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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/19/2007 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION MINUTES —June 19, 2007 Commissioners Mr. Gary Jarrell Present: Mr. Rodney McNeil Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Al Thomason Commissioners Mr. Steve Azar Absent: Staff Present: Mr. Philip Thompson Mr. Tarek Moneir Mr. Joe Obenshain, Sr Ms. Janet Scheid Mr. David Holladay Mr. Tim Beard Ms. Megan Cronise Assistant County Attorney Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary Guests: Ms. Liz Belcher, Roanoke Valley Greenway Coordinator WORK SESSION: Session opened at 6:00 p.m. by Mr. Jarrell. Approval of Agenda Mr. McNeil moved to approve the agenda. Motion passed 4 -0. Update on Regional Greenwa s Plan Ms. Scheid provided a brief history and summary of the update process since 1995. She stated currently 21 Y2 miles of greenway are in the Roanoke Valley, with the majority of trails being in Roanoke City. She discussed key issues of the conceptual plan as discussed during community meetings. She discussed the importance of prioritizing needs, promoting connectivity, signage, amenities, and corporate sponsorship. She also stated it is important to recognize the importance of greenways being an economic generator. Ms. Hooker inquired about creating greenways within current county parks. Ms. Belcher provided a brief history of the process and progress which has been made. Ms. Hooker inquired about delay in developing county greenways. Ms. Belcher discussed possible reasons for the delay. Ms. Scheid provided an update on Greenhill Park. Mr. McNeil inquired about the details regarding greenways. Ms. Scheid discussed the details of developing greenways. She discussed design guidelines and obtaining right -of -way. Ms. Belcher discussed issues regarding acquisition of property and easements. She explained different areas are in various stages of development. She provided a handout and explanation of a proposed timeline for development. Mr. McNeil inquired about the size of the area needed. Mr. Belcher discussed varying sizes and buffering of the pathways. Mr. Thomason inquired about city and county greenways. Ms. Belcher stated most of the current greenways are located within the city. Ms. Scheid noted a design plan is needed prior to acquisition of property. Mr. Obenshain discussed the development of trails within other localities. He noted the economic development aspects of connecting trails. Ms. Belcher also discussed the economic impacts of connecting trails. Mr. Thomason inquired about the county's greenways. Ms. Belcher discussed acquisition of property. Ms. Scheid discussed the need for public advocacy of the trails. Ms. Belcher noted the Greenway Commission cannot own property. Mr. McNeil inquired about funding. Ms. Belcher discussed various funding sources. Mr. McNeil discussed finding someone to lead the effort. Ms. Belcher discussed the commission's role. Ms. Hooker inquired about private funding. Ms. Belcher discussed acquiring private funding. Ms. Hooker suggested planning and building greenways prior to development of an area. Mr. McNeil suggested soliciting contractors for development of the trail. Ms, Belcher and Ms. Scheid discussed the proposed timeline for presentation of the Regional Greenway Commission Plan. Discussion of Route 220 Corridor Study Mr. Holladay discussed plans for a waterline extension along Route 220 to the Franklin County border. He discussed a Joint Resolution between Franklin County, County of Roanoke, and the Western Virginia Water Authority to construct the waterline in this area. He discussed an aerial photo of the proposed waterline site. Mr. Holladay discussed looking at individual sites for commercial development. He discussed establishing performance criteria for rezoning along the waterline. He discussed developing criteria for commercial sites due to topographical and floodplain issues. He discussed focusing on the corridor frontage property for development. Mr. McNeil asked if line would support development. Mr. Holladay stated a WVWA representative stated the waterline will be used as a distribution line. Mr. Obenshain stated if the line needs to be replaced in the future with a larger waterline, the easement area would be the same. Mr. Holladay discussed the importance of setting up criteria prior to development. He discussed the timeline of the 2232 Review. Ms. Hooker expressed concern regarding the process. Mr. Obenshain explained the involvement of other counties. Mr. Jarrell expressed concern regarding current homeowners in this area. Mr. Thompson explained current plans are to create criteria and guidelines for development. Mr. Thompson and the commissioners ag to go on a site visit to this portion of the Route 220 corridor during their July '17� PCWS. Comments of Planning Commissioners_ and Planning Staff Mr. Thompson announced Ms. Nicole Gilkeson will be joining the Planning Department on July 9 Mr. Thompson discussed future use of electronic technology to provide information to the commissioners. Mr. Jarrell suggested changing the November 6 I meeting since it is also Election Day. Ms. Hooker made a motion to change the PCPH to Monday, November 5, 2007. The motion passed 4 -0. Adiournmen't The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. 01 Respectfully Submitted: J Susan Carter Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission 64 Philip TIAmpson Secretary, Roanoke Cou ty Planning Commission Approved: A 9'1 1 alw'� Ga Jarrell C airman, Roanoke County Planning Commission