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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/1/2003 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES JULY '1, 2003 Present: Mr. Don Witt, Chairman Ms. Martha Hooker (arrived after Agenda & Consent Agenda approved) Mr. Steve Azar Mr. Todd Ross Mr. Tim Beard Ms. Janet Scheid (present at evening session only) Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary Absent: Mr. Al Thomason WORK SESSION: Session opened at 4:01 p.m. by Mr. Witt. Approval of Agenda Mr. Ross moved to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 3 -0. Approval of Consent Agenda Mr. Azar moved to approve the consent agenda. Motion passed 3 -0. Approval of Minutes Mr. Ross moved to approve the June 3, 2003 minutes. Motion passed 3- 0; Mr. Ross abstained. Mr. Ross moved to approve the June 17, 2003 Work Session minutes. Motion passed 3 -0; Mr. Azar abstained Site Viewing The meeting was adjourned for site viewing at 4:11 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Witt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Witt gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance. 1. There was the Resolution Requesting an Extension of Time to Analyze a Section 15.2 -2232 Request - Bent Mountain Public Utility Line Extension. Ms. Janet Scheid presented the Resolution. The Commissioners stated they did not have any changes to make to the document. Ms. Hooker then made the motion to forward the Resolution with a favorable recommendation: AYES: Hooker, Ross, Witt, Azar NAYS: None ABSENT: Thomason 2. There was the petition of James C., III and Laura B. Parrish to obtain a Special Use Permit to construct an accessory apartment on .5 acres, zoned R -1 Low Density Residential District located at 3210 Lawndale Road, Windsor Hills Magisterial District. Mr. Tim Beard, Roanoke County Planning, presented the petition. Ms. Hooker asked if the upstairs of the house is the finished area. Mr. Beard stated the upstairs is completed. She inquired if the proposed entrance for the apartment is the side door of the basement. Mr. Beard stated the basement door would be the entrance to the apartment. Mr. Ross asked if the petitioner is allowed to have an accessory apartment only if they reside on premises. Mr. Beard stated the owner has to reside in the house. Ms. Hooker asked about the difficulty of enforcing that the owner is residing in the home after the SUP is granted. Mr. Beard stated although it is not part of the normal routine of the Zoning Ordinance Enforcement Officers, an inspection could be made of the residence. Mr. Witt and Mr. Beard discussed the total square footage allowed for the construction of the accessory apartment since the uppermost floor of the residence is not finished. Mr. Beard stated that although it is an estimate, approximately 650 square feet would be the maximum square footage allowed for the apartment. Mr. Beard stated the apartment might possibly need to be scaled back in size in order to meet the percentage requirements set out in the Zoning Ordinance. 2 Ms. Parrish stated she and her husband are legally blind and disabled. She stated the addition of the apartment would be helpful from a safety standpoint, to provide assistance with errands, and to supplement their future income. She stated neither she nor her husband drive. She stated no more than two adults will reside in the apartment. Ms. Heather Prokopchak, 5340 Cave Spring Lane, daughter of the petitioner, stated this apartment would not create more traffic than an average home since neither of the petitioners own a vehicle. She noted the additional income would also assist them. Mr. Witt asked the petitioners if the tenant would use the outdoor basement door entrance exclusively. The petitioners indicated they plan for the tenant to use the outdoor basement door as a private entrance. Ms. Hooker asked if the SUP is attached to the property or if it can be terminated if the property is sold. Ms. Scheid stated the SUP follows the property not the owner, although a time limit could be imposed. Mr. Wilson Hoffman, 5413 Canter Drive, stated he owns the property at 3221 Brandywine Avenue. He stated if the property owner is going to reside in the house, he has no objection to the request. He suggested attaching a time limit to the permit. Ms. Hooker suggested placing a time limit on the permit. Mr. Witt stated if the request is granted it should not be based on ownership. Mr. Azar stated he agreed with applying a time limit. Ms. Hooker expressed concern regarding permitting a currently residential neighborhood to begin having a duplex appearance. Mr. Ross noted since the petitioners have complete control of the property, a time limit is not necessary in this situation. Mr. Witt expressed concern regarding maintaining a residential appearance in this area. He stated he is opposed to parking lots or outside stairways being added to the homes to create duplexes. He requested information from staff regarding parking regulations. Mr. Azar expressed concern regarding parking if two adults reside in the accessory apartment. Mr. Ross noted the ordinance requires the landlord to provide a space for one vehicle. Mr. Azar reviewed the site plan regarding parking. Mr. Ross then made the motion to recommend approval of the special use permit with the following condition: 1. Parking facility will be limited to the existing driveway. 3 AYES: Hooker, Ross, Witt, Azar NAYS: None ABSENT: Thomason 3. There was the petition of Elijah S. Carroll to obtain a Special Use Permit to operate a Primary Educational Facility on 4.76 acres, zoned R -2 Medium Density Residential District located at 3432 Poff Lane, Cave Spring Magisterial District. Ms. Janet Scheid, Roanoke County Planning, presented the petition. Mr. Elijah Carroll, 1516 Sherwood Avenue, stated the Montessori School would like a larger facility in order for the children to have separate rooms for teaching and napping. He also stated they plan to fence in an area to provide a playground for the students. He stated the area is surrounded by a wooded area, which makes it an ideal location for nature walks. Mr. Witt asked the petitioner about traffic flow of the vehicles while delivering and picking up the students. Mr. Carroll stated the children are dropped off at various times between 7:45 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. and picked up between 12 noon - 5:30 p.m. He noted usually only 1 or 2 parents would be dropping off their children at the same time. Mr. Witt stated the petitioner may need to consider widening the driveway. Mr. Carroll stated the school has 2 certified teachers, 1 uncertified teacher, and 2 parents who volunteer. He stated the ratio is generally 1 teacher to 9 students. Mr. Michael Price, 3440 Poff Lane, stated he is concerned about the increased traffic, which will be generated by the school. He stated he built his home six years ago. He stated his wife's family has lived on Poff Lane for many years. He stated the road is 16 1/2 feet wide without shoulders. He stated the west side of the road has a ditch and the east side has a embankment. He noted a dumpster which serves Stonehenge residents is also located at the end of the street. He stated the trash truck currently has to back up into the church parking lot in order to turn around. He noted the road also has a blind curve, which is dangerous for the children. He stated his children have to walk down Poff Lane to Chaparral Drive in order to catch the school bus. He stated with 25 -30 students, vehicles will travel up and down Poff Lane approximately 100 times daily. He stated since the property has been vacant, kids gather in the parking lot at night to drink and party. He stated it would be better and safer for the neighborhood if someone occupied the building. Mr. Witt inquired about the traffic when the building functioned as a church. Mr. Price stated on Sunday 4 morning only 5 -20 cars would travel up the road. He stated Calvary Church had the largest number of parishioners. Mr. Carroll stated the landlord stated approximately 75 people previously attended the church. He stated he believes the parents would respect the safety of the children in the area. He stated their number one concern is the safety of the children. Mr. Witt asked why the school had limited the enrollment to 30 students. Mr. Carroll stated the director of the school wants to teach in small groups. Ms. Hooker asked if only one child is brought in each vehicle. Mr. Carroll stated some parents car pool while other parents have more than one child attending the school. He stated they follow the regular school schedule with the Montessori school being closed during the summer months. Mr. Azar inquired as to how the drop -off and pick -up system would work. Mr. Carroll stated the cars would go around a circle to drop -off and pick -up the children. Mr. Witt stated he understands the concerns regarding the road. He stated a vacant building, which has unwelcome nighttime activity, does not benefit the community. He stated enrollment should be limited to 30 students. Mr. Azar stated he is concerned about traffic, the slope of the driveway, and the lack of adequate parking. He stated if partying at night is a concern, a gate or cable should be installed across the driveway for use after school hours. Mr. Charles Smith, 3406 Kim Court, expressed concern the gate will be placed at the bottom instead of the top of the driveway. He expressed concern the Stonehenge residents and trash truck would have difficulty accessing the dumpster. Mr. Azar noted the gate would not close until the school was closed. Mr. Witt then made the motion to recommend approval of the special use permit with the following conditions: 1. Enrollment shall be limited to 30 students, unless a lower maximum number is established by the Virginia Department of Social Services. 2. A cable or gate shall be installed across the driveway. AYES: Hooker, Ross, Witt, Azar NAYS: None ABSENT: Thomason 4. There was the petition of Christopher H. Hanes to obtain a Special Use Permit to construct a drive -in restaurant on approximately .75 acres, zoned C -2 General Commercial District located near the 5 intersection of Brambleton Avenue and View Avenue, Cave Spring Magisterial District. Ms. Janet Scheid, Roanoke County Planning, presented the petition. Mr. Ross asked if the number of stacking spaces is determined by the size of the building. Ms. Scheid stated the regulation in the Zoning Ordinance is not contingent upon the size of the building. Mr. Ross asked if the number of vehicles able to be stacked relative to the location of the parking spaces in the lot. Ms. Scheid stated at least 6 vehicles should be able to be stacked. She stated the petitioner already has the building and only needs to move it to this location. She stated a site plan review will be required. Mr. Ross noted other drive - through coffee shops in the area are in shopping center parking lots in which parking and stacking space has not been an issue. Ms. Scheid noted some parking spaces are required so large orders may pull over and wait. Mr. Witt asked if VDOT has reviewed the newer site plan. Ms. Scheid stated VDOT recommended the new entrance be in the center. She stated the owner has requested the entrance be moved 15 feet east. She stated this issue will need to be reviewed by VDOT. Mr. Chris Hanes stated the entrance concept is designed for convenience. He stated 4 cars can be stacked at a time. He stated he spoke with Mr. Mike Saunders of VDOT regarding moving the entrance 15 feet east from the current site plan location. He stated Mr. Saunders indicated this should not be a problem. He stated one side of the structure has 60 feet to stack 6 or more cars and the other side has 100 feet to stack 10 cars. He stated he has observed Towers Shopping Center drive - through coffee shop which never has more than 5 cars stacked. Ms. Hooker confirmed the building will have a drive -up window on both sides. Mr. Hanes stated the shop will have drive -up windows on both sides, as well as a walk -up window for customers. Mr. Ross inquired about directional lines on the parking lot. Mr. Hanes explained the site plan to the PC, stating the lot will be clearly marked. Mr. Azar asked if he would serve strictly coffee. Mr. Hanes stated he plans to serve coffee and pastries from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. He noted the traffic count for Brambleton Avenue is 16,000 vehicles. Mr. Horace McPherson, 3561 Forester Road, stated the main issue is safety. He stated the location is near the Roanoke City - Roanoke County line. He stated he lives in Greenwood Forest subdivision which has 60 homes. He questioned if this is the safest business for this location. He stated the traffic in the evening will be the largest problem. He noted the pizza shop across the street generates traffic. He also noted the school buses may have G difficulty maneuvering around traffic. Ms. Scheid explained site plan review by VDOT. She stated if there are problems with safety, VDOT will address them. Mr. McPherson noted safety and traffic are the primary problems. Mr. Irwin Holtzman, 3511 Forester Road, stated there is no way to get around in this location safely. He noted this location is unlike the Towers Shopping Center location. He referred to this area as the'Brambleton Raceway.' He stated accidents occur regularly at the intersection of View Avenue and Brambleton Avenue. He also questioned whether or not water and sewer lines were available to the property. Ms. Patricia Meador, 3245 Oakdale Road, stated she was previously concerned the petitioner wanted to build a fast food restaurant. She stated a drive - through coffee shop creates less impact for the area than other businesses. She noted the property has been vacant for a long time. She stated the shop will not create traffic since the traffic is already on Brambleton Avenue. Ms. Ellen Holtzman, 3511 Forester Road, expressed concern regarding delivery trucks which use the turning lane for temporary parking. She questioned how Mr. Hanes will acquire his supplies. Mr. Witt reviewed the history of the property noting it has been vacant for quite awhile. He stated this commercial property is not drawing traffic but is picking up traffic which is already on Brambleton Avenue. He noted VDOT will look at the property and its use more closely to determine if this use will create a hazard in the area. He stated the owner has a right to use the property for commercial purposes. He also noted this use is a lower impact use for the property. Mr. Witt then made the motion to recommend approval of the special use permit with the following conditions: 1. Entrance and exit to property shall be no closer than 80 feet from the property line closest to Roanoke City. 2. Use of property shall be restricted solely to the sale of non- alcoholic beverages and pastries. AYES: Hooker, Ross, Witt, Azar NAYS: None ABSENT: Thomason 7 Final Orders 1. The petition of Randy Grisso to obtain a Special Use Permit to operate a Private Kennel on 2.21 acres, located at 1459 Mountain Heights Drive, Catawba Magisterial District (Continued by the petitioner to the Board of Supervisors Public Hearing on July 22, 2003) 2. The petition of Hollins Hospitality, LLC, to Rezone 3.6 acres from R -1 Low Density Residential and 1 -1 Conditional Industrial District to C -2 General Office District in order to construct and operate a Hotel /Motel /Motor Lodge located at 7944 Plantation Road and 8008 Plantation Road, Hollins Magisterial District was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on June 24, 2003. 3. The petition of the Roanoke County Planning Commission to amend the 1998 Roanoke County Community Plan as it pertains to policies for Route 460 West Design Guidelines in the Catawba Magisterial District was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on June 24, 2003. Comments Ms. Scheid gave a brief update on the Citizens Planning Academy. She stated 40 citizens attended the meeting on June 26 She reported a total of 53 citizens have signed up for the academy. Mr. Witt stated the news media should have also been invited to the sessions. Ms. Hooker stated the CPA session was excellent. She commended staff for their organizational efforts regarding the first session. There being no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved: Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission A;