HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/21/2006 - Minutes
ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
WORK SESSION MINUTES –FEBRUARY 21, 2006
Present:
Mr. Al Thomason
Ms. Martha Hooker
Ms. Janet Scheid
Mr. Paul Mahoney, County Attorney
Mr. Arnold Covey
Mr. George Simpson
Mr. David Holladay
Mr. Tim Beard
Mr. Butch Workman
Mr. Becky Mahoney
Mr. Josh Gibson
Absent: Mr. Steve Azar
Mr. Gary Jarrell
Mr. Rodney McNeil
Guests: Mr. Joe Miller
Mr. David Radford
Mr. Jim Woltz
Discussion of Slope Guidelines
Mr. David Holladaydiscussedinput received from various expertsregarding slopes. He
discussed ordinances from other areaswith similar issues, the formatof the ordinance
andpurpose of the ordinance. He reviewed the four key issues: steepness, stability,
materials and prehistoric history. He provided graphics to illustrate various ways to
measureslopes.David discussed cut & fill slopesand noted the stability of a slope is
dependent upon its relationship with water. He discussed the Roanoke County
Building Code regarding shrink/swell soil issues.
Mr. Joe Miller asked about steep slope threshold criteria. Mr. Holladay discussed the
importance of conducting a height threshold analysis. Mr. Jim Woltzsuggested the
county work ondefinitionsof “lot”.Mr. Woltz asked about building restrictions on
slopes. Mr. Holladay noted more analysis is necessary. Ms. Scheid noted the
importance of safety whenmanagingdevelopment on steepslopes. Mr. Woltz inquired
about retaining walls. Mr. Baker discussed building guidelinesfor retaining walls. Mr.
Woltz asked about the history of structure failure. Mr. Covey stated the problem has not
historically been with the structure but with the stabilization of the land. Mr. Woltz
expressed concern regarding recreational cabins inrural areas having to follow strict
guidelines. Mr. Miller expressed concern regarding restrictionson individual homesites
as opposed to entire subdivisions. Mr. Holladay discussed how restrictions would be
tied in with the E & S Ordinance. Mr. Miller suggested placing slope information and
restrictions on the deed of the property. Mr. Mahoney explained the importance of
preventing problemsrather than trying to fix problems after they occur.Mr. Covey
discussed the importance of working out drainage issues earlyin the site plan process.
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Discussion of Village Centers
Mr. Tim Beardreviewed the Village Center information. He discussed comments he
has receivedfrom landscape architects and architects.He discussed some of the
currently designatedvillage centersandsuggested design guidelines. He discussed
existing village center facilities and reviewedzoning maps. Mr. Woltz inquired if the
Catawba village designation could be broken into pods instead of one large section.
Ms. Hooker also expressed interest in this type of design.
Email Addresses for Commissioners
Ms. Janet Scheid briefly discussed the option of creating county email addresses for
eachPlanning Commission member.The Planning Commission expressed interest in
having a Planning Commission e-mail address set up that they could access from their
home computers.
RespectfullySubmitted,
Approved:
Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission
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