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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/7/2003 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 7, 2003 Present: Mr. Al Thomason Ms. Martha Hooker (present only at public hearing) Mr. Don Witt Mr. Steve Azar Mr. Todd Ross Ms. Janet Scheid, Secretary Mr. David Holladay Mr. Chris Lowe Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary WORK SESSION: Session opened at 4:00 p.m. Approval of Agenda Mr. Todd Ross moved to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 4 -0. Approval of Minutes Mr. Al Thomason moved to approve the September 2, 2003 minutes as amended. Motion passed 4 -0. Approval of Consent Agenda Mr. Steve Azar moved to approve the consent agenda. Motion passed 4 -0. Comments of Planninq Commission and Staff Mr. Holladay provided a memo and explanation regarding the text amendment for the Zoning Ordinance, Section 30 -29 -5 and Section 30 -54 -2. He stated that since the use was not clearly defined, an SUP for all outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers is proposed to clarify the code. Ms. Scheid explained the model for the Town of Vinton petition. Mr. Witt asked if there was any funding for the proposed landscaping around the development. Ms. Scheid stated Town of Vinton will pay for screening on the McDonald property. Mr. Doug Chittum, Economic Development stated the Parkway may provide more screening on their property. Mr. Witt asked if the staff had been in contact with any Parkway representatives. Ms. Scheid stated she had spoken with Gary Johnson regarding the development and Mr. Johnson has met with Town officials. Site Viewing The meeting was adjourned for site viewing at 4:21 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Don Witt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Steve Azar gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance. The petition of MJH Development to obtain a Special Use Permit to construct mini warehouse facility and offices located 112 mile from Plantation Road on Angel Lane, Catawba Magisterial District. Mr. Chris Lowe, Roanoke County Planning, presented the staff report for the petition. Ms. Hooker inquired about an easement for the adjoining property owners. Mr. Lowe stated the petitioners have consulted an engineer regarding an easement for Mr. English. Ms. Hooker inquired about the topography of the property and the landscaping. Mr. Lowe stated the petitioner had proffered screening on the property. Mr. Ross reaffirmed that the commissioners could place conditions on the property. Mr. Ross inquired about the slope of the property. Mr. Lowe stated the majority of the property is sloped 3:1. Mr. Ross asked if availability of water and Fire & Rescue services have been addressed. Mr. Lowe noted he has consulted Fire & Rescue. Mr. Witt requested information regarding signage. Mr. Lowe stated since they only have 50 feet of road frontage, free standing signs will not be allowed. Mr. Sean Goldsmith, represented the petitioner. He stated the MJH Development will be approximately 4 112 acres of the total 56 acres. He stated most of the property has a 3:1 slope. He reviewed a site map with the commissioners. He stated the petitioner is opposed to providing an easement for Mr. English's property. He stated Mr. English would be able to access his property through a paper street on the other side of the property. He stated the structures will be min - warehouses and offices. He stated the development will be relatively small. He noted the petitioner will comply with all zoning regulations regarding landscaping. He stated the building would be two levels high on the back. He stated the office architecture would be two story - colonial style structures. Mr. Witt asked if that would be part of the second phase. Mr. Goldsmith noted the offices were to be constructed in the second phase of the project. Mr. Azar expressed concern regarding the easement, noting trucks on Loch Haven Road would not be appropriate. Ms. Hooker also expressed concern regarding the easement to the adjoining property. Mr. Goldsmith stated the slope has been cleared. He discussed screening of portions of the property. He stated there would not be more clearing as a result of this project. Mr. Witt asked if the stream presented a problem with granting an easement. Mr. Goldsmith stated 2 the gas company will not allow an easement over their easement. Ms. Hooker asked if the slopes need to be landscaped. Mr. Witt noted only ground cover would be needed. Mr. Ross stated it is a reasonable to request an easement in order to give the adjoining property owner the ability to access his property. Mr. Azar stated it would be a negative impact on the Loch Haven residents if the easement is not granted. Mr. Ross stated that Condition 43 which requires the petitioner to make the easement meet VDOT standards for the adjoining owner is unreasonable. Ms. Hooker then made the motion for favorable approval of the special use permit with the following conditions: 1. Development of the site shall be in sufficient conformity to the August 20, 2003 plan developed by Providence Engineering. 2. The applicant shall provide an easement, if one does not currently exist, on their land for the extension of Angel Lane to the adjoining 1 -1 English property. 3. The color of the buildings and doors shall be non - reflective and of earth -tone colors. Appropriate groundcover, approved by planning staff during Site Plan review, shall be provided on all slopes 3:1 or greater within the limits of disturbance. 4. A 10' wide landscaping strip shall be provided between 1 -81 and the mini - warehouse building labeled 4800 S.F. Within this landscaping strip, Leyland Cypress trees shall be planted at a minimum of 10' in height at the time of planting and no more than 10' on center. AYES: Ross, Azar, Witt, Hooker, Thomason NAYS: None ABSENT: None 2. The petition of the Town of Vinton to rezone 99.38 acres from PTD to PTD with revised proffered conditions, located in the 2100 block of Hardy Road, Vinton Magisterial District. Ms. Scheid, Roanoke County Planning, presented the petition. She provided a brief history of the property and explained the aerial map. Mr. Thomason asked if the proposed development would be visually dominant on the property. He also asked if the Parkway had any comments. Ms. Scheid stated that Mr. Gary Johnson indicated the parkway is comfortable with the view shed and screening on the property. Mr. Azar requested information on the wetland area on Parcel G. Mr. Clay Goodman, Vinton Town Manager, explained the model of the project and indicated where the wetlands are. Mr. Azar asked if they would agree to an increase in buffering from 25 feet to 50 feet. Mr. Goodman affirmed they would proffer the additional buffering. Mr. Goodman explained the 3 storm water pond and that EPA and DEQ regulations were being followed. He said the Town is trying to utilize the natural assets of the property. In response to Mr. Azar's question about the walking trails, he stated Greenway Coordinator, Ms. Liz Belcher, has offered to assist with the connection of the trails to the Parkway. Mr. Witt asked about mosquito control in the pond. Mr. Goodman noted measures would be taken to insure the area would not become a breeding area for mosquitoes and would be safe for children. Ms. Scheid stated approximately 235 citizens were invited to a Community Meeting with about 20 citizens attending. She stated that a few citizens expressed concerns about traffic on Hardy Road and in response to that the County would put Hardy Road on the 6- year road plan. She stated most citizens were comfortable with the plans for this property. Mr. Lloyd Enoch, 1525 Muse Drive, expressed concern regarding the view shed, mosquito problems, and buffering. He asked how the property would be accessed. Ms. Scheid stated no access would be available through Montgomery Village. Mr. Goodman reviewed the 1999 Site Plan for the property, noting Mr. David Hill, Landscape Architect, had previously been consulted. Mr. Hunter Young, Mattern & Craig, Inc., stated the existing dam stipulates where trees can be planted due to the root system. Ms. Scheid stated the pond is intended to be an amenity with a park -like setting, not only a retention pond. Mr. Goodman noted the citizens previously stated they do not want access to the property. He stated there will be an emergency access, which will be gated. Mr. Fred Cramer, 2147 Feather Road, expressed concern regarding traffic on Hardy Road and Feather Road. He stated citizens were previously told the development would be low - impact businesses. He expressed concern about light and noise pollution. Ms. Scheid stated that in general truck traffic will come in from 1 -81, Route 460, Gus Nicks Boulevard, Rt. 24 Bypass and Hardy Road. She stated this business does not produce smoke pollution. She stated large fans will be placed far away from the residents. She also stated that covenants on the property place restrictions on lights and noise. She reviewed the site plan with Mr. Cramer. Mr. Cramer asked if there are any plans to improved Feather Road. Ms. Scheid stated that Feather Road is not on the 6 -Year road plan. She stated the County prefers to keep trucks off of Feather Road. Mr. Witt stated although he previously had reservations regarding the view sheds, he is comfortable with the buffering and location of the building. Mr. Azar then made the motion for favorable approval of the rezoning: AYES: Ross, Azar, Witt, Hooker, Thomason NAYS: None ABSENT: None n 3. The petition of the Roanoke County Planning Commission to amend the Roanoke County Zoning Ordinance, Section 30-29 -5 Commercial Use Types to include a new definition for "Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Center ", and Section 30- 54 -2(B) C -2 General Commercial to add "Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Center" as a use allowed only by Special Use Permit. Mr. David Holladay presented the petition. He provided a brief history of the petition. Mr. Witt noted the word 'abuse' needed to be added to the document. Mr. Thomason then made the motion for favorable approval of the revisions: AYES: Ross, Azar, Witt, Hooker, Thomason NAYS: None ABSENT: None Citizens Comments There were no citizen comments. Final Orders 1. The petition of EP Properties, LC to rezone .777 acres from 1 -1, Industrial District to C -2, General Commercial District to operate a retail sales facility located on Plantation Road, Hollins Magisterial District, was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on September 23, 2003. 2. The petition of Richard Anderson to rezone .37 acres from AVC, Agricultural Village District with Conditions to C -2, General Commercial District to operate a retail sales facility located on 5999 Franklin Road, S.W., Cave Spring Magisterial District, was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on September 23, 2003. 3. The petition of the Roanoke County Planning Commission to amend the Roanoke County Zoning Ordinance Section 30 -93, Signs, was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on September 23, 2003. Update On Status Of Community Plan Revisions Mr. Holladay provided an update on the revision process. He stated the September 16, 2003 Community Plan Open House went well. He stated citizens made positive comments regarding the presentation. He expressed his appreciation to Mr. Lowe for providing the graphics and set -up of the meeting. Mr. Witt requested a summary of citizen comments. Mr. Holladay agreed to provide copies of the written comments. Other Comments Mr. Azar requested clarification of the Sign Ordinance Revisions. Ms. Scheid stated the SOS did strike the request regarding backlit signs. Mr. Azar noted the BOS did not feel there should be a difference in regulation of front-lit and backlit signs. Mr. Witt stated he is currently serving on a Capital Improvement Committee in which they prioritize improvements and projects. He stated the findings will allow the Community Plan to be integrated into the CIP, There being no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved: Sec" retairy, Roanoke County Planning Commission M