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 August 24, 2021 Renaming Jefferson Davis Highway to Emancipation Highway (HB 2075) Council Priorities (Phase 3) Motts Run Water Treatment Plant Update Tiny Home Update The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia held a work session on Tuesday, August 24, 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. (Phone-in). 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, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, Assistant City Attorney Dori Martin, Building Official John Schaeffer, Chief Information Officer Suzanne Tills, Director of Transit Development Administrator Marne Sherman, Senior Planner Michael Craig, Zoning Administrator James Newman and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Renaming Jefferson Davis Highway to Emancipation Highway (HB 2075) Ms. Tills presented a PowerPoint presentation and in that presentation she discussed House Bill 2075 (HB 2075), the number and types of properties affected, plan for readdressing, public communications plan, progress to date and the next steps. (See the Attachment I & II for more information). Councilor Devine asked what the neighboring jurisdictions changed their name to and Mr. Baroody said Stafford was seeking permission from Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) to name their section of Route 1, Richmond Highway; and Spotsylvania was inclined to that same position but had not made a formal recommendation. Councilor Kelly said he had 1 spoken with Marcie Parker and she stated that the City could change the name of a road anytime it wanted too because it did not have to have a review from the CTB. Councilor Kelly asked what other jurisdictions were doing to help supplement businesses costs of changing the address because he thought it would be a lot more than $250 for a business to make the changes. Mr. Baroody said they calculated on the City’s side approximately $90,000 to change the highway signs, but he was not aware of the cost for residents and businesses and he was not aware of what the other jurisdictions were doing to offset the costs. Councilor Kelly said he would like to see if the City could assist further in the costs for those businesses. Councilor Duffy was also concerned that the $250 would not be enough. He said he would like to allow a way for people to donate money to the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to assist in the costs. He said changing the name to emancipation was investing in our future and it helps to rebrand Fredericksburg. Mayor Greenlaw asked if there was another source of funds that could be used if the Council did not think the $250 was enough to help supplement costs. Mr. Baroody said he would bring back information at the next meeting and he would also check to see how the EDA arrived at the $250. Council Priorities - Phase 3 Update. City Manager Baroody said there were a few edits requested with the Council Priorities. Priority #4 Councilor Graham suggested it be made more clearly that there were 3 plans scheduled in Phase 3 (South Lafayette/Route 1, Mayfield and University, Central/Route 1). Councilor Kelly suggested that Priority 12 be more clear about shared services and that it would be made more broad. The final change was that there needed to be more clarity on the trails and Mr. Baroody said they would add more language that talks specifically about what the City intends to do. He said he would get the Pathways Committee and the EDA to review the entire trail system and come back with recommendations on segments that look good, need work and those that were really concerning. See Attachment III for more information. Mr. Baroody said this item was on the agenda for adoption and he plans to finalize it as well as the brochure and set up several public information sessions on priorities. 2  Councilor Kelly suggested there be an opportunity for the public to comment on the properties and for them to give input on how to move them forward. He said he would like to see this on the website. Mr. Baroody said they would produce something for the website and give the public the opportunity to provide input. Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Update. Mr. Whitley followed up on the previous conversation on the Motts Run WWTP costs and the potential cost for the City. The Utility Agreement that was created in the 90’s already contained the provisions necessary to upgrade from 5 million gallons to 7 million gallons and there was no choice. With this being clear the City would receive 2 million gallons with the expansion. The numbers in the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) were correct but Spotsylvania has given a number that was higher in three years, but it was in the CIP. Mr. Whitley explained that there was another expansion at the existing Motts plant that the City would be a part of and the City would owe 5/12 of that cost. Mr. Whitley explained that the City’s part of the expanded plan would be three years out and it was $9 million total. Tiny House Update. Mr. Schaeffer presented a PowerPoint on tiny houses in that presentation he discussed the 2018 Virginia Residential Code, International Codes adopted with the Virginia Amendments, that become the Virginia Building Code, 2019 Virginia Residential Code, the Virginia Residential Code, Tiny House Provisions in 2018, 2018 Virginia Code Tiny House, examples of tiny houses, built on permanent foundation, built in site, inspections, other types of tiny houses, inspected at a factory, other types of tiny homes, tiny houses that are not approved, RV’s called tiny homes (not approved), highlights for a tiny house from Appendix – Q in the 2018 Virginia Residential Code, Appendix Q loft area, ceiling heights in loft, examples of tiny house lofts, tiny house community, Building Codes vs. Zoning Codes, examples of tiny houses built as Accessory Dwelling Units, other changes in the 2018 Virginia Residential Code related to ADU and the types of ADU’s. See Attachment IV for more information. Councilor Graham asked what zoning changes would be required to get the proper density requirements. Mr. Newman said the best way to get a tiny home community is to get a piece of property that is zoned Planned Development Residential and the lot sizes could be set up to accommodate the tiny homes. Councilor Graham asked if there were any proposals coming forward and Mr. Newman said there were no applications for tiny home communities. 3  Councilor Kelly asked if there was a requirement for two exits and Mr. Schaeffer explained that there was only one door required but there would be requirements to have an exit in the loft area. The building code only requires one means of egress in a house. Councilor Kelly asked how far apart the tiny houses would be spaced. Mr. Schaeffer said there would be individual houses on each individual lot. Councilor Withers said the homes on Franklin Street would give an idea of what a tiny home community would look because those house were close to 400 square feet. He said he would like to go forward but he was concerned with ADU’s and he does not want to change neighborhoods. Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time. Mayor Greenlaw declared the session officially adjourned at 6:23 p.m. ______________________ Tonya B. Lacey, MMC Clerk of Council City of Fredericksburg 4