HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/18/2006 - Minutes
ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
WORK SESSION MINUTES –APRIL 18, 2006
Present:
Mr. Steve Azar
Mr. Rodney McNeil
Ms. Martha Hooker
Mr. Arnold Covey
Mr.David Holladay,Alternate Secretary
Mr. Tim Beard
Ms. Becky Mahoney
Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary
Guests:Ms. Melody Williams, RRHBA
Mr. Charles Hofer
Mr. Ron Booth
Mr. Joe Thomas
Mr. David Vaughn
Mr. Don Bandy
Mr. Dean Bandy
Absent:Mr. Gary Jarrell
Mr. Al Thomason
WORK SESSION:
Session opened at 6:08p.m. byMr.Azar.
Approval of Agenda
Ms.Hookermoved to approve the agenda. Motion passed 3-0.
Discussion of Slope Ordinance
Mr. Holladay provided a brief history of the process. He stated it hasbeen a
collaborative effort. He discussed erosion & sediment control provisions. He discussed
definition revisions. Mr. Ron Booth asked for clarification of criteria for slope building.
Mr. Holladay explained the applicable criteria. He discussed the importance of therole
of the geotechnical engineerin this process. He discussed grading standards. Mr. Don
Bandy expressed concern regarding cut & fill slopes. Mr. Ron Booth inquired about
specific changes in the ordinance.Mr. Holladay stated some revisions were patterned
from other localities and some were in response to previous occurrences. Mr. David
Vaughn discussed varioustypes of slopes.He stated builders need flexibility since
most remaining property available for building is sloped. Mr. Covey explained the
importance of developing standards forslope development in order to prevent slope
failure. Mr. Vaughn suggested having the engineer approve the slope development.
Mr. Booth noted it is important for the contractors to protect their own financial interest
by making sure the slope remainsstableafter development.Mr. Vaughn stated dirt
quality should be considered. Mr. Don Bandy suggested usingberms and temporary
drainpipesfor stormwater management. Mr. Dean Bandy noted Faith Christian School
would not have a soccer field if slope requirements would have been changed earlier.
Mr. Holladay stated he received information from professors from Radford University
and Virginia Tech. Mr. Don Bandy stated slope development approval should be left
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up to the engineer.Mr. Dean Bandy stated entrances are required to be developed per
VDOT standards. Mr. Vaughn stated theengineer should look at each site to determine
if the slope is suitable for building. Mr. Holladay announced that the Planning
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Department would be conducting a meeting on April 25to further discuss the
ordinance. Mr. Vaughn asked if a grace period would be granted for plans which have
already been submitted. Mr. Covey discussed allowing a grace period. Mr. Joe
Thomas inquired about the timeline. Mr. Holladay discussed the prospective timeline.
Mr. Azar stated staff and the commissioners are still researchingvarious issues. He
stated they do not want to impede business; however, they do want to offer protection of
the area. He requested recommendations on how to improve the ordinance. Ms.
Hooker discussed the importance of preventing slope failure. She suggested providing
more engineering at the beginning of the process. Mr. Vaughn discussed the
importance of protecting developments on and around the slopeswithout eliminating
development on the slopes. Mr. McNeil discussed the importance of compaction on
slopes. Mr. Dean Bandy discussed compaction of slopes and the importance of more
detailed criteria for all contractors to follow. Mr. Covey noted this ordinance is
becoming increasingly more important due to the prevalence of cut & fill areas. Ms.
Melody Williams asked if regulations would be specific to individual or larger
developments. Mr. Covey stated the regulationswould be applicable to all slope
development.
Comments of Planning Commissioners and Planning Staff
There were no comments.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:59p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Approved:
Alternate Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission
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