Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/13/2004 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - JANUARY '13, 2004 Present: Mr. Don Witt Ms. Martha Hooker Mr, Al Thomason Ms. Janet Scheid, Secretary Mr. Chris Lowe Mr. Tim Beard Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary Guests: Mr. Gary Jarrell Mr. Rodney McNeil WORK SESSION: Mr. Thomason called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Approval of Agenda Mr. Witt moved to approve the agenda. Motion passed 3 -0. Approval of 2004 Public Meeting Schedule Mr. Thomason moved to approve the 2004 Public Meeting Schedule. Motion passed 3 -0. Discussion of Revised Community Plan & Land Use Maps Ms. Scheid requested that everyone introduce themselves to the rest of the group present. Mr. Thomason noted VDOT does not have the funding to complete formerly projected improvements. Mr. Witt noted projections in the 1998 Comp Plan for Route 221 road improvements were made with the assumption funding would be available from VDOT. He stated since funding has been cut significantly, the road expansion and improvements will not be completed. He stated citizen involvement is needed regarding the 6 Year Primary Road Plan. Ms. Pam Berberich noted Cotton Hill Road has been on the 6 Year Road Plan for 8 years and no one cleans the road when it snows. Mr. Witt stated that the state controls the roads, not the county. Ms. Berberich stated the county does have control over development. Mr. Bob Flynn suggested lobbying VDOT to insure funding is allocated where it is most needed in the county. Mr. Bob Seymour stated they should lobby in anticipation of growth. Ms Scheid pointed out formerly funding was available for these improvements. Mr. Jim Woltz stated VDOT gave up trying to improve Route 221 due to citizen opposition. Mr. Charlie Lavinder agreed the citizens did oppose the proposed improvements. Mr. Seymour indicated he would like to check the record regarding this charge of VDOT withdrawing from road improvements. Mr. Steve Strauss stated The Roanoke Times reported funding was shifted to Route 460/Route 11 in preparation for 1 -81 improvements. Mr. Seymour stated he would like road improvements to precede development. Ms. Dorothy Runion stated Route 221 widening was ceased because the houses in Bridlewood began disintegrating due to the grading of the adjoining bank. She stated repair and prevention costs exceeded all funding which had been allocated for this project. Mr. Jim Miller stated it would be helpful to lobby legislators to acquire more VDOT funding for this area, provided there is no opposition. Ms. Scheid stated it is important to decide exactly what they want from VDOT before making a request. Mr. Woltz agreed a consensus is needed. Ms. Berberich inquired about having a traffic light installed at the intersection of Route 221 and Cotton Hill Road. Mr. Covey stated both road improvements and improvements to the bridge over Back Creek will need to be made first by the Department of Highways. He noted this would be very expensive. Ms. Scheid stated previously the Dept. of Highways determined a traffic light was not needed at that intersection. Mr. Thomason stated in retrospect some areas may have been developed which should not have been. Ms. Annie Krochalis stated Bent Mountain lost some of its Fire & Rescue Services when the bottom of Route 221 was overdeveloped. She stated the development occurred at the expense of the upper portion of Route 221 corridor. Mr. Witt stated the lesser density at the top of the mountain reduces the services provided. Ms. Krochalis stated they need a baseline of services. Mr. Seymour stated since these services are not in place now, it is important to correct this prior to further development. Mr. Alexander Boone stated pressure is created by farmers selling large tracts of property. Mr. Woltz stated setback rules will prohibit development of some of the property further up the mountain. Ms. Berberich stated they are not saying 'no growth'. She stated they wish to stabilize growth. Ms. Scheid stated the surge in building permits issued in 2002 was primarily due to the lower interest rates. Mr. Flynn stated the Comp. Plan is actually a projection of the next 15 -20 years. Staff affirmed this point but stated it is reviewed every 4 -5 years. Mr. Seymour expressed concern regarding overcrowding of the schools. He stated he does not want the school boundaries to continuously change. He stated they need to look at the long term planning while considering the current market in the area. Ms. Krochalis stated it needs to be determined who is moving into this area, out of state populations or existing Roanoke Valley citizens. She stated taxes do not equal spending for expenses. Mr. Miller stated Roanoke citizens currently pay many different taxes. Ms. Berberich suggested imposing impact fees. Mr. Vaughn suggested making impact fees retroactive for homes built in the last 10 years. Mr. Thomason stated he was a member of the committee which studied the schools. He stated the county has a good system which has worked well. Ms. Berberich asked the RRHBA why they were taking issue with impact fees. Mr. Alexander Boone stated the buyers will max out. Mr. Strauss stated impact fees are not allowed in Virginia. He asked what the county intends to do to remedy this issue. He suggested applying additional taxes on residents. Ms. Berberich stated the Roanoke County School Board voted against building an additional school at this time. Ms. Scheid stated FA many of the existing schools are currently undergoing major renovations. Mr. Strauss stated there is a lack of communication between Roanoke County Government and the Roanoke County School Board. Ms. Berberich stated the county could require cash proffers. Mr. Seymour stated they need to plan what to do with the funds which are currently available. Ms. Krochalis stated it is important to manage growth. Mr. Steve Burak stated developers should donate funds to the schools. One citizen stated she has not seen any information requesting the legislature to allow impact fees. She stated education serves all of us. Ms. Runion stated if development stopped today they would know what they are dealing with regarding these issues. She stated it is important to take care of the current citizens. She stated the new people coming into the area should have to pay for the additional services needed to accommodate the higher density. Ms. Scheid stated these issues are countywide. Ms. Hooker stated these types of pressures are everywhere. Ms. Berberich stated she has been asked to speak to other civic leagues regarding these Issues. Ms. Krochalis stated if the Infrastructure is not in place, the market will eventually fall due to lack of services. One of the developers stated the demand for housing is the problem. He stated builders do not care where they are can build as long as they are able to build. Mr. Flynn stated more meetings are needed between the various factions. He stated it is important to look to the future. He stated citizens have actually created the problems. Mr. Covey stated the 500 building permits issued last year were dispersed throughout the entire county. Mr. Vaughn stated the school board and BOS need to be represented at these meetings. Mr. Witt noted more can be accomplished in smaller groups. Ms. Scheid noted that the RRHBA have appointed a committee of 3 to work through these issues with staff. Ms. Krochalis stated every one has a right to be heard. She suggested including citizens from other areas of the county. Ms. Hooker suggested having a meeting in which various informational booths will be available to address particular issues. Mr. Woltz stated it is important to include the farmers. Mr. Lavinder stated he hates to see the entire area covered in houses. Mr. Holnback stated a particular number of people could be determined which would represent the various groups. Mr. Covey suggested creating a focus group of 10. Ms. Scheid stated she would coordinate the details for the meeting. Citizens' Comments There were no additional comments. Comments of Planning Commissioners and Plannincl Staff There were no additional comments. 3 Adjournment There being no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:46 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission 4