HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/7/2007 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
AUGUST 7, 2007
Commissioners Present:
Mr. Gary Jarrell
Mr. Rodney McNeil
Mr. Al Thomason
Mr. Steve Azar (arrived after the worksession)
Commissioners Absent: Martha Hooker
Staff Present:
Mr. Philip Thompson
Mr. Tarek Moneir
Mr. Joe Obenshain, Sr. Assistant County Attorney
Mr. David Holladay
Mr. Tim Beard
Mr. John Murphy
Ms. Janet Scheid
Ms. Tammi Wood
Ms. Megan Cronise
Mr. Chris Patriarica
Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary
WORK SESSION:
Session opened at 4:00 p.m. by Mr. Jarrell.
Approval of Agenda
Mr. Thomason moved to approve the agenda. Motion passed 3 -0.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. McNeil moved to approve the July 9, 2007, PCPH minutes and July
17, 2007, PCWS minutes. Motion passed 3 -0.
Approval of Consent Agenda
Mr, Thompson, Mr. Holladay, Mr. Murphy, and Mr. Beard provided brief
overviews of the consent agenda items. Staff and the commissioners
discussed various aspects of the petitions. Mr. Thompson stated the
petition of Wolf Creek, Inc., is being postponed until more information is
submitted on behalf of the petitioner.
Mr. McNeil moved to approve the consent agenda with the exception of
Wolf Creek, Inc., which is being continued.
Motion passed 3 -0.
Comments
Mr. Thompson and Mr. Beard provided a brief update on Revenue
Sharing Project for the area near Springlawn Road.
Site Viewin
The meeting was adjourned for site viewing at 4:45 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Mr. Jarrell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mr. McNeil gave the
invocation and led the pledge of allegiance.
1. The petition of Community Church to obtain a Special Use Permit
to construct a religious assembly facility on approximately 11 acres,
located at 4505 and 4625 West Main Street, Catawba Magisterial
District. Mr. Tim Beard, Roanoke County Planning Department,
presented the staff report.
Mr. Azar expressed parking concerns. Mr. Beard discussed the
ordinance requirements for religious assembly. Mr. Azar inquired
about fire hydrants. Mr. Beard stated the Fire & Rescue
Department would make this determination. Mr. Azar inquired
about the traffic impact analysis. Mr. Beard stated the analysis had
been requested several weeks ago. He discussed VDOT's
comments. Mr. McNeil inquired about widening of West Main
Street. Mr. Beard stated the roadway is on VDOT's primary
improvement list. He explained that sufficient land is available to
redevelop the site with right -of -way acquisition for both Route 460
and 1 -81.
Pastor Thomas McCracken, spoke regarding the petition. He stated
they have consulted Mr. Mike Agee to provide traffic impact
analysis information. He stated a traffic impact analysis would be
cost prohibitive for their organization. He stated traffic volume
would be significant primarily on Sunday. He stated other
churches are located nearby. Mr. Azar inquired about the long term
plan for expansion. Pastor McCracken explained church
attendance is currently growing. He stated expansion of the church
is restricted by lack of funds. He stated they plan to purchase the
land now and build later as funds are available. Mr. Jarrell inquired
about the possibility of providing a daycare at the facility. Pastor
McCracken stated they currently do not have plans to provide a
daycare. Mr. , Jarrell inquired about weekday church functions.
Pastor McCracken stated they have services Sunday morning and
Wednesday morning and evening.
Mr. Azar expressed concern regarding parking spaces since the
petitioner is unsure about a long term expansion plan. He stated
he was in favor of the petition with the condition that the parking
spaces would not exceed 75 spaces. Mr. Beard stated 75 spaces
would be adequate for the current congregation but would not
accommodate future growth. Mr. McNeil noted the difficulty
predicting the growth of the church congregation. Mr. Azar
expressed concern regarding not receiving the traffic impact
analysis. Mr. Jarrell discussed the importance of having adequate
spaces if a special event is held. Mr. McNeil inquired about
stormwater management being addressed during the site plan
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review. Mr. Beard discussed the site plan review process. Mr.
McNeil noted it would be less expensive to build the parking spaces
now as requested by the congregation.
Mr. McNeil then made the motion to recommend approval of the
request with the following conditions:
1. The subject property shall be developed in substantial
conformity with the site plan prepared by Gerald S. Cannaday
and dated June 4, 2007.
2. Total parking onsite shall not exceed 125 spaces.
AYES: Azar, McNeil, Thomason, Jarrell
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Hooker
Motion passed 4 -0.
2. The petition of Seaside Heights, LLC, to rezone 2.22 acres from C-
2S, General Commercial District with Special Use Permit, to C -2S,
General Commercial District with Special Use Permit to amend the
proffered site plan to construct a drive -in and fast food restaurant
and retail building, located at the intersections of Brambleton
Avenue, Colonial Avenue and Merriman Road, Cave Spring
Magisterial District. Mr. Philip Thompson, Roanoke County
Planning Department, presented the staff report.
Mr. McNeil discussed that the current petition is to change the site
plan only. He discussed issues discussed at the community
meeting. He stated it was a general consensus that the revised
site plan provided better traffic circulation. Mr. Thompson stated
the previously approved nine proffers are not being changed. Mr.
Thomason and Mr. Jarrell agreed the revised site plan is an
improvement to the project. Mr. Sean Horne, Balzer and
Associates, Inc., introduced petitioner, Mr. Stan Seymour.
Ms. Margaret Jones inquired about the location of the Lions Club
entrance on the site plan. She also wanted to make sure that
automobiles leaving the site onto Merriman Road could only turn
left. Mr. Horne stated the Lions Club entrance will be shared and
gated when not in use. He stated the traffic plan is the same as
previously approved by VDOT.
Mr. McNeil then made the motion to recommend approval of the
request.
AYES: Azar, McNeil, Thomason, Jarrell
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Hooker
Motion passed 4 -0.
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3. A proposed amendment to the Roanoke County Comprehensive
Plan (Community Plan). The proposed amendment would
incorporate the updated Regional Greenways Plan into the
County's comprehensive plan. Ms. Janet Scheid, Roanoke County
Planning Department, presented the proposed amendment. She
provided a brief history of the development of the greenways. She
introduced Ms. Liz Belcher - Greenway Commission Coordinator,
Mr. Don Witt, Mr. Shane Sawyer, and Mr. Jim Lee. She stated the
recommendation is to diversify funding. She discussed input
received at community meetings. She discussed goals including
completion of the Roanoke River Greenway, connectivity of the
greenways, and completion of other greenways.
Ms. Liz Belcher discussed right of ways for development of
greenways. She discussed connections with Montgomery County,
Pulaski County, City of Salem, Roanoke County, and City of
Roanoke. She stated Roanoke City has made the most progress.
She discussed funding. Mr. Jarrell inquired about the timeframe
for grant funding. Ms. Belcher discussed various types of grants.
Mr. Jarrell inquired about Greenhill Park greenway. Ms. Belcher
discussed the status of this project.
Mr. Azar then made the motion to recommend approval of the
request.
AYES:
Azar, McNeil, Thomason, Jarrell
NAYS:
None
ABSENT:
Hooker
Motion passed 4 -0.
4. A proposed amendment to the Roanoke County Zoning Ordinance.
The proposed amendment to Section 30 -74 FO Floodplain Overlay
District would incorporate the updated FEMA Flood Insurance
Study and would create a special floodplain designation. Mr. Philip
Thompson, Roanoke County Planning Department, presented the
proposed amendment.
Mr. Thompson discussed the floodway designations and updated
maps. He noted the new floodplain information is more accurate
than previous information available. He stated some of the
designations may change due to better accuracy.
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Mr. McNeil then made the motion to recommend approval of the
request.
AYES: Azar, McNeil, Thomason, Jarrell
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Hooker
Motion passed 4 -0.
5. A proposed amendment to the Roanoke County Zoning Ordinance.
The proposed amendment to Section 30 -61 1 -1 Industrial District
and Section 30 -62 1 -2 Industrial district would allow Public Parks
and Recreational Areas as a by right permitted use in these
districts. Mr. Philip Thompson, Roanoke County Planning
Department, presented the staff report.
Mr. Thompson stated it will allow the county more flexibility. Mr.
McNeil expressed concern regarding using industrial designations
for parks since there are minimal industrial areas in the county.
Mr. Thompson discussed providing open spaces. He stated some
of the property could be near the rail line or in a floodplain. Mr.
Azar and Mr. Jarrell inquired about private parks owned by a
business. Mr. Thompson discussed this type of use would be an
ancillary use. He stated parks within the industrial districts would
be run by the county. Mr. Obenshain discussed prohibition of
improving private property without lease agreement. Mr. McNeil
inquired if this was being developed in connection with the
proposed Multi -Gen Center. Mr. Thompson stated this would affect
the development. He explained the Zoning Ordinance is not a
static document. He stated some of the greenways may cross
industrial property. Mr. Jarrell inquired about acquiring easements
on private property. Mr. Obenshain explained some are donated
and some are purchased. Mr. McNeil asked if the proposed Multi -
Gen Center property would not require rezoning if the amendment
is approved. Mr. Thompson affirmed it would not require rezoning
if approved.
Mr. Jarrell then made the motion to recommend approval of the
request.
AYES: Azar, Thomason, Jarrell
NAYS: McNeil
ABSENT: Hooker
Motion passed 3 -1.
Final Orders
The petition of Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council, Inc., to revoke
Ordinance 111400 -8 granting Special Use Permits to operate a camp
and a day care center, and to obtain a Special Use Permit to operate
activities, meetings, day camps, after - school programs, and overnight
camping on 63.12 acres, located near 5488 Yellow Mountain Road,
Cave Spring Magisterial District was approved by the Board of
Supervisors at the Public Hearing on July 24, 2007.
Comments
There were no comments.
There being no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:27
p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Susan Carter
Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission
Philip Th qffipson
Secreta , Roanoke County Planning Commission
Approved:
Gary J ell
Ch ' man, Roanoke County Planning Commission
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