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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/7/2006 - Minutes ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES –FEBRUARY 7, 2006 Present: Mr. Steve Azar Mr. Rodney McNeil Mr. Gary Jarrell Mr. Al Thomason Ms. Martha Hooker Ms. Janet Scheid, Secretary Mr. David Holladay Mr. Tim Beard Mr. John Murphy Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary Guests: Mr. Brent Robertson, Director of Management & Budget Ms. Cathy Tomlin, Budget Analyst WORK SESSION Mr.Azarcalled the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Approval of Agenda Mr.Thomasonmoved to approve the agendaas amended. Motion passed 5-0. Approval of Minutes Ms.Hookermoved to approve both the January 3, 2006and January 24, 2006 minutes. Motion passed 5-0. Approval of Consent Agenda Mr.Thomasonmoved to approve the consent agenda. Motion passed 5-0. Discussion Regarding CIP Mr. Brent Robertsonprovided a CIP update. He discussed ranking of projects and appropriation of funds. Mr. Jarrell discussed the evaluationand scoring process. Mr. Robertson stated it is important to integrate the citizens, staff, BOS and PC into the process. He briefly discussed the possibility of integrating the Roanoke County School Systemand Western Virginia Water Authority into the process. Mr. McNeil stated the PC should be much more involved in the process. Mr. Robertson stated he will forward theCIP report to the PC after it has been submitted to the BOS on February 14, 2006. Site Viewing The meeting was adjourned for site viewing at4:38p.m. 1 PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Steve Azarcalled the meeting to order at 7:00p.m.Mr.Jarrellgave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance. 1.The petition of Grant Avenue Development, Inc. to rezone 1.3014 acres from C-1, Office District and .0786 acres from C2C General Commercial District with Conditions to C-2C, General Commercial District with Conditions and to obtain a Special Use Permit for the construction of a fast food restaurant with drive-thru, located at 3814 Challenger Avenue, Hollins (Continued to March 7, 2006 per request of the Magisterial District. petitioner) 2. The petition of Vistar Eye Center to rezone 1.14 acres from C-2C, General Commercial District with Conditions to C-2, General Commercial District for the operation of a medical office, located at 5296 Peters Creek Road, Catawba Magisterial District.Mr. Tim Beard, Roanoke County Planning Department presented the staff report. Mr. William Traylor, Kinsey, Shane & Associates, spoke representing the petitioner. Mr. Jarrell inquired about setbacks. Mr. Traylor discussed the setbacksand hedescribed parking accommodations. Mr. Azar asked why the concept plan is not beingproffered. Mr. Traylor explained the concept plan is consistent with the currentZoning Ordinance. Mr. Murphy concurred with Mr. Traylor.Ms. Hooker noted the area is designated a transition area. Ms.Hookerthen made a favorable recommendation to approve the request: AYES:Thomason, Azar, Hooker, McNeil, Jarrell NAYS:None ABSENT:None 3.The petition of Eric Eanes and Todd Conner to rezone 8.92 acres from C- 2S, General Commercial District with Special Use Permit to R-3, Medium Density Multi-Family Residential District for the construction of a townhouse development, located at 7656 Williamson Road, Hollins Magisterial District. Mr. Tim Beard, Roanoke CountyPlanning Department, presented the staff report. Mr. Sean Horne, Balzer & Associates, spoke regarding the petition. He explained theconcept plan to the commissioners.He stated although the proposed rezoning is a down-zoning, it would keepthe front part of the development to remain as C-2. He stated this request will provide further development fortheWilliamson Road areaand it would filla housing need in the Hollins area. He stated it would be a mixed business and residential development withoutdestruction of historic sites or negative impacts on surrounding areas. Mr. Azar inquired about buffering. Mr. Beard stated the buffering requirements arepart of the Zoning Ordinance.Mr. Jarrell asked about the design of the structures. Mr. Hornedescribed thehomes as 2 1-1½ stories in height. Mr. Jarrell asked about stormwater management. Mr. Horne stated the stormwater pond would be requiredand described potential locations of the stormwater pond.Mr. Jarrell asked about surrounding homes. Mr. Horne stated other homes would not be disturbed by this development. He discussed landscaping on the perimeter of the propertyandstated the petitionerwould be willing to proffer Type A landscaping. Ms. Hooker and Mr. McNeil both expressedconcern regarding buffering. Mr. Jarrell asked about setback restrictions and buffering. Mr. Beard stated buffering can be placed within the setback. Mr. Thomason asked about stormwater ponds. Mr. Horne stated they have no exact calculations at this time. Mr. Jarrell asked about the valuation of the homes. Mr. Horne stated thesale pricewill be approximately $180,000 to $250,000 depending on the location and square footage of the unit. Mr. Azar expressed concern regarding buffering and lack of information regarding ponds. Ms. Hookerexpressed concern about removing this property from commercial zoning and thatthis type of development is not consistent with the current Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Jarrellthen made a motion to continue the request 30 days: AYES:Thomason, Azar, Hooker, McNeil, Jarrell NAYS:None ABSENT:None 4. The petition of Western Virginia Regional Jail Authority to rezone approximately 43 acres from I-2, Industrial District to AG-3, Agricultural/Rural Preserve District, and to obtain a Special Use Permit, and a review of a proposed public facility per section 15.2-2232 Code of Virginia for the construction and operation of a regional jail, located at 5859 West River Road, Catawba Magisterial District. Mr. John Murphy, Roanoke County Planning Department, presented the staff reportfor the 2232 Review. Ms. Hooker suggested re-evaluating the AG-3 portion of the Zoning Ordinancein the future. Mr. Steve Noble, 5376 Canter Drive, stated the rezoning is not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. He stated the Zoning Ordinance does not addressregional jails. He expressed concern regarding water and sewer access. He stated the facility will not be taxable. Ms. Ruth Ashworth, 5832 West River Road, stated the request is not in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan. She expressedconcern regarding increased traffic and fire andrescue coverage. She also expressed concern regarding the cost of the facility being passed on to residents. She stated the access option onto West Riverwill be adequate only for the short-term. Mr. Frank Porter, 6529 Fairway Forest Drive, expressed concern regarding the expense of providing utilities to this area. He stated the citizens have not beentold the cost of roads and utilities. 3 Mr. J. C. Whitlock, 5839 West River Road, discussed access options to the jail. He stated the current access option goes directly by Ms. Joann Cooper’s property. He expressed concern that the area is in the floodplain. He stated the current bridge flooded in 1972. He stated the trains block the entrance which causes traffic congestion. He suggested putting in good access now. Mr. Harold Horn, 5647 West River Road,stated the Zoning Ordinance is for all property owners including the county. He stated the county is not giving citizens true facts. He stated electronic visitation exclusively will not be permanent. Ms. Hooker made a motionto approve the 2232 Review, seconded by Mr. Jarrell,that the proposed regional jail was in substantial conformity with the adopted Community Plan for the following reasons: 1. The necessary public utilities can be made available to the site. 2. The proposed regional jail facility is an institutional type of use consistent with the Principal Industrial future land use designation. 3. The proposed regional jail would generate less traffic than many other industrial uses. AYES:Thomason, Azar, Hooker, McNeil, Jarrell NAYS:None ABSENT: None Ms. Janet Scheid, Roanoke County Planning Department, presented the staff report for the Rezoning and SUP request. Ms. Hooker asked about the road frontage. Ms. Scheid and Mr. Murphy described theroad frontage located on Route 11/460. Ms. Hooker asked about Fire andRescue coverage. Ms. Scheid statedFire & Rescue did not report any issues with the request. She stated the facility would be served by the Roanoke County Fire andRescue Department. Ms. Hooker inquired about the increased traffic on West River Road. Ms. Scheid stated the county Transportation Engineer reported the road was adequate to handle increased traffic. Ms. Hooker asked about educational needs of inmates. Ms. Scheid deferred to Mr. Jim Guynn, Esquire,who spoke representing the petitioner.He stated they have researched special education needs and have discussed it with the four participating jurisdictions. He stated the cost of the property will be borne by the authority. He explained each locality will be charged a prorated amount based on the number inmates from each locality. He reviewed the history and current needs regarding this request. He described the general types of criminals which will be incarcerated at this locationand he described staffing needs. He discussed the site plan and design. He stated none ofthe inmates would beallowed off premiseson “work release.” He stated Ms. Cooper’s outbuilding would need to be moved since it is currently located within the easement. Ms. Hooker asked for confirmation that prisoners would not be allowed outside the facility. Mr. Guynn reaffirmed prisoners would not be allowed outside the facility. Mr. Jarrell asked about other entrance options. Mr. Guynn stated a new bridge 4 would be too costly. Mr. Azar asked about the floodplainarea. Mr. Scott Hodge, HSMM, discussed the areaswhich arecurrently in the 100 year floodplain and 500 year floodplain. He stated there are no restrictions for building in the 500 year floodplain. Mr. Gerald Holt, Roanoke County Sheriff, stated only inmates housed inthe local jailwould be allowed out on work release. Mr. Steve Noble, 5376 Canter Drive, stated this rezoning is for a public subdivision of land. He discussed road frontage being in the floodplain. He stated no one from VDOT was present at the hearing. Mr. Frank Porter, 6529 Fairway Forest Drive, stated trucks and other traffic would be backed-up when trains stop traffic. He stated they need a study of the area. He stated citizens need factual information. Mr. J. C. Whitlock, 5839 West River Road, discussed the flood of 1972 at which time water went over the bridge. He expressed concern about traffic backing-up due to trains passing. He expressed concern regarding increased flooding in the area due to the installation of the retaining wall. Mr. Harold Horn stated inmates will be taking care of prison grounds. Mr. Azar reiterated information received from Sheriff Holt and Mr. Guynnthat inmates from this facility will not be allowed outofthe jail. Mr. Horn discussed the survey of the property including the easement which allows access to the property. He expressed concern regarding inmate visitation privileges. Mr. Charles Colley, 4424 West River, expressed concern that property downstream would experience more flooding due to development on pasture land. Mr. Frank Porter expressed concern regarding stormwater management. He stated he spoke with VDOT who stated plans have not been submitted to their agency. Ms. Hooker asked about the 1972 flood history. Mr. Scott Hodge stated the 1972 flood was greater than a 100-year event. He stated regulations apply only toa 100-year floodplain. Ms. Hooker asked about building the road up and how that would affect the floodplain.Mr. Scott Hodge explained that the road will be as close to therailroad as possible in order to keep it out of the floodplain. Ms. Hooker asked about impacts downstream. Mr. Scott Hodge stated that with the minimal filling required, there will be little impact. Ms. Hooker asked about input from the railroad and VDOT. Ms. Scheid stated VDOT’s concern was the need for increased site distance. Ms. Hooker asked about the easement. Mr. Guynn stated he has reviewed all available documents thatshow the easementand the Authority has full rights to access the property utilizing this easement. Mr. McNeil asked if the easement had been acquired. Mr. Guynn stated the county owns the easement which was put on the deed by the Higginbothams. Ms. Hooker asked if the county has the right to improve the road. Mr. Guynnstated they 5 have the right to improve the road to VDOT standards. Ms. Hooker noted there is aneed for a jail and this property is appropriatefor this use. Ms. Hookerthen made a favorable recommendation to approve the rezoning request: AYES:Thomason, Azar, Hooker, McNeil, Jarrell NAYS:None ABSENT:None Ms.Hooker then made a favorable recommendation to approve the SUP with the following conditions: 1.Development of the site shall be in substantial compliance with the Site Concept Plan,dated 12/23/05, prepared by HSMM. AYES:Thomason, Azar, Hooker, McNeil, Jarrell NAYS:None ABSENT:None Citizens Comments There were none. Comments Mr. McNeil recommended reviewingtheportion of theZoning Ordinance regarding AG-3 zoning. Ms. Hooker noted each Planning Commission memberis a Roanoke County citizen who can and will vote his or her conscience. Final Orders 1.The petition of Friendship Manor Apartment Village Corporation to rezone 3.564 acres from R-3C, Medium Density Multi-Family Residential District with Conditions to C-2, General Commercial District, and to obtain a Special Use Permit for the construction of a Life Care Facility, located at 6509 was Carefree Lane and 6920 Williamson Road, Hollins Magisterial District approved by theBoard of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on January 24, 2006. There being no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:26p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved: Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission 6