PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA REQUEST

Sponsor:

 Meeting Date:

 Harry F. Atherton, Chairman, Marshall District Supervisor  

November 17, 2003

Staff Lead:

Department:  

Frederick P.D. Carr, Director

Community Development

Topic:  

 A Resolution Adopting the Proposed Amendment to the Fauquier County Comprehensive Plan for the Marshall Service District

Topic Description:   

The proposed amendment to the Fauquier County Comprehensive Plan for the Marshall Service District is organized into the following sections:  

1.      Introduction

2.      Background and Context for the Comprehensive Plan

3.      Existing Characteristics

4.      Vision Statement and Goals         

5.      Strategies to Achieve the Planning Goals

6.      Land Use Plan

a.   Phasing of Development and Infrastructure

b.   Entrance Corridors

c.   Village Center and Main Street Corridor

d.   New Mixed Use and Industrial Areas

e.   New Residential Neighborhoods

f.    I-66 Interchanges

7.      Urban Design Principles, Policies and Guidelines

8.      Transportation Plan  

The Plan proposes, for example, a mix of residential, commercial and industrial uses, with major emphasis on more traditional residential neighborhood design and neighborhood linkages with public facilities (e.g., library, parks, and schools). Special priority is also placed on Main Street development and design, introduction of gateway features, preservation of valued mountain views and historic resources, as well as recommendations focused on timed transportation improvements.  The build-out population desired will be approximately 6,000 residents; the current adopted plan had potential for approximately 15,000 residents.   The objective of the plan is to reflect a balance between being a “real working Town” and a tourist destination.  

It needs to be noted that the Service District Boundary is proposed for reduction on the north side of Route 55, east of Rectortown Road (Route 710) and the Southern Railroad, due to conservation easements being prepared and to be recorded for approximately 400 acres.  Most of the draft plan maps reflect that change, with the exception of the following graphics, which need to be revised with the GIS Office ’s assistance:  Figure 2-Existing Sewer Service (area marked outside the initial gravity service area), Figure 6 – Existing Zoning for Marshall and Environs (needs the proposed service district boundary layered over the existing zoning), and Figure 9 – Ultimate Future Land Use (note that here the round-about shown on Stockyard Road, within the vicinity of the Food Lion Shopping Center, will be replaced with a T-Intersection).  This computer graphic/GIS work will be completed upon plan adoption.  

Requested Action of the Board of Supervisors:  

Conduct a public hearing to receive citizens’ comments and consider adoption of the attached resolution.

Background Information:

All nine designated service districts within the Fauquier County Comprehensive Plan have been subjected to review and refinement through the Citizen Planning Committee process. The Bealeton, Calverton, Catlett, Midland , New Baltimore, Opal and Remington Service District Plans have been adopted, while the Marshall and Warrenton Service District Plan amendments are pending.  The proposed amendment to Marshall Service District represents the final plan passing through the public hearing and action process.  

The Comprehensive Plan elements for the Marshall Service District were initiated on July 17, 2001 , with a Citizen Planning Committee totaling 28 citizens.  The Committee met the first Wednesday of each month at the Marshall Community Center , and these meetings were open to the public.  Included in this effort were:  

·        detailed briefings from the County Attorney’s Office,  Community Development (plans and zoning), Economic Development, Emergency Services, Library Services, Parks & Recreation, Schools Division, Soil Scientist (environmental resources), VDOT & Kellerco (Transportation), and the Fauquier County Water & Sanitation Authority (water and sewer capacities);

·        2-day sketch planning workshop that resulted in identifying issues, opportunities, basic goals and objectives, and preliminary land use concepts; and

·        completion of 2-hour monthly sessions developing land use, public facility and service, transportation and design elements, as well as plan text and recommendations.  

The Citizen Planning Committee also advertised in local newspapers and distributed flyers about a public information session where the proposed plan would be presented for citizen review, questions and comments.  The session was conducted in the evening of November 11, 2002 at the Marshall Community Center Auditorium and was well attended.  The final draft plan was completed and submitted to the Planning Commission in June of 2003.  

After a work session presentation by the Citizen Planning Committee on September 3^rd, the Planning Commission scheduled the plan for public hearing.  To provide ample opportunities for citizen comment, two public hearings were scheduled for the text amendment to the Comprehensive Plan for the Marshall Service District: September 25 and October 30, 2003 .  At the conclusion of the October 30^th hearing, the Planning Commission forwarded the Marshall Service District Plan, with minor revisions, to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation that it be adopted.  Please note that the revisions within the text are marked in yellow for ease of reference and primarily remove outdated information or strategies.  

A copy of the plan is not included as part of this electronic agenda item due to graphics package.  Individual copies of the proposed plan have been provided to the Board of Supervisors.  Copies are available for public inspection at the Public Libraries in Warrenton and Marshall, as well as in the Department of Community Development.

Financial Impacts Analysis:  

None required as part of this project.  

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

Department of Community Development
Department of Parks & Recreation
Fauquier County School Board
Fauquier County Water & Sanitation Authority
Marshall Waterworks
VDOT