HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/15/2000 - MinutesMINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ROANOKE COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
PUBLIC HEARING - MARCH 15, 2000
Present: Mr. Rodney McNeil, Chairman
Mr. Eric Thomas
Mr. Richard ,Jones
Mr. Carlton Wright
Mr. Eldon Karr
Mr. Tim Beard, Secretary
Mr. McNeil called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m, Mr. Wright moved approval of the
agenda. Mr, Jones seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING REQUESTS
Variance requested by Brian Evans of Section 30- 93- 13(D)3, of the Roanoke County
Zoning Ordinance to reduce the required minimum lot frontage from 100 feet to 7472
feet and to reduce the minimum required separation for freestanding signs on lots
under single control from 250 feet to 175 feet. The purpose of this request is to install
a freestanding sign located at 4720 Starkey Road, Cave Spring Magisterial District.
Mr. Evans presented the request noting that his State Farm Insurance agency
occupies the subject property from which he has operated under a lease agreement
for over four years. The applicant stated that customers have repeatedly complained
about his existing identification sign attached to the building's front wall due to its lack
of visibility. In many cases, clients drive past the subject property before they realize
where the access point is and /or nearly find themselves involved in an accident trying
to enter the State Farm situ The posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour along this
four -lane segment of road. The existing wall sign rests approximately 80 feet from
the east right -of -way of Starkey Road whose average daily traffic at this location
exceeded 13,000 vehicles in 1994. The petitioner emphasized how crucial good
visibility is to his business and that the minimum 250 -foot separation is also penalizing
him since three contiguous properties (and corresponding sign placement) are
controlled by his landlord.
Responding to a range of questions and suggestions from Board members McNeil
and Karr, Mr. Evans stated that he has explored with the landowners the idea of
consolidating all freestanding signage into one sign shared by all three contiguous
lots. The property owners (one family in this case) would not agree to such an
arrangement. Mr. Wright suggested increasing square footage of the existing wall -
mounted sign, cautioned the applicant that the Board's power is limited in terms of
identifying a legal hardship and said that financial burden cannot be considered.
Mr. Evans again noted the traffic safety merits of this request (see paragraph above)
and stated that a variance would be in harmony with the variety of businesses found in
the immediate vicinity.
Mr. Wright moved to deny the request based on the lack of legitimacy under the
ordinance created by an economic hardship and that other option(s) are available to
the actual property owners. Mr. Karr seconded the motion which carried with the
following vote:
AYES:
Thomas, Jones, Wright, McNeil, Karr
NAYS:
None
ABSENT:
None
2. Variance requested by Kenneth E. Boone of Section 3041- 3(B)4. of the Roanoke
County Zoning Ordinance to reduce the required front yard setback from 30 feet to 17
feet. The purpose of this request is to construct a detached garage located at 3007
Pebble Drive, Vinton Magisterial District,
Mr. Boone began his presentation by stating that the driveway and rock retaining wall
located in his side and rear yards were constructed approximately 1 975 and that
electric and telephone service to his house are relayed from the public utility easement
paralleling the rear property line. He also noted that the survey attached to his
application incorrectly names the side street as Woodway Road which is actually
Parham Drive (this also applies to staff report references to Woodway Road), Mr,
McNeil asked if the proposed garage could be built directly behind the house to which
the applicant replied that power sources and a natural gas meter in addition to
topography restrict his options. Mr. Karr indicated that there appears to be significant
traffic volume on Parham Drive and asked Mr. Boone if sight distance from his
driveway (particularly in light of Parham's steepness and its curve behind the
applicant's property) had ever been a problem. The petitioner replied that, in his
opinion, garage construction would not increase the hazard. If approved as proposed,
the existing driveway would extend only 17 - 18 feet between the street and garage.
Mr. Wright moved to approve the request based on the site's steep topography and
the additional setback burden placed on corner lots. Mr. Thomas seconded the
motion which carried with the following vote:
AYES: Thomas, Jones, Wright, McNeil, Karr
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
Approval of Minutes:
Mr. Wright moved to approve the minutes of February 16 , 2000, Mr. Jones seconded the
motion which carried unanimously.
Comments:
Staff distributed copies of the County Attorney's answer to the Board's question regarding the
possibility of adding an alternate Board member. Unfortunately, the County's charter does
not allow for additional membership. Mr. Wright reiterated his call for amending comer lot
setback regulations.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tim Beard, Secretary
Board of Zoning Appeals