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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/18/2005 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS MEETING MINUTES PUBLIC HEARING — MAY 18, 2005 PRESENT: Mr. Eric Thomas Chairman Mr. Carlton Wright Mr. Rodney McNeil Mr. Eldon Karr Mr. Joseph Obenshain, Senior Assistant County Attorney Mr. John Murphy, Secretary Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary Absent: Mr. Richard Jones Mr. Eric Thomas called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Karr moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Barnes seconded the motion which carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING PETITION 1. Variance requested by Truck Enterprises Roanoke, Inc. Section 30- 93- 13(F)3 of the Roanoke County Zoning Ordinance to reduce the minimum separation of freestanding signs from 250 feet to 4 feet. The purpose of this request is to install a new freestanding sign located at 4700 Kenworth Road, Catawba Magisterial District. Mr. Steve Billings, General Manager, spoke regarding the petition. He stated the company is a family owned company which has operated in the Roanoke Valley for approximately 25 years. He provided a brief history of the company. He explained their request is to move the Volvo sign. He stated Volvo requires the company display their sign on site. He stated they will remove one of the current signs and replace it with the Volvo sign. He explained their relationship with the Volvo manufacturing plant in Dublin, VA. He stated out of town representatives have difficulty finding the Roanoke I location. Mr. Karr explained that although he sympathizes with the petitioner's request, the board cannot base its findings on an economically based hardship. Mr. Billings stated the hardship is the difficulty drivers have finding the facility. He stated the issue is safety for the truckers. He stated his company completes truck repairs quickly and thoroughly. He explained signage needs. Mr. Wright asked if other signs would be needed in the future. Mr. Billings stated his company is willing to remove an existing sign in order to install the requested Volvo sign. He stated this sign would improve safety for trucks coming from 1--581 since they would have better visibility of the facility at farther distance. He stated their company is currently in a growth mode seeking better customer service. He noted the property is landlocked. Mr. Karr inquired about road frontage. Mr. Murphy explained that the existing road frontage is a combination of both public and private designation. Mr. Billings described the traffic pattern from 1 -581, noting the importance of making it easier to find the facility. Mr. Karr inquired about alternative entrances to the property. Mr. Billings noted other competitors are located on primary roads, noting this facility is located directly off of the interstate. Mr. Barnes discussed the petitioner's letter dated April 21, 2005. He stated reasons given for hardship were fiduciary in nature. Mr. Billings stated safety is a key issue. He explained that signage needs to be visible from a farther distance than the current signage. He noted spills are costly and hazardous if a tractor - trailer wrecks. Mr. Thomas discussed the importance of safety regarding human life. Mr. Billings discussed the need to provide adequate distance for trucks to safely turn at the exit. He stated the Harrisonburg facility is similar in both location and signage needs. Mr. Wright made the motion to approve the variance based on the findings that a strict application of the zoning ordinance would cause undue hardship to the property owner, such a hardship is not shared generally by other properties in the same zoning district and the same vicinity, the authorization of the variance will not be of substantial detriment to adjacent property and the character of the district will not be changed by granting the variance. Mr. Karr amended the motion by adding the restriction that no other free - standing sign shall be placed on the property without being reviewed and approved by the Roanoke County Board of Zoning Appeals. N The motion was seconded by Mr. Thomas with the following vote: AYES: Wright, Karr, Thomas, Barnes NAYS: None ABSENT: Jones APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Barnes moved to approve the April 20, 2005 minutes. Mr. Karr seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. COMMENTS There were no comments. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:24 P. M. Respectfully Submitted, 6 U41�31' C Susan Carter Approved: John Murphy, Secretary Board of Zoning Appeals 3