City Council

CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA HON. MARY KATHERINE GREENLAW, MAYOR HON. CHARLIE L. FRYE, JR., VICE -MAYOR, WARD FOUR CITY COUNCIL HON. KERRY P. DEVINE, AT-LARGE HON. MATTHEW J. KELLY, AT-LARGE HON. JASON N. GRAHAM, WARD ONE HON. WILLIAM C. WITHERS, JR., WARD TWO Council Chambers, 715 Princess Anne Street HON. DR. TIMOTHY P. DUFFY, WARD THREE Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 Council Work Session May 25, 2021 Economic Development Authority Interviews Brompton Street The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia held a work session on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Council Present. Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Presiding. Vice-Mayor Charlie L. Frye, Jr. Councilors Kerry P. Devine, Timothy P. Duffy, Jason N. Graham, Matthew J. Kelly and William C. Withers, Jr. Also Present. City Manager Timothy J. Baroody, Assistant City Manager Mark Whitley, Assistant City Manager Doug Fawcett, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, Community Planning and Building Services Director Charles Johnston, Senior Planner Michael Craig and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Economic Development Authority Interviews. Natalie Patterson - stated that Fredericksburg was a well-defined City and it was ideal for cool bars and restaurants. She said the connectivity was good and getting better especially with Northern Virginia and DC by Virginia Railway Express as well as the addition of the HOT Lanes. She also spoke of how strong the housing market was. She talked about how important it was to use underutilized spaces and transfer them into affordable housing needs or trends, an example given was the Spotsylvania Towne Center apartments. She noted that these apartments were being built near shopping entertainment and restaurants. Ms. Patterson said two things that would make the City more appealing, for visitors, more ease of transportation this would bring more people and for residents, a diversity of more well-paying jobs opportunities. Ms. Patterson was asked if she saw anything unique that set the City apart from the Counties and she stated the affordability for diverse housing. She said she was able to 1 afford a townhome, a single-family, and an apartment by herself. She said Fredericksburg had a great mix that do not necessarily exist in the counties. Area 1 Plan. Senior Planner Craig presented a PowerPoint presentation and he begin with a map of the area, the transect map of the area, the regulating plan, map showing the north end and the riverfront, central area, south end, and the next steps. Councilor Graham asked about the pedestrian improvements at Fall Hill and Carl D. Silver and Mr. Craig said the plan was to identify where they are going to start. He said the east side had a signalized pedestrian crossing and the west side could implement a trail but that would be in the next level of engineering. Mr. Craig said there was no pedestrian signal at River Road. Councilor Graham also asked about Cowan Boulevard and Carl D. Silver Parkway and Mr. Craig explained that there had been some proposals that have come in they suggest there may need to be an additional turn for capacity. Councilor Devine noted that multiple homeowners were a challenge and she said she like the balance of green space and she said this could be a great area for work, live, play. Councilor Withers said this area was a real challenge because of the existing buildings but he was excited to see what could be done. Councilor Kelly said the interchange was a big issue and he wanted to know if it was driving the future development of the site. Mr. Craig said the purpose of having the transportation improvements in the plan was to allow the City to continue to pursue it at a regional level. The use could be residential, commercial or some other use mixed in. The T-3 areas were meant to be transitional. Councilor Kelly noted with the Route 3 interchange would not be able to handle the level of development that was planned for the area unless there was significant improvements. Mr. Craig said the most intense part of the project was kept to the north on Route 3 because the infrastructure could maintain it. He said they would be working with Spotsylvania County on improvements in the area of Route 3 next to the Burger King. Councilor Duffy commended everyone for their work. He said their needed to be a sustainable plan for this area. Mayor Greenlaw said this was exciting work and she was looking forward to seeing this evolve. 2  Brompton Street. Assistant City Manager Fawcett noted that a resident on Brompton approached the City with an inquiry on a matter of encroachment in the area and how he could improve a garage that sits partially on city property. The yellow box on the attached photo (see Attachment V) sits on the City property and the owner would like to acquire the property but there was a declivity on a portion of the property that has significance to the 1862 Battle in Fredericksburg and it needed to be preserved maybe by placing a sign describing what happened. The plan was to sell a portion of the property that does not include the declivity to the property owners and retain full ownership of the portion with the declivity (orange portion on the map attached) (Attachment V). If the Council was receptive of the proposal a public hearing would be scheduled. Councilor Withers said he had no issues with this but would like to discuss the fair market value of the land. Mr. Fawcett said there was also a fence on the property and the owners would also like to resolve the fence encroachment as well. Councilor Kelly asked what the city may expect the property owner to pay for this property and Mr. Fawcett said it was currently assessed at $10,000 a little over $5.00/ square foot. Councilor Withers said this was considered a plotted sale and if the City was purchasing this land the City would have to pay the plotted price and it would be more than $5.00/square foot. Mr. Fawcett said he would work on the value and bring it back to Council. Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time. Mayor Greenlaw declared the session officially adjourned at 6:36 p.m. ______________________ Tonya B. Lacey Clerk of Council City of Fredericksburg 3