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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/1/2022 - Minutes 1 ROANOKE COUNTY F PLANNING COMMISSION Netimeoe PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES FEBRUARY 1, 2022 Commissioners Present: Mr. Rick James Mr. Kelly McMurray Mr. Jim Woltz (arrived after approval of agenda) Mr. Wayne Bower Commissioners Present via Phone: Mr. Troy Henderson Staff Present: Ms. Rachel Lower, Senior Assistant County Attorney Ms. Rebecca James, Acting Secretary Ms. Cecile Newcomb Ms. Megan Cronise Ms. Cecelia Thomas, Recording Secretary Guests Present: Mr. Bill Hunter, Director of Communications and Information Technology Call to Order Mr. McMurray called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. Approval of Agenda Mr. James made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 3-0-1 with Mr. Henderson abstaining. Approval of Minutes Mr. James made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 4, 2022 meeting, which passed 3-0-2 with Mr. Bower and Mr. Henderson abstaining. Discussion of Zoning Ordinance Amendments Ms. James introduced Mr. Bill Hunter who was present to address any questions or concerns in regards to Broadcasting Towers. Mr. Bill Hunter provided background from the CARES Act and the Governor's Fast Track Program from 2020. He explained how the County was working within a short time frame, and chose to install 50-foot towers which did not need to come before the Planning Commission. He expanded that the towers did not perform as the County had hoped due to their short height. Mr. Hunter provided an overview of the issues that the County is facing regarding Rural Broadband. He proposed that there be four different types of towers that would be allowed administratively, but the tallest would be required to come before the Planning Commission. Mr. Hunter reviewed what they established in Bedford, and noted following a similar format would allow for microcells to be passed without needing to come before ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 1,2022 the Planning Commission. He explained that is an example of what he would like to see done in Roanoke County. Mr. James questioned how height requirements have changed over time, and how that relates to 5G and future technological needs. Mr. Hunter noted that in the past height was the key factor because phone calls were the main priority. He elaborated on the demands of people who are using their cell phones for phone calls, internet, and streaming. He explained the demand changes the requirements of providers to build more towers at lower heights and closer together. Mr. Hunter noted that his current battle is to get high-speed internet and service to people in Roanoke County whose landlines no longer work and who cannot get cell service where they live. Mr. James recalled that the Planning Commission was educated by a past request regarding cell towers. He asked questions regarding building penetration, and if it would be possible to use County structures to benefit in the process of providing service. Mr. Hunter noted there should be opportunities for the County to act upon. Mr. Hunter noted additional challenges in providing Wi-Fi to the public. Mr. Woltz noted that in the past they talked with George Condyles about having propagation maps created to see where the cell towers were needed. Mr. Hunter noted that there are people in Catawba who are in desperate need of high-speed internet. Mr. Bower inquired as to the difference between high-speed internet through tower and cable and how that would affect tower height. Mr. Hunter stated for that area a tower of around 75-85 feet would be considered sufficient. Mr. Bower questioned if height would help. Mr.Woltz discussed putting a tower on Poor Mountain. Mr. Bower inquired if using a pre-existing 199 foot tower would it be best to install at the top or install at the 85 foot level, which Mr. Hunter answered stating he would install at the 85 foot level. Mr. James noted that there is still a perception that the Broadcasting Towers would do the public harm, and that he can see the public being concerned about the towers being lower to the ground, thus closer to them. He considered that there may be a need for public education on Broadcasting Towers and their safety due to the different signals these shorter towers use. He expanded saying that what was true for the 199 foot towers is not necessarily the case for these shorter towers, and the public should be aware of that. Mr. Hunter noted many people who need service are less likely to make those complaints due to their needs. Mr. McMurray questioned what the towers can look like, and if there are any novel ideas to make them more aesthetically pleasing. Mr. Hunter noted that the best he has seen are hidden in church steeples and some hidden to look as trees. Mr. McMurray questioned if there any opportunities to work with other communities to provide service. Mr. Hunter noted that there is no way to stop the service, so if service were provided in Craig County it would benefit Catawba and vice versa. Mr. James remarked that the towers in question are no longer the eye-sore triangle towers many citizens are accustomed to. Mr. McMurray noted that those with service would potentially react differently to a tower than those who are strongly urging the County to help provide service. Mr. Hunter discussed the history of franchise agreements. Mr. Woltz and Mr. Hunter discussed projects in Catawba. Mr. Bower questioned if 50 foot is the maximum currently allowed. Ms. James noted that the state code lists 50 feet as the maximum allowed. Ms. Lower noted that Mr. Condyles can help with in depth detailed Page 2 of 4 t ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 1,2022 amendments the zoning ordinance. Ms. Lower continued that the Board expects the Planning Commission to discuss what can be done to help with projects and to edit the zoning ordinance briefly to assist with Rural Broadband. Mr. Hunter and Mr. Woltz discussed receiving signals, percentages, and concerns from the public regarding towers over 100 feet in height. Mr. James noted that it may be best to do this in a two- phase process to do this expeditiously. Mr. Woltz noted that much of how the community would respond would be based on how it was presented. Mr. James noted that if Mr. Condyles or Mr. Hunter said that 80% of the problem could be addressed with a 80-foot tower, but he would not want to do that if 70 feet would be just as efficient. The Commission reviewed the Broadcasting Tower ordinance from Bedford County. Ms. Cronise recommended doing a mapping exercise to see where the towers may be needed compared to their location in Bedford County. Mr. James noted he would be interested in that as he was told the Planning Commission is not allowed to ask for propagation maps for tower applications. Mr. Woltz stated he believed that the Planning Commission should make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors rather than continuing to prolong the process. He noted that feedback and changes are welcome during the process, but it should move forward. Mr. McMurray questioned if Mr. Hunter can be invited to the Public Hearing which was confirmed. Ms. Lower also recommended inviting providers to this meeting as that could be enlightening to the public. Mr. McMurray noted that if we can get this service it will make Roanoke County very attractive to people looking for a place to live. Ms. James noted that we can run the mapping exercise and run it to see what is needed. Ms. Cronise questioned colocation and if that was something that is still being used. Ms. James noted that colocation is allowed on any existing towers as long as there are not conditions restricting it. Ms. James noted that she does get requests for colocations and adding carriers. Mr. Bower and Mr. James making Class 2 by right across the board and see if they receive any feedback or concerns, and the problems they could foresee. Ms. Cronise noted the importance of focusing of the story of why these towers are needed, and explaining why the Planning Commission is looking at these serious changes. Discussion of 2021 Planning Commission Annual Report Ms. Newcomb provided an overview of the annual report. Mr. Woltz made a comment about the Bent Mountain delineation. Ms. Newcomb noted that she was working to have that corrected before phase two the Roanoke County Comprehensive Plan meetings. Mr. McMurray noted how impressed he was with the report, and that he was always amazed to see what the Planning Department achieves in house. Discussion of 2022 Planning Commission Work Plan Ms. Newcomb overviewed the plan for Long Range Planning, and noted that they are going to consolidate the number of meetings for the next round of 200 Plan meetings in the spring. Ms. Cronise overviewed the Route 460 Connectivity study. She spoke about the community meeting and the number of responses they had received from their survey. Mr. James noted he was excited to see the number of participants who provided feedback. Page 3 of 4 f ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 1,2022 Ms. James covered the Zoning Ordinance Amendments noted the goal to continuing the ongoing updates to the ordinance. Ms. Newcomb discussed the 419 Town Center Development Standards. Mr. Bower made a motion to pass the Planning Commission Work Plan 4-0-1 with Mr. Henderson abstaining. Citizen's Comments There were none. Comments of Planning Commissioners and Planning Staff Mr. Woltz noted he will be postponing his surgery until April. He noted that he will be at the Planning Commission meetings in March. Ms. James noted there are petitions pending for April. Mr. James noted that during his time on the Planning Commission he noted that the quality has continuously gotten better. He continued that it was really wonderful to see citizen's understand the maps and grasp what they were looking at. Mr. Woltz added that it is nice to be involved with the Planning Commission, and he enjoys working with staff. With no further business or comments, Mr. McMurray adjourned the meeting at 7:39 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: (2049,(10I ietlIC�A Cea Thomas Reco '- - _ -cretaryy,,, Roanoke County Planning Commission clAf Philip Th. pson / Secret. , Roanoke County Planning Commission I' i Kell ray Chairman, Roanoke Lo my Planning Commission Page 4 of 4