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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/19/2008 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 19, 2008 Commissioners Present: Mr. Steve Azar Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Gary Jarrell Mr. Rodney McNeil Mr. David Radford Staff Present: Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary Mr. Joe Obenshain, Senior Assistant County Attorney Mr. Tarek Moneir Mr. David Holladay Mr. Tim Beard Ms. Megan Cronise Ms. Nicole Gilkeson Mr. Chris Patriarca Ms. Lindsay Blankenship Ms. Becky Meador, Recording Secretary WORK SESSION: Session opened at 6:02 p.m. by Mr. McNeil. Approval of Agenda Mr. Azar moved to approve the agenda. Motion passed 5 -0. Discussion of the Mount Pleasant Plan Mr. Holladay and Ms. Gilkeson provided an oral and Power Point presentation of the Mount Pleasant Community Plan to go along with the distributed plan document. Mr. Radford asked if the plan would be given to potential developers. Mr. Holladay stated that it could be used as a guideline and the purpose is to focus in on community planning. Mr. Thompson stated that the plan is to compose a separate plan for each of the twelve "community" planning areas of the county. Mr. McNeil asked if there will be `one big plan" to which Mr. Thompson stated there would be a series of documents to include small area plans, transportation, water /sewer, community facilities, land use, etc. with an opening document tying them together to make one plan with multiple components. The goal is to focus on specific needs of each area. Mr. Azar inquired about encouraging cluster development. He questioned whether the Commission had ever agreed on what cluster development would be for the county. Mr. Thompson stated there is an ordinance in place. Mr. Azar stated that developers are not using it. Mr. Thompson stated that minor changes are being proposed to current ordinances and this would be presented at the next Commission meeting. Ms. Hooker asked about a schedule for planning in each of the communities. Mr. Thompson stated that possibly a five year plan could be developed, ranking each area. The areas more susceptible to quick change were looked at first. Staff is looking at doing a study in the Hollins area, with Glenvar possibly at the end of the year with potential of an intermodal facility. Route 221 is also being considered. Slow growth areas will be done later. Pagel of 3 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 19, 2008 Ms. Hooker asked if there is a program of work done or to be done this year. Staff will provide. Ms. Hooker inquired when we would hear more about Explore Park. Details were unknown; however, it was discussed that the purchaser has right to apply for an extension. There was discussion of The Roanoke Times reporting on this from a recent meeting. Mr. McNeil asked if the Economic Development designation in the new plan applied only to Explore Park. Mr. Thompson stated it could possibly be used in other areas. The designation was designed to keep any further development of the land around Explore Park within a compatible theme. Zoning ordinance will determine what can be constructed. Specific parts of the plan document were discussed in more detail, such as road connectivity, schools, and utility availability. Mr. McNeil suggested that the plan goes against the citizen survey results. Mr. Holladay stated much of the land indicated for development was done so to accommodate future extension of utility services without the need for rezoning. It was discussed that water /sewer services may be a factor. Much of the area marked for development includes the Ballyhak and Loblolly developments. Mr. Thompson explained that the four scenarios are options only and they could be combined and/or revised to create another scenario(s). Mr. Azar questioned the aggressiveness of the plan and stated that he would like to see the map with the Ballyhak and Loblolly developments indicated separately. Staff will provide. There was discussion that once a plan is decided upon, there will be a schedule devised for gradual, phasing implementation of utility services over a set period of time. It was noted that Mount Pleasant Elementary is the only school in the county on a well /septic system. Ms. Hooker suggested a map showing the phases of implementation. Mr. Jarrell inquired how many surveys were mailed out and returned. Mr. Holladay stated approximately 1800 surveys were mailed, with around 15% returned. Comments All Commissioners made remarks that the staff had done a good job on the plan. Mr. Thompson stated that at the next Public Hearing on March 4, 2008, there will be four public hearings: Domino's Pizza, The Mount Pleasant Plan, Community Facilities Map and proposed amendments to the county's zoning ordinance. Mr. Thompson also discussed that Mr. Hodge had been contacted by Hollins University regarding improvement plans for that area of the county. Mr. McNeil asked the status of the Wal -Mart development on Route 220. Mr. Patriarca stated that no plans had been filed with the county as of yet; however, he believed the traffic study has been completed. Roanoke City has requested a joint work session with the county. Mr. McNeil suggested "light" or no county business for this meeting. It was discussed and decided that it should be a joint work session only, probably in April, possibly May. Page 2 of 3 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 19, 2008 Mr. Azar commented on what Roanoke City's future land use might look like for their area adjoining Mount Pleasant. Mr. Holladay said that the city's plan for that area was reviewed and taken into consideration within our plan. Mr. Jarrell noted that the first floor doors should be unlocked for the Work Sessions should citizens wish to attend. Ad'ournment With no further business or comments, Mr. McNeil adjourned the meeting at 7:33 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Q&L& Becky Meador Recording Se tary, Roanoke County Planning Commission Philip Thgfnpson Secreta , Roanoke County Planning Commission Approv d: f /� Z�Z L41 Rodney Mcr4eii Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission Page 3 of 3