HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/28/2020 - Regular July 28, 2020 299
Roanoke County Administration Center
5204 Bernard Drive
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the
Roanoke County Administration Center, this being the fourth Tuesday and the second
regularly scheduled meeting of the month of July 2020. Audio and video recordings of
this meeting will be held on file for a minimum of five (5) years in the office of the Clerk
to the Board of Supervisors.
IN RE: OPENING CEREMONIES
Before the meeting was called to order an invocation was given by Pastor
of. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.
IN RE: CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Radford called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. The roll call
was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman David F. Radford; Supervisors Martha B. Hooker,
Paul M. Mahoney, Phil C. North and P. Jason Peters
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Daniel R. O'Donnell, County Administrator; Richard
Caywood, Assistant County Administrator; Rebecca Owens,
Assistant County Administrator; Peter S. Lubeck, County
Attorney; Amy Whittaker, Public Information Officer and
Deborah C. Jacks, Chief Deputy Clerk to the Board
IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION
1. Resolution supporting SMART SCALE applications by Roanoke
County, the Roanoke Valley Transportation Planning
Organization, the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional
Commission and the City of Roanoke (Megan Cronise,
Transportation Planning Administrator)
Ms. Cronise provided a PowerPoint presentation.
300 July 28, 2020
Supervisor Radford thanked Ms. Cronise on the work done in a short
amount of time. He commented he is glad she is onboard and can steer these projects.
Supervisor Mahoney stated he is looking at how these various projects
benefit our Woodhaven goals. When we look at Stage 4 for Valleypointe Parkway
realignment and then if he goes back to Exit 581, Peters Creek Road interchange
improvements, he would think that those two have to work together. Can Ms. Cronise
educate him on timing? If one occurs, but the other occurs years later, will that have an
adverse effect on potential development of Wood Haven if we ever get a prospect there.
Ms. Cronise advised that is a little bit of a crystal ball question and she will do her best
to answer. With the Valleypointe Parkway realignment, we do have conditionally
committed funding from the TPO, which mean that if we are successful with SMART
SCALE, that conditionally committed funding will turn into actually committee funding
and what we have found with the last few rounds of SMART SCALE is that when we
have money from the TPO that is more flexible in term of timing, we are able to get
those projects started faster. So, there is potential for preliminary engineering to start
with that project well before 2026, when any SMART SCALE funding could kick in. So
we are seeing that with the DDI. We were able to use that upfront TPO money to get
preliminary engineering started almost immediately after the funding was announced.
So, if we were able to start preliminary engineering in 2021, for example, and it is going
to be VDOT administered and there is a whole other host of hurdles that come with that,
maybe it could be designed by 2023 and maybe go to construction 2024, potentially. If
it is locally administered, we may be able to move it faster, but there is a whole host of
problems and challenges with locally administering a project. So, transportation
construction takes time and thinks we have found with some of our projects, no matter
how fast we push things, some things can only be pushed so fast.
Supervisor Mahoney stated his fear is if we get one, but not the other or if
there was a timing issue, which is the one that is most preferable to have done if we
only get one right away and the other one fell by the wayside for a couple of years.
Again, his focus is on Wood Haven and if we ever get a prospect there. In his view, you
need both improvements to make any prospect be successful. His fear is we may not
get everything we ask for or we may not get it in the right timing sequence. If we could
only do one, which one would it be with Ms. Cronise advising 1-581. The reason is one
of the main focuses was improving access to Valleypoint, so if pulling the ramp back
from Northbound 1-581 is pulling it further west and putting a signal there. So, you do
not have to look over your shoulder and hope and gun it to get onto Peters Creek Road
and then hop over to Valleypoint, hoping there are not tractor trailers in your way or that
the left-turn lane is not stacked. Because it is proposing a double, left-turn onto
Valleypoint, not only are you going to have more space to get to that left-turn lane, you
are going to have a lot more space in the turn lane. She reiterated that is very
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important. Valleypoint is also important, but right now there is not a ton of traffic going
all the way up to Wood Haven.
July 28, 2020 301
The road functions fine right now, but when you add hundreds of trips per day, it
probably will not be, but it will be okay. She feels 1-581 is more important. It is also
more expensive and it is a much bigger headache to building and FHWA is involved.
So they are each challenging in their own way and we will do the best we can to see if
we can get them both funded, but we also do not have match funding on 1-581. We
were putting a lot of emphasis on Rt. 460 this year and trying to get funding for Rt. 460
and the way the study began and concluded, we were working up until the last minute
for the preapplication on the design and estimate. It is very hard to ask for money for
something you did not have a solid design for and you did not have a solid estimate for.
We did the best we could. We have seven applications and we are only allowed four,
which is way we are getting help from the TPO and the Regional Commission. She
feels we have a pretty good shot with improvements to that interchanged proposed, but
it is still an expensive project. This is also with retaining the existing bridges.
Supervisor Mahoney stated he guesses he was hoping by being more of a
regional project, that is through the Regional Commission, might give us a few extra
points, even though it is a lot more money. Ms. Cronise added it may and we do have
letters of support from the City of Salem and the City of Roanoke and from WVRIFA.
She is considering submitting those same letters with 1-581 or potentially requesting
new loans for that interchange. Supervisor Hooker stated with regard to round two of
the West Main Street pedestrian improvements, she knows there has been some
changes. Does it need to be updated from this document? Ms. Cronise advised what is
in the presentation is what officially on the books. There have been changes that we
have been made aware of just in the past couple of weeks that we are still requesting
clarification on. It seems like most of these projects we are submitting are over budget
and it is a VDOT administered sidewalk project and they have requested some scope
changes that we were not made aware of. So, we have a meeting later this week where
she hopes to get a better understanding of what is going on with that project, but it is
supposed to go to ad this year. So, hopefully, we can get that sorted out quickly and
get it to ad and get it under construction. Supervisor Hooker stated she would like to
get updated on this project as they get more information. Supervisor North stated to
Supervisor Mahoney not to worry as we are going to do the best we can because we do
our homework; not only staff but Supervisor Radford and he plan on meeting with our
Commonwealth Transportation Board representative and give him the same
presentation. We found that to be a very successful recipe when we were seeking
funding for the 419 diverging diamond. The representative understood the project. He
saw there was going to be a shortage of funds and helped us along the way, especially
when extra money came to be, we were able to seek the Alleghany Regional
Commission for some extra funds to put in there to up the scoring. So, having those
relationships is invaluable and that is something that we are going to continue to do. He
agrees with Supervisor Mahoney in terms of local projects; if we find out we do not get
any of the Rt. 460 projects in the County, but are close on funding on scoring for the
302 July 28, 2020
$13 million project there is a lot of negotiation that goes on the time frame around April
and May before they finally vote on the final allocation. So, who knows, what you think
might be the least likely project could end up being successful. We stay close to it
because you cannot take your eye off it. We have staff watching every moving moment.
Supervisor Mahoney commented he hoped we have enough horses to
trade.
Supervisor Peters thanked Ms. Cronise for a wonderful job, as always.
The question that he received the most often, are there any plans in the work on Rt.
460. Through the years, there has been talk about expanding or six-laning Rt. 460 from
where is tops now in Roanoke City to Rt. 220. Is that off the table? In everything that
was provided there was nothing not even the widening coming down Rt. 460. Ms.
Cronise stated that is exactly why VDOT was provided the funding for the Rt. 460 study;
because the widening project in Roanoke City failed twice and the last estimate was
$70 million. It scored terribly. So, this study is looking at alternates to widening. How
can we improve traffic flow and safety without widening the six lanes? What they are
finding, not only on Rt. 460, but on also Rt. 220 near the Southern Hills and Clearbrook
area is that by making some of these changes to the signals. They can get as much or
more capacity than widening to six lanes. So, it is a much smarter way to work the
problem that is way less expensive; it is a fraction of the cost and that is something they
said at the Commonwealth Transportation Board meeting. When they presented the
potential for the Rt. 460 site, they said it was a $70 million project in the last round of
SMART SCALE for Roanoke City and the improvement combined for all seven projects
is half of that amount to improve most of the corridor in the troublesome intersections. It
is a much different way to try to fix the problem, but it makes a lot more sense. Also,
the right-of-way impacts are significantly less with this than if you were to widen six
lanes, especially in the City. There are a lot of small lots and there buildings go up to
the street and those impacts would be incredible and that is where a lot of the cost
comes from too, in having to purchase all of those properties. So, this is the way that
VDOT is moving to try to solve these sorts of big congestion problems; not only here,
but in Northern Virginia. They are doing identical studies on Rt. 50 in Arlington County
and Fairfax County. It is the way the industry is moving. Supervisor Peters commented
he appreciates the information because who he hears from the most are the folks along
Rt. 460 who are concerned that there is not much room between my parking lot and Rt.
460 already, what are they going to do? This has been a conversation piece for many,
many years. He appreciates the clarity. Ms. Cronise added they have a team of folks
who work on these projects. We have a fantastic staff and help from Mr. Caywood and
Mr. Thompson.
July 28, 20200 303
Supervisor Radford commented he is probably the newest member on the
Transportation Organization Committee and the Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional
Commission. He stated he thought the same thing that Supervisor Peters commented.
As he comes onto those committees, let's figure out the congestion problem on Rt. 460.
He then saw the creative minds of VDOT along with our staff on how to make those
safety improvements without widening the lanes. He develops land and he does not
see enough land between those roads and so he has been really impressed with the
different techniques they are coming up with, the innovations, the traffic techniques that
are being utilized. It is smarter to do all that without having to take land. It is the thing
of the future; it is the smarter way to tackle congestion.
Chairman Radford recessed the meeting from 3:32 p.m. until3:42 p.m. to
allow for comment. There were no citizen comments. There was no further discussion.
RESOLUTION 072820-1 SUPPORTING SMART SCALE
APPLICATIONS BY ROANOKE COUNTY, THE ROANOKE
VALLEY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION, THE
ROANOKE VALLEY-ALLEGHANY REGIONAL COMMISSION
AND THE CITY OF ROANOKE
WHEREAS, at a regular meeting on July 28, 2020, the Board of Supervisors
reviewed proposed SMART SCALE project applications; and
WHEREAS, the list of projects includes applications to be submitted by Roanoke
County, the Roanoke Valley Transportation Planning Organization, the Roanoke Valley-
Alleghany Regional Commission and the City of Roanoke; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors desires to support both local and regional
projects to mitigate congestion, promote economic development, increase accessibility,
safety, and environmental quality, as well as develop projects consistent with local land
use policies; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors particularly wants to support all proposed
SMART SCALE projects located on congested Route 460 (Orange Avenue and
Challenger Avenue), a Corridor of Statewide Significance that has been the subject of
two studies in the past three years: the U.S. 460 Arterial Preservation Program (APP)
and the Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions (STARS) Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia, as follows:
1. That the Board of Supervisors hereby supports the following SMART
SCALE projects for Roanoke County application:
a. Valleypointe Parkway Realignment
b. Route 419 Streetscape Improvements, Phase 2
c. Starkey Road/Buck Mountain Road Intersection Improvements
d. Route 460 at Alternate Route 220 Intersection Improvements
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2. That the Board of Supervisors hereby supports the following SMART
SCALE projects for Roanoke Valley Transportation Planning Organization
application:
a. Route 460 at West Ruritan Road Intersection Improvements
b. Route 460 Intersections from Carson Road to Huntridge Road
c. Orange Avenue (Route 460) Improvements from 11th Street to Gus
Nicks Boulevard
3. That the Board of Supervisors hereby supports the following SMART
SCALE project for Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
application:
a. 1-581 at Exit 2 Interchange Improvements
4. That the Board of Supervisors hereby supports the following SMART
SCALE projects for City of Roanoke application:
a. Orange Avenue (Route 460) at Blue Hills Drive
b. Orange Avenue (Route 460) at King Street
c. Orange Avenue (Route 460) at Seibel Drive/Hickory Woods
5. That the Clerk to the Board forthwith send a certified copy of this
Resolution to Commonwealth Transportation Board member Dr. Ray
Smoot, State Delegate Joseph McNamara, State Delegate Chris Head,
State Senator David Suetterlein, State Senator John Edwards and State
Senator Steve Newman.
6. That this resolution is effective immediately.
On motion of Supervisor North to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
Hooker and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Peters, Radford
NAYS: None
IN RE: NEW BUSINESS
1. Request to approve the minutes of the December 3, 2019, Board
of Supervisors Meeting (Deborah Jacks, Chief Deputy Clerk to the
Board)
A-072820-2
There was no discussion. Supervisor Peters moved to approve the staff
recommendation to approve the minutes and Supervisor Hooker seconded the motion.
Motion approved by the following vote:
July 28, 2020 305
AYES: Supervisors Hooker, North, Peters, Radford
NAYES: None
ABSTAIN: Supervisor Mahoney
IN RE: REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS AND FIRST READING OF
REZONING ORDINANCES - CONSENT AGENDA
1. The petition of MCE Owner Occupied, LLP to obtain a special use
permit in a C-1, Low Intensity Commercial, District to allow a
multi-family use to account for more than 50 percent of the gross
floor area on the site on approximately 1.116 acres, located at
3220 McVitty Road, Windsor Hills Magisterial District
Supervisor Peters' motion to approve the first reading and set the second
reading and public hearing for August 25, 2020, was seconded by Supervisor Hooker
and approved by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Peters, Radford
NAYS: None
2. The petition of Om Shree Hospitality, LLC to rezone
approximately 9.99 acres from AG-1, Agricultural/Rural Low
Density, District to C-2, High Intensity Commercial, District for the
construction of a hotel/motel/motor lodge, located near the 2700
block of Wildwood Road and the 1700 block of Skyview Road,
Catawba Magisterial District
Supervisor Hooker's motion to approve the first reading and set the
second reading and public hearing for August 25, 2020, was seconded by Supervisor
Mahoney and approved by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Peters, Radford
NAYS: None
306 .July 28, 2020
IN RE: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES
1. Ordinance approving dissolution of a lease with Johnson & Elich
Roasters, d/b/a Mill Mountain Coffee at South County Library,
located at 6303 Merriman Road, Roanoke, Virginia, (Due to the
Pandemic Disaster, it is requested, upon a four-fifths vote of the
Board, the second reading be waived and the ordinance adopted
as an emergency measure) Cave Spring Magisterial District (Rob
Light, Director of General Services)
Mr. Light outlined the request for ordinance. There was no discussion.
ORDINANCE 072820-3 APPROVING DISSOLUTION OF A
LEASE WITH JOHNSON & ELICH ROASTERS, d/b/a MILL
MOUNTAIN COFFEE AT SOUTH COUNTY LIBRARY, LOCATED
AT 6303 MERRIMAN ROAD, ROANOKE, VA
WHEREAS, the County of Roanoke currently is the lessor of 895 square feet of
space on the first floor of the South County Library that is leased by Johnson & Elich
Roasters, d/b/a Mill Mountain Coffee ("Lessee"), for use as a coffee shop for library
patrons; and
WHEREAS, this lease is for a period of three years commencing December 1,
2011 and terminating November 30, 2014, with options to renew for two additional
three-year terms; and
WHEREAS, Lessee had exercised the option to renew the lease; and
WHEREAS, Lessee closed its facility at the outset of COVID-19, in accord with
the Governor's Executive Orders 53 and 55; and
WHEREAS, in the interest of public safety and social distancing, County has
devised a plan to utilize Lessee's leased space, including a drive-through service
window as an alternative for County taxpayers to remit taxes and other fees to the
County Treasurer; and
WHEREAS, Lessee has agreed to vacate the premises and terminate the lease
effective August 24, 2020, notwithstanding the expiration date of November 30, 2020;
and
WHEREAS, the first reading on this ordinance was held on July 28, 2020; and
the second reading has been dispensed with, upon an affirmative vote of 4/5ths of the
members of the Board, this being deemed to be an emergency measure pursuant to
Section 18.04 of the Roanoke County Charter.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia, as follows:
July 28, 2020 307
1. That pursuant to the provisions of Sections 2.01 and 2.03 of the Charter of
Roanoke County, the County is authorized to acquire property, including
the lease of real estate; and,
2. That pursuant to the provisions of Section 18.04 of the Charter of
Roanoke County, the acquisition of any interest in real estate shall be
accomplished by ordinance.
3. That the existing lease of 895 square feet on the first floor of the South
County Library at 6303 Merriman Road, between the County and Johnson
& Elich Roasters, d/b/a Mill Mountain Coffee is hereby dissolved and
terminated.
4. That as consideration of Lessee's agreement to vacate the leased space
and dissolve the lease, County shall return Lessee's full security deposit.
5. That Lessee will execute a hold harmless agreement to memorialize its
willingness to terminate and dissolve the lease effective July 28, 2020.
6. That the County Administrator or any Assistant County Administrator is
authorized to execute this lease on behalf of the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County and to execute such other documents and take such further actions as are
necessary to accomplish this transaction, all of which shall be upon form approved by
the County Attorney.
On motion of Supervisor Mahoney to adopt the ordinance, seconded by
Supervisor Hooker and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Peters, Radford
NAYS: None
IN RE: SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES
1. Ordinance accepting and appropriating grant funds in the amount
of $64,375 from the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug
Trafficking areas (HIDTA) Program to the Roanoke County Police
Department for the Roanoke Valley Regional Drug Unit (Richard L.
Caywood, Assistant County Administrator)
Mr. Caywood outlined no changes. There was no discussion.
ORDINANCE 072820-4 ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING
GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $64,375 FROM THE
WASHINGTON/BALTIMORE HIGH INTENSITY DRUG
TRAFFICKING AREAS (HIDTA) PROGRAM TO THE ROANOKE
COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE ROANOKE VALLEY
REGIONAL DRUG UNIT
308 July 28, 2020
WHEREAS, HIDTA funds are provided to the Roanoke Valley Regional Drug Unit
to identify drug trafficking organizations, and when possible, to prosecute the cases as
drug trafficking conspiracies; and
WHEREAS, the Roanoke County Police Department serves as the lead agency
and the Roanoke County Department of Finance and Management Services serves as
fiscal agents; and
WHEREAS, the Roanoke Valley Regional Drug Unit received a commitment of
funding from HIDTA in the amount of$64,375 for calendar year 2020; and
WHEREAS, these funds will be used to continue to support investigations of drug
trafficking organizations that are operating in the greater Roanoke Valley; and
WHEREAS, Section 18.04 of the Roanoke County Charter provides that funds be
appropriated by ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the first reading of this ordinance was held on June 9, 2020, and the
second reading was held on July 28, 2020.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as
follows:
1. That the sum of $64,375 is hereby appropriated from the
Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Grant to the Roanoke County
Police Department for the Roanoke Valley Regional Drug Unit.
2. That this ordinance shall take effect from and after the date of adoption.
On motion of Supervisor North to adopt the ordinance, seconded by Supervisor
Peters and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Peters, Radford
NAYS: None
IN RE: CONSENT AGENDA
RESOLUTION 072820-5 APPROVING AND CONCURRING IN
CERTAIN ITEMS SET FORTH ON THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AGENDA FOR THIS DATE DESIGNATED AS
ITEM I- CONSENT AGENDA
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as
follows:
That the certain section of the agenda of the Board of Supervisors for July 28,
2020, designated as Item I - Consent Agenda be, and hereby is, approved and
concurred in as to each item separately set forth in said section designated Items 1
through 4 inclusive, as follows:
1. Approval of minutes—July 14, 2020
July 28, 2020 309
2. Request to accept and allocate grant funds in the amount of $145,725 from
the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Virginia Victim Witness
Fund
3. Request to accept and allocate grant funds in the amount of $574.75 from the
Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) as
reimbursement of County expenses for purchases of equipment to support
virtual training
4. Confirmation of appointment to the Social Services Advisory Board (District)
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
Hooker and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Peters, Radford
NAYS: None
A-072820-5.a
A-072820-5.b
A-072820-5.c
IN RE: REPORTS
Supervisor Mahoney moved to receive and file the following reports. The
motion was seconded by Supervisor Hooker and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, Radford, Peters, North
NAYS: None
1. Unappropriated, Board Contingency and Capital Reserves
2. Outstanding Debt Report
3. Comparative Statement of Budgeted and Actual Revenues as of June
30, 2020
4. Comparative Statement of Budgeted and Actual Expenditures and
Encumbrances as of June 30, 2020
5. Accounts Paid —June 30, 2020
310 July 28, 2020
Supervisor Mahoney commented and directed the Board's attention to
page 163 in the agenda. He mentioned this to Supervisor Peters and discussed it
earlier today. If you look at some of the revenue percentage numbers, they look pretty
good and he is very cautiously optimistic that while three to four months ago we were
fearing some economic devastation; yes there has been some economic dislocation,
but if you look at some of those revenue numbers, particularly some of the percentages,
they look pretty good, particularly local sales tax. Meals tax, which we had all
anticipated to be devastated, look pretty good. The only scary one is personal property
and the Board extended the deadline for paying that. Some of the other numbers are
cautiously optimistic, they look good. He credited Mr. O'Donnell and staff who kept a lid
on expenditures.
Chairman Radford recessed to the 4th floor for work session at 3:52 p.m.
IN RE: WORK SESSIONS
1. Work session to discuss amendments to the Roanoke Valley
Broadband Authority Articles of Incorporation (Daniel R.
O'Donnell; Frank Smith, President and CEO of Roanoke Valley
Broadband Authority)
Mr. O'Donnell introduced Mr. Smith and Mr. Sam Darby from Glenn,
Feldman, Darby and Goodlatte. Mr. provided a brief overview and PowerPoint
presentation.
Supervisor Hooker asked where the Salem data center is with Mr. Smith
responding Spring Hollow, Blue Ridge PBS and Greenfield Training and Education
Center.
Supervisor Radford asked a structural question. So, when you first
started, were you more of a commercial broadband and not so much residential and
that was the whole premise? Mr. Smith stated the way it was designed in the
beginning, we were looking at being for government, education and health enterprise to
bring competition and choice and also drive innovation. The Board at that time decided
they were not interested in residential. Since that time, they have been approached by
several partners who want to build the last mile and use our network core to be able to
deliver services, such as fiber to the home. So, part of our mission is to be able to
serve the community, help generate business to provide alternative choices for
companies that are here to drive innovation, but also allow entrepreneurs to be able to
come in and provide additional services to the community. This is where we are at this
point, five years from where we started. Supervisor Radford explained the reason he is
asking the question is the world had changed since March 10, 2020, it is a completely
different business world and how we operate in the new normal. So, as we talk about
this, he is trying to think, we have to provide the services not only for distance learning
for telemedicine and for home businesses.
July 28, 2020 311
He is trying to weave in there how expanding the RVBA Board with two people is going
to help that. He is trying to figure that out as Mr. Smith is providing the information. Is
the mission changing because of March 10, 2020, to where you need two more board
members? Mr. Smith responded the short answer is yes; if anything it has gone from
this is great to this is required because of the expertise. We are looking at adding two
additional citizen members. One is the CIO for Virginia Tech and also the Vice
President for Information Technology and brings a lot of experience and technical
expertise. Also, the CIO for Carilion. Both of those gentlemen, as citizen members,
bring expertise because they are dealing with the issues as far as distance learning,
telehealth, and how network deployment is. They are willing to serve and that is great.
Supervisor Peters stated we are talking about adding another two more
citizen positions. Do they have to be from Tech and Carilion? As of right now, that is
what the RVBA Board has approved and that was what was voted on. Supervisor
Peters stated as he looks down the road, say these two gentlemen retire or move away,
what happens. He is trying to say are we protecting the seat. So, when three years
from now and these two people leave, we are going to pick someone off the street to fill
this position that may not have that expertise. This is one of his concerns. Mr. Smith
responded that one of the things that were done, House Bill 1376, we had to go to the
legislature to get this approved because the current law only allows five members. So,
we were able to do that with sponsorship from Delegate Austin and also from Senator
Edwards. It allows us to expand two board members. They will not go away, those
slots will be retained. For example, Mr. Perry and Dr. Metcalf retire or step down, then it
would be up to the Board to consider how to fill those slots and it would be subject to
approval. Mr. Darby stated the way the Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation that are approval is that Tech and Carilion Clinic would be nominating
these citizen members. So, if we adopt these articles, they would stay in the game and
would not be filled from someone off the street. Supervisor Peters stated looking at
other citizen appointees, it can be anybody. He did not want that to be the case,
because if it were the case, then he was going to ask if they have voting rights because
at some point then you would only need one more person and you can change the
whole direction of the Authority. Speaking for himself, he wants this to stay intact and
continues to do what we envisioned it would do.
Supervisor Hooker stated she agreed especially when you consider the
financial investment. We have Board members whose communities have invested quite
heavily and then we are bringing on some who have not, but we are bringing them on
for their expertise. We all understand that, but to Supervisor Peter's point, some
concern that without that "skin in the game" it feels a little funny.
312 July 28, 2020
Supervisor North commented he struggle with the fact that you should pay
to play. Your Articles of Incorporation could be changed if your Board wanted to have
an ad hoc citizen advisory committee and no voting privileges that serve at the will of
the Board for x numbers of years. What are the terms? Mr. Darby stated they start on
staggered terms, but goes to four years. Could your Articles of Incorporation be
changed to allow for citizen appointees like Carillon and Virginia Tech on an ad hoc
basis? This also says five or seven, so you don't have to have seven. It does not say
you cannot change the Articles of Incorporation to allow for some input from members
of the community. Mr. Darby stated any time we change the Articles, they have to be
approved by all of the localities, including Roanoke County, but to follow your thought
we could change the Bylaws and have a citizen advisory committee come in on an
informal basis without a vote. Supervisor North stated as he looks at this, he thinks why
not Montgomery County? Virginia Tech is in Montgomery County and Montgomery
County may have some benefit to join. He thought the RVBA was for governments to
serve the citizens and businesses. Mr. Smith stated part of the issue is the Board
recognized the fact that as we grow and the expertise of these two individuals and
citizens is very valuable and we thought that was important as to the strategic direction.
As far as Montgomery County, that is always a possibility if the RVBA Board wants to
do that down the road; that is absolutely appropriate. Based on the discussions we
have had as the direction of the Board, they believe these two individuals would be the
proper next steps to be.able to add where we want to be able to increase the technical
expertise specifically on the Board, but also as being leading economic development
institutions too within the community. So, from that standpoint, there are definitely
advantages for that.
Supervisor Peters responded what Mr. Smith just said addressed his
concerns. We are adding people to a position based upon their experience. His
concern was what happens when the person is not there. He reiterated that he is not
opposed, but there were concerns from when it was first proposed. Mr. Smith
responded this goes back to the RVBA Board and the professional administrators who
have been on the board who have been appointed by their particular locality. They
bring expertise and they understand management. They also recognize, to their credit,
one of the things we need to do together to continue the mission that we have and how
do we strengthen that. Strategically and tactically have citizens members from both
Carillon and Virginia Tech really bring us into a new stage, especially after we look at
new projects and more importantly from an economic development standpoint, these
are key players and institutions, even though they are not technically on the Board, we
have representatives who come from these institutions. There is a plethora of
knowledge and also influence that helps us. It helps our communities and helps our
individual localities.
July 28, 2020 313
Supervisor Peters added to Supervisor North's point, if you are looking for
expertise and each individual manager may or may not have the expertise, while not
create an advisory group made up of those folks that would be advisory similar to the
Planning Commission with the Board? Mr. Smith stated one of the things we have done
is actually have tried in some cases advisory committees and it is ad hoc. The
challenge from that standpoint is that it is ad hoc. In his experience, ad hoc committees
are fine, but we are doing here is a different level of commitment and influence.
Supervisor Radford asked if they had considered that four out of the five
members are government entities that have contributed a lot of money, taxpayers'
money, that they have contributed and it is part of the RVRA capital assets. He has
seen the revenue bonds that you have used to expand the infrastructure, so since
someone had mentioned "skin in the game" so the local governments are represented
by the taxpayers; they put the money forward. So, even the two citizens from Virginia
Tech and Carilion are not putting any money in it, but you are going to give me voting
rights, as a voting member. What was the purpose of bringing more members that are
not government, other than expertise? Mr. Smith responded when you go back
strategically you cannot put the expertise on the side, having the expertise is right at the
table when moving forward. As far as bringing in other member localities, we are more
than willing to do that if that is the direction the Board wants to take, but right now,
based on what we were looking at Virginia Tech and Carilion and their influence, but
also their contribution can also be constituents within the area that we serve. We
thought strategically this was a smart move.
Supervisor Radford stated we were together on Bent Mountain when
Mountain Net got started and have not heard the success stories, but he has heard the
complaints with his line of site, he still has a good group of people on Bent Mountain
that are not serviced. Supervisor Hooker has the same problem for her area, etc. We
still have rural pockets that are getting missed. So, how is fiber getting to their home or
is it? Mr. Smith responded the short answer is a combination of access methods. So, it
will either be fixed wireless, which is point to multi-point, or it will depend. You have
assets in the ground now that go out to Catawba, specifically Catawba Hospital. There
is an opportunity to really ground that base, but we have to make sure we have the right
partners to be able to do that. Recently, Roanoke County put out an RFP to be able to
serve. Several folks have come to us to be able to use our backbone. It is going to be
interesting because for us there are different ways for us to address that. So, wireless
or fiber at home using optical backhaul. In addition to that there are some good
partnerships,,which you are working on taking a look at the electric co-ops, i.e. Craig-
Botetourt Electric Co-Op. He sees them as a partner to be able to also serve different
regions.
314 July 28, 2020
There are a number of assets that can be delivered, but there are different ways that
you are going to have to be able to cover those services. For example, Mountain Net
right now is looking to expand his network to provide other services. The other folks are
looking at how to get out to the rural regions and cover that. It goes back to two access
methods, either fiber or wireless. Supervisor Radford commented Floyd County just
spent a lot of money to put fiber along Rt. 221. He has watched it all summer. So, why
wouldn't we want to partner with Floyd County and Montgomery County to try to bring
the fiber to the home? How does adding two more members to your Board help?
Wouldn't it be better to add two more financial partners added to the Board that can
help us get to some of those strategic opportunities? Mr. Smith responded Citizens
Telephone (Floyd County) actually received a $26 million grant. from the government
because of the nature of where they are and that is how they were able to build that.
The way the problem will be solved is not adding new Board members specifically, it is
making sure we have the expertise on the Board with localities and technical expertise.
We are working on something with GO Virginia and taking a look how we can impact.
We are looking at being able to solve that problem by partnering with private providers
for the last mile. City of Salem is already engaged. Botetourt County is engaged. In
some cases, we have venture capital that is backing these firms to come in because
they understand the value.
Mr. O'Donnell stated the reason he supported this is that it is all about
building partnerships, whether institutional or some of the providers he is talking about.
He thinks having the institutional presence of Carilion and Virginia Tech will help. We
have local government people and a water authority person, but we don't have any
technological clout. The goal of having this entity be self-supporting is served by having
that kind of expertise and presence even if there are no direct contribution dollars. It is
definitely a way to get self-sufficient by having that expertise.
Supervisor North commented we cut $11 million out of first budget this
year, we could not even afford to give our employees a pay raise. The pressure on
county governments is immeasurable right now because we think that our numbers are
doing well, but we don't know what is going to happen when winter comes up. A
second wave could cut into some of those numbers. It is day to day, every day. His
concern is having these other two members on there could drive effort to grow and put
pressure on our budgets going forward in a time when we are trying to recover. He
does not know if this recovery is going to take place today or tomorrow, it is going to
take two to three years to get back to where we were. So, timing is everything and by
the way there is nobody that supports regional efforts more than he does, especially
Carillon and Virginia Tech. The unknown is the pressure on our budgets. We have
funds, but we cannot touch some of those funds because of our financial policy.
July 28, 2020 315
So that is what concerns him as we move forward with next year's budget and the year
after; putting this talent on-this board could put pressure on local governments to also
put up more money and our money that we are putting up is still about $600,000 to
$700,000 a year for Roanoke County and in time some of that should wain off with
regard to the debt service. This is his concern today. It is a thin line when you roll the
dice and add two people; what is the cause and effect of doing that in terms of what
your budget is and your needs going forward. While he understands these are big
players in the game of the local economy, when he looks at this sheet and he sees the
members on there and what they are putting up, you think what are we going to get for
our contribution because everybody has a benefit that uses any service. Secondly, we
have gone through concerns with other authorities that have put us in a situation going
forward that is unknown in terms of costs. This is his fear and it has nothing to do with
your successes so far, but your revenue sheet is positive in the last three years is not a
grand slam home run. It is not a great sum of money. You are not going to buy stock in
this company and get rich overnight. Timing is everything. He is concerned about that
and he is concerned about the future cost of this. Other than that, he thinks they have
done a good job.
Mr. Smith stated we are not allowed to put you in a position to add more
funds without you agreeing to it. This is not what this is about. From his standpoint, as
far as the situation right now is an absolute legitimate concern, but the way we are
structured as an Authority, we cannot go around and assign additional debt to you
without your approval; that is not possible.
The work session was held from 4:05 p.m. until 5:08 p.m.
Chairman Radford called the meeting back into session at 7:00 p.m.
IN RE: REQUESTS TO POSTPONE, ADD TO OR CHANGE THE ORDER OF
AGENDA ITEMS
Supervisor Hooker request the delay of the agenda item Resolution
approving the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority's Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation until August 25, 2020. There were no objections.
IN RE: PROCLAMATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
1. Resolution congratulating the Glenvar High School Girls Swim
Team for winning the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 2
Championship (Martha B. Hooker, Catawba Magisterial District
Supervisor
316 July 28, 2020
RESOLUTION 072820-6 CONGRATULATING THE GLENVAR
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SWIM TEAM FOR WINNING THE
VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE (VHSL) CLASS 1A AND 2A
CHAMPIONSHIP
WHEREAS, athletic competitions are an important and integral part of the team
curriculum at schools in Roanoke County; teaching cooperation, sportsmanship,
teamwork and athletic skill; and
WHEREAS, the Glenvar Highlanders earned their trip to the State
championship game by winning the Region 2C championship on February 10, 2020, at
the Christiansburg Aquatic Centers by sending a team of eight (8) girls, now known as
the "Great Eight", swimming 13 individual events and all three (3) relays; and
WHEREAS, the Highlanders achieved the State title by out-pointing runner-up
Bruton 242-232 on February 20, 2020, at Swim RVA in Richmond Virginia; and
WHEREAS, Individually, Junior Reese Dunkenberger won the 100 yard freestyle
championship for the second consecutive year. Reese is also the State record holder in
the event and freshman Claire Griffith won the 50 yard freestyle title. The girls also had
two individual runner-up swimmers and finished runner-up in two of the three relay
events.
All totaled the Glenvar girls brought 20 championship medals and the State
Championship trophy back to the community. The team represented their school and
community with great character, poise and sportsmanship. They are a true asset to
Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, the Highlanders are coached under the dedicated leadership of
Coaches Shannon Hall and Daniel Smith.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County, Virginia does hereby extend its sincere congratulations to the
members of the GLENVAR HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SWIM TEAM: Seniors, Alyssa
Meadows and Meghan Thompson, Juniors - Reese Dunkenberger and Isabelle Pope,
Sophomores - Delaney Eller and Carly Wilkes, Freshmen - Claire Griffith and Adrianna
Hall; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors extends its best
wishes to the members of the team, the coaches, and the school in their future
endeavors.
On motion of Supervisor Hooker to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
Radford and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Peters, Radford
NAYS: None
111 July 28, 2020 317
IN RE: NEW BUSINESS
1. Re olutio napproving Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority's
Amend anal Restated Artin� of In� ration (Daniel G
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O'Donnell, Co unto• Administrator' Frank i h, Pre dent and
This agenda item has postponed until August 25, 2020.
IN RE: PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION
1. Resolution adopting an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan
for Roanoke County, Virginia: incorporating the draft (dated
March 5, 2020) Hollins Center Plan (Philip Thompson, Director of
Planning)
Mr. Thompson provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Supervisor North thanked Mr. Thompson, staff and the Planning
Commission for over two %2 years of work to develop this plan and bring it before the
Board of Supervisors. He has watched it unfold since he has been on the Board and
know it was not a small task. This map, the Hollins Center Plan Draft with the current
zoning shown.
He wants folks at home as well as those in the audience to understand the
plan that is proposed does not in any way change the property used today. Please
relax those fears if there are any. Also, he would like to echo what Mr. Thompson and
Ms. Cronise said earlier today, the five transportation projects that are already
underway in the pipeline where we have received funds, i.e. Lila Drive construction is
going on right now to provide for a crosswalk did not cost Roanoke County a dime.
Chairman Radford recessed the meeting from 7:32 p.m. until 7:42 p.m. to
allow for comment. The following citizens spoke or commented:
Greg Terry of 6407 Garrett Lane, Roanoke, Virginia emailed stating,
"There seems to be a lot of vacant land and several spots like the Lidl site are for sale.
Will the county consider buying that land or are we strictly looking for private investors?
Chase Huffman of 7790 Lila Drive stated he lives full time as a machinist
at Customer Tool and Machine off of Millway Drive off of Planation and he has been on
the Board of Director of the Roanoke County Farm Bureau now going on six or seven
year. He is a new husband to his wife Christina and her son Haden and is a fifth
generation farmer. He lives on the Huffman Farm right off of Lila Drive and he is here
tonight more for clarification on the plan. We have not received any kind of mailings or
any information over the past couple of years as far as what the plan was moving
forward.
318 July 28, 2020
We actually just got back from vacation to find out that while we were gone, there were
people that came on the property taking pictures and was part of the Planning Board
and a Roanoke Times reporter. A couple of days ago an article came out and the
picture on the front of the article was of our farm and it stated, "Making plans for the
future of Roanoke County's Hollins Area." The article went on to mention there was a
large swath of undeveloped land and he wanted to make a clarifying note saying that
land is very much in use. As previously stated, he is a fifth generation farmer on land
that was started in 1895. My grandfather, Raymond Huffman, is 86 years old and owns
the land now, but he has handed the operations over to him and his uncle. Just wanted
to give clarification about the Plan moving forward and to make sure that it was clear
that the land is still in use and it is all being agriculturally used. We have been raising
cattle and cutting hay for years. In the past, his grandfather has always been contacted
for input from the development board and from some of the County Board and for some
reason we have been left off the mailing list for future meetings as far as what the plan
includes. There was a meeting a few years ago that one of our hay customers
attending saying that someone at the meeting mentioned there was land behind Wells
Fargo that was possibly up for development and she made the clarification that the land
was still in use. The gentleman at that meeting, he is not sure who it was because they
were not there, made the comment that the man that owned the farm was in his 80's
and he wasn't going to be around much longer. He wanted to make a public statement
stating that the land is still there and will still be there. It was off-putting to see the
article with the family farm with the headline, "Plans for the Future" and it was all news
to us. He appreciates the clarification earlier and letting him come to the meeting and
speak.
Supervisor North requested to Mr. Thompson that he makes sure in the
future the Huffmans are notified, including chase and all the others. Mr. Thompson
advised they would double-check their mailing list.
Supervisor Radford commented as we develop in that area in the future, it
will be very important to do a mixed-use zoning ordinance.
Mr. Thompson advised the changes in the resolution handed out versus
the one that is in the packet.
Supervisor North commented The Hollins Center Plan recommendations
are derived from public comment and input to provide a structure for implementation
strategies that will serve the health, safety and prosperity and welfare of the Hollins
Community over the next 10- 20 years.
The staff and planning commission have recommended to incorporate this plan into the
Comprehensive County plan. This plan is a vision: For Improved community facilities,
transportation and gateway improvements and community engagement involving
citizens and businesses.
July 28, 2020 319
RESOLUTION 072820-7 ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR ROANOKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA:
INCORPORATING THE DRAFT (DATED MARCH 5, 2020)
HOLLINS CENTER PLAN
WHEREAS, § 15.2-2223 of the Code of Virginia requires that every jurisdiction
shall adopt a comprehensive plan for the physical development of their jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, § 15.2-2230 of the Code of Virginia requires that the Planning
Commission review the comprehensive plan at least once every five years to determine
whether it is advisable to amend the plan; and
WHEREAS, the Draft Hollins Center Plan was posted on the County's web page
on March 6, 2020, and allowed for public comments up to and during the Planning
Commission's public hearing on May 5, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed
amendment to the Comprehensive Plan on May 5, 2020, after posting, advertisement
and notices as required by § 15.2-2225 and § 15.2-2204 of the Code of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission proposed that the Comprehensive Plan be
amended to incorporate the Draft Hollins Center Plan (dated March 5, 2020) into the
Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, following a public hearing with notice as required by § 15.2-2226
and § 15.2-2204 of the Code of Virginia, the Board duly considered the Draft Hollins
Center Plan.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County, Virginia, as follows:
1) The Comprehensive Plan is hereby amended by incorporating the Draft
Hollins Center Plan, dated March 5, 2020, into the Comprehensive Plan,
with the following two amendments:
a. The future land use map shall be Version 2 labeled "Alternative
Future Land Use Map", dated July 2020, and shall replace the
future land use map in the Plan Summary's Land Use
Recommendations and in Appendix 5 - Plan Recommendations
and Implementation Strategies.
b. The July 28, 2020 public hearing before the Board shall be included
in the Plan's Community Engagement section.
2) That this Resolution is effective from and after July 28, 2020.
On motion of Supervisor North to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
Hooker and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Peters, Radford
NAYS: None
320 July 28, 2020
IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING AND SECOND READINGS OF ORDINANCES
1. The petition of Wild Partners to obtain a special use permit in a C-
2S (high intensity commercial) District with special use permit to
operate a car wash facility on approximately 1.152 acres, located
at 4065 Electric Road, Cave Spring Magisterial District (Philip
Thompson, Director of Planning)
Mr. Thompson provided a PowerPoint presentation.
The petitioner, Jonathan Yates also provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Also in attendance were Tom Austin and Michael Agee with Mattern and
Craig to discuss site development and traffic impact questions.
Tom Hubbard, Senior Vice President, Poe and Cronk Real Estate group
outlined the marketing of this property.
Supervisor Mahoney commented,that he had heard everyone speak about
some of the limitations because of configuration. Does the access easement across the
rear of the property cause a problem with any kind of development? Mr. Hubbard
explained it was not a major problem, but it will take up some of the parking; it limits
where you can put a building and put your parking.
Supervisor Mahoney stated in other areas when he was on the Planning
Commission, access easements were wanted that would be off the main road, whether
it is Rt. 460, Rt. 419 or Rt. 221. This one is unusual because it is in the back and a lot
of the ones you see in Williamsburg or other areas are in the front. He wondered if from
a professional point of view was limiting with Mr. Hubbard responding in the affirmative.
Supervisor North asked with regard to the traffic numbers, it seems the
Saturday peak seems to be the same whether it was a restaurant or the car wash. Is
this correct. Mike Agee responded in the affirmative, they are very similar. Supervisor
North stated he has seen some car washes in the area, one of which is close to where
he lives, traffic does not extend out onto R. 460, but it does wrap around to the entrance
off the access road. Saturday is a big time for people to get their cars washed. Is there
going to be a potential for cars to extend out on Rt. 419. Mr. Agee responded if the
entrances are designed properly, we can handle that traffic so that there is not a
backup. Additionally, there is much less traffic on Saturday than during the week day
peaks. Mr. Hubbard added there is no entrance on Rt. 419. Supervisor North asked
how far up to you have to go after you turn off Rt. 419? Mr. Agree referred to the slides.
Supervisor North stated he has seen this problem at other restaurants around here and
the traffic backs out onto Rt. 460 and it causes all kind of angst and safety concerns,
which is why he is asking.
July 28, 2020 321
Mr. Hubbard responded some of the ones on Rt. 460 do have their access right off Rt.
460. Mr. Yates explained what they have is a much larger stacking area. This size of
wash can process cars very quickly. He knows there has been some instances with the
wash next door backing up to Rt. 419, the wash on Rt. 460 goes all the way out to the
property into the Kroger parking lot. He added that not only do they have more
stacking, our speed of process is faster and worst case scenario, when all the car
washes are busy. There is stacking for an additional 15 to 20 cars along Fallowater
Lane to keep them out of Rt. 419.
Chairman Radford recessed the meeting from 8:23 p.m. until 8:33 p.m. to
allow for comment. The following citizen spoke.
Chase Huffman of 7790 Lila Drive commented the other location operated
by Ultimate Shine in Roanoke City is an amazing, efficient operation. He visits the car
wash approximately two to three times per week and have never seen an impact on
local traffic.
Melanie Brown of 5909 Maywood Avenue, Salem, VA commented she
worked for and represent Tanglewood Auto at Shell at 4803 Electric Road. We would
like to address only two concerns that we have about the proposed special use permit.
One being adding traffic to an already congested Rt. 419 and the other being adherence
to the 419 Town Center Plan. With regard to traffic, she believes the Board has
information in front of them that she gave to the Clerk earlier. According to the 2019
VDOT average daily traffic volume report, this section of Electric Road from Starkey
Road to Rt. 220 has an average daily traffic count of 40,000 vehicles. VDOT also
reports that during the peak hours of 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. that traffic count is 8.1% of that
average or 3,200 cars per hour between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. We know as a business on
Electric Road that nearly every day and several times a day, traffic backs up from
Ogden Road to Kentucky Fried Chicken. As the public hearing, the site developer for
this property commented that based on the square footage of the proposed building,
720 square feet, it could reasonably expect to process 80 cars an hour, 40 in and 40
out. This may be accurate in a general business sense, however, in the car wash
industry estimates the number of cars that can be washed per hour based on the length
of the car wash tunnel, not the square footage of the building. She also provided two
advertisements for similar car wash tunnels of similar size; one 120 ft. and another 130
ft. At a 130 feet, this facility is designed to wash a 150 cars per hour. Consequently,
150 cars would be entering the Electric Road area and 150 cars would be exiting
Fallowater onto Electric Road. This would cause in their estimation extreme
congestion. While we do not assert that those are actual numbers of vehicles washed
every day, we do know that several times a year it is not only possible, but highly
probable. Pollen season in the spring and the snow and ice of winter are lucrative times
for the car wash industry. The goal is to wash as many cars as possible in a very small
IIweather related window.
322 July 28, 2020
During those peak times, an express car wash like this could add 1,500
cars a day to an already congested Electric Road. We do not see how any business,
not specifically this one, could put another 150 additional cars per hour on this part of
Rt. 419 without creating more congestion. The VDOT project proposing to add a traffic
light and an extension of Fallowater Lane has not yet been funded. With regard to the
419 Town Center Plan, she reiterated what was already said, the proposed use of this
property in our opinion also does not fit within the 419 Town Center Plan. This area of
Electric Road was to be a mix of office, retail and residential use and the plan
specifically designated for an automotive based business is at the Tanglewood Mall
end, near Firestone. In the interest of time, she would like to refer the Board to the
comments from the Economic Development Department to the Planning Commission as
well as the notes regarding conformance with the Roanoke County Comprehensive
Plan as stated in the minutes from the July 7, 2020 meeting; both of those have been
printed out for you.
Supervisor Mahoney commented this is a very difficult case for him.
Before he was elected to the Board, he served for almost 3 % years on the Planning
Commission and we worked long and hard on the 419 Plan. So, he is intimately familiar
with this Plan and he is also familiar with the traffic and circumstances on Rt. 419. This
is a tough case. This application is consistent with Roanoke County's Comprehensive
Plan, the core, land use designation. He has received comments from the folks at
Tanglewood Auto Wash. He does not believe it is the role of government to pick
winners and losers. He believes in our free market capitalistic system and competition
is good, that is what our system is designed to do. The other day, he had the
opportunity to go out and look at the applicant's facility on Rutgers Road. The
architectural renderings are pretty, but he really wanted to see what it really looks like in
the real world. The Rutgers Road facility is very nice; shiny, attractive, clean and
beautiful. The one difference he saw with that as compared to the application for Rt.
419 is that, maybe this is a bad analogy, but he looks at Hershberger Rd. and Rt. 419
as being similar, primary use highways. Well, this use is not on Hershberger Road, it is
off on Rutgers. He did not get out of his car and pace it off, but as a rough calculation it
is about the entrance where you have the pay facilities and the driveway is about ten
yards off Rutgers and if you go back to the wash facility, he is guessing it is maybe 30 to
40 yards off Rutgers. The facility that you use to vacuum out your interior is maybe 20
to 25 yards off Rutgers. So he does see a distinction between that application and that
use and this application here in that this application is looking at something immediately
on Rt. 419. He thinks this is a good use, he is just not sure if it is an appropriate use for
the 419 Corridor. He thinks it would be great if it were 100 yards back off of Rt. 419.
He likes the responses that the representatives from Mattern and Craig had put together
to respond to some of the comments in the Staff Report. He thinks they did a good job
with respect to that, but he is still troubled with what he perceives to be the
inconsistency with the 419 Town Center Plan.
July 28, 2020 323
During his work on the Planning Commission a lot of time was spent trying to develop
what was a mixed-use development. He appreciates the comments from the applicant
that maybe the property is not large enough for a mixed-use redevelopment. So, that to
him is hard because on the one hand we have the 419 Town Center Plan, but on the
other hand, the property may or may not be suitable for that. His other concern is he
truly struggles with whether or not this is the highest and best use for this property. To
him, highest and best use, all the lawyers can argue about that for a long time, but when
he looks at what we tried to accomplish with the 419 Plan, and it is more than just the
County going through a planning process. The County, in effect, has put its money
where its mouth is. We have spent probably $325,000 on a consultant for the 419 Plan.
The taxpayers of the Commonwealth of Virginia and Roanoke County were looking at
spending $4.3 million for the upgrades to Fallowater, 1/3 of that is coming from County
taxpayers. So, when he looks at highest and best use, if we the people are spending
that much money and we have a site piece of property immediately on Rt. 419, which is
our Gateway, is this the highest and best use? Is this the best we can accomplish after
spending this much taxpayer money? This troubles him, and he does not think it is. He
thinks we had in our minds a vision of a different kind of use, a better use, a higher use.
There is nothing wrong with car washes, he goes to car washes. He does not go to the
petitioner's car wash as he tends to go to the one around the corner on Brambleton
because it is a little cheaper, but when he bought his car, he also went to Brambleton
Imports and whenever he took his car in for service, Brambleton Imports washed his car
for him. So he did not have to worry about that. He really struggles with this, but think
at what our 419 Plan calls for. He looks at highest and best use, and when he looks at
the financial investment that the taxpayers have made, particularly with respect to
Fallowater, and is not even looking at the plans that we have looked at for the Rt. 419
improvements in the two different phases. He guesses he just hopes for something
better and moved to deny the special use permit although it is consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan because it is core, but it is not consistent with the mixed-use town
center development type proposed by the 419 Town Center Plan. He does not believe
it is the highest and best use for this property.
Supervisor North commented "location, location, location" is what they talk
about when looking to locate businesses, buy houses or make decisions regarding real
estate. This is a tough one and shares his colleagues' comments. Your locations
across Tennessee and other places are innovative and he is sure they are well-run
facilities. He likes the idea of the restaurant and the car wash and the Chick-Fil-A
concept, but quite honestly when you have one car wash next door and you have a new
one proposed right across the street, he is sure there are enough cars in this part of the
County to probably wash a lot of cars on a weekday or Saturday, but this is not the use
he though either. In fact, he was surprised that the restaurant closed up, but it did too.
111 He keeps hearing people say we need more restaurants.
324 July 28, 2020
So, he is surprised another restaurant did not show up at some point in time, maybe it is
the economy. This is tough, because we like to encourage new business but not
everything fits; it might fit better at another location.
Supervisor Radford stated as a developer, he has definitely heard the
comment that the site is not big enough for mixed-use and he agreed with that totally.
We looked at the 419 Town Center Plan, the mixed-use with the retail office on the
bottom and the housing on the top. He has built condos on Rt. 419 and they are tough
to sell. So, he is not sure housing right on that traffic of Rt. 419 will have someone to
invest in, maybe they will, but he concurs with both of his fellow supervisors. It is a
tough call at this point because it is in conflict with future land use, but at the same time,
he did like seeing those examples from Short Pump. It is in a mixed-use area; that
shows him the model can work. He concurs with Supervisor North, it is "location,
location." He knows Short Pump well and that car wash is not on the main road there, it
is off the main roads, so it is back behind those medical areas.
Supervisor Peters commented he has reviewed this a number of times
and he guessed his concern is we have, as a Board, and the Planning Commission
spent a number of years on that 419 corridor and what we wanted it to look like and
what we wanted to accomplish. This in a sense is our downtown for Roanoke County
and thinks as we put those plans out, we took a lot of time to get not only our
information, but our stakeholders, the people in our community as to what we wanted
this corridor to look like. Our planning department is correct, this does not fit what we
asked and received input from our citizens as to what we wanted this to look like. He
personally does not feel this is the highest and best use.
Supervisor Hooker commended the presentation because it gave us some
things to consider and you brought forth some valid concerns that is making her
personally ponder a couple of issues and appreciates what they did. She thinks they
have a very good business model; she was particularly impressed with several aspects.
One being 90% water reclaimed was pretty impressive, but she agrees with her
colleagues. We were just hoping for something different and given that this is a special
use permit, she would agree that we could hopefully find something that would be of
higher use standard for that area. She appreciates the presentation and good
commentary.
ORDINANCE 072820-8 DENYING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT IN A
C-2S (HIGH INTENSITY COMMERCIAL) DISTRICT, WITH AN
EXISTING SPECIAL USE PERMIT, TO OPERATE A CAR WASH
FACILITY ON APPROXIMATELY 1.152 ACRES, LOCATED AT
4065 ELECTRIC ROAD (TAX MAP NO. 087.07-01-50.00-0000),
CAVE SPRING MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT
WHEREAS, Wild Partners, Inc., has filed a petition for a special use permit to
operate a car wash facility at 4065 Electric Road (Tax Map No. 087.07-01-50.00-0000),
July 28, 2020 325
in a C-2S (high intensity commercial) district, located in the Cave Spring Magisterial
District; and
WHEREAS, on May 27, 1999, the Board of Supervisors approved Ordinance
052799-8 granting a special use permit with two conditions to Krispy Kreme Doughnut
Corporation to construct a fast food restaurant and drive-thru to be located on the parcel
subject to this petition; and
WHEREAS, the 1999 special use permit is null and void due to Krispy Kreme
Doughnut Corporation's failure to commence the use contemplated by the 1999 special
use permit; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on this matter on
July 7, 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission recommends approval of the petition with
conditions, as set forth in the staff report; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, held a first
reading on this matter on June 23, 2020; and a second reading and public hearing on
this matter on July 28, 2020.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
ill County, Virginia, as follows:
1. The Board finds that the proposed petition for a special use permit is
consistent with the Roanoke County Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use designation
of Core, but is not consistent with the mixed-use town center development type
proposed by the 419 Town Center Plan (which was incorporated into the County's
Comprehensive Plan in 2019).
2. The special use permit is hereby DENIED.
On motion of Supervisor Mahoney to deny the ordinance, seconded by
Supervisor Peters and carried by the following recorded vote: ,
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Peters, Radford
NAYS: None
IN RE: REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS
Supervisor Mahoney stated unfortunately he did not have an opportunity
to call in or go onto the computer for the Economic Development Town Hall. Where
there any Board members able to participate? How did it go? Chairman Radford
advised everyone except Supervisor Mahoney. Supervisor Mahoney stated he saw
from Ms. Loope's report that there were 54 participants. Supervisor Peters added it was
very well done. Supervisor North stated it was expanded upon more than the Senator
Kaine conference call we had because Jill had more time to talk about what is going on.
Mr. Radford added it was a summary of those three key areas. He saw also from Ms.
Loope's report that the Small Business Recovery Grant application deadline is this
Friday; we can help our local businesses. Finally, crossing our fingers, it looks as
326 July 28, 2020
though the unemployment rate in Roanoke County, at least, is going down. It is still a
little too high, but it sure looks far better than some of the scary apocalypse numbers
that we were seeing in the news media three or four months ago. We can cross our
fingers that things are getting a little bit better.
Supervisor Hooker commended the Chairman on a good meeting; thought
our discussions were valuable. She appreciates that and her fellow Board members.
Also, she wanted to say it is good to have petitions on our agenda item. Once again,
she thinks that is good news for us and our economy. Lastly, it is always good to honor
exceptional students and appreciated the time to honor the Glenvar High School swim
team.
Supervisor North stated he met with local Hollins businesses concerning
the Small Business Recovery Grants and encouraged their applying. He went about
that last Monday to help Jill Loope out a little bit and to help stimulate some interest. A
lot of people did not think they would benefit from it and so as a result they took the
extra step and went ahead and applied to get some benefit from the CARES Act. On
July 22, 2020, he attended the 55th Police Academy graduation class and want to
welcome to Roanoke County our three new recruits. He wished he had saved the
brochure so he could have included their names in his comments. He stated this is a
tough time to be a law enforcement officer and so we need to encourage them as much
as we can. Hope that in the future we can do more than help with their remuneration,
but also be more flexible in the requirements and hire from outside the area going
forward. There are a lot of folks that would like to move to the Roanoke County area
from other parts, so we have to make it more welcoming, if you will, in those efforts to
recruit folks in public safety.
Supervisor Radford stated "ditto" to what Supervisor Hooker commented
on, he is glad we have deliberations, having petitions and looking at things. It means
the economy is improving. From his business, he is extremely busy and that is good
from the economy point of view. Also, want to mention yesterday, Mack Trucks
provided another press release reminder again they are going into full production on
September 1, 2020. He is very proud for them choosing our County to be their home.
They have a $13 million investment in producing what they call medium-duty trucks.
Looking forward to seeing that start on September 1st. One last thing to close on, we
are still in a pandemic and he prays for everybody's good health and safety. Please
continue to wear a mask when appropriate, social distancing at six feet, stay well and
healthy.
July 28, 2020 327
IN RE: ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Radford adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
ub itted by: Approved by:
i A /Oa 4
4 , f *, I - 'Tuff
/1/ (
eborah C. Jac Davi . Radford
Chief Deputy ♦ - . t d F
o the Board Chairman
328 July 28, 2020
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