Shenandoah County Planning Commission August 4th 2016 Staff Report

Draft Revision to: The Old Valley Pike Corridor Overlay District Ordinance

OLD VALLEY PIKE CORRIDOR OVERLAY - History 1993 – VDOT established the Virginia Rural Transportation Assistance Program with the local planning districts. 1997 - VDOT Established a 3 year Transportation Planning Grant Program. March 14, 2001 - Former Director of Planning & Zoning, Rob Kinsley, working with the Lord Fairfax Planning District Commission (now NSVRC) submitted a grant application to VDOT. June 4, 2001 - VDOT acknowledged SPR Funding could be used for the OVP Corridor Study, in the amount of $32,000 with a local match by Shenandoah County of $8,000 = $40,000.

OLD VALLEY PIKE CORRIDOR OVERLAY - History July 20, 2001 – RFP initiated for Transportation Engineering Services. October 22, 2001 – Contract for the OVP Corridor Study was executed between Wilbur Smith Associates and NSVRC. February 22, 2002 – OVP Corridor Study Advisory Committee initial meeting to work with Wilbur Smith Associates on the OVP plan. February 23, 2003 – OVP Corridor Plan adopted by the Board of Supervisors. 2006 – OVP Steering Committee was formed to work with the Sympoetica Creating Company, to implement the corridor plan. Sympoetica contract $17,000. October 16, 2007 – Draft OVP Overlay Ordinance and Draft Guidelines finalized.

OLD VALLEY PIKE CORRIDOR OVERLAY - History June 5, 2008 – Public Hearing on the adoption of the OVP Corridor Overlay Ordinance. June 24, 2008 – OVP Corridor Overlay Ordinance removed from BOS agenda in order for staff to hold two public forums. July 9, 2008 and July 22, 2008 – Public forums to discuss the ordinance. August 26, 2008 – BOS approved the amendment to the Zoning Ordinance by adding the OVP Corridor Overlay Ordinance.

The OVP ordinance addresses the following items: Lighting, Parking, Signs, Sidewalks, Setbacks, Buffers, Access

Lighting Lights on signs, buildings, or free standing lights shall be downcast and fully shielded, or directed to the object being lit for: Safety while driving, glare from bright lights at night constricts the pupils of our eyes and can be blinding but also makes it difficult for our eyes to adjust to low-light conditions. Limiting light pollution. *Light pollution blocks view of the stars. *Disrupts the World’s ecosystems. *Causes birds to wander off course, migrate too early or too late.

Lighting Continued Light attracts insects preventing them from performing basic functions for life; declining insect populations negatively impact all species. Light disrupts the human circadian rhythm and suppresses melatonin production. Light pollution wastes energy. Glare from bright, unshielded lights decreases safety and creates deep shadows, making it more difficult to see. See how glare in the photo makes it hard to see the man at the gate? Melatonin has antioxidant properties, induces sleep, boosts the immune system among other important functions.

Parking Parking lot landscaping shall be provided because it: Reduces storm water runoff, Enhances human comfort by providing heat-reducing shade. Prevents soil erosion. Reduces carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Reduces the detrimental effects of wind and noise.

Shenandoah County - Eco Friendly Parking Lots Shenandoah County Government Center Planting Islands, Green Space, Pervious Pavement Shenandoah County General District Court

Signs Signs may be: illuminated by internal lights, or by concealed ground mounted lights, or top mounted lights directed downward and fully shielded. The size of signs will depend on the speed limit and the zoning district.

Sidewalks Walkable Streets: Walking has cross-cutting benefits for public health, environmental sustainability and neighborhood vitality. According to the Federal Highway Administration 4,500 pedestrians are killed in traffic crashes with motor vehicles in the U.S. Pedestrians killed while walking along the road account for approximately 8% of the 4500 pedestrians Sidewalks shall be provided in the Gateway Areas of the Old Valley Pike Corridor District.

Setbacks, Buffers, Landscape & Acess Setbacks provide area for green space in the Rural District Areas and space for planting trees in the Gateway Areas. Screen buffers provide privacy for homeowners in subdivisions located along Route 11. Green space provides natural drainage for storm water, enhances human comfort by providing heat-reducing shade. One point of access unless VDOT determines otherwise. Benefits of Landscaping: Energy Savings Increased Property Resale Value Enhanced Aesthetic Value & Curb Appeal

The OVP ordinance does not prohibit uses permitted in the underlying zoning districts. Uses that are considered nonconforming may continue and are subject to Article IV of the Zoning Ordinance.

Revisions to the Old Valley Pike Corridor District Overlay All applications requiring a formal Site Plan submission in accordance with Article XIV, shall be sent to the Planning Commission for review and approval. All applications requiring no formal Site Plan shall be reviewed and administratively approved by Community Development staff. Intended to alleviate the burden on small businesses with structures under 5,000 s.f. The BOS shall have the right to review decisions of the Planning Commission. Appeals of the BOS may be made to the Circuit Court of Shenandoah County.

Revisions Continued The BZA shall have the right to review decisions of the Zoning Administrator. Appeals of the BZA may be made to the Circuit Court of Shenandoah County. In the Rural areas Zoning Administrator may allow a modification to the requirement that primary structures face the front façade to Route 11. Intended to provide flexibility in case where topography, terrain, sink holes and other natural features prohibit facing the structure toward Route 11. Size of signs based on the speed zone and underlying zoning district. Intended to give appropriate visibility of signs while traveling at higher rates of speed.

Revisions Continued Facing the front façade of new buildings toward Route 11, in the Rural Areas, has been changed to permit the Zoning Administrator to allow a modification to the requirement. Intended to allow structures to face in a direction other than Route 11 in cases where the topography, terrain, sink holes, size of parcel or other natural features are restrictive. Front façade should include features that provide visual variety to include landscaping. Intended to allow flexibility in providing visual variety. Buffers as green space all forms of landscaping allowed in the Rural areas. Intended to allow flexibility when developing a landscape plan by allowing the use of any form of natural greenery.

Revisions Continued Changed amount of time needed to replace landscaping features to 60 days and allows the Zoning Administrator to permit extensions of time due to weather conditions. Intended to provide flexibility in case weather conditions doesn’t allow for replanting. Allows more options for sign size, illumination and type. Intended to provide more flexibility of style and considers the speed limit and the size of the sign for visibility.