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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/21/2008 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 2008 Roanoke County Commissioners Present: Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Gary Jarrell Mr, Rodney McNeil Mr. David Radford Roanoke County Commissioner Absent: Mr. Steve Azar Roanoke County Staff Present: Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary Mr. Joe Obenshain, Senior Assistant County Attorney Mr. David Holladay Ms. Tammi Wood Ms. Lindsay Blankenship Mr. Tim Beard Mr. Chris Patriarca Ms. Amanda Micklow Ms, Tara Lambert Ms. Becky Meador, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER: Mr. McNeil called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Approval of Agenda Mr. Jarrell moved to approve the agenda. Motion passed 4 -0. Route 221 Area Plan An introductory draft document for the Route 221 Area Plan was distributed. Mr. Holladay noted there is additional editing to be done and additions to include a traffic impact study and implementation schedule. He reviewed the document with a PowerPoint presentation. He noted that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is back on schedule with the Route 221 widening project. Bids are expected to be requested in January, 2010. The new school on the Poage Farm property is scheduled in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) after 2013. Sewer service barely edges into the study area. There was a diverse group of citizens who attended the community meetings. The stakeholder interviews, although difficult to quantify, were very productive. There was an approximately 30% return on the surveys mailed to property owners and residents, which was very good. Two major concerns were transportation and utility infrastructures. Mr. Holladay described how the Western Virginia Water Authority (WVWA), in times of drought, must truck water to the public well system tanks in the Carriage Hills area. The WVWA would very much like for that area to have water services, however, extending services through a rural area to aid the failing wells could Page 1 of 4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 2008 open the door for unplanned development. A thorough study will be required to make appropriate determinations. There is no estimated time -line for the Carriage Hills area well system to be determined in "emergency" status. The quality of the water is good, the quantity is the problem. They have drilled numerous wells with no success. Mr. Holladay showed the current Future Land Use map from the 2005 Comprehensive Plan to compare with the three (3) proposed land use scenarios. Scenario 1 is similar to the current map, with some minor land use designation changes. Scenario 2 builds from Scenario 1, adding some expansion of Development area. The commission was asked for its opinion on the size of the Village Center area. The Conservation designation was taken outside of the study area and includes high ridge slopes and the Blue Ridge Parkway areas. Scenario 3 includes Neighborhood Conservation in the Corntassel Lane and Carriage Hills areas. These areas are densely developed for well and septic systems. Mr. Holladay informed the commission that the scenarios are only suggestions and can be revised. There are no Transition areas provided for in any of the scenarios. There are only three (3) areas for potential "rural" commercial development. A complete draft of the plan will be brought back before the commission at its November work session. It is tentatively scheduled for public hearing on December 2, 2008. Dates to forward to the Board of Supervisors have not yet been determined. Mr. McNeil asked what the level of service is for Route 221. Mr. Holladay stated it is currently a level E, on a scale from A through F, A being the best and F being the worst. Intersections can affect the service level. There are plans to improve some of the intersections in the area. The study of specific roads and intersections can be incorporated into the implementation strategy, which could help speed up improvements. It was noted that development cannot continue without road improvements. There are some things that could possibly be done outside of VDOT's plan, which might include cutting back of banks at certain intersections and other measures. Mr. Radford asked if the Route 221 Plan is the first step to a Back Creek Plan. Mr. Holladay stated that it is and they would do the entire area later on. The current focus is on the smaller picture for now because the extensive agricultural outlying areas will likely not require a lot of change. There was discussion of using the CIP in the planning areas. This is currently being done and can be continued into the future. A phasing system for water and sewer utilities can be compiled, which the WVWA could use as a guideline. Mr. Thompson asked that the commission make a recommendation on a Future Land Use map after any citizen testimony at the public hearing. Mr. Charles Hofer and Ms. Genny Henderson, President of the Back Creek Civic League, attended the work session. Ms. Henderson stated they were pleased to see the consideration of road Page 2 of 4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 29, 2008 safety. She feels every intersection along Route 221 needs improvement and citizens' safety should come first. Other Comments Mr. Radford informed the other commissioners and staff that he spoke at a Society of Environmental Journalists' convention sponsored by Virginia Tech at Hotel Roanoke. He took part in a bus tour to Mabry's Mill and various other locations. He described a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified "green" building they visited in Floyd County. The building is heated and cooled with geothermal resources and makes use of solar panels and natural lighting. All roof -top water runoff is collected and used for the toilets and lawn irrigation. He feels Roanoke County should begin environmentally - friendly planning now for the future. He stated this would be a great way to connect to the next generation and keep them in the area. He also feels that smaller municipalities seem to be doing more in this regard than Roanoke County. The Town of Blacksburg is having a "Sustainability Week" and their website showcases their Environmental Vision. Mr. Obenshain stated that Arlington County has created LEED development regulations. If the standards are not met, the developer must pay a certain fee per square foot. There was considerable discussion of the benefits, cost, incentives, and governing body "buy in" involved in "green" development. He told the commission of the initiative the County Administrator is taking in this area with regard to the day - today operation of the county. Ms. Hooker stated that the county has been taking baby steps toward environmental planning, noting the new Northside schools and regional jail projects. Mr. Holladay said that Cherney Development's proposed office building on Route 419 (current rezoning petition) will be constructed using LEED guidelines. He also noted that architects and engineers are working to make these more cost effective. There must be good economic decisions also. Mr. McNeil inquired if staff would be able to answer developers' questions on LEED guidelines and if it was feasible to have someone certified. He also asked if a presentation could be done for new developers. Mr. Obenshain answered that there are numerous LEED certified professionals, who would be willing. Mr. Thompson discussed some issues that are currently being addressed, such as new parking regulations to include maximums and shared parking and the implementation of the "Paperless Planning Commission" project. Staff has started providing the commission consent agenda packages via compact disc. Economic Development is exploring incentives for companies that are more environmentally - friendly. The 2009 Work Plan will be reviewed soon. It could include reviewing the vision statements in the Comprehensive Plan, looking ahead to 2025 or 2030. Mr. Patriarca informed the commission of a number of citizen inquiries about wind mills and solar panels. The county does not have any ordinance or guidelines regarding Page 3 of 4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 2008 these. Guidelines for these items need to be created to be prepared in the future. Mr. Thompson stated they could be included in ordinance review also. Ms. Hooker asked the status of the Wal -Mart development in Clearbrook. Mr. Thompson advised that the developer has submitted a letter to the county. The Zoning Administrator met with the County Attorney and it was determined that they do meet the two -year window requirement for progression. This determination could be appealed in writing to the Board of Zoning Appeals; however, nothing has been received. The development progression will be monitored by the Zoning Administrator on a quarterly basis. A second site plan has been submitted. There are transportation issues that VDOT will address. Mr. Thompson briefed the commission on up- coming meetings. There will be six (6) public hearings at the November 3` meeting. There will probably not be a site -visit that evening, as Supervisor Flora will be joining the Planning Commission for dinner. The remaining Route 221 Area Plan documents and open space in cluster developments will be reviewed at the November work session. There is one petition for the December public hearing. Topics for the December work session will include screening requirements, Portable On Demand Storage (PODS), and an initial report on parking standards revisions. Mr. Holladay informed the commission that he has been working with Roanoke City regarding regularly scheduled joint meetings. The tentative plan is for the county to host in January and the city to host in July. This should better accommodate the schedules of the commissioners and staff for both localities. With no further business or comments, Mr. McNeil adjourned the meeting at 7:17 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: s Becky Meador Recording Secr tary, Roanoke County Planning Commission 6k��' 41 Philip T ompson Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission Approve 1w m- h, III lid Rodney WNeil Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission Page 4 of 4