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Home My WebLink About12/7/2004 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 7, 2004 Present: Mr. AI Thomason Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Steve Azar Mr. Rodney McNeil Mr. Gary Jarrell Ms. Janet Scheid, Secretary Mr. David Holladay Mr. John Murphy Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary WORK SESSION: Session opened at 4:12 p.m. by Mr. Al Thomason. Approval of Agenda Mr. Al Thomason moved to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 5- 0. Approval of Minutes Ms. Hooker moved to approve the November 2, 2004 minutes. Motion passed 5- 0. Approval of Consent Aqenda Ms. Hooker moved to approve the consent agenda. Motion passed 5 -0. Elections 2005 Mr. Al Thomason nominated Ms. Martha Hooker, Chairperson for 2005. Ms. Hooker nominated Mr. Steve Azar, Vice - Chairperson for 2005. Both nominations passed unanimously. Mr. Thomason nominated Ms. Janet Scheid, Secretary, and Planning Staff members, Alternate Secretaries, in her absence. Comments Mr. Murphy informed Planning Commissioners the Nextel test balloon did not float today. Site Viewing The meeting was adjourned for site viewing at 4:30 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Al Thomason called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the 15t Floor Board Room. He stated Ms. Scheid had an announcement. Ms. Scheid stated the hearing would be moved to the Td Floor Conference Room. At 7:01 p.m. in the 3` Floor Conference Room, Mr. Al Thomason gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance. 1. The petition of Nextel Partners, Inc., to obtain a Special Use Permit to construct a 199 ft. broadcast tower, located at 432 Bandy Drive, near Windy Gap Mountain, Vinton Magisterial District. Mr. John Murphy, Roanoke County Planning, presented the Staff Report for this petition. Mr. Azar asked about supporting documents regarding public safety issues. Mr. Murphy noted some of the consultant's information is flawed. Mr. Azar asked if Mr. Murphy recommended more in -depth studies. Mr. Murphy affirmed further studies should be conducted. Mr. Thomason asked about the distance between the proposed Nextel tower and existing county tower. Mr. Murphy stated approximately 3 /A of a mile. He stated both towers would be located within Roanoke County. Mr. Thomason asked about the height of the towers. Mr. Murphy stated the proposed tower would be 199 feet and the current county tower is 150 feet. Mr. Thomason asked if the petitioner had considered using the county tower. Mr. Murphy stated further evaluation is needed regarding the use of the county tower. Mr. Azar asked about the county tower meeting Nextel's requirements. Mr. Murphy deferred to county technical staff Mr. Rodney Thompson and Mr. Bill Hunter. Mr. Thomason expressed concern regarding the proliferation of towers. He asked if the county tower would serve Nextel. Mr. Rodney Thompson stated coverage testing provided has been unclear. He stated a live test would determine whether or not the tower is adequate for the petitioner. Mr. Thomason asked about the length of time necessary to perform the test. Mr. Thompson stated it would most likely take a couple of days depending on how many areas require testing. Mr. Hunter explained the procedure. Mr. Nate Holland, spoke representing Nextel. He stated they will research the potential use of the county tower. He explained they had previously received incorrect information regarding the tower. He stated their goal is to reach Route 116 and the surrounding residential area. He stated at the time they researched the county tower, they did not believe it would provide enough coverage. Mr. Azar asked if the petitioner was willing to perform additional testing in order to determine if co- location is possible. Mr. Holland stated they would be willing to run certain tests in order to determine if co- location would meet Nextel's needs. 2 Mr. Bobby Saunders, 434 Bandy Drive, stated the tower would be within approximately 450 yards of his house. Mr. Thomason asked if he was fearful of the tower. Mr. Saunders stated adequate research has not been conducted on the effects of the towers. He expressed concern about long term effects to his three sons. He also expressed concern regarding road condition and usage. Ms. Hooker inquired about his concerns regarding the road. Mr. Saunders stated he is concerned about road maintenance issues and increased traffic. Mr. Azar asked how many people currently have deeded access to the road. Ms. Saunders stated two families have deeded access. Mr. Azar asked about creating a maintenance agreement. Mr. Saunders and Ms. Saunders stated Ms. Holdren, Executrix for Paula Adams, does not want to be part of the agreement. Ms. Saunders expressed concern that they would be taxed by Roanoke County if the tower is located at this site. Mr. Joe Obenshain explained Roanoke County has agreements with other counties where properties overlap into another county. Ms. Saunders explained her husband has taken complete care of the road for 23 years. She stated they do not want the tower. Mr. Ken Wheeler, 8656 Juba[ Early Highway, expressed concern regarding the number of towers in this area. He stated his family lives within sight of the tower site. He expressed concern regarding the devaluation of their property. Mr. Holland stated he has not spoken with Ms. Holdren regarding a road maintenance agreement. He stated they will fix the road better than it is currently when the tower project is finished. He stated he spoke with Mr. Billy Drivers, Roanoke County Assessor, who informed him properties with towers are accessed higher than surrounding properties. He stated one technical staff member will visit the facility each month. He stated they hope the county tower will work and provide seamless - dropless coverage. Mr. Wheeler expressed concern the tower will interfere with the FAA radar beam which assists planes with landings. Mr. Holland stated if a tower is over 200 feet it has to be lit. He stated information received by FAA has indicated the tower would not be a hazard. Mr. Saunders stated many people in the area do not know about the tower proposal. Ms. Hooker asked the petitioner if they are willing to look at further options. Mr. Holland agreed to further testing. All commissioners agreed more research is needed before making a decision on the petition. Mr. McNeil encouraged the petitioner to work closely with staff on issues. Mr. Azar then made the motion to recommend continuing request for 30 days: AYES: Thomason, Hooker, Azar, McNeil, Jarrell NAYS: None ABSENT: None 3 2. The petition of Seaside Heights, LLC, to rezone .98 acres from C1, Office District to C-2, General Commercial District and to obtain a Special Use Permit on 2.22 acres for the operation of a fast food restaurant and drive- thru located at the intersections of Brambleton Avenue, Colonial Avenue and Merriman Road, Cave Spring M agisterial District, (Continued to January 4, 2005) 3. The petition of Vaughn & Jackson, LLC, to rezone 158.657 acres from AR, Agricultural Residential District to AG-1, Agricultural District for the development of single family housing located at 6944 Bent Mountain Road and Bergenblilck Lane, Windsor Hills Magisterial District. (Withdrawn by request of the petitioner) Citizens Comments There were no citizen comments. Comments Ms. Scheid announced this was the last meeting of the year for the Planning Commission. The commissioners wished everyone happy holidays. Final Orders I The petition of New Century Development Co., LLC to rezone 9.78 acres from R1, Low Density Residential, District, to 11, Industrial District in order to develop a warehousing and distribution area, located at 7704 —7706 Friendship Lane, Hollins Magisterial District was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on November 16, 2004. 2. The petition of Roanoke County Board of Supervisors to rezone 4.83 acres from 11 C, Industrial District with Conditions to R1, Low Density Residential District in order to construct a public park and recreational area, located in the 5600 Block of Hollins Road, Hollins Magisterial District was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on November 16, 2004. There being no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved: Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission rd