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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/17/2007 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION MINUTES -April 17, 2007 Commissioners Mr. Rodney McNeil Present: Mr. Al Thomason Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Steve Azar Commissioners Mr. Gary Jarrell Absent: Staff Present: Mr. Philip Thompson Mr. Tarek Moneir Mr. George Simpson Mr. Butch Workman Ms. Kafi Nophlin Mr. David Holladay Ms. Megan Cronise Mr. Tim Beard Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary WORK SESSION: Session opened at 6:00 p.m. by Mr. McNeil. Approval of Agenda Mr. Azar moved to approve the agenda. Motion passed 4 -0. Discussion of Mount Pleasant Community Plan Survey Results Mr. Thompson provided a owe p p p rpoint presentation regarding results of the survey. Staff explained landuse designations. Ms. Cronise stated approximately 15% of the surveys were returned. Mr. Thompson reviewed the results. Mr. McNeil inquired about citizen interest in developing the land. Mr. Thompson discussed responses received from the citizens. He discussed the importance of targeting growth to appropriate areas. Mr. McNeil expressed concern regarding the implementation of an overlay district. Mr. Azar inquired as to the amount of road frontage available on Route 116. Ms. Cronise discussed road frontage and commercial frontage on Route 116. Mr. Azar inquired about utilities and possible retail development. Ms. Cronise discussed citizen desires. Update on the Proposed Stormwater Mana-gement Ordinance Mr. Moneir discussed priorities of stormwater management. He also discussed environmental issues. He stated the ordinance is scheduled to be adopted by the end of 2007. Mr. Simpson discussed the many aspects of the ordinance through a powerpoint presentation. He provided background information regarding the development of the ordinance. He stated its purpose is to mitigate issues. He stated the existing ordinance does not address quality of water. He provided a brief history of the Clean Water Act. He stated Roanoke County, Roanoke City, and the Town of Vinton are working jointly on the development of the ordinance. He stated under federal requirement, each locality would be responsible to inspect and enforce the ordinance. Mr. Moneir noted more staff members will be needed. Mr. Simpson discussed erosion and sediment issues. Mr. McNeil inquired about private property access. Mr. Simpson explained this will be covered by the ordinance. Mr. Azar inquired about existing developments. Mr. Simpson stated existing developments would be exempt unless major changes are made to the property. He discussed Best Management Practices (BMP). He stated the county attorney will be closely involved. He stated the ordinance is designed to address issues in higher density areas. He discussed various retention pond designs. He discussed requirements and maintenance of the ponds. Ms. Nophlin explained how bioretension ponds function. Mr. McNeil inquired about enforcement for maintenance of ponds by the homeowners association. Mr. Mahoney discussed this issue. Mr. McNeil expressed concern regarding lack of enforcement. Mr. Simpson stated enforcement often falls to the locality. Mr. McNeil suggested creating a homeowners association ordinance. Mr. Mahoney explained covenants applied to developments usually expire within a specific number of years. Mr. Azar inquired about the life expectancy of the ponds. Mr. Simpson explained. Mr. Azar suggested holding the developers responsible for maintenance instead of the homeowners' associations. Mr. Mahoney discussed some of the legal aspects regarding responsibility for maintenance. He stated the developer would most likely pass the cost over to the property buyers. Mr. Azar suggested applying a long -term bond. Ms. Hooker noted implementation of the ordinance has been mandated. Mr. Simpson discussed impacts. He discussed methods other localities use to fund the changes. Mr. Azar expressed concern regarding funding being the responsibility of taxpayers. Mr. Simpson and Mr. Mahoney explained possible options. Mr. Simpson noted many policy decisions still need to be made. Mr. Thompson noted the ordinance has been designed in order to improve water quality for the entire county. Ms. Cronise inquired about retro-fitting existing structures; Mr. Holladay inquired about non - development of property. Mr. Simpson discussed these aspects. Mr. Moneir reiterated that the ordinance has been mandated and more staff will be needed for implementation. Mr. McNeil inquired about funding for salaries of additional employees needed. Mr. Simpson noted funding will not be received from the state. Mr. Mahoney discussed various funding methods. Mr. Azar stated the fee should be fair and equitable. Mr. McNeil requested the commissioners' concerns be conveyed to the BOS during their review of the ordinance. Mr. Thompson noted the proposed ordinance was modeled after the state ordinance. Mr. McNeil expressed concern regarding the amount of responsibility the developers have for the ponds. Mr. Thompson stated the ordinance will be developed in phases. The commissioners stated they would like a memo sent to the attention of the BOS conveying their concerns. Mr. Thomason stated he feels more information is needed. Mr. McNeil made a motion to forward a memo conveying the commissions' concerns to the BOS. The motion passed 4 -0. Mr. Azar stated. funds should be received upfront from the developers for the ponds. Mr. Thompson discussed the difficulty in determining the amount of funding required for future maintenance and repairs. 2 Comments of Planning Commissioners and Planninq Staff Mr. Mahoney stated a joint worksession will be scheduled for the BOS and PC May Stn to discuss the new Transportation Bill which has been adopted by the General Assembly. Mr. Thompson announced planning staff member, Mr. Josh Gibson, has accepted a position with VA Outdoor Foundation. The commissioners complimented Mr. Gibson on his work performance, Ms. Hooker noted she will be unable to attend the May 1" PCPH. Ad'ournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: C:6 Susan Carter Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission Philip Th�dnpson Secret y, Roanoke County Planning Commission Approved: oe�zl?"Wjl di arrell C irman, Roanoke County Planning Commission