Town code changes needed for new Valley Health Hospital signs

The Front Royal Planning Commission Meeting on November 20th opened quietly with no citizen comments as Chairman Douglas Jones opened the floor.

Once the minutes of the September 4th and September 18th meetings had been unanimously approved, the Chairman opened a public hearing on a request by Valley Health and Warren Memorial Hospital to amend the town code covering Performance Standards for Medical Facility Signs.

Jeremy Camp, the Town Planning Director, explained the requested change to the code would not merely affect Valley Health or Warren Memorial, but all medical facilities. The commission’s output would be a recommendation to Town Council, as well as contingent approval of the Master Facility Signage plan. He explained further that by working with Valley Health the planning department was able to harmonize the draft code change with the new Hospital plan. It did result in a reduction in size of the main sign for the new facility to comply with the amended code. Some signs were able to be made larger for better visibility, such as markings for the Emergency room. Finally, Camp reiterated that the commission’s approval would be contingent on the town Council approval of the code change. He then gave the commissioners a draft motion to approve. He added that a sign permit would be required prior to final installation to give the town the opportunity to verify that the signage complied with the town code.

IdentityUSA executives on hand to answer questions. Photos and video by Mark Williams, Royal Examiner.

Following brief comments from Rhonda Neal of IdentityUSA, the signage designers for the project, who expressed her appreciation to the planning Department for their patience in working through the signage issues, Commissioner Lorraine Smelser asked whether previously identified concerns from the previous work sessions had been resolved in the amended plan. Camp indicated that all previously identified issues had been resolved.

Commissioner Connie Marshner asked Camp if there was a definition of a “Medical Facility” in the code. Camp explained that an entity wishing to erect signage and calling itself a medical facility would still have to come before the Commission with a signage plan. The code requires a medical facility to be sited on a minimum of 2 acres. Marshner expressed concern that “alternative” therapies may call themselves medical and take advantage of the benefits of this code change. “Are we establishing a precedent? What are we opening a door to?”

Vice Chairman McFadden responded by citing the process required for not only signage but facility usage and construction provided plenty of opportunity for approval or disapproval of a facility and signage. He expressed concern that “we would be opening a pandora’s box” by strictly defining a “Medical Facility” beyond what already exists.

Cee Ann Davis makes a point about policy making by the Planning Commision.

Commissioner Cee Ann Davis closed out the discussion by reminding the commission that in the commonwealth of Virginia, the planning commission was below the policy making level related to allowable uses of property.

Upon a motion by Vice Chairman McFadden and second by Commissioner Smelser, the motion was unanimously passed. The chairman thanked the Hospital representatives for their work.

Camp reported on Planning Department activities including the Board of Zoning Appeals, which had considered two requests, one disapproved and one approved, and the Board of Architectural Review.

So far this year, 261 permits have been approved, which is on track to be the strongest number in the past several years. The number of homes is expected to be the highest since 2006. Also the Sheetz approval process is moving along. The improvements to West 17th Street that will go along with the Sheetz development are being finalized.

Commissioner Darryl Merchant addressed the issue of “Fake News”.

Upon completion of the Planning Director’s report, the Chairman asked for comments or reports from Commissioners. Commissioner Darryl Merchant addressed the issue of “Fake News”. He had been approached by a citizen regarding the water “tap fees” for new housing, and the citizen stated he had heard that only 5 new homes had been constructed and a lower tap fee was needed to stimulate housing construction. Merchant referred to the statistics provided by the Planning Director earlier and characterized the pace of construction as a “banner year” and asked the other commissioners to be aware of the facts when approached by citizens. Camp indicated the biggest limitation on new home construction in Front Royal was the lack of available lots.

No other commissioners had any comments so the Chairman adjourned the meeting.

Watch the meeting here on this exclusive Royal Examiner video: