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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/19/2004 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION MINUTES -- OCTOBER 19, 2004 Present: Mr. Ai Thomason Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Rodney McNeil Mr. Arnold Covey Ms. Janet Scheid Mr. David Holladay Mr. Chris Lowe Mr. Tim Beard Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary Absent: Mr. Steve Azar Mr. Gary Jarrell Guests: Mr. George Simpson, Assistant Director, Community Development Mr. Joey Stump, Manager, Fire and Rescue Mr. Tim Thornton, The Roanoke Times Mr. Bob Flynn Ms. Melody Williams Mr. Al Cooper Ms. Helen Sublette Ms. Annie Krochalis WORK SESSION: Session opened at 4:02 p.m. by Mr. Thomason. Approval of Agenda Ms. Hooker moved to approve the amended agenda. Motion passed 3 -0. Discussion of Land Use Maps Mr. Holladay presented maps and map guide. He explained land use designations for each area of the county. Ms. Scheid explained density allowed by zoning. Both Mr. Holladay and Ms. Scheid answered specific questions from the Planning Commission regarding each area. Discussion of Disaster Mitigation Plan Mr. George Simpson provided an overview of the plan. He stated the plan is required in order to continue to receive assistance if a disaster occurs. Mr. Joey Stump stated the plan is required in order to receive disaster funds. He stated the plan addresses all hazards. Mr. Simpson stated this plan covers flooding, wildfires, earthquakes, along with other natural disasters. He stated the most pertinent sections to read would be the Executive summary and pages 187 -195. He noted 16 houses in Roanoke County have been purchased that were in flood areas. He stated grant money has been used to establish a dedicated drainage maintenance team. He explained the procedure which will be necessary in order to acquire approval and adoption of the plan. Mr. McNeil, Ms. Hooker, and Mr. Thomason unanimously recommended endorsement of the Disaster Mitigation Plan. Discussion of the Comprehensive Plan — Growth Management Ms. Scheid reviewed the Growth Management section. Ms. Hooker congratulated staff on a job well done. She expressed some anxiety regarding the private road issue on page 7 — number 6, although she feels this is the correct direction to take at this time. Mr. Thomason stated it is important to have a specific definition regarding steep slopes as mentioned on page 3 — number 6. Mr. McNeil stated the steep slope issue can be addressed when the ordinance is revised. He questioned density growth on page 3 — number 4. Ms. Scheid explained the purpose is not to stop growth but instead manage growth. She stated the goal is to build where infrastructure already exists. Ms. Scheid said that if the County goal is to limit growth in rural areas then we will see an increase in urban and suburban areas. Mr. McNeil noted it will place more pressure on existing infrastructure if density is increased. He stated it could create clutter in urban areas. Mr. McNeil inquired about the cluster development. Ms. Scheid stated some revisions are needed in the cluster ordinance to make these developments easier to design. Ms. Hooker asked about the timeframe ordinance revisions will begin. Ms. Scheid stated 14 -15 ordinance revisions and new ordinances need to be developed in order to implement the Comp Plan. She requested the Planning Commission prioritize the changes needed. Ms. Scheid presented a summary of the October 13, 2004 Open House Public Comments to the Planning Commission. She stated changes will be included where appropriate. She stated most suggestions do not require revision of the text. Comments Ms. Scheid noted Land Use maps can now be purchased by the public at a cost of $8.00 per map. She stated these maps will also be made available on -line. She noted a BOS Worksession will be held on November 1 S{ to discuss steep slopes, ridgetops, and clear- cutting provisions of the Comp Plan. She stated the Planning Commission has been invited to attend. Ms. Helen Sublette expressed concern regarding protecting the rural areas while harming the established urban and suburban neighborhoods. She expressed concern regarding stormwater runoff from development. She stated many residents have invested a great deal in the area and need to be considered regarding development planning. Ms. Melody Williams discussed semantics of the document. She stated some wording in the document is contradictory. She made recommendations for changes. Mr. Bob Flynn provided several suggestions regarding Growth Management revisions on roads, steep slopes, sprawl, and public services. He inquired about page 3 - paragraph 5 regarding roads. Ms. Scheid provided an explanation regarding private and public road differences. He stated page 6 - number 2 could be adding to sprawl in the rural areas. Ms. Scheid explained maps showing current water and sewer availability which would be designated as future growth areas. Mr. Flynn expressed concern about Rural Village designations addressed on page 8 — number 9. 2 Ms. Annie Krochalis suggested a section on cash proffers be added. She expressed concern regarding sprawl in agricultural zoning and rural roads. She requested citizens be included in cluster development discussions with the Roanoke Regional Home Builders Association. She invited the PC and staff to attend the Bent Mountain Civic League meeting on October 28 Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 5:39 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved: `2' S� Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission