NORTHERN VIRGINIA DAILY

Article Date: January 16, 2003

Council accepts easement from EDA

By:  Ben Orcutt

Front Royal’s acceptance of an easement to extend Monroe Avenue between 11^th Street and Kendrick Lane is an indicator of improved relations between the town and Warren County, according to members of the Town Council.

The council voted unanimously Monday to accept a 50 foot right of way from the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority.  The land is part of the Avtex redevelopment site.

The land in question was somewhat of a political football, with the town refusing to allow the county to use the old Avtex parking lot as a school bus storage facility and the county responding in kind by refusing to agree to an easement for the extension of Monroe Avenue.

Because the land is owned by the EDA, it, the town and the county had to sign-off on how the land is to be used.

“I think they saw the good intentions of council when the council gave the county the free water tap for [North Warren Volunteer Fire and Rescue] Company 10,” Councilman Hollis L. Tharpe said Wednesday.  “We also gave them a bucket truck valued at $8,000.

“All we have to do now is find the money to make it a street,” Tharpe added.  “Hopefully, the town manager will act on it soon.”

The county has constructed a bus facility on Criser Road at the site of the former school board office.

In other business, the council voted unanimously to:

•    Affirm on its first reading, following a public hearing, a request by Marty Zuckerman, president of Zuckerman Metals Inc, to amend the town code to allow by special-use permit mini-storage facilities on property zoned industrial.  The amended ordinance defines a mini storage facility as a “self-service storage building, or group of buildings, consisting of individual, small, self-contained units for the storage of goods, materials or supplies,” town documents say.

The council is considering recommendations by the Planning Commission that include prohibition of exterior storage, proper landscaping and size restrictions.  Storage of odorous, explosive, hazardous, or toxic materials also would be prohibited.

•    Authorize the release of $13,790 in cash escrow, which was being held by the town until curb and gutter, sidewalk, storm sewer and street improvements were made associated with the BB&T Bank project at 1355 N. Shenandoah Ave.