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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/7/2003 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - JANUARY 7, 2003 Present: Mr. Don Witt Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Ai Thomason Ms. Janet Scheid, Secretary Mr. David Holladay Mr. Chris Lowe Mr. John Murphy Mr. Tim Beard Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary Absent: Todd Ross WORK SESSION: Mr. Witt called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. Approval of Agenda Ms. Hooker moved to approve the agenda. Motion passed 3 -0. Approval of Minutes Mr. Thomason moved to approve minutes with changes. Motion passed 3 -0. Approval of Consent Agenda After a brief discussion regarding the petition of Windsor House, Inc., Mr. Thomason moved to approve the consent agenda. Motion passed 3 -0. Election of 20{ Vice -Ch Ms. Hooker nominated Mr, Witt, Chairman. Motion passed 3 -0 Mr. Thomason nominated Ms. Hooker, Vice Chairman. Motion passed 3 -0 Mr. Witt, Ms. Hooker, and Mr. Thomason agreed the Secretary would remain Ms. Scheid. Approval of 2003 Public Meeting Schedule Ms. Hooker moved to approve the schedule. Motion passed 3 -0 Comments Ms. Scheid announced that Mr. Steve Azar would be approved as a Planning Commissioner at the January 14 BOS meeting. He will be attending the January 21 Planning Commission Worksession. Ms. Scheid also stated they will be presenting a Certificate of Recognition to Mr. Kyle Robinson at dinner tonight. Mr. Witt recommended that the Planning Commission Bylaws be updated. Ms. Scheid stated the Bylaws and the Workprogram would be reviewed during the next Worksession. Site Viewing The meeting was adjourned for site viewing at 4:28 p.m. 2 PUBLIC HEARING: There was a petition of Sovereign Grace Community Church to obtain a Special Use Permit to construct a religious assembly facility on 3.28 acres, located at 7300 Williamson Road, Hollins Magisterial District. Mr. David Holladay, Roanoke County Planning, presented the Staff report for this petition. Ms. Hooker asked staff if the taxation on the property would remain the same if the property were leased to a church. Mr. Holladay stated the tax base on the real estate would remain the same. Mr. Bruce Chick, Pastor of Sovereign Grace Community Church, stated he currently has approximately 75 parishioners. Mr. Thomason asked if the church intends to lease the property and how long would they plan to be at this location. Mr. Chick stated the church plans to lease the property for 4 years. Mr. Thomason verified the church would occupy approximately 113 of the building. Ms. Hooker asked Mr. Chick about the long -term goals and plans. Mr. Chick stated he was unsure of the growth of his church but hoped there would be 200 -300 people attending within the next 3 -4 years. Ms. Hooker asked the reason they have chosen this property. Mr. Chick stated this location requires very little money up front. He stated they would seal off 1/3 of the building to construct the sanctuary and classrooms. He also stated his church will be trying to reach out to "internationals" in the area. He stated the surrounding area is diverse in population. He also stated the building allows growing room for the church. Ms. Hooker asked when the church was established. Mr. Chick stated the church began approximately 2 years ago with approximately 50 people. Mr. Witt conveyed the dissenting opinion of the Economic Development Department regarding placing a church in a commercial area. Mr. Witt inquired if there would be any exterior changes made to the structure. Mr. Chick stated they would probably apply for a permit to display a banner to identify the building. Mr. Witt asked if the church would have services during the week. Mr. Chick stated they would have some Tuesday night meetings. Mr. Witt asked if the church has a problem with only leasing the property. Mr. Chick stated they only want to rent at the present time. No citizens spoke. Ms. Hooker, Mr. Witt, and Mr. Thomason discussed applying conditions regarding restricting the church to being permitted to lease the property only. Ms. Scheid stated this will present an enforcement problem regarding leasing versus purchasing of the property. Mr. Witt stated by state code the church is tax exempt. Mr. Thomason expressed concern regarding 3 applying conditions based on ownership of the property. Mr. Witt referred to the Roanoke County Community Plan, which discourages tax - exempt facilities in Core areas. Ms. Hooker then made a favorable recommendation to approve the special use permit with the following condition: The Special Use Permit is valid as long as the church is a tenant at this location, and not a property owner. (Per memo from Paul Mahoney, County Attorney this is not a valid, legally defensible proffer and he will recommend that the SOS not include it.) AYES: Hooker, Witt, Thomason NAYS: None ABSENT: None Citizens Comments There were no citizen comments. Comments None. Final Orders Ms. Janet Scheid presented the Final Orders for December 2002. The petition of Lois M. Atkins to obtain a Special Use Permit to operate a Home Occupation for a Beauty Salon, located at 3105 Davis Avenue, Windsor Hills Magisterial District was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on December 17, 2002. 2. The petition of Ricky A. May, to obtain a Special Use Permit to operate a private aviation facility on 21.9 acres, located at 2213 Zana Road, Catawba Magisterial District was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on December 17, 2002. 3. The petition of Joe & Melissa Lankford, to Rezone 6.15 acres from R -1 Low Density Residential District to AR Agricultural Residential District located at 7604 Mount Chestnut Road, Windsor Hills Magisterial District was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on December 17, 2002. 4. The petition of Van B. and Teresa D. Johnson, to obtain a Special Use Permit to operate a commercial kennel on 2.657 acres, located at 3900 Carvins Cove Road, Catawba Magisterial District was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on December 17, 2002. M K g a L n `n