Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/4/2004 - Special October 4, 2004 791 Roanoke County Administration Center 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke, Virginia 24018 October 4, 2004 The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia met this 4th day of October, 2004, attheRoanoke County Administration Center, this being a special meeting for the purpose of discussing proposed changes to the Roanoke County Community Plan. IN RE: CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chairman Altizer called the meeting to order at 5:47 p.m. The roll call was taken. He announced that Chairman Flora was preparing to leave on a trip tomorrow and was unable to be at the work session. MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice-Chairman Michael W. Altizer, Supervisors Joseph B. “Butch” Church, Joseph McNamara, Michael A. Wray MEMBERS ABSENT: Chairman Richard C. Flora STAFF PRESENT: Elmer C. Hodge, County Administrator; Paul M. Mahoney, County Attorney; Dan R. O’Donnell, Assistant County Administrator; Brenda J. Holton, Deputy Clerk to the Board; Teresa Hamilton Hall, Public Information Officer The following members of the Planning Commission were present at the meeting: Steve Azar, Martha Hooker, Rodney McNeil, and Al Thomason. Community Development staff present included:Arnold Covey, Director of Community Development; Janet Scheid, Chief Planner; David Holladay, Zoning Administrator; and Chris Lowe, Associate Planner. October 4, 2004 792 IN RE: WORK SESSION 1. Work session with Dr. Mike Chandler, Virginia Tech, to discuss proposed changes to the Community Plan. Mr. Mahoney advised that at the work session on August 31, 2004, the Board worked on a variety of mapping exercises and at the conclusion of that meeting, they requested that Dr. Chandler return for another work session. Mr. Mahoney outlined the four areas that this meeting should strive to cover: (1) to complete the mapping exercises; (2) to discuss the implementation schedule for the community plan by the Planning Commission; (3) to reinforce the Board’s role in implementing the community plan; and (4) to hear comments on the discussions at the Board Planning Retreat held on October 2 regarding implementation steps for the community plan and future zoning actions which my be necessary. He asked that the Board members relate their conclusions from the retreat so that Dr. Chandler could advise them from his experience about the implementation process used by other jurisdictions. Dr. Chandler requested that Mr. Mahoney provide an update of the Board’s discussions at their retreat. Mr. Mahoney advised that many topics were discussed including land development, the community plan, and implementation strategies. Mr. Mahoney advised that eight different components of the implementation strategy were identified and a discussion was led by Mr. Covey to prioritize these factors. At that time, Mr. Covey advised that the first priority should be to develop amendments to the storm water management ordinance. Mr. Mahoney advised that October 4, 2004 793 these amendments are critical because the County has a deadline from the federal government and the fact that damages were recently inflicted by severe storms. The Board also indicated that they want to take some action regarding steep slope provisions, ridge top protection, and clear cutting elements. Mr. Mahoney advised that another key element of the implementation strategy involves a variety of zoning ordinances and amendments dealing with a decrease in rural densities and an increase in some urban densities. The urban cluster ordinance and revisions to the neighborhood commercial village center provisions were discussed, and staff identified some locations where non-residential economic development growth could or should occur. The Board discussed utility extensions for public water and sewer and how this would require negotiating with the Western Virginia Water Authority. The Board advised that if the community plan were to be submitted to them by the Planning Commission by the end of 2004, a public hearing could probably be held sometime in late January or February, 2005. Mr. Mahoney advised that Mr. Hodge stressed the importance of identifying urban corridors for future commercial development such as Routes 220, 460/11 and 221. Although staff did not receive all of the prioritization they wanted at the retreat, Item No. 7 (Zoning Ordinance Amendments: decrease rural densities, increase urban densities, revise urban cluster ordinance, revise neighborhood commercial and village center) on the list for discussion seemed to be the number one priority for the Board. October 4, 2004 794 Supervisor Wray inquired if the storm water ordinance would be complete by January 2005. Mr. Mahoney advised that Mr. Covey and staff anticipated its completion by April 2005. Supervisor Wray advised that the Board felt the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) should be part of the community plan process at this point and in the future. Dr. Chandler advised that linking the CIP to the community plan provides clarity on what to include in the plan and provides some direction of where the growth will occur since capital investing would be used. Since the taxpayers finance community services, proceeding in this way would be appropriate and responsible. Supervisor Wray stated that the steep slope percentage should be defined in the ordinance, and Dr. Chandler advised that these decisions are based on the representations reflected from the mapping of the community. Mr. Covey advised that the steep slope situation is complicated and that a regional approach may be necessary. Supervisor Church advised that there is no real way to determine smart growth which can mean many things. He feels that it is very important that the County involve the citizens in this process. Because of the recent storms, he felt that the Board should look closely at their decisions to determine if something could be affected by flooding, and he felt that some of the Board’s decisions in the past made a difference when the storms came. He advised that the County is trying to find a way to deal with October 4, 2004 795 community values and open spaces while realizing that there is not one answer for all situations. He feels that the County is on the right track. Supervisor McNamara advised that there was some discussion of designating areas for commercial growth from a cost benefit analysis. He suggested it might be appropriate to specify one corridor to extend water and sewer but still zone it appropriately for a long-range plan. Supervisor Altizer advised that it was the consensus of the Board that storm water management is important to make the community plan work but there are some tough decisions to be made. It is the responsibility of the Board to define their expectations for storm water management so that the Planning Commission and staff will have a clear direction to follow. He believes it is time for the County to start discussion with developers about becoming partners to lessen the costs on the taxpayers for water and sewer infrastructure. Dr. Chandler advised that with staff’s assistance, the Board should strive to reach a firmer sense of the direction of land use patterns that will influence the community plan. Implementation of the community plan requires commitment, and it is noteworthy that the Board has a list of identified projects and consensus that extensive modification of the zoning ordinance should be predicated on land use. Mr. Mahoney advised that at the retreat the Board indicated to staff that it would like to handle all of these items at one time but this may delay the process. He asked Dr. Chandler from his experience would it be preferable to have all of the pieces October 4, 2004 796 together for adoption at one time. Dr. Chandler advised that other jurisdictions have done it both ways; however, once the community plan is adopted, the zoning ordinances move the plan forward. In response to inquiries from Mr. Hodge as to how to move forward, Dr. Chandler advised that the first goal is to adopt the community plan. Once the process of adoption is complete, the plan should contain actions that are identified by the Board as necessary to be done in the first, second, third or subsequent years, and these actions serve as implementation steps. Ms. Scheid advised that staff reviewed the future land use maps submitted by the supervisors at the last work session and compiled a list of commonalities and differences. Mr. Lowe advised that there were five general areas on the maps where two or more Board members felt changes were needed. These areas included: (1) Route 419, (2) Route 220 South, (3) Interstate 81, (4) Mount Pleasant area, and (5) Harborwood Road area. He advised that Supervisor Flora submitted no changes to the map and reported on the following comments that Supervisors Wray, McNamara and Altizer submitted: Supervisor Wray Extend Core designation along Rt. 220 to the Crowell Gap Road area Extend Rural Village down Jae Valley Road (Rt. 116), Pitzer Road (Rt. 617), and along the parkway north of Rutrough Road Extend Principal Industrial into Huntridge & Read Mountain Areas Changed portions of Williamson Road from Core to Principal Industrial Changed Valley Pointe from Principal Industrial to Development & Neighborhood Conservation October 4, 2004 797 Expanded Rural Village in Mason’s Cove Area Broad stroked Rural Village into Poor Mountain area in place of existing Rural Preserve Supervisor McNamara Extended Core down Rt. 220 to Franklin County line Extended Rural Village down Jae Valley Road (Rt. 116) and Pitzer Road (Rt. 617) Poage Farm expanded Village Center Core extended along Rt. 419 Transition extended on Colonial North of Rt. 419 to city line Principal Industrial extended along Rt. 460 West (West Salem) Expanded Rural Village in Mason’s Cove Supervisor Altizer Extended Core down Rt. 220 to Franklin County line Extended Rural Village down the Jae Valley Road (Rt. 116), Pitzer Road (Rt. 617), and Rutrough Road Extended Core along Peters Creek Road & Williamson Road areas Core expanded from Transition along Rt. 460 West Salem Expanded Rural Village along 12 O’Clock Knob to Salem side in place of Rural Preserve Changed Rt. 419 from Transition to Core Mr. Holladay spoke concerning the future land use maps as proposed by the Board members and the Planning Commission maps, and he advised that the similarities among the Board members are as follows: All of the Supervisors proposed keeping the Neighborhood Conservation and Development designations in the Back Creek and Harborwood Road areas where the Planning Commission and planning staff are proposing changing these to Rural Village. Supervisors McNamara, Altizer and Wray proposed to expand Principal Industrial designation along Interstate Route 81 and in west Salem area. Supervisors McNamara, Altizer and Wray designated areas east of the Blue Ridge Parkway, along Jae Valley Road, Pitzer Road and Rutrough Road as Rural Village rather than Rural Preserve as currently shown. October 4, 2004 798 Supervisors McNamara, Altizer and Wray designated most commercial street corridors as Core commercial rather than the combination of Transition and Core as currently shown. Mr. Holladay advised that the differences between the Board members future land use maps and the Planning Commission maps included the following: Supervisor Flora proposed little or no changes to the existing maps. Supervisors McNamara and Wray proposed expanding the Rural Village designation in the Masons Cove area. Supervisors Wray and Altizer proposed expansion of the Rural Village designation in southwestern Roanoke County. Supervisor Wray proposed areas of Principal Industrial in eastern, northern and western Roanoke County. IN RE: RECESS Chairman Flora recessed the meeting from 7:10 p.m. until 7:20 p.m. IN RE: CONTINUATION OF WORK SESSION Dr. Chandler continued to lead the review and discussion of the proposed changes to the land use maps until consensus was reached by the Board members on the designations for the five areas on the maps. Staff was directed to summarize the agreements that were reached and make the respective adjustments to the maps. Members of the Planning Commission who were still present, Mr. Thomason and Mr. McNeil, advised that they agreed with the changes. A general summary of the changes is listed below: October 4, 2004 799 Route 419 : The designation in the August 17, 2004 maps was kept. Route 220 South : This corridor is an important opportunity for commercial development and some changes were made. Interstate 81 frontage and interchanges : Some adjustments for commercial and industrial future land use were made. Mount Pleasant area: The rural village designation was expanded. Harborwood Road area: Some of the development designations were restored instead of rural village. IN RE: WORK SESSION SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 1, 2004 Vice-Chairman Altizer advised that he felt another work session was necessary to discuss the topics that the Board had been unable to finish because of the length of this meeting. These topics include steep slopes, slope maintenance bonds, ridge top protection, definition of ridge tops, and clear cutting practices. He suggested another work session be scheduled for November 1 or 7. Ms. Scheid advised that the Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on the community plan for November 2, 2004, and are holding an open house for citizens on October 13, 2004. Dr. Chandler inquired if scheduling another work session on November 1 would create too much additional work for staff. Vice-Chairman Altizer advised that staff would be at the work session to answer questions and that the Planning Commission members could be updated at another time if necessary. It was the consensus of the group to schedule a meeting with Dr. Chandler on November 1, 2004, at 5:30 p.m., in the fourth floor training room, Roanoke County Administration Center. Mr. Covey was asked to have staff or ask others to attend who are considered experts and have knowledge about clear cutting practices. October 4, 2004 800 IN RE: ADJOURNMENT Chairman Flora adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m. to the regularly scheduled Board meeting on October 12, 2004, at 3:00 p.m. Submitted by: Approved by: ________________________________________________ Brenda J. Holton Michael W. Altizer Deputy Clerk to the Board Vice-Chairman