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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/2/2008 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES December 2, 2008 Commissioners Present: Mr. Steve Azar (Arrived late) Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Rodney McNeil Mr. David Radford Commissioner Absent: Mr. Gary Jarrell Staff Present: Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary Mr. Joe Obenshain, Senior Assistant County Attorney Mr. David Holladay (Public Hearing only) Mr. Tarek Moneir Mr. Tim Beard Ms. Tara Lambert Mr. John Murphy (Work Session only) Ms. Tammi Wood (Work Session only) Mr. Chris Patriarca (Work Session only) Ms. Lindsay Blankenship (Work Session only) Ms. Megan Cronise (Work Session only) Ms. Rebecca Mahoney (Work Session only) Ms. Amanda Micklow (Work Session only) Ms. Becky Meador, Recording Secretary Guest: Ms. Anita McMillan, Planning Director, Town of Vinton (Work Session only) WORK SESSION: Mr. McNeil called the work session to order at 4:00 p.m. Approval of Agenda Mr. Radford made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 3 -0. Approval of Minutes Ms. Hooker moved to approve the minutes of November 3, 2008, and November 17, 2008, which passed 3 -0. Approval of Consent Agenda There were no public hearing items on the consent agenda for January 6, 2009. Mr. McNeil made a motion to change the January 6, 2009, meeting to a work session to be held at 6:00 p.m. The motion passed 3 -0. Election of Officers for 2009 will be held at this work session. Discussion of Screening Landscaping, and Buffer Yards Mr. Thompson discussed issues with screening and berms that had come up in the past year. Ms. Lambert distributed current tables from the zoning ordinance and diagrams of example situations. Her diagrams represented the differences between options for each type of buffer and various elevation representations for a Type E buffer. Ms. Lambert noted that changes in elevation can alter the effectiveness of a buffer. She suggested that any new amendments to the zoning ordinance address this issue. Page 1 of 5 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES December 2, 2008 Ms. Hooker stated there should be some sort of enforcement for screening and buffer yards to ensure they are maintained properly. Mr. Thompson noted that all buffer requirements are inspected before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued; however, they are not rechecked unless a complaint is received. Staffing constraints would not allow continual periodic inspections. He stated that a one year inspection may be possible, or a rotating 3 -5 year schedule. There was discussion of wording the ordinance to read "may be inspected ", as not to be obligated to any definitive schedule. Mr. Thompson discussed creating design guidelines. Mr. Obenshain noted that the Army Corp of Engineers uses a percentage of coverage method, which could be considered. Mr. McNeil suggested that the term "berm" should be better defined. Discussion of Vinton Area Corridors Plan Ms. Blankenship distributed a hand -out detailing the Scope of Study and timeline of the Vinton Area Corridors Plan. She also shared copies of a community survey to be held by face -to -face interviews and a commencement notice mailed to residents /property owners along the study corridors. Mr. Thompson described how the original Route 24 Study has grown into the Vinton Area Corridors Plan. Vinton's mayor, Mr. Brad Grose, expressed interest in making the project a joint effort. The team has begun field work. Ms. McMillan stated that the Town of Vinton Planning Department is pleased with the joint effort. She suggested the plan being one document that both jurisdictions can adopt. Ms. Blankenship stated the purpose of the study is to improve safety and aesthetics. She reviewed a map that highlighted the streets /corridors included in the study. Commencement notices were mailed to the property owners /residents in the study area. A log is being kept of citizens' concerns. The team met with the Town of Vinton officials and their Public Works Department. An inventory has been started and members of the team gave a presentation at a Vinton Chamber of Commerce meeting. Monthly joint work plan meetings are scheduled. Mr. Thompson noted that staff is trying to engage with the business owners while doing field work. Ms. Blankenship felt the citizens are excited about the joint venture. She described opportunities for redevelopment in the downtown area, such as store fronts. She gave a brief report on the proposed time line for the plan. There will be at least one (1) joint Planning Commission meeting. Ms. McMillan stated that Vinton's Planning Commission has wanted to have a joint meeting with the county for some time now. There will be a joint Planning Commissions tour of the area, possibly on a Saturday to accommodate schedules. Ms. Blankenship distributed and reviewed maps representing the Zoning Districts, Future Land Use, Community Facilities, and Existing Utilities of the study area. Staff is working with the Western Virginia Water Authority (WVWA) to develop a "complete" utilities map, which will be a sizeable project in itself. It was noted that the majority of inquiries have been from residents; however, Vinton's independent survey of their downtown area resulted in a majority response from business owners. Ms. McMillan stated that interest is very great in a smaller community. Commissioner and Staff Comments Mr. Beard updated the commission on the Edward Rose Properties petition, which has been postponed pending sufficient information on the Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA). The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) reviewed the TIA and determined more information and clarification is needed for their approval. A community meeting was held with approximately fifty (50) to sixty (60) citizens in attendance. The majority of concerns voiced were in regard to the traffic. Once the new information has been submitted to and reviewed by VDOT, there will be another community meeting held with a representative present, as well as the developer's transportation engineer. The earliest the Public Hearing could occur would be February 2009; Page 2of5 } ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES December 2, 2008 however, it will likely be later. The adjoining property owners and community meeting attendees were notified of the postponement of the public hearing. Ms. Cronise advised the commissioners that an application is due to be filed petitioning for revision of the Planned Residential Development (PRD) for the Wolf Creek Development. It will probably be filed for public hearing in March of 2009. There are now two sets of developers involved, with separate lawyers. They are attempting to coordinate hearing both at once. A document is needed to amend the original PRD. The revised document will lay out the remainder of the development, which will be sold to another developer. Mr. McNeil asked for an update on the proposed Route 220 Wal -Mart. No plans have been submitted as of yet. The Zoning Administrator determined that the two (2) year period had not expired on the Special Use Permit. The thirty (30) day appeal window of the Zoning Administrator's opinion has expired and nothing was filed. Quarterly progress reports will be done to determine if sufficient progress is being made. With no further comments, Mr. McNeil adjourned the work session at 4:58 p.m. EVENING SESSION: Mr. McNeil called the Public Hearing to order at 7:01 p.m. Mr. Radford gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance. 1. A proposed amendment to the Roanoke County Comprehensive Plan that would incorporate the Route 221 Area Plan into the County's Comprehensive Plan was presented by Mr. Holladay. He thanked all parties involved in the development of the plan. Mr. Holladay discussed various aspects of the plan, such as traffic and transportation issues, water/sewer phasing, added development, the strong "no growth without infrastructure" sentiment in the community, and the county's level of involvement in VDOT's plan to improve Route 221. He discussed the plan as being a good benchmark of 2008 and a blueprint for the future. There are no major shifts in land use proposed. The plan lays the ground work for the long -range goal of connecting utilities to the Carriage Hills and Forest Edge subdivisions, as well as the future school to be located on the Poage Farm property. He reviewed the implementation plan, schedule, and responsible parties for each phase. The various issues and opportunities for each scenario of a Future Land Use (FLU) map were discussed, as well as the options for waterlsewer implementation. Voting on the scenarios is planned for the next work session. Mr. Azar asked who would fund the utilities connection for the new school. Mr. Holladay said the majority of the cost would fall on the county and School Board. There was discussion regarding the possible amount of impact created for each of the different utility implementation plans. Mr. Holladay noted that the WVWA looks to the county for guidance in determining its plans. There was also considerable discussion of VDOT's plan for Route 221, which could be driven by the economy. The Planning Commission's choice of FLU will most likely not impact VDOT'S schedule. Ms. Hooker commented that she prefers Scenario 2. She feels Scenario 3 shows the most drastic change and would cause additional work due to the TIA requirements by the traffic count. Mr. Azar agreed. Mr. Radford agreed with Scenario 2; however, he felt changing the Rural Village area east of the Poage Farm to a Development designation would make better use of the land. This would still be a residential use. Mr. Steve McGonigal, 7716 Old Bent Mountain Road, Roanoke, questioned if a Development designation would create a denser population than a Rural Village designation. Mr. Holladay stated that it could. Mr. McGonigal voiced his opinion to the commission that he would prefer a less dense use with fewer houses and larger lots. Page 3of5 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES December 2, 2008 Mr. Roger Vest, 7892 Five Oaks Road, Roanoke, spoke on the plan. He is the Bent Mountain Fire Chief. He is concerned with the water system at the Carriage Hills and Forest Edge subdivisions. He feels the county has an obligation to those homeowners for protection. He requested that the commission choose Utility Phasing Scenario 3, which is the most aggressive. He described how the wells at Forest Edge failed almost immediately after approval. He personally sold the county thirteen (13) acres to drill wells, which also failed. Mr. Vest feels there is a way to run water to the area, noting that the state already owns property on Route 221 for a right -of -way. He feels there could be an alternate route for a water line. He also stated he did not feel this would bring further development. There was considerable discussion of the differences in Scenarios 2 and 3 of Utility Phasing. It was noted that the WVWA already has Carriage Hills and Forest Edge "on the radar" and the issue is addressed in the plan's implementation schedule. Mr. Thompson stated that the plan is a "planning" document, which can be reviewed and/or amended at any time necessary. He felt a review would be initiated when planning for the new school commences. Mr. Steve Crawford, 7901 Cedar Edge Road, Roanoke, asked if the county has any input into VDOT's prioritizing of projects or if the Board of Supervisors and/or Planning Commission can help direct VDOT. He gave an example of the work being done on Colonial Avenue near North Cross School. He feels the safety on Route 221 far out- weighs the Colonial Avenue problem. He voiced his opinion that limited funds should be allocated where the need is greatest. He also stated that future land use does not matter if the citizens cannot safely drive the roads or have fire protection for their homes. Mr. Thompson explained that route numbers of 600 and above are considered secondary roads, over which the county has more input. Any route number under 600, such as Route 221, is considered a primary road and must compete with all jurisdictions serviced out of the Salem District, which includes approximately twelve (12) to fourteen (14) counties. All the jurisdictions submit their priorities to VDOT and the Regional Board decides the priority of all. Mr. Frank Cupp, 6206 Sedgewick Drive, Roanoke, asked if the county would have any input into how much of Route 221 is two (2) lanes as opposed to four (4) lanes. He stated that the more 4 -lane road there was, the more development there would be. Mr. Thompson stated that VDOT has a period during which any party has the opportunity to comment on the design of a new roadway. Mr. McNeil encouraged all citizens to take part in these opportunities. Final Orders A proposed amendment to the Roanoke County Comprehensive Plan, which would incorporate the Hollins Area Plan into the County's Comprehensive Plan was approved by the Board of Supervisors at their November 11, 2008 Public Hearing The petition of American Electric Power to rezone 13.103 acres from C -1C, Office District with Conditions, to I -2C, High Intensity Industrial District with Conditions, for the purpose of constructing a construction yard located at the 1800 block of Loch Haven Drive, Catawba Magisterial District was approved with conditions by the Board of Supervisors at their November 11, 2008 Public Hearing. The petition of Faith Fellowship Church to obtain a Special Use Permit in a C -2, General Commercial District, for the purpose of Religious Assembly on 1.0 acre located at 4108 Electric Road, Cave Spring Magisterial District was approved with conditions by the Board of Supervisors at their November 11, 2008 Public Hearing. The petition of James R. Cherney to rezone approximately 4.75 acres from R -3C, Medium Density Multi - Family Residential District with Conditions, to C -1 C, Office District with Conditions, for the purpose of constructing an office building located between the 2300 block and 2400 Page 4 of 5 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES December 2, 2088 block of Electric Road and 2315 Bridle Lane, Windsor Hills Magisterial District was approved with nine (9) proffered conditions by the Board of Supervisors at their November 11, 2008 Public Hearing. The petition of JJDR Company, LLC to rezone 1.13 acres from a C -1C, Office District with Conditions, to a C -2, General Commercial District for the purpose of conducting personal improvement services located at 1919 Electric Road, Windsor Hills Magisterial District was approved with conditions by the Board of Supervisors at their November 11, 2008 Public Hearing. The proposed amendment to Section 30 -91 -2, General Regulations for Parking, that would provide additional areas for the parking of recreation vehicles on corner lots was approved by the Board of Supervisors at their November 11, 2008 Public Hearing. The proposed amendment to Section 30 -22 -1, Civil Penalties, that would allow civil penalties to be assessed for violations associated with the parking of recreational vehicles, the parking of commercial vehicles, and the use of recreational vehicles for living or business purposes was denied by the Board of Supervisors at their November 11, 2008 Public Hearing. Commissioners' Comments There were none. Staff Comments There were none. With no further business or comments, Mr. McNeil adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: q6vi N Becky Mead r Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission Philip ompson Secr tary, Roanoke Co my Planning Commission Approve . Rodney M&Neil Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission Page 5 of 5