The regular Town meeting was opened by President
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
There was an Executive Session on
OLD BUSINESS:
Ordinance 9, 2005 PN Zone for Trappe East
President Lewis stated that the Planning Commission has approved findings of fact for the zoning change and that she was going to review a list of items pertinent to the Town Council so that their findings of fact can be prepared. The Council proceeded to consider the requisite factors under the ordinance. President Lewis asked the Town Attorney, Brynja Booth and Town Planner, Frank Hall to add their comments as the Council reviewed the factors.
President Lewis stated that the PUD Plan also needs to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan which states:
President Lewis commented that the items above were supported by the presentations at the public hearing and that the developer is not proposing any significant tree clearing and they are planning to protect habitat areas and sensitive areas as best as possible. The proposed transportation network has evolved and President Lewis added that she is pleased that the boulevard will be completed from the beginning of the project as opposed to stopping the boulevard with each phase of housing construction. She added that signalized intersections on Route 50 would be added when traffic volumes show it is necessary. Mr. Hall added that the Town PN ordinance itself helps to project the environmentally sensitive areas through the Adjusted Tract Acreage formula. In addition, the Council noted that Trappe East Design Guidelines are consistent with the Trappe Development Performance Guidelines in the zoning ordinance. President Lewis noted that the Planning Commission still has the authority to make refinements to the project during subdivision review. In answer to a question proposed by President Lewis, Mr. Hall stated that the PUD Plan is consistent with the design guidelines in the Trappe Zoning Ordinance.
President Lewis asked for an explanation about the requirement in the zoning ordinance that the Planning Commission and Town Council must make findings of fact in regard to population change. Mr. Hall stated that when considering population change that housing type must be a factor. He added that total population change depends on the family size living in each type of housing unit. For instance, families with children may live in the town homes, apartments or two family dwellings verses retirees without children in the single family homes. Population change for Trappe East must also consider that the DRRA permits up to half of the units to be age restricted which typically has an average of less than two persons per household. Mr. Hall stated that the projections of 4,750 to 5,000 people is calculated by breaking down housing types and that he believes the projections are a reasonable expectation for the Trappe East development.
President Lewis stated that the approximate build out is fifteen years but that it may vary depending on the market. As far as availability of public facilities, she added that the developer is providing all of the public water and sewer facilities for Trappe East as well as all other public facilities required for the development. Attorney Booth noted that the ground water discharge permit has been issued and the construction permit for the treatment plan is being processed. She also stated that the town conducted an impact study that identified a specific impact fee which the town has added to the Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreement.
At the request of President Lewis, Mr. Hall noted the internal and external transportation patterns. He first discussed the improvements to Route 50 which includes the new northern entrance at the current Big Mario’s site, the entrance at
As far as compatibility with existing development in the area and existing land uses, Mr. Hall noted that safety would be improved at the new northern entrance since multiple entrances to Route 50 would be closed and the frontage on Route 50 would be softened with architectural design features. The benefit of master planning an entire project ensures that neighborhoods internal to the project will be consistent. The
President Lewis asked Attorney Booth if there were any significant changes to the Planning Commissions original findings of fact compared to the project refinements. Attorney Booth noted that the Planning Commission found the refinements to be consistent with the original findings from 2004.
Attorney Booth suggested that the Town Council should make a motion to ask her to prepare findings of fact prior to the next meeting. She also asked the entire Council to visit the Trappe East site prior to any vote on the rezoning.
Com. Don English made a motion that the Council instruct the Town Attorney to prepare written findings of fact reflecting the findings, opinions and comments made at by the Council and staff, and that she circulate the draft findings of fact to the Town Council prior to the next meeting. Com. Adams seconded the motion.
Vote:
Adams – Y Lewis – Y English – Y Chase – Y Fegel – Y
ORDINANCE 8-2005 DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AGREEMENT (DRRA) TRAPPE EAST:
President Lewis mentioned that the review of the DRRA for findings of fact is similar to what the Council just completed for the PN Zone. She commented that the DRRA needs to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan (Plan) and also noted that the Planning Commission reviewed the document and they found it to be consistent with the Plan. Comments from the Planning Commission were mentioned by President Lewis. These comments included that 1) the DRRA is applicable to development in the Town’s planned growth area as mapped in the Plan; 2) a new wastewater treatment plant will be constructed and financed by the property owners; 3) the planned annexation areas will be required to provide their own separate sewer and water facilities if the existing facilities cannot provide the service; 4) the DRRA accounts for the developer’s financial responsibilities for sewer and water, police protection, fire and ambulance service, recreation and administrative expenses and meeting space needs. In summary, the Planning Commission found the DRRA to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Attorney Booth added that the Comprehensive Plan requires that the development pay for itself which is why the DRRA includes an impact fee. President Lewis restated the point that the developer must provide 100% of the cost of infrastructure in addition to the impact fee. Attorney Booth suggested that the findings of fact for the PN zone could be incorporated into the findings of fact for the DRRA since they are both for the same property. Mr. Dave Thompson, Town Attorney, added that there will be a significant
Attorney Booth commented that blank spaces in the introductory pages to the DRRA document will be filled in once final dates are available and she pointed out a couple minor typing errors that will be corrected before the next meeting, including a misspelling of the word “Trappe” when referring to the Trappe Volunteer Fire Company as pointed out by Com. English.
Com. English motioned to have the town attorney draft findings of fact for Ordinance 8-2005. The motion was seconded by Com. Adams.
Vote:
Adams – Y Lewis – Y English – Y Chase – Y Fegel – Y
After the motion, Mr. Thompson reminded the Commissioners that they needed to visit the Trappe East site and they need to say they visited the site at the next meeting.
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS FOR SEWER, WATER, STORM DRAINS AND STREETS:
Com. English noted that he gave a copy of the construction standards to each member of the Town Council to get their feed back. Com. Adams commented that the standards look good to him. Com. English motioned to have the town attorneys put the construction standards into ordinance form for the next meeting. The motion was seconded by Com. Fegel.
Vote:
Adams – Y Lewis – Y English – Y Chase – Y Fegel – Y
NEW BUSINESS:
RC & D Grant Discussion – Com. English and Mr. Hall
Com. English mentioned that he met with the RC& D representative and he explained that they provide volunteer services for various projects for many towns and they also write grants for towns for a fee. He asked the Council members if he could have RC& D staff come to the next meeting to discuss how they may be able to help Trappe with some projects and grant funding since they have sources not always known to agencies outside of RC& D.
Mr. Hall asked the Town Council to think about potential projects they would like to see done in the town so they can ask the RC& D staff about specific projects. Mr. Hall added that volunteer programs are coordinated with the AmeriCorp program. All that is asked of the town for the volunteer programs is that the town provides lunch and some in service training for the volunteers.
The Town Council agreed to add a RC& D discussion at the
Com. English made a motion to go into Executive Session at the end of the meeting.
Motion was seconded by Com. Chase.
Vote:
Adams – Y Lewis – Y English – Y Chase – Y Fegel – Y
OTHER NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Melvin Schwaninger asked the Council about the status of the new town office. President Lewis stated that the new town office will be located somewhere in the village redevelopment sub-area and that the current town office building will not be torn down and will be used for some other administrative purpose.
Mr. Don Haring asked President Lewis to highlight some of the changes in the DRRA since it was last discussed. President Lewis response included 1) that the existing town hall will not be demolished; 2) that the developer will provide land and a new building for a town hall with the idea that it will remain within walking distance of the existing town hall and fire department in the village area; 3) that the fire department will receive a total of $250,000 for a new large bay. The department will receive $10,000 at ground breaking to make some improvements to accommodate overnight ALS. The balance will be given to the Fire Department one year after ground breaking. The total amount is what the Fire Department requested from the research and estimates that they had done.
Com. English announced that the repaving for
President Lewis complemented Mrs. Joedy Cecil on her work with the Christmas decorations. Pastor Hackett from Scott’s Church said that his church would like to purchase an angel light for the pole in-front of the church. Mrs. Cecil reassured Pastor Hackett that there will be an angel light in-front of Scott’s Church next year. Mrs. Cecil also noted that there will be a memorial plaque for all the people who purchased lights in memory of someone.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Special Trash Pickup – Christmas Trees Also –
Town Office will be closed January 16th for Martin Luther King Day