City Council

CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA HON. THOMAS J. TOMZAK, MAYOR HON. MARY KATHERINE GREENLAW, VICE MAYOR CITY COUNCIL HON. KERRY P. DEVINE, AT-LARGE HON. BRADFORD C. ELLIS, WARD ONE HON. GEORGE C. SOLLEY, WARD TWO HON. FREDERIC N. HOWE, III, WARD THREE Council Chambers, 715 Princess Anne Street HON. BEATRICE R. PAOLUCCI, WARD FOUR Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 Joint City Council-Planning Commission Work Session January 25, 2011 Review of Residential Zoning District Regulations The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia held a work session on Tuesday, January 25, 2011, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room. Council Present. Mayor Thomas J. Tomzak, presiding. Vice-Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw. Councilors Kerry P. Devine, Bradford C. Ellis, Frederic N. Howe, III, Beatrice R. Paolucci and George C. Solley. Planning Commission Present. Chairman Roy McAfee. Commissioners Roy Gratz, Shawn Lawrence, Berkley Mitchell, Ricardo Rigual, Susan Spears, and Ed Whelan, III. Also Present. City Manager Beverly Cameron, Assistant City Manager Mark Whitley, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, Planning Director Ray Ocel and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Others Present. Rodger Waldron of Clarion Associates. Review of Residential Zoning District Regulations – Planning Director Ocel began by showing a PowerPoint of homes in Fredericksburg that are considered out of scale development. (See attached for more information). Mr. Waldron presented a PowerPoint on current and potential amendments to the zoning and subdivision ordinance. He overviewed the work to date, objectives of the proposed amendments, presentation of the proposed amendments, testing the proposed changes and the next steps. The objectives of the proposed changes will include an update of the residential zoning districts: out-of-scale development, non-residential uses in residential areas, measuring height in floodplains and residential parking requirements. The proposed amendments will allow 1 non-residential development in residential areas, they will address height limits in floodplains, address off-street parking in older residential areas, height, setbacks and lot coverage and mass of structures. (See attached for more information). On the mass of structures, discussion ensued on the pros and cons and whether regulations would limit a property owners rights. Councilor Solley said it is about the character of the neighborhood and preserving the opportunity for those who need to live in smaller housing to be able to do so. He said by living in the City you have voluntarily given up some of your property rights, but a balance must be found so that a property owners rights aren’t infringing on the neighbors. Chairman McAfee stated that what makes the City so attractive and the reason people stay here is the character in the City neighborhoods. He said what’s being proposed, would help alleviate the idea of attacking the size of the house, but it also looks at where the structure sits on a lot and how it will affect the neighbors. Councilor Devine also said neighbors worry about the large massing interrupting the flow and character of the neighborhood. Mr. Waldron noted that he was planning to remove the floor area ratio and focus on reducing the heights of building and pay more attention to the setbacks, which in turn would reduce the floor area ratio. Councilor Paolucci asked would the restrictions prevent people from going to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) for a variance. City Attorney Dooley states that BZA does not grant variances for houses and the proposed setbacks are more expansive and if a reasonable house could not fit on the lot then it could go to BZA for a variance. Mr. Waldron suggested the following stay the same in the zoning ordinance: lowering the height, address height limits in floodplains, setback averages, setbacks based on lot size and non-residential in residential. He suggested lowering the parking requirement. He did not recommend using the lot coverage ratio and the floor area ratio. He said the next steps would be to have the review committee look at the recommendations then have a work session with the Planning Commission, then have the Planning Commission hold a public hearing at the Planning level then bring it to City Council. Council showed concerns with the non-residential in the residential neighborhoods. Some felt it would change the character of the neighborhood. Chairman McAfee stated that it would be small businesses embedded in the neighborhood like small engine repair shop, medical or dental offices. He said they would be approved by a special use permit (SUP) and if they became problematic they could be removed. Councilor Howe was concerned because 2 SUP’s are not currently being tracked. Councilor Ellis said that’s an easy fix, a data base could be set up. Vice-Mayor Greenlaw and Councilor Solley agreed that having some non- residential in residential would be beneficial and a nice to have. Council agreed to move forward with the changes and have the committee review. Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, the meeting was declared officially adjourned at 6:48 p.m. Tonya B. Lacey_________ Tonya B. Lacey Clerk of Council City of Fredericksburg 3