What were the most significant items on the Leesburg Planning Commission agenda for January 2024?

Q: What were the most significant items on the Leesburg Planning Commission agenda for January 2024?

· **Attainable housing is the Commission's sweet spot:** Both cases — infill lot variance and Shepherd's Village — were approved unanimously. The $225K-$300K price point for new construction resonated with every commissioner. Staff framed these as "opportunity homes" the city should actively pursue. Leesburg is hungry for quality, affordable new housing stock. · **Drainage infrastructure is a chronic concern in established neighborhoods:** The Flatwoods Road area has persistent drainage problems from prior land clearing. Residents are documenting these issues and bringing them to public hearings. This pattern suggests future development applications near established neighborhoods will face drainage scrutiny. · **Church-led development gaining traction:** Shepherd's Village is a partnership with Citadel of Hope Church, developing church-owned land for attainable housing. Staff actively supported this model. The Commission was receptive despite infrastructure concerns from neighbors. · **Comprehensive Plan update underway:** Kandi Harper announced a 10-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan review and a full Comprehensive Plan update (last done 2012). Two citizen workshops were scheduled for February and March 2024. This signals a major policy framework refresh that will shape Leesburg's growth trajectory for the next decade. · **Sunshine Law awareness rising:** Chairman Sennett raised the need for a Sunshine Law seminar for commissioners. City Attorney Watson offered to address questions. This reflects growing awareness of governance requirements as development activity increases.

Meeting Reading

Leesburg Planning Commission

January 18, 2024

2 items on the agenda

**Attainable housing is the Commission's sweet spot:** Both cases — infill lot variance and Shepherd's Village — were approved unanimously. The $225K-$300K price point for new construction resonated with every commissioner. Staff framed these as "opportunity homes" the city should actively pursue. Leesburg is hungry for quality, affordable new housing stock.
**Drainage infrastructure is a chronic concern in established neighborhoods:** The Flatwoods Road area has persistent drainage problems from prior land clearing. Residents are documenting these issues and bringing them to public hearings. This pattern suggests future development applications near established neighborhoods will face drainage scrutiny.
**Church-led development gaining traction:** Shepherd's Village is a partnership with Citadel of Hope Church, developing church-owned land for attainable housing. Staff actively supported this model. The Commission was receptive despite infrastructure concerns from neighbors.

On January 18, 2024, City of Leesburg's Planning Commission considered 2 agenda items. **Attainable housing is the Commission's sweet spot:** Both cases — infill lot variance and Shepherd's Village — were approved unanimously. The $225K-$300K price point for new construction resonated with every commissioner. Staff framed these as "opportunity homes" the city should actively pursue. Leesburg is hungry for quality, affordable new housing stock. **Drainage infrastructure is a chronic concern in established neighborhoods:** The Flatwoods Road area has persistent drainage problems from prior land clearing. Residents are documenting these issues and bringing them to public hearings. This pattern suggests future development applications near established neighborhoods will face drainage scrutiny. **Church-led development gaining traction:** Shepherd's Village is a partnership with Citadel of Hope Church, developing church-owned land for attainable housing. Staff actively supported this model. The Commission was receptive despite infrastructure concerns from neighbors.

CHANGE LENS

THE READINGmeeting record

City of Leesburg Planning Commission — January 18, 2024

Meeting Overview

Type: Regular Meeting Quorum: Yes (8 of 9 members present) Duration: ~1 hour 16 minutes (4:30 PM - 5:46 PM)

Attendance

Present: Tim Sennett (Chairman), Nathaniel Sanders (Vice-Chairman), Ted Bowersox, Frazier Marshall, John O'Kelley, Stewart Kaplan, Ze'Shieca Carter, Ken Simeone
Absent: Darin Akkerman
Staff Present: Dan Miller (Planning & Zoning Director), Sabrina Mitchell (Executive Assistant I), Kandi Harper (Deputy Director), Max Van Allen (Planner), Melissa Medders (Planner), Grant Watson (City Attorney)

Agenda Items

Item 1: 100 and 104 Johnson Street — Variance

Type: Variance
Case Number: VAR-23-529
Location: West of Lee Street and south of Johnson Street
Applicant: Mr. Huang
Request: Variance from Section 25-280 Table 4-2 to reduce the R-2 minimum lot size from 7,000 sq ft to 5,000 sq ft.
Current Zoning: R-2 (Medium Density Residential)
Proposed Zoning: R-2 (no change, variance only)
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved
Vote: 7-0
Notable Discussion: Dirt road, lots of record. Staff saw no negative impact. Odd-shaped lot requires house orientation adjustments for setback compliance. Expected home price $300K-$400K range. Nice upgrade for area, walkable to downtown, close to schools. Staff characterized it as an "opportunity home" — affordable, new construction on an underutilized property. Commissioner discussion about driveway, garage requirements, and parking on the street.

Item 2: Shepherd's Village — Variance

Type: Variance
Case Number: VAR-23-560
Location: East of Flatwoods Road and north of Casteen Road
Applicant: Ralph Odum (3307 Peaceful Valley Drive, Clermont)
Request: Variance to reduce front setback from 30 ft to 25 ft, side setbacks from 15/5 ft to 10/5 ft, and rear setback from 18 ft to 15 ft in R-3 zoning district for 19 single-family homes on 5.3 acres.
Current Zoning: R-3 (High Density Residential)
Proposed Zoning: R-3 (no change, variance only)
Acreage: 5.3
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved
Vote: 7-0
Notable Discussion: Church-connected attainable housing project by Citadel of Hope. 19 homes at 3.5 units/acre. Price point $225K-$250K, quality homes. U-shape horseshoe entry/exit for emergency access. One public speaker from Flatwoods Road since 1996 with concerns about drainage (topsoil pushed to property line blocking rainwater flow), traffic on Flatwoods Road, and a deteriorating 6-foot fence. Second citizen concerned about privacy, busy area, and the 6-foot wall of dirt bulldozed against the fence. Commission discussed fence replacement conditions. Grant Watson noted Commission could impose reasonable conditions. Commission and staff discussed drainage, wetland concerns along South Street, and guest parking provisions.

Public Hearings Summary

Number of speakers: 2 (both on Shepherd's Village case)
General sentiment: Mixed — support for housing but concerns about infrastructure
Key concerns:
- Drainage issues on Flatwoods Road from topsoil being pushed to property lines
- Traffic on Flatwoods Road used as a cut-through to avoid West Main Street
- Deteriorating privacy fence between church property and adjacent residents
- Parking adequacy for 19-unit development

Key Signals

Attainable housing is the Commission's sweet spot: Both cases — infill lot variance and Shepherd's Village — were approved unanimously. The $225K-$300K price point for new construction resonated with every commissioner. Staff framed these as "opportunity homes" the city should actively pursue. Leesburg is hungry for quality, affordable new housing stock.
Drainage infrastructure is a chronic concern in established neighborhoods: The Flatwoods Road area has persistent drainage problems from prior land clearing. Residents are documenting these issues and bringing them to public hearings. This pattern suggests future development applications near established neighborhoods will face drainage scrutiny.
Church-led development gaining traction: Shepherd's Village is a partnership with Citadel of Hope Church, developing church-owned land for attainable housing. Staff actively supported this model. The Commission was receptive despite infrastructure concerns from neighbors.
Comprehensive Plan update underway: Kandi Harper announced a 10-Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan review and a full Comprehensive Plan update (last done 2012). Two citizen workshops were scheduled for February and March 2024. This signals a major policy framework refresh that will shape Leesburg's growth trajectory for the next decade.
Sunshine Law awareness rising: Chairman Sennett raised the need for a Sunshine Law seminar for commissioners. City Attorney Watson offered to address questions. This reflects growing awareness of governance requirements as development activity increases.

Raw Notes

Minutes from December 14, 2023 meeting approved 6-0.
Commissioner O'Kelley announced the return and funeral of Franklin Hall, a Leesburg soldier killed in 1944 whose remains were returned. Ceremony at Lone Oak Cemetery with military escort and 150 motorcycles. Historical connection to Leesburg's founding families (Robertson, Hester, Evander Lee).
Comprehensive Plan update workshops: February and March 2024 at Venetian Center and Leesburg Resource Center.
City Attorney Watson to check with City Clerk on advertising workshops to allow elected and appointed officials to attend and discuss freely under Sunshine Law.

[THE READING]meeting record