.
SO WHEN I'M PAINTING A LARGE PROJECT LIKE THIS, I NEED TO MAKE SURE WHEN I AM GUARANTEEING MY PRODUCT, THAT I CAN GUARANTEE BASICALLY THE MANUFACTURERS, UM, WHAT, UH, THE PROCEDURE THAT THEY'RE RECOMMENDING GIVES ME MY GUARANTEE.
SO SHERWIN WILLIAMS RECOMMENDS, UM, NOT TO, UH, PAINT REALLY BELOW, UH, 50 DEGREES AND, UM, NO HIGH HUMIDITY, BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IS THE PAINT PARTICLES DO NOT ADHERE TOGETHER VERY WELL, AND THEN THEY DON'T ADHERE TO THE SURFACE VERY WELL.
SO WHEN I'M PAINTING, I'M PAINTING WITH REALLY HIGH QUALITY ITEMS. AND THEN I ADDITIONALLY PUT ON A MURAL SHIELD THAT IS A PRODUCT OUT OF CALIFORNIA THAT ENSURES A MURAL FOR ANOTHER FIVE YEARS.
[01:35:01]
YEAR GUARANTEE THROUGH SHERWIN WILLIAMS, ANOTHER FIVE YEARS THROUGH AN EXTERNAL PRODUCT.AND, UM, ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS I KNOW FRONT ROLL IS TRYING TO DO IS WHEN WE'RE PUTTING SOMETHING UP, WE WANNA PUT IT UP AND IT SHOULD LAST A LIFETIME.
IT SHOULD BE A GREAT PRESENTATION OF OUR LOCALITY.
IT SHOULD BE VERY RESPECTFUL TO OUR COMMUNITY.
IT SHOULD, UH, BEAUTIFY OUR AREA.
AND THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO FOR THEM.
UM, WHEN, UH, WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT TEMPERATURES WITH THE, THE PROCESS THAT WE WOULD TYPICALLY GO THROUGH FOR A SPECIAL PERMIT, WE'RE REALLY LOOKING AT PROBABLY OCTOBER AT THIS POINT, UM, BASED ON OUR CONVERSATIONS IN THE PAST.
UM, AS WE ALL KNOW, LIKE SHENANDOAH VALLEY HAS A WIDE RANGE OF TEMPERATURES.
THE BEST TIME TO PAINT A MURAL IS KIND OF LIKE AROUND SEPTEMBER.
UM, AND I'M REQUESTING PERSONALLY, LIKE IF WE COULD GET APPROVAL FOR AT MINIMUM SEPTEMBER 4TH, WHICH IS ABOUT A MONTH, AND SOME CHANGE AWAY AT THIS POINT, I WOULD BE EVER SO GRATEFUL.
'CAUSE WHEN WE GET INTO OCTOBER, WE GET INTO RAINY SEASONS, WHICH WILL COMPROMISE MY PAINT.
WE CAN GET INTO FREEZING TEMPERATURES, WHICH WOULD COMPROMISE MY PRODUCTS.
UM, AND WHEN I SIGN A CONTRACT WITH MY CLIENTS, I ALWAYS GUARANTEE THE HIGHEST QUALITY, THE LONGEST LASTING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
UM, SO MY, MY PLEA IS NOT SO MUCH FOR A SPECIFIC DATE, BUT FOR THE QUALITY OF PRODUCT THAT I WANT TO PUT UP IN THE TOWN AS A REPRESENTATION OF A LOCAL MURALIST THAT'S DOING A GREAT JOB IN REPRESENTING FRONT ROYAL PROPERLY.
SO I HOPE THAT YOU GUYS CAN TAKE IN CONSIDERATION THE TEMPERATURES, THE QUALITY OF THE ITEMS, AND KIND OF LIKE THE TIMEFRAME THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH BECAUSE, UH, THE LATER WE GET INTO THE YEAR, THE POORER THE QUALITY OF THE MURAL WILL BE JUST SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE WE'RE GONNA BE DEALING WITH, UM, ADVERSE CONDITIONS.
UH, I'M A COUNTY RESIDENT, 4 4 6 CEDAR MOUNTAIN LANE, NOT HERE AS A COUNTY RESIDENT.
I'M HERE AS A SCHOOL TEACHER FOR BLUE RIDGE TECHNICAL CENTER.
UH, I TEACH CRIMINAL JUSTICE TO THE KIDS AT BLUE RIDGE TECH CENTER STARTED LAST YEAR.
WE STARTED WITH 15, UH, THE FIRST 18 WEEKS, AND THEN WE WENT TO 60.
BEYOND THAT, UH, WE'RE STARTING WITH 97.
SO THE, THE PROGRAM'S REALLY GROWING.
UH, AND I CAME HERE TO SING PRAISES FOR YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT TONIGHT.
UH, WITHOUT THEM, UH, IT, IT WOULD BE VERY, VERY TOUGH TO GET THESE KIDS TO SEE WHAT THEIR FUTURE MAY BE.
UH, THE CHIEF, EVERYBODY, NOW, WE'VE TAKEN A, YOU KNOW, A FIELD TRIP OUT TO THE STATION.
THEY'VE SHOWED HIM EVERYTHING.
BUT I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DON'T COME DOWN THERE ON OVERTIME.
THEY COME ON THEIR OWN TIME, ON THEIR DAYS OFF TO TEACH THESE KIDS, GIVE 'EM SOME INSIGHT INTO SOMETHING THAT THEY MAY WANT TO DO.
UH, THAT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO ME.
AND AGAIN, THE PROGRAM WOULDN'T WORK.
I, I CAN GIVE THEM ALL THE INFORMATION IN THE WORLD, BUT UNTIL THEY TALK TO THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BOOTS ON THE GROUND, UH, AND THIS YEAR WHEN WE START BACK, YOUR RESCUE FOLKS ARE GONNA BE THERE AS WELL.
SO WE'RE TRYING TO MOVE THAT ALONG.
AND I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE TO, TO TELL YOU ALL THE BAD THINGS THAT THAT POLICE DEPARTMENT DOES, BECAUSE I WAS A COP FOR 45 YEARS.
YOUR VICE MAYOR AND I, 45 YEARS AGO WERE COPS TOGETHER.
BUT, BUT AT ANY RATE, NO, I, I REALLY DO WANT TO THANK EVERYTHING THAT ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR EFFORTS WITH OUR KIDS, AND THEY'RE OUR KIDS.
AND YOU'RE RIGHT, IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO HEAR PRAISE, SO THANK YOU.
YOU MEAN GLEN? I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW WHY I THOUGHT SHE SAID JOANNE, AND I WAS LIKE, IT IS GLEN.
I HAVE TO DRAG THIS UP HERE, SO LET ME MAKE SURE I CAN, CAN SEE IT.
A LITTLE BIT OF A QUANDARY, WHETHER TO SPEAK DURING THE PREVIOUS SESSION OR NOT, BECAUSE WHAT I'M GONNA TALK TO YOU ABOUT IS DEVELOPMENT AND IT I THREE MINUTES, MADAM MAYOR AND HONORABLE TOWN COUNCIL.
I WANT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR OUR COMMUNITY, THE EFFECT IT'S HAVING ON US.
CURRENTLY, THERE ARE NEW, NO NEW APARTMENT BUILDINGS OR CONDOS.
PLANNED APARTMENT VACANCIES AND RENTALS ARE RARE.
THE TOWN IS SEEN INFILL LOT DEVELOPMENT, BUT THERE IS A LIMIT TO THEM.
BOTH THE TOWN AND COUNTY ARE ISSUING SPECIAL USE PERMITS MONTHLY, FURTHER DEPLETING OUR HOUSING INVENTORY.
I WOULD ASK YOU AND THE COUNTY TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER PUTTING THEM ON HOLD FOR 12 MONTHS.
IF YOU ARE A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL, SUCH AS OUR 50 NEW TEACHERS, WHERE ARE YOU LIVING? STRASBURG, STEVEN CITY, WINCHESTER.
[01:40:01]
IF SO, YOU'RE PROBABLY SHOPPING THERE, MAKING FRIENDS AND PUTTING ROOTS DOWN, AND EVENTUALLY GONNA GO TO ANOTHER SCHOOL SYSTEM.I SUSPECT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, FIREFIGHTERS, EMTS, AND OTHER YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WHO DON'T LIVE HERE USUALLY CAN'T.
AND THESE ARE THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WE SHOULD WANT IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THE COUNTY WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE THE NEW DEVELOPMENT THAT YOU'RE CONSIDER TONIGHT AND WILL CONSIDER IN THE FUTURE WILL CALL US AS TO BUILD A NEW SCHOOL.
THE FACT IS, WE'VE BEEN RUNNING OUTTA ROOM AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND SHOULD BEEN BEEN PLANNING FOR IT ACCORDING TO THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE EDUCATIONAL CAPACITY OF 1,866 ELEMENTARY STUDENTS, ACTUAL ENROLLMENT OF 1,858 DURING THE 2223 YEAR.
AND CAN I REMIND YOU, THERE'S NO MORATORIUM ON BUILDING IN THE COUNTY, NOR THE TOWN DRIVE AROUND AND SEE THE NEW HOUSING GOING ON IN.
SHE FARMS THE SHORES, RELIANCE, RIVERMONT, THUNDERBIRD, RANCH AND PANHANDLE.
AND I WANT TO ADD THAT ALL OF THAT DEVELOPMENT IS BY RIGHT, WHICH MEANS NO PROFFERS.
IN A 2009, A REZONING WAS APPROVED FOR FRONT ROW LIMITED PARTNERSHIP TO BUILD 320 SINGLE FAMILY HOUSES STARTING IN 2018 OFF THE SHOD DOOR SHORES 6 0 6, WARREN COUNTY ALLOWED A FRIENDLY ANNEXATION TO BRING ALL THIS PROPERTY INTO THE TOWN WHO WOULD PROVIDE WATER, SEWER, AND OTHER SERVICES FOR THIS TYPE OF, UH, COMMUNITY HAS ALL AGREED THIS IS WHERE THE DEVELOPMENT NEEDED TO BE.
I MAY HAVE A HARD TIME SEEING THIS, UM, UH, FROM EARL LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, PROFFERED THE TOWN NOT TO EXCEED $390,400, WARREN COUNTY, $11,000 PER HOUSE AS THEY WERE, AS THE HOUSE WERE BUILT IN A NEIGHBORHOOD PARK OF FOUR TO 10 ACRES.
THEY ALSO DEDICATED THE FIRST PHASE OF THESE WEST CONNECTOR ROAD.
THE ANNEXATION TOOK PLACE, AND THE FINAL PROPER STATEMENT WAS EXECUTED BY FRONT ROW LIMIT TO PARTNERSHIP IN MAYOR THARP, MARCH OF 2018.
SO THESE HOUSES COULD START BUILDING TOMORROW.
THIS IS PUBLIC RECORD, FULLY AWARE OF THIS.
SO IF YOU SAY WE DON'T WANT THE PAYER PAY, THE BUILDERS NEED A WORKABLE SOLUTION.
TRANSPORTATION WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? NO ONE ELSE HAS SIGNED UP.
IS THERE ANYBODY HERE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK? ANYBODY ELSE? NO, NOBODY ELSE.
ARE WE GOOD? ANYBODY ELSE? ALL RIGHT, WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER NINE ON
[9.A. Report of Town Manager]
OUR AGENDA.AND THE FIRST, UM, IS THE REPORT OF THE TOWN MANAGER.
UH, THIS WEEK IS EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION WEEK, AND I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR DEDICATED STAFF HERE IN TOWN, 167 DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANTS.
UH, PUBLIC SERVICE IS MORE THAN, IS MORE THAN A JOB FOR MANY EMPLOYEES.
IT'S A CALLING, A WAY TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR COMMUNITY EVERY DAY.
SO I WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
WE COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER.
SO ON BEHALF OF TOWN COUNCIL AND THE TOWN MANAGER, WE SAY THANK YOU AND WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU THAT YOU DO.
OKAY, NEXT UP ARE THE REPORT OF COUNCIL
[9.B. Report of Councilmembers]
MEMBERS.UM, I'M GONNA START DOWN HERE.
MS. DE DOMENICO, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANTED TO OFFER? UH, YES, ALTHOUGH I'VE MISSED A WORK SESSION, I APOLOGIZE.
UM, AND I ALSO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING, UM, TO PUT, PROVIDE INPUT ON THE POLICIES THAT WILL BE COMING DOWN IN A COUPLE MONTHS AROUND THAT.
UM, AND ALSO ATTENDED THE RIBBON AND CUTTING AT THE TRELLIS, WHICH IS A WONDERFUL NEW ADDITION TO OUR COMMUNITY IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT SO FAR.
VICE MAYOR LAC COUNCILWOMAN MORRISS.
YES, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I ATTENDED THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, UM, V M L VIRGINIA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE MEETING WITH JOE WALTZ VIA ZOOM, I GUESS ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO.
UM, THEY DID TALK A LOT ABOUT SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND FLOODPLAINS.
UM, I WILL JUST SAY, BEING IN THE INDUSTRY FOR THE LAST 10 PLUS YEARS, WE DO HAVE A HOUSING CRISIS.
AND ACTUALLY, VIRGINIA WAS RATED IN THE TOP FIVE IN THE COUNTRY A FEW MONTHS BACK.
HOWEVER, I WILL JUST ADD THAT WHAT I'M SEEING WITH SHORT-TERM RENTALS IS, UM, I'VE ACTUALLY HELPED TWO TEACHERS WHO ARE MOVING HERE, ONE FROM PENNSYLVANIA AND ONE FROM NORTH CAROLINA ON BRAND NEW CONTRACTS.
THEY'RE NOT QUALIFIED OR ABLE TO PURCHASE HOMES, OR THEY DON'T HAVE ESTABLISHED CREDIT FOR SOME OF THE APARTMENT COMPLEXES.
SO THEY'RE ACTUALLY DOING, UM, SHORT-TERM RENTALS FOR 60 DAYS UNTIL THEY'RE ABLE TO, UM,
[01:45:01]
MOVE INTO A MORE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE HOUSING.UM, SOME OF OUR SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMITS THAT WE'VE ISSUED IN THE LAST YEAR ALSO ARE LONG-TERM RENTALS THAT JUST HAVE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF BEING ABLE TO BE A SHORT-TERM RENTAL.
I KNOW I'VE SAID IT A LOT, BUT GOVERNOR NORTHAM GAVE TENANTS RIGHTS DURING C O V I D, AND THAT JUST REALLY DETERIORATED A LOT OF THE RENTALS.
I KNOW PERSONALLY, I PURCHASED A RENTAL BACK IN MARCH OF LAST YEAR.
THE TENANTS DIDN'T PAY FOR WELL OVER A YEAR WHILE DESTROYING THE HOUSE, AND THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO BE EVICTED, AND NOBODY WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE HOME TO CHECK ON THE STATUS OF IT.
UH, THERE WERE REPORTED REPEATED OVERDOSES AND HIGH CRIME IN THAT HOUSE WITH THOSE LONG-TERM TENANTS.
UM, SO I DON'T THINK WE'VE SEEN ANY OF THOSE NEGATIVE EFFECTS YET.
I DO AGREE WE NEED SOME AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTION.
I'VE BEEN THERE IN MORIN COUNTY BEFORE.
UM, YOU DON'T QUALIFY FOR SECTION EIGHT, WHICH IS WHAT ALL OF OUR APARTMENTS ARE, AND THEN THERE ARE NO RENTALS.
UM, SO THANK YOU MR. WOOD, FOR YOUR FEEDBACK ON THAT.
UM, AND THE SUBCOMMITTEE MET FOR TRANSPORTATION LAST WEDNESDAY.
I FEEL THAT THAT CONTINUES TO BE A VERY PRODUCTIVE, UM, SUBCOMMITTEE.
WE DID HAVE VDOT IN ATTENDANCE.
UM, WE DID NOT HAVE NORFOLK SOUTHERN LAST WEEK IN ATTENDANCE.
UH, WE INTEND TO MEET AGAIN ON AUGUST 16TH AT 4:00 PM WE MEET HERE AT THE GOVERNMENT CENTER, AND IT IS OPEN FOR ANYBODY TO ATTEND THOSE MEETINGS.
AND WE DO, UM, APPRECIATE FEEDBACK.
I KNOW PEOPLE FROM THE INDUSTRIAL PARK AND CHRISTENDOM HAVE ATTENDED AND PROVIDED FEEDBACK AND BEEN WILLING TO HELP US THROUGH THAT.
AND I WILL JUST SAY THAT NORFOLK SOUTHERN AND VDOT HAVE COMMENDED US, UM, FOR CREATING THIS SUBCOMMITTEE BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING THAT APPARENTLY IS NOT COMMON.
UM, AND IT'S JUST PROVIDED A LOT OF VALUE FOR THE FUTURE OF WARREN COUNTY.
UM, TO SPEAK TO A LOT OF PEOPLE'S COMMENTS TONIGHT, AGAIN, ALL THIS BUYRIGHT DEVELOPMENT, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE VISION WAS FOR THE FUTURE OR IF IT WAS JUST FOR FUTURE COUNCILS AND SUPERVISORS TO FIGURE OUT WHICH KIND OF STINKS FOR US SITTING HERE TODAY, BUT WE'RE WORKING THROUGH IT.
UM, AND I THINK THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR MY REPORT.
COUNCILMAN INGRAM? UH, NO, I'D LIKE, I'D JUST, UH, LIKE TO ADD AS FAR AS THE SUB SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING, I MEAN, WE'VE, UM, EVERY, JUST ABOUT EVERY MEETING WE, WE LEARN SOMETHING NEW, WHETHER IT BE, UH, FROM VDOT OR, UH, YOU KNOW, ONE OF OUR LOCAL, UH, FIRE AND RESCUE UNITS.
AGAIN, UH, IT'S, IT WAS STEMMED UPON THE, UH, SITUATION WITH, UH, SHENANDOAH SHORES AND RAILROAD CROSSING.
HOWEVER, IT IS, IT IS CON CONTINUING TO, UH, YOU KNOW, I THINK TO BE A BENEFIT BECAUSE WE'VE LEARNED JUST FOR THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT WE'VE LEARNED THUS FAR.
AND, UH, AS, AS COUNCILMAN MOORE SAID, I MEAN, WE V BOTH VDI AND, AND THE RAILROAD, UH, STAKEHOLDERS HAVE SAID, YOU KNOW, THIS IS GOOD.
THIS IS SOMETHING THEY WISH THEY WOULD SEE ACROSS THE BOARD WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES.
UM, ALSO TOO, UH, MY SECOND POINT I'D LIKE TO MAKE IS THAT I DID ATTEND, UH, WITH, UH, THE, THE TRELLIS OPENING AS WELL THIS PAST SATURDAY.
AND I THINK THAT THAT'S GONNA BE, UH, UM, A VERY WELCOME, UH, UH, TO ME.
IT'S A VERY WELCOME ADDITION TO OUR COMMUNITY.
UH, THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT WAS PUT INTO IT.
UH, YOU REALLY HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT.
I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS.
UH, I DID ATTEND A DEDICATION FOR, UH, BUCK, I THINK, UH, THE NEW NAME ON MAIN STREET IS BUCKLE AND BELLS.
AND, UH, UH, FOR YOU LADIES OUT THERE, UH, THERE'S SOME HAPPENING STUFF IN THERE I DON'T HAVE MUCH DESIRE FOR, BUT, UH, UH, I WOULD CHECK IT OUT.
AND I ALSO ATTENDED THE, UH, TRELLIS, UH, GRAND OPENING AS WELL.
UH, MAN, IT'S, UH, IT'S OFF THE CHARTS, UH, INSIDE.
IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE IT, YOU MIGHT WANT TO STOP BY AND TAKE A LOOK.
AND, UH, UH, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A BATH AND, UH, AND, AND
NOW YOU HAVE A, UH, VISION, RIGHT? UH, THE OTHER THING IS, UH, I'M GOING TO BE ATTENDING THE V M L INFRASTRUCTURE, UH, UH, UH, COMMITTEE UPDATE, UH, BY VIA ZOOM ON WEDNESDAY.
UH, AND, UH, TO STEP BACK AGAIN, UH, DOWNTOWN IS VERY BUSY.
UH, DURING THE WEEK, UH, IT'S, UH, I FEEL LIKE I'VE BROUGHT THE HOUSE DOWN WITH MY COMMENT THERE.
[01:50:01]
THEY'RE STILL LAUGHING.UM, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT, MAYOR.
UH, I'LL, UH, I'LL LET YOU GET BACK TO BUSINESS.
AS, AS MS. MORRIS SAID, JUST WITH THE RENTAL, THE BATH WITH RENTAL DON'T BACK WITHOUT RENTAL.
[9.C. Report of the Mayor]
TO LOTS OF THINGS, SO SORRY, THIS REPORT IS A LITTLE LONGER.UM, SO MONDAY, UH, JULY 3RD, I ATTEMPTED TO GO TO THE FRONT ROW CARDINALS GAME, BUT IT WAS SUCH A POPULAR EVENT THAT THE STANDS WERE FULL AND PEOPLE WERE TURNED AWAY, INCLUDING ME.
UM, PEOPLE ASKED ME IF I WAS UPSET, AND I SAID, NO.
'CAUSE IT WAS A GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE IF THAT MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WANTED TO BE AT THE GAME.
I DID PULL DOWN THE ROAD AND GIVE A DONATION TO THE ALL-STAR TEAM THROUGH THE BARS ON THE SIDE OF THE STADIUM, BECAUSE I, I KNEW THEY WERE COLLECTING DONATIONS THAT NIGHT TO SEND THE BOYS, UH, TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT.
THOSE SAME BOYS THAT WERE HERE EARLIER TONIGHT.
UH, THEN I WENT TO MY BROTHER'S HOUSE WHERE I COULD WATCH THE TOWN SPONSOR FIREWORK SHOW AFTER THE GAME.
UM, IT WAS AN AMAZING SHOW, AND SO MANY OF OUR CITIZENS HAVE SHARED THEIR APPRECIATION FOR THE EVENT.
SO I WANNA THANK ALL OF OUR STAFF AND THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT NIGHT.
I KNOW IT WAS A STRUGGLE TO FIGURE OUT IF THE RAIN WAS GONNA DAMPEN THE EVENT, BUT IN THE END, IT HAPPENED AND PEOPLE TRULY ENJOYED IT.
UM, AND I WILL PERSONALLY FIGHT TO KEEP THAT IN THE BUDGET EACH YEAR BECAUSE IT IS SO, UH, SO, SO, UH, WARMLY RECEIVED BY REPUBLIC SINCE OUR LAST MEETING.
I ATTENDED THE, UM, THE BUCKLES AND BELL RIBBON CUTTING ON MAIN STREET.
OLIVIA HEFLIN IS A LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR, INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR THRIVING DOWNTOWN AREA.
UM, IF YOU'VE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO STOP BY AND SEE YOUR STORE IN THE STYLISH CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES SHE HAS TO OFFER, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO MAKE TIME TO DO THAT.
UH, THIS PAST SATURDAY, UH, ALONG WITH, UM, SEVERAL OF US UP HERE, WE, UH, ATTENDED THE RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE TRELLIS ON JOHN MARSHALL HIGHWAY.
SO ANY OF YOU HAVE DRIVEN INTO OR OUT OF TOWN FROM THAT END, UH, UM, HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WATCH THAT PROJECT EVOLVE OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS? UM, I MUST ADMIT THAT I, I HAD NO IDEA HOW TRULY SPECTACULAR IT WOULD END UP BEING.
UM, AS, UH, COUNCILMAN RAPPAPORT SAID IT WAS WELL ATTENDED, NOT JUST DURING THE RIBBON CUTTING, BUT THERE WAS AN OPEN HOUSE FROM 12 TO FOUR, AND I JUST HAPPENED TO BE UP AND DOWN THAT ROAD, UM, MANY TIMES THAT DAY, AND IT WAS PACKED, AND, UH, PEOPLE WERE JUST STOPPING AND, AND, AND CHECKING OUT.
SO, UM, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL ADDITION TO OUR ENTRANCE.
AND I SINCERELY THANK SHELLY COOK AND SERVANTS HANDS CONSTRUCTION ON ALL THOSE WHO INVESTED THEIR TIME, ENERGY, AND MONEY ON THIS PROJECT.
JUST A REMINDER, AS, UH, MR. WALTZ SAID, UH, THIS WEEK IS OUR TOWN OF FRONT ROW EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION WEEK.
UM, OUR TOWN MANAGER AND THE DEPARTMENT HEADS OF PLAN MANY ACTIVITIES TO SHOW APPRECIATION TO OUR HARDWORKING EMPLOYEES.
UM, I LOOK FORWARD TO ATTENDING THE PICNIC FOR OUR EMPLOYEES ON WEDNESDAY.
UH, I ENCOURAGE ALL OF OUR CITIZENS IF THEY SEE ANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES OUT AND ABOUT, UM, THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, JUST TO TAKE A MOMENT AND SAY, THANK YOU FOR SERVING ALL OF US IN SO MANY WAYS, UH, TOO, TOO NUMEROUS DIMENSIONS.
BUT I ALSO, UH, WOULD LIKE TO SAY A BIG WELCOME TO ALL THE NEW TEACHERS WHO WILL BEGIN WORKING IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM STARTING ON WEDNESDAY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO ATTENDING THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WELCOME LUNCHEON FOR THESE NEW STAFF MEMBERS.
AND I WISH TO EXPRESS MY THANKS TO ALL THE BUSINESSES AND THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT, UM, THEY ARE PROVIDING GOODIE BAGS TO THESE NEW MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AND I KNOW IN YEARS PAST, THEY'VE TAKEN TROLLEY RIDES TO, TO, UH, TO CHECK OUT OUR COMMUNITY.
SO, UM, I BELIEVE I'VE BEEN TOLD THERE WERE 50, SO THAT'S, UH, 50 NEW PEOPLE WE WOULD BE WELCOMING IN.
SO SPEAKING OF SCHOOLS, THE TOWN IS CONDUCTING A SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE TO HELP OUT THE FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO MIGHT NEED A LITTLE EXTRA HELP PROVIDING SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR THEIR CHILDREN THIS YEAR, THERE'S A COLLECTION BOX AT THE TOWN HALL AND THE VISITOR CENTER.
SO IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO PICK UP AN EXTRA PACK OF PENCILS OR NOTEBOOKS OR FOLDERS, I KNOW THAT THEY WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE STILL HAVE OPENINGS ON THE FRONT ROYAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, AS WELL AS THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
UH, PLEASE GO TO OUR WEBSITE AND CHECK OUT THAT OPPORTUNITY OR THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.
UH, WE'RE CURRENTLY TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR THESE POSITIONS UNTIL THEY'RE FILLED.
PLEASE REMEMBER, WE CANNOT DO THE BUSINESS OF OUR TOWN WITHOUT CITIZENS WHO ARE WILLING TO SERVE ON OUR DIFFERENT BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
UH, I KNOW WE HAVE AT LEAST ONE MORE SPONSORED FRIDAY FLICKS AND SEVERAL THURSDAY GAZEBO GATHERING SPONSORED BY THE BLUE RIDGE ARTS COUNCIL, HELD AT THE GAZEBO MAIN STREET.
[01:55:01]
LEAST, TUESDAY, AUGUST 1ST, UH, WE, UH, WILL HAVE OUR ANNUAL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AT THE GAZEBO TOWN COMMONS AREA.UH, SO PLEASE COME OUT, BRING YOUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS.
I KNOW THAT IT'S, UH, IT'S, IT'S BEEN A LOT OF FUN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.
[10. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS]
10, THE CONSENT AGENDA.UH, DO I HEAR A MOTION, MADAM MAYOR? OH, I'M SORRY.
MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE THAT COUNCIL, APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
UM, MR. PRESLEY, YOU WANNA HAVE A ROLL CALL? COUNCILWOMAN DEAMON PAYNE? YES.
COUNCILMAN ROGERS IS ABSENT VICE MAYOR SEA LOCK? YEAH.
CONGEN CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS HAVE PASSED.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS OUR CLOSED MEETING.
DO I HEAR A MOTION? I MOVE THE TOWN COUNCIL.
CONVENE A CLOSED MEETING PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 2.2 DASH 3 7 1 1 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSE.
ONE PURSUANT TO 2.2 DASH 3 7 1 1 A, ONE OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA FOR THE DISCUSSION, CONSIDERATION, ASSIGNMENT, APPOINTMENT PROMOTION, PERFORMANCE, DEMOTION, SALARIES, DISCIPLINING, OR RESIGNATION OF SPECIFIC PUBLIC OFFICERS, APPOINTEES OR EMPLOYEES OF ANY PUBLIC BODY.
MORE SPECIFICALLY, THE TOWN MANAGER AND TOWN ATTORNEY.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
MR. PRESSLEY, CAN WE DO A ROLL CALL? COUNCILWOMAN D DAMON PAYNE? YES.
COUNCILMAN ROGERS IS ABSENT VICE MAYOR CLOC? YES.
UH, WE WILL NOW BE GOING INTO CLOSED.