PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA REQUEST

Owner/Applicant:

Board of Supervisors Meeting Date:

Dominion Transmission, Inc.

November 8, 2007

Staff Lead:
Holly Meade, Senior Planner

Department:
Community Development

Magisterial District:
Cedar Run

PIN:
7941-22-5371-000

Topic: 

A Resolution to Approve SEAM08-CR-001:  Dominion Transmission, Inc. Compressor Station Special Exception Amendment

Project Information: 

The owner, Dominion Transmission, Inc., is requesting to amend a previously approved Category 20 Special Exception (SPEX04-CR-012).  On March 15, 2004, the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors approved a Category 20 Special Exception and Comprehensive Plan Conformance Determination in accordance with the Code of Virginia, Section 15.2-2232 to allow for the construction of a Gas Compressor Station.  To meet demand, the applicant is now seeking expansions on two existing buildings to allow for an additional turbine and auxiliary storage. 

The applicant is proposing a 50-foot x 34-foot addition to the compressor building and a 26-foot x 38-foot addition to the auxiliary building as well as a new 7,800 horse power gas turbine.  The compressor building addition was shown on the originally approved Special Exception Plat; however, unplanned supplementary space is now needed for storage of mechanical equipment associated with the new turbine.  Other improvements requested with the Special Exception Amendment application include conversion of a graveled area to paved parking spaces and modification to an existing stormwater management pond, none of which will encroach outside of the currently developed portion of the property.  The improvements will require a Site Plan Amendment following approval of the Special Exception Amendment. 

The compressor station is currently operated by a full time employee and this may increase to include a second part-time employee for operation and maintenance purposes.   This change, as well as other applicable changes as a result of the Special Exception Amendment request, is provided in Attachment 3.  Please note that these proposed conditions represent a modification of the 2004 Special Exception Conditions.

Location, Zoning and Current Land Use: 

The property is located in Catlett on Route 640 at 2028 Law’s Ford Road.  The property is zoned Rural Agricultural (RA) and is the site of the existing Dominion Transmission operation.  A map of the property is shown below: 

Dominion Transmission, Inc. Area Map 

Surrounding Zoning and Current Land Use: 

The property is surrounded by RA (Agricultural) zoning and the prevailing land use in the area is residential and farming.  An existing 240-foot Virginia Power Transmission Easement and existing electric transmission facilities are located on the east side of the site, along with a Virginia Natural Gas transmission easement and pipeline.   

Staff and Review Agency Comments: 

Staff and the appropriate referral agencies have reviewed this request for conformance with the Comprehensive Plan, the Zoning Ordinance, and other relevant policies and regulations.  Staff and referral agency findings, comments, and recommendations are summarized below.  The actual responses from referral agencies are available upon request. 

Planning 

The subject property is designated as a rural area and is subject to the Rural Areas Land Use Plan, Chapter Eight, of the Comprehensive Plan. Chapter Nine of the Comprehensive Plan addresses public facilities and utilities goals.  These policies state:

·         All public facilities and utilities should be designed and developed so as to limit environmental degradation;

·         Gas/petroleum products, pipe lines, and electrical transmission lines should be grouped in designated utility corridors where appropriate to avoid scattered placement of these utilities in the County; and

·         Plan for necessary public facilities and utilities through public and private cooperation within those areas presently containing services, and to establish priorities for service implementation in those areas not presently served.

This proposal is in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan. 

Engineering 

Any change to impervious cover will require the applicant to submit a reanalysis of the SWM/BMP design to the County for review and approval.

(This has been included as a condition of approval.)

Summary and Recommendation: 

Conduct the public hearing and consider adoption of the attached resolution. 

Planning Commission Action: 

On September 27, 2007, the Fauquier County Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward a recommendation of approval to the Board of Supervisors upon finding that this application met the requirements outlined in the Fauquier County Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan.  The Planning Commission recommended approval of the Special Exception Amendment subject to the previously approved conditions.  However, the Commission did express concern regarding new paving that was being proposed in the parking lot.  The Planning Commission recommended any new areas in the parking lot be constructed with a pervious surface to which the applicant agreed.  A new condition 17 was added, addressing this concern, and is included in the attached Resolution for approval.

Identify any other Departments, Organizations or Individuals that would be affected by this request:

Fauquier County Department of Community Development
Department of Economic Development
Commissioner of the Revenue
 

Attachments: 

1.                  Resolution

2.                  Statement of Justification

3.                  Special Exception Amendment Plat