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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/4/2003 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - FEBRUARY 4, 2003 Present: Mr. Al Thomason Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Don Witt, Chairman Mr. Todd Ross Mr. Steve Azar Ms. Janet Scheid, Secretary Mr. David Holladay Mr. John Murphy Mr. Chris Lowe Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary WORK SESSION: Mr. Witt called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m. Approval of Agenda Mr. Thomason moved to approve the agenda. Motion passed 5 -0. Approval of Minutes Ms. Hooker moved to approve the January 7, 2003 PCPH minutes. Motion passed 4 -0 with Mr. Ross abstaining. Mr. Ross moved to approve the January 21, 2003 Worksession minutes as amended. Motion passed 5 -0. Approval of Consent Agenda Mr. Thomason moved to approve the consent agenda. Motion passed 5- 0. Windsor House Mr. Murphy gave an explanation of the memo sent to the commissioners. Ms. Hooker stated that staff should conduct a general review of the Zoning Ordinance and not be so 'case specific.' Mr. Ross asked for clarification on the previous petition regarding this property. Mr. Murphy explained the history of the petition. Ms. Scheid described the property and the type of services offered. Mr. Murphy stated the neighbors are apprehensive about rezoning the property from C1 to C2. Cotton Hill Land Co. Ms. Scheid gave an overview of the most recent community meeting. She stated the neighbors shared concerns about traffic, schools, wildlife, and the general nature of the community. She stated the neighbors expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of communication from the developers. Mr. Witt stated the developers are now offering more proffers including extension of public water lines further into the community. Ms. Scheid stated Mr. Minnix has issued a list of items to be researched prior to the Planning Commission's public hearing. Site Viewing The meeting was adjourned for site viewing at 4:40 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Don Witt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Witt gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance. 1. The petition of Windsor House, Inc., to Rezone .67 acres from C -1 Office District to C -2 General Commercial District in order to operate a beauty salon located at 3505 Brambleton Avenue, Windsor Hills Magisterial District. Mr. John Murphy, Roanoke County Planning, presented information acquired at the Community Meeting of January 29, 2003, regarding the petition. He stated the citizens view this property as the 'gateway' to the Pinevale neighborhood. He stated they are apprehensive that the C -2 zoning will bring in larger businesses. Mr. Murphy gave a history of the previous zoning petition of the property. He stated the neighboring citizens are comfortable with C -1 zoning and are requesting the county allow beauty salons in C -1 areas. Mr. Thomason asked for a confirmation of the number of citizens in attendance at the Community Meeting. Mr. Murphy confirmed approximately twenty -four citizens were in attendance. Mr. Thomason noted it was a united effort of the neighbors to keep the area C -1. Mr. Murphy stated it was the consensus of the citizens to research the option of allowing the property to remain C -1. Mr. Thomason asked Mr. Witt, Chairman, if it was appropriate to hear the petition if the ordinance was going to be changed. Mr. Witt stated the commission would need to hear the petitioner's presentation prior to making a final decision to postpone the public hearing. Mr. Natt gave a brief overview of the discussion surrounding the Community Meeting. He stated the neighbors opposed the C -2 zoning, viewing it as an encroachment on the neighborhood. He stated other surrounding localities allow beauty salons by right or special exception in C -1 areas. He stated the majority of the citizens thought it was reasonable to allow the property to remain C -1 with a special exception for a beauty salon. Mr. Thomason made the request to Mr. Witt, Chairman, that the Planning Commission determine what action they want to take before proceeding further with the hearing. Ms. Hooker stated she would support a motion postponing the petitioner's public hearing in order to review the current Zoning Ordinance regarding C -1 zoning. Mr. Thomason then made the motion to postpone the public hearing 90 days: AYES: Thomason, Azar, Witt, Hooker, Ross NAYS: None ABSENT: None 3 Comments Mr. Natt requested the Planning Commission accept research documents from Ms. Evie Lander regarding C -1 zoning of surrounding localities. Ms. Scheid accepted the documents from Ms. Lander for the commissioners. 2. The petition of Carroll Investment Properties, Inc., to Rezone 17.034 acres from R -3 Medium Density Multi - Family Residential District to R -4 High Density Multi- Family Residential District in order to construct multi - family dwellings located at the east side of Plantation Road at the intersection with Hershberger Road, Hollins Magisterial District, Mr. Chris Lowe, Roanoke County Planning, presented the staff report. Mr. Lowe stated the proposed rezoning would allow the developers to double the number of units already allowed in the current zoning. Mr. Natt presented an updated list of proffers. Mr. Witt commented on the topography of the site. Mr. Natt introduced the Carroll Investment Properties representatives, Mr. Dennis Montgomery, Mr. Roy Carroll, and Mr. Rick Early. Mr. Natt explained the density increase requires the zoning change. He stated the development will be a high quality apartment complex. He reviewed the site plan. He also stated the complex may be a gated community. Mr. Natt stated the developers intend to extend the sidewalk to the adjoining property. He also stated the existing cemetery is in compliance with the Cemetery Directory. He stated better access would be available to the existing cemetery. He said that a study of the rock in the area would be performed and may dictate a change in arrangement of the buildings. Mr. Natt reviewed the proffers. He stated the developers also plan to manage the complex after completion. Rent would range from $550 to $600 dollars per month. He stated Mountain View Elementary School is reportedly next on the list for improvements in order to accommodate more students from the complex. He stated a four -way traffic light might need to be installed by VDOT. Mr. Natt also stated the petitioner would consider requesting a bus stop nearby. He reported that Mr. Montgomery has spoken with many of the neighbors, none of which has voiced opposition to the construction. Mr. Ross confirmed the number of stories and units per floor. Mr. Ross asked if the developer planned to erect entrance walls or cutback the cliff on the property. Mr. Natt stated since VDOT has the right of way, therefore they would dictate what is necessary. Mr. Witt commented the area would need to be more level near the entrance. Mr. Carroll, President of CIP stated the entrance has not been configured. Mr. Thomason questioned dimensions of the units. Mr. Natt clarified the dimensions. Mr. Witt expressed concern with Building 13 regarding the topography of the site. Mr. Carroll stated they might lose Building 13 if the engineers determine it is not feasible to build. He stated the complex would be built with the overall 'flavor' of a 'good neighbor' in the community. He stated they will employee their own management team to oversee the complex after completion. He stated his company 0 would screen all residents thoroughly. He stated it would be a gated community if possible. He stated he hopes to keep many of the existing trees on site especially around the cemetery. He stated they plan to maintain the existing cemetery possibly surrounding it with fencing to prevent further vandalism. Mr. Witt noted that since the area is a Core Designation, this type of development is appropriate. Ms. Scheid asked Mr. Carroll to clarify whether the greenway would be a trail or an easement. Mr. Carroll stated it would be a greenway easement. Mr. Ross then made a favorable recommendation to approve the rezoning with the following conditions: 1. The subject property will be developed in substantial conformity with the "Preliminary Sketch Plan for Carroll Investment Properties, Inc., Roanoke, Virginia," prepared by GPT Engineering and Surveying, Inc. under date of December 9, 2002. 2. A greenway easement shall be dedicated between Tinker Creek and the centerline of Tinkerbell bane (private access easement). 3. Pedestrian access shall be made available to the Hershberger Road /Plantation Road intersection. 4. Pedestrian access shall be made available to the adjoining shopping center property line located to the east of the property. 5. A maximum of 272 units (16 units per acre) shall be allowed. 6. The exterior of all buildings shall be substantially brick, hip roofing, and post tension slabs. 7. The number and square footage of units shall be: a. 76 one - bedroom units, minimum 685 square feet b. 156 two- bedroom units, minimum 950 square feet C. 40 three - bedroom units, minimum 1,456 square feet 8. The following amenities shall be provided: a. club house (approximately 2658 square feet) b. swimming pool C. laundry facilities d. tennis court e. playground AYES: Thomason, Azar, Witt, Hooker, Ross NAYS: None ABSENT: None 5 Citizens Comments There were no citizen comments. Comments Mr. Thomason asked for a copy of the documents brought in by Ms. Evie Lander regarding C-1 zoning in other localities. Ms, Scheid stated copies would be provided to the commissioners. Ms. Scheid reminded the commissioners that the Joint Work session on February 1 11h with the BOS has been consolidated with the Joint Work session on February 25�h. She also stated she would follow-up on the e- mail from the school board regarding demographics for Mountain View Elementary School. The Planning Commission welcomed Anthony Ford, Traffic Engineer, to the Planning Staff., Ms. Hooker discussed a trash complaint regarding the county's 'One Armed Bandits.' She stated some of the trucks are over-filled allowing trash to come out of the back of the truck and onto the roadways. Ms. Scheid suggested Ms. Hooker call Ms., Anne Marie Green, Dlirector of General Services, to discuss a solution to the problem. Final Orders 1 The 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 was approved, by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on January 28, 20013. There being no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m., Respectfully Submitted, Approved: Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission Ell