HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/5/2008 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES
August 5, 2008
Commissioners Present:
Mr. Steve Azar (Evening Session only)
Ms. Martha Hooker
Mr. Gary Jarrell
Mr. David Radford
Commissioner Absent:
Mr. Rodney McNeil
Staff Present:
Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary
Mr. Joe Obenshain, Senior Assistant County Attorney
Mr. Tarek Moneir (Work Session only)
Mr. Tim Beard (Work Session only)
Mr. David Holladay (Work Session only)
Mr. John Murphy (Work Session only)
Ms. Megan Cronise (Work Session only)
Mr. Tim Beard (Work Session only)
Mr. Chris Patriarca
Ms. Lindsay Blankenship (Work Session only)
Ms. Tammi Wood (Work Session only)
Mr. Bill Richardson
Ms. Becky Meador, Recording Secretary
Guest:
Mr. Doug Chittum, Director of Economic Development (Work Session only)
WORK SESSION:
Ms. Hooker called the work session to order at 4:02 p.m.
Approval of Agenda
Mr. Radford made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 3 -0.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Jarrell moved to approve the minutes of July 1, 2008, and July 15, 2008, which
passed 3 -0.
Approval of Consent Agenda
Mr. Radford made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which passed 3 -0.
Mr. Patriarca presented the Starkey Medical petition. He showed a PowerPoint
slideshow of the property. The proposed structure compliments the existing structure.
There will be a community meeting on Thursday, August 21, 2008, at the Roanoke
County Administration Center. The evening's site viewing was planned for this location.
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES August 5, 2008
Mr. Radford noted that the garage on the property was flooded a couple of years ago by
the adjoining creek. Mr. Patriarca stated the garage is to be demolished. The only
portion of the proposed development that will be in the floodway is part of the parking
area. Nearly the entire parcel is in the one hundred (100) year fioodplain.
Ms. Wood presented the petition of Kroger Limited Partnership. There is no dine -in or
drive - through service proposed. The Domino's will be strictly pick -up and delivery.
Signage is proposed for the face of the building and on Kroger's monument sign at
Challenger Avenue.
Discussion of Hollins Area Plan
Ms. Cronise presented the first draft of the Hollins Area Plan. There was a PowerPoint
presentation of the second community meeting at Hollins University. She gave a rough
time line for implementation of the plan.
Mr. Jarrell asked how far north Valley Metro provides service. Their service runs to
Cove and Hershberger Roads, but not into Hollins. Map 32 of the plan shows bus routes
in proximity to the Hollins area. Valley Metro had a route to Hollins in the past; however,
it was discontinued due to lack of use. Public transportation was a popular request in
the survey results.
Scenario 4 of the plan proposes a Conservation District for the Huffman Farm. Hollins
University desires the farm to be preserved land to protect their viewshed. The Huffman
family could grant a conservation easement, if they so desired. Mr. Chittum is meeting
with Hollins University Administration and the Huffman family to discuss a purchase of
the farm. Changing the land use designation of the Huffman Farm to preservation could
possibly prevent further economic growth for the county if the university did not
purchase the land. It was the general consensus that a transition land use designation
may be more appropriate. If the university purchased the property, they could leave it
undeveloped regardless of the zoning. Mr. Jarrell felt that if Hollins University wishes to
purchase the property a time frame should be implemented. It was also felt that the
possibility of a purchase should not affect decisions regarding the plan.
Staff Comments
Mr. Thompson stated that land use designations are generic throughout the county. He
asked for consideration of incorporating more "uses" when developing community plans
(i.e. transition =buffering or blending). This provides an opportunity for design element
guidelines.
Mr. Thompson questioned the necessity of petitions for "delivery only" businesses in
existing buildings. The commissioners felt this would be an issue to address with the
next zoning ordinance revisions.
The commission asked for an update of the blighted property on Taney Drive. Mr.
Moneir stated that notice had been sent to the owner; however, he received a telephone
call from someone who is purchasing the property. They were informed that the notice
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
August 5, 2008
would be in effect until the ownership change was official, which took place last week.
The new owner is currently working on the inside of the property and the outcome looks
favorable.
Site Viewing
With no further comments, Ms. Hooker adjourned the work session at 4:56 p.m.
EVENING SESSION:
Ms. Hooker called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Radford gave the
invocation and led the pledge of allegiance.
The petition of Joe Lambert to obtain a Special Use Permit in a C -2, General
Commercial District, to operate a drive -in and fast food restaurant on 0.5 acre,
located at 3115 Brambleton Avenue, Windsor Hills Magisterial District was
withdrawn by the Petitioner.
2. The petition of George Kemp to obtain a Special Use Permit in a C -2, General
Commercial District, to operate a drive -in and fast food restaurant on 1.56 acres
located at 3100 -B Peters Creek Road, Catawba Magisterial District was presented
by Mr. Richardson. The proposed business is in an existing building. There will be
no table service.
Mr. George Kemp of 5702 Barns Avenue, Roanoke, spoke regarding his petition. He
plans on having one (1) delivery driver to begin, possibly two (2) if business should
dictate. He will be offering lunchtime delivery of deli foods.
There were no citizens to speak in reference to the petition or questions from the
commission. Ms. Hooker made a motion to approve the Special Use Permit with a
favorable recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Thompson called the roll
and the motion passed 4 -0.
AYES: Jarrell, Azar, Radford, Hooker
NAYES: None
ABSENT: McNeil
3. The petition of Bill Hinton to obtain a Special Use Permit in a C -2, General
Commercial District, to operate a car wash on 1.11 acres located at 4035 Challenger
Avenue, Vinton Magisterial District was presented by Mr. Patriarca. There will be no
direct access to the site from Challenger Avenue. The entrance will be from the
shopping center area only. A single, conveyor -type bay is proposed. The staff report
recommends five (5) conditions, which the Petitioner wishes to amend.
Mr. Sean Horne of Balzer and Associates spoke on behalf of the Petitioner. They
were in agreement with condition numbers 1 and 2. Under condition number 3, they
requested "No LED or digital faces shall be allowed." be stricken. Mr. Horne felt the
term "brick" in condition number 5 was an erroneous reference. The proposed
building will be constructed of several different materials to match the Kroger plaza.
The dumpster will be constructed of like materials.
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
August 5, 2008
Mr. Azar asked why this site was chosen for a car wash. Mr. Horne replied that the
location, traffic generation, and visibility are ideal. The Petitioner plans for this to be
his sole business in the future.
Mr. Bill Hinton of 160 Sunny Cove Drive, Moneta, joined Mr. Horne to speak on the
petition. Mr. Azar noted that no sign details were included with the site renderings.
Mr. Hinton said the information received (from Kroger) was vague in regards to the
sign requirements. The sign is twenty (20) feet from the right -of -way. The right -of-
way is fifty (50) feet from Route 460. There will be only one (1) sign, which will
comply with county ordinance. There will be no temporary signs or banners. Kroger
will not allow the sign to exceed twenty (20) feet. Mr. Hinton stated he did want to
conform to the Kroger building, with a little difference. Additionally, he does not want
the olive green metal roof as reported, but would prefer blue.
Mr. Azar asked if the pay station had to be on the Route 460 side of the building. Mr.
Hinton replied that the pay station is very low, at a height appropriate to insert a
credit card or money from your vehicle. He also felt landscaping would hide it from
view from Challenger Avenue.
Mr. Jarrell asked if the car wash would be unmanned and open twenty -four (24)
hours per day. Mr. Hinton stated the pay station is unmanned; however, there will be
one (1) to two (2) attendants on duty during operating hours. Hours are currently
scheduled for 8.00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. during summer months and 8:00 a.m. to 7:00
p.m. during the winter. This may require tweaking at a later date depending on
demand. If business dictates, closing time could be extended.
Mr. Horne asked that condition number 4 read, "Construction of dumpster enclosure
to match building..." Mr. Thompson asked about a canopy over the pay station. Mr.
Hinton said a canopy would not be constructed unless it would prove necessary due
to glare.
Ms. Hooker asked staff about signage for the development. There could potentially
be six (6) twenty -foot signs for the area. There was concern about "cluttered"
signage and the use of an LED being "too much ". Mr. Horne felt the LED with digital
reader board would be more controlled. As they are proffering no other signage, he
felt the LED should be acceptable.
With no citizens to speak on the petition, Ms. Hooker closed the Public Hearing.
Mr. Azar stated an additional concern that no lighting plans had been received for
the car wash or from Arby's. Mr. Thompson stated that it would most likely conform
to Kroger's lighting and county ordinance states "no glare on adjoining roadways ".
There was discussion of the lighting for the entire development causing glare for
drivers on Route 460, particularly on rainy nights. Mr. Patriarca informed the
commission that Site Plan Review will address the lighting, which cannot exceed 0.5
foot candles at the street.
There was additional discussion of the landscaping along Route 460, which Kroger
will most likely dictate. The car wash plan is consistent with the neighboring Arby's.
Mr. Azar voiced his opinion that the site may have been better suited for a
commercial /retail use. He felt a car wash was more seasonal.
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
August 5, 2008
Ms. Hooker moved to approve the petition with condition numbers 1, 2, and 5 as
stated in the staff report. Condition number 3 shall state a monument sign will be
constructed, not to exceed twenty (20) feet in height. No LED or digital board will be
permitted. Additionally, no temporary signs or banners will be permitted. Condition
number 4 was revised to state the dumpster enclosure shall be constructed of
materials to match the building fapade. Mr. Thompson called the roll and the motion
passed 3 -1.
AYES: Jarrell, Radford, Hooker
NAYES: Azar
ABSENT: McNeil
Final Orders
The petition of Country Way General Store to obtain a Special Use Permit in an AV,
Agricultural/Village Center District, to operate a drive -in and fast food restaurant on
1.167 acres, located at 6958 Bent Mountain Road, Windsor Hills Magisterial District,
was approved with conditions by the Board of Supervisors at their public hearing on July
22, 2008.
Staff Comments
Mr. Thompson updated the commissioners on the progress of the "Paperless Planning
Commission" project. Training will begin during a work session this fall after the new
laptops are received. The target for implementation is January, 2009.
Mr. Azar asked if it was time to invite a Supervisor to a Planning Commission meeting.
Mr. Thompson said it was Mr. Richard Flora's turn. He will have the choice of
September or October.
With no further business or comments, Ms. Hooker adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
V&tj&4,ma�
Becky Meado
Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission
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Philip Aompson
Secretary, Roanoke C my Planning Commission
Approved:
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Rodney cNeil
Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission
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