HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/19/2005 - Minutes
ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
WORK SESSION MINUTES –JULY 19, 2005
Present:
Ms. Martha Hooker
Mr. Rodney McNeil
Mr. Gary Jarrell
Mr. Al Thomason
Ms. Janet Scheid, Secretary
Mr. David Holladay
Mr. Tim Beard
Ms. Becky Mahoney
Ms. Kate Youngbluth
Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary
Guests:
Mr. John Chambliss, Assistant County Administrator
Mr. Paul Mahoney, County Attorney
Absent:
Mr. Steve Azar
WORK SESSION:
Session opened at 4:05p.m. byMs. Hooker.
Approval ofAgenda
Ms. Scheid recommended amending the agenda to include discussion of the proposed
Zoning Ordinance Amendment regarding Adult Business.
Mr.McNeilmoved to approve the agendaas amended. Motion passed 5-0.
Update and Discussion of Regional Jail
Mr.John Chambliss, Assistant County Administrator, provided an update on the
proposed Regional Jail. He stated they plan to keep the existing jailsin operationand
thatthe new regional jail will house mostly sentenced inmates and special populations.
Arrestees will continue to be processed in the local jails. The regional jail will be
operatedas an ‘authority’ in order for it to function as a totally separate entity.Mr.
Chamblissnotedthey have not yet purchased the land. He explained funding and state
approval. He stated he will forward additional information as available. Ms. Hooker
requested more information regarding the process. Mr. Chambliss explained the
process in more detail. Ms. Hooker asked about the education process. Mr.
Chambliss stated he is continuing to research this issue.Ms. Hooker inquired about the
distance from the proposed jail to the area schools. Mr. Chambliss stated Salem High
School is approximately 7,500 ft. from the old site and 14,400 ft. from Glenvar High
School to the new site. He briefly discussed traffic, noting the jail will minimally affect
traffic in the area.
Discussion of Zoning Ordinance Amendment -Adult Business
Mr. Paul Mahoney, County Attorney, spoke regarding the proposed amendments.He
reviewed a draft of the proposed amendments dated July 12, 2005. He discussed the
proposed 100 ft. exclusion zone. He presented and discussed a proposed Exclusion
Map. He stated Roanoke County does not have a concentrated business zone. He
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discussed police surveillance. He provided handoutsand discussed effective
regulationof ‘adult business.’He discussed proposed changes to the codeand
regulation and enforcement of this issue in other localities. He encouraged being
proactive. Mr. McNeil suggested increasing the distance of the exclusion zone. He
stated the county should be as strict and restrictive as possible. Ms. Hooker stated the
county needs to meet the law but place restrictions. Mr. Mahoney discussed timeline of
amendment process.
Comments of Planning Commissioners and Planning Staff
The Planning Commission and staff discussed a letter received from a citizen regarding
prayer prior to the Planning Commission Public Hearing. Mr. Mahoney discussed
previous litigationon this issue. The commissioners decided to discuss this issue again
during a future meeting.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 5:36p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Approved:
Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission
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