Joint Worksession – June 22, 2015

Joint Worksession, Monday, June 22, 2015, at 4:00 p.m. Government Center, Verona, VA.

PRESENT: AUGUSTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Michael L. Shull, Chairman
Carolyn S. Bragg Vice-Chairman
Jeffrey A. Moore
Marshall W. Pattie
Tracy C. Pyles, Jr.
G. L. “Butch” Wells
Larry J. Wills

PRESENT: AUGUSTA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
Stephen N. Bridge, Vice-Chairman
Taylor Cole
James Walter Curd
Gordon Kyle Leonard, Jr.

ABSENT: Christopher M. Foschini
Kitra A. Shiflett
Eric M. Shipplett

STAFF: Patrick J. Coffield, Augusta County Administrator Patrick J. Morgan, Augusta County Attorney Timmy Fitzgerald, Director of Community Development Becky Earhart, Senior Planner, Augusta County Jennifer M. Whetzel, Director of Finance VIRGINIA: At a joint meeting of the Augusta County Planning Commission and the Augusta County Board of Supervisors held on Monday, June 22, 2015, at 4:00 p.m., at the Government Center, Verona, Virginia, and in the 239th year of the Commonwealth….

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

The Joint Worksession on the Comprehensive Plan was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Chairman Shull for the Augusta County Board of Supervisors and by Vice-Chairman Bridge for the Augusta County Planning Commission.

Chairman Shull turned the meeting over to Becky Earhart, Senior Planner, for an overview of the Comprehensive Plan Update. Mrs. Earhart explained how the review and update was accomplished using Boards and Commissions, as well as Department and Agency Heads. She gave an overview of the changes to the Goals, Objectives, and Policies by topic area, as well as reviewed the new Housing and Transportation Chapters. She briefed the group on the changes to transportation funding (HB2) and the need to clarify in the Comprehensive Plan the designation of some of our Urban Service Areas as meeting the State Code requirements for Urban Development Areas.

This clarification needs to be adopted in our Plan no later than October 1, 2015.

Mr. Shull opened the floor for questions and comments.

Mr. Pyles stated the HB2 funding formula looks like it means less funding for roads. He noted the Board should continue to look at helping with funding in order to get projects completed.

Mr. Moore asked what the Future Land Use is on Route 250, east of Waynesboro.

Mrs. Earhart stated that area is designated as a Rural Conservation Area because there are no services.

Mr. Moore noted Royal Orchard has been discussing developing their property and using Waynesboro’s utilities, but there are no firm plans or commitments on services yet.

Mr. Pyles stated he does not like the growth percentage goals for the policy areas. He asked if we knew how many houses are in each Policy Area now and asked if that information was available by magisterial district. He felt that the goal should be based on the number of new dwellings desired rather than by the percentage of housing. He summarized by asking how many houses are in each district; how many do we want; and what is our target over the next ten years? He also mentioned that the recommendation for a Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program should be deleted.

Mr. Wills agreed that PDRs should be taken out. He noted that the Weyers Cave interchange needs to be on the interchange plan list in the Implementation Plan. He stated there are several references to improving fire flow in the county and he felt that we should add a line item to the CIP for fire flow improvements. He stated he does not support the recommendation for a Fire Marshall.

Mr. Cole stated PDR benefits include bringing in money from outside the County to support preservation efforts; it does not have to be local dollars. He stated they are trying to retain the feasibility of using PDRs in the future.

Chairman Shull stated the County needs to study the feasibility of using dry hydrants and the locations for them to address the fire protection needs in the rural areas.

Mrs. Earhart stated she could make some of the changes desired in the draft prior to the Board’s action on Wednesday night to authorize the draft plan for public hearing in July. She stated staff could not have the information being requested by Mr. Pyles by that time.

Mr. Pyles indicated he did not need it for the July hearing, but he did want it prior to action on the plan.

Mr. Wills moved, seconded by Mr. Pyles, that the worksession be adjourned for the Board. The motion passed. Mr. Leonard moved, seconded by Mr. Cole, to adjourn the worksession for the Planning Commission. The motion passed.

Chairman County Administrator H:6-22jt.15