HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/15/2008 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
WORK SESSION MINUTES
APRIL '15, 2008
Roanoke County Commissioners Present:
Mr. Steve Azar
Ms. Martha Hooker
Mr. Rodney McNeil
Mr. Gary Jarrell
Roanoke County Commissioner Absent:
Mr. David Radford
Roanoke County 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. Lindsay Blankenship
Mr. Chris Patriarca
Mr. Darren Jones
Ms. Becky Meador, Recording Secretary
Roanoke City Commissioners Present:
Mr. Henry Scholz, Chairman
Ms. Paula Price, Vice Chairman
Mr. Robert Manetta
Mr. Rick Williams
Mr. Richard Rife
Ms. Angela Penn
Mr. Kent Chrisman
Roanoke City Staff Present:
Mr. Tom Carr, Director
Mr. Ian Shaw, Senior City Planner
Ms. Christina Finch, City Planner II
Mr. Chris Chittum, Planning Administrator
Approval of Agenda
Ms. Hooker moved to approve the agenda. Motion passed 5 -0.
CALL TO ORDER:
Mr. McNeil called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
BRIEFINGS:
Ms. Cronise gave a presentation on Roanoke County's Hollins Area Plan. Mr. Jones presented
a computerized, 3 -D, "bird's eye view" model of the Hollins Study Area, which can be used to
preview future development and its impact.
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
April 15, 2008
Mr. Holladay gave a brief overview of the county's Mount Pleasant Community Plan and the
Route 220 and Route 221 Studies currently being conducted. The county has received good
response and interest from the citizens regarding the individual community plans.
There was discussion of a possible intermodal facility being developed by Norfolk Southern
Railway. This would certainly affect the western part of the county, requiring water and sewer
extension. There was additional discussion regarding VDOT's role in development for both the
city and county. Mr. Holladay stated he believed there has been a shift in the relationship with
VDOT. It was recommended that an emphasis be put on working more with VDOT on
development issues.
Ms. Finch presented Roanoke City's Street Design Guidelines, which took one (1) year to
complete. A team of nine (9) people, from various departments, created the manual to improve
streetscapes, focusing on welcoming, multimodal, safe streets to serve a variety of users. The
guidelines can be viewed on their website at www.roanokeva.gov /planning These guidelines
are used during repaving and upgrade projects, as well as new construction.
Mr. Azar asked if the city has private street guidelines. They do not; however, they do go
through the review process. There was discussion of "yield" streets being twenty -six (26) feet
wide, their accommodation of emergency vehicles, and how they mimic older streets already in
place. The city's grid- structured street network helps accommodate emergency vehicle
passage.
Mr. McNeil suggested the city and county work together for ordinance consistency, particularly
on signage. It was noted that both affect each other. A recommendation was made that the
Directors of each locality meet on this issue.
Another joint work session will be planned for October 2008. Both Planning Commissions
voiced their thanks for the opportunity to meet.
With no further business or comments, Mr. McNeil adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Becky Meader'
Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission
Philip Tho pson
Secretary, Roanoke County fanning Commission
Approved:
Rodney MoNeil
Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission
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