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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/6/2004 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - JANUARY 6, 2004 Present: Mr. Al Thomason, Chairman Mr. Don Witt Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Steve Azar Ms. Janet Scheid, Secretary Mr. David Holladay Mr. Chris Lowe Mr. John Murphy Mr. Tim Beard Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary WORK SESSION: Mr. Thomason called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m. Approval of Agenda Mr. Witt moved to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 4 -0. Approval of Minutes Mr. Witt moved to approve the November 18, 2003 and December 2, 2003 minutes, and the December 16, 2003 minutes with changes. Motion passed 4 -0. Approval of Consent Agenda Mr. Witt moved to approve the consent agenda. Motion passed 4 -0. Discussion of Virginia Certified Planning Commissioners Course Mr. Azar stated the course is beneficial. Mr. Thomason noted all current commissioners have completed the course. He recommended newly appointed commissioners read Roberts Rules of Order, Revised. Mr. Witt suggested making the course a requirement by adding it to the PC Bylaws. Ms. Scheid stated the Town of Vinton requires PC members to complete the course within three years of their appointment. She noted the course is offered two to three times per year. She stated the county will cover the costs incurred in order to take the course. Mr. Witt then made a motion to include in the Planning Commission Bylaws, all PC members be required to complete the Virginia Certified Planning Commissioners Course: AYES: Thomason, Azar, Witt, Hooker NAYS: None ABSENT: None Discussion of Revised Community Plan & Land Use Maps Ms. Scheid and Mr. Holladay explained the analytical tools used to determine Land Use Designations such as: 1) Neighborhood Conservation; 2) Development; and 3) Rural Village. Mr. Holladay explained the Land Use Maps to the Planning Commission and citizens present. He stated the planning staff reviewed the maps with regard to slope, water and sewer availability. Regarding the Clearbrook Area, he stated that in 1998 schools were an issue. Ms. Annie Krochalis suggested not allowing development if the slope is more that 15 %. Mr. Holladay stated at this time the limit would be 33% slope allowed. Mr. Witt asked if the Blue Ridge Parkway viewshed would have a designation. Ms. Scheid explained that was established in the 1998 Comp Plan. Mr. Holladay noted designation would come into play with zoning requests. Mr. Holladay stated regarding the Mount Pleasant area, some areas are established subdivisions. He stated the area has a rural development pattern some of which is across Route 116 from water and sewer. He stated some land use designations may be changed to rural village. Mr. Holladay stated Route 311 north from Hanging Rock is designated rural village. Mr. Holladay noted much of the area may be rural preserve. Regarding Glenvar, Mr. Holladay stated development patterns will be considered, as well as the water and sewer pattern. Ms. Scheid noted this area includes the Brushy Mountain and Wildwood areas which follows a rural development pattern. Mr. Witt noted some areas have suburban development. Mr. Holladay stated some areas are Neighborhood Conservation areas and the steep sloped areas need to be rural preserve. He stated there are some areas designated as development areas. Regarding West Salem -Dixie Caverns area, Mr. Holladay stated there may be business pressures regarding further industrial development. Ms. Krochalis asked if this area is at risk for air pollution. Ms. Hooker indicated she was unaware of any current issues regarding air pollution in this particular area. Mr. Holladay noted Campbell Hills has water and sewer but the surrounding area is rural village due to the steep slope. He also noted the water treatment plant is located in this area. He stated some portions of this area have remained rural which include Poor Mountain and Harborwood. Mr. Thomason noted Green Hill Park is located in this area. Ms. Krochalis asked if parks are considered conservation areas. Mr. Holladay stated the parks are used for many functions. He stated generally public lands, such as the Blue Ridge Parkway, Appalachian Trail, and National Forest, are areas that are considered conservation areas. He also noted many of the parks are located in Neighborhood Conservation areas. Mr. Witt noted the BOS would be allowed to sell county parks. Regarding the Cave Spring area, Mr. Holladay stated the fringes of Poor Mountain are steeply sloped. He stated Mount Chestnut is divided AG and R1 due to neighborhood development in the area. He stated Sugar Loaf Mountain Road is an organized development. He stated it is difficult to draw lines of distinction in areas containing steep slopes. Mr. Witt noted some ridge lines are natural lines of distinction. Mr. Dan Pollock, asked about the difficulty of changing the slope query from 33% to 23 %. Mr. Holladay indicated this would not be a difficult query change. He stated steep slopes create many building issues. Regarding Cotton Hill /Back Creek, Mr. Holladay stated much of this area 2 was designated residential in the 1998 Comp Plan. Mr. Azar suggested establishing an Urban Service Boundary near this area. Mr. Holladay discussed changing designation to Village Center near Jake's Garage since it is already zoned commercial. Ms. Berberich stated the Poage Farm was a King's Grant and the owners do not want to develop the property. She stated it is important to research the area's infrastructure prior to development. Mr. Holladay noted when the 1998 Comp Plan was written to include changes to Route 221, more state funding was available. Mr. Witt reviewed the history of the 1985 Comp Plan regarding development plans. He stated people want to move to Southwest County because of the good schools. Mr. Strauss stated that problems could be stopped with proper planning. He stated that development does not cause the problems. He stated the county needs to build the infrastructure to accommodate the increased density. Ms. Berberich suggested the county impose impact fees on developers. Mr. Seymour stated more development would exacerbate the current lack of infrastructure in this area. Regarding the area West of Route 221, Mr. Holladay stated most of this area is designated Rural Village. Ms. Elizabeth Abe asked if roads could be developed if they are on a 33% slope. Mr. Holladay stated it would depend on how the road is cut and the minimum radius. Ms. Hooker suggested conducting future discussions regarding this issue. Mr. Thomason stated another meeting would be held Tuesday, January 13, 2004 in the 4 th Floor Training Room at 7:00 p.m. in order to continue the discussion regarding the Back Creek area. Mr. Witt stated the developers and citizens need to begin a constructive dialogue regarding growth. Mr. Azar again suggested creating an Urban Service Boundary. Mr. Bob Flynn suggested meeting outside the public meeting format. Mr. Seymour stated the two groups would have a difficult time coming to a consensus. Mr. Ralph Davis stated the developers do not have good dialogue with the citizens, therefore, he does not want to exclude the Planning Commission. Ms. Krochalis stated all views should be heard. Ms. Berberich stated many of the RRHBA members do not live in Roanoke County. Ms. Hooker stated more productive dialogue is needed between the groups. Ms. Scheid stated the purpose of the meeting on January 13 will be to discuss in more detail the issues regarding growth in Southwest County /Back Creek. Approval of 2004 Public Meeting Schedule Continued to January 13, 2004 PC Worksession. Final Orders Continued to February 3, 2004 PCPH. 1. The petition of Cellco Partnership to obtain a Special Use Permit to operate a broadcasting tower on 3.059 acres located at 6720 Thirlane Road, Catawba, Magisterial District was denied by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on December 16, 2003. 3 2. The petition of Berk, LLC to obtain a Special Use Permit to construct a mini warehouse facility on 4.0 acres located in the 5300 Block of'Hollins Road, Hollins Magisterial District was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on December 16, 2003. Citizens' Comments No additional comments were made. Comments of Planning Commissioners and Planning St No additional comment were made. Adjournment There being no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:29 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved: n. Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission El