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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/5/2002 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - MARCH 5, 2002 Present: Mr. Todd Ross Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Kyle Robinson Mr. Al Thomason Mr. Don Witt (present for Public Hearing only) (present for Public Hearing only) Mr. Chris Lowe, Associate Planner Ms. Janet Scheid, Secretary Ms. Tammi Wood, Recording Secretary Absent: WORK SESSION: Session opened at 4:06pm by Mr. Ross. Approval of Agenda Mr. Robinson moved to approve the agenda. Motion passed 3 -0. Approval of Minutes Ms. Hooker moved to approve the minutes. Motion passed 3 -0. Approval of Consent Agenda Mr. Ross moved to approve the consent agenda. Motion passed 3 -0. Site Viewing The meeting was adjourned for site viewing at 4:15pm. I PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Ross called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Mr. Donald Witt gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance. There was a continuation of the petition of Jerry and Donna Green to obtain a Special Use Permit for a Private Kennel on 1.50 acres located at 5606 Barns Avenue, Hollins Magisterial District. Mr. Chris Lowe, Roanoke County Planning, presented updated information for this petition. Mr. Ross questioned if the dogs stayed off the road when Mr. Lowe did a site visit today. Mr. Lowe stated that the dogs stayed off the road during the first visit and stayed on the porch during the second visit. There were no citizen comments. Mr. Ross then made the motion to approve the Special Use Permit request with the following conditions: Limited to a maximum of three dogs The permit shall be renewed annually for three years. After that time if there are no problems, there would be no need to annualiy renew the permit. AYES: Robinson, Witt, Hooker, Thomason, Ross NAYS: None ABSENT: None 2. There was the petition of Fellowship Baptist Church to rezone 15 acres from I -1C Industrial District with conditions to C -1 Commercial District and to obtain a special use permit for a Religious Assembly and Daycare located on 5022 Hollins Road, Hollins Magisterial District. Mr. Chris Lowe, Roanoke County Planning, presented the Staff Report for this petition. Mr. Witt questioned where Hollins Road is on the six -year plan. Staff stated at the top of the list. Mr. Mike Ward, pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, SE Roanoke on Murray Avenue gave a history of the 50- year -old church. He stated that the church was landlocked and needed to expand, but that the city zoning laws prevented expansion. There was then a standing show of support from the church members. Mr. Jeff Brinker, JH Beton Construction Company, Winston - Salem, NC gave a history /overview of the present location and building. He explained that there were two phases planned — Phase 1 (12,000 sq. feet) would include the daycare center and Phase II (8,000 sq. feet) would include the 2 sanctuary facility. A total of 20,000 sq. feet of building is planned on this site. Mr. Jim Harvey, VP of facilities for Friendship Manor stated that the land was not suitable for industrial development. He stated that there have been no industrial buyers for the property. Friendship Manor has spent $450,000 to grade the site to a flat plateau, then listed it at $825,000. There were no offers. The site was then re- appraised and in 2001 listed at the reduced price of $375,000. He stated that there were still no offers to purchase the land, Mr. Harvey reiterated that the company has made a valiant effort to market the site as an industrial property. Ms. Hooker confirmed that the current appraisal was done on March 15, 2001 and listed at $375,000. Mr. Brinker stated that he believes this is not a feasible industrial site due to the nature of the entrance and the steep embankment would be a driving hazard for heavy equipment. He also mentioned VDOT concerns regarding the number of entrances and traffic on the adjoining roads. The site topography was also a concern. Friendship Baptist Church's attempts to find other sites in the area were then discussed. Ms. Hooker questioned Pastor Ward regarding the number of church attendees (300) and number of seats in the current sanctuary (1000). Pastor Ward stated that there was plenty of room inside the building, but that the current parking was inadequate. He stated that due to the age of the building (constructed in the 1970's) it had limited handicapped parking and facilities. Mr. Witt confirmed that the square footage of the existing church building was 35,000 square feet. Mr. Witt questioned how the site could not be financially feasible for industrial development but would be for a church. He then stated that the property had only been on the market at the lower price for one year. Responding to a question, Ms. Scheid stated that Mr. Chittum, Director of Economic Development, had stated that the property was an important industrial parcel for the County. She also stated that this site has been marketed on the website and the Dept. of Economic Development does not want to lose this parcel from the bank of industrial properties. Mr. Thomason questioned if core drillings had been done and how many problems there were. Mr. Brinker stated that some drillings had been done and he had the reports on those. Mr. Thomason stated that in the last twelve months, the economy has not been conducive to many industrial sales. He stated that at the lower price and with the economy in an upswing that the property should have some action in the near future. Mr. Robinson stated that Roanoke County's topography is a great hindrance to development of any kind. He stated that the site was suitable for industrial use and that it would be hard to support the church as a good land use at this specific location. Mr. Jim Harvey stated that the property is not economically feasible for industrial use. State highway regulations have certain road requirements, which cannot be met. An industrial or commercial entrance cannot be provided because it cannot meet the minimum requirements and would be too close to Hanover Direct's entrance. He also stated that an entrance would have to be at a 8 -9% grade which would be a safety hazard. Mr. Frank Kelly, 6738 Quail Place, stated that he had been a resident of the area his whole life and that he was concerned about the road improvements, and he thinks the property lends itself to church use. Mr. Witt stated that since he was unable to attend the site viewing, he did not hear the Director of Economic Development's concerns — but questioned if the land was marketable. He also asked if Economic Development could provide information to substantiate the designation of industrial. Mr. Ross stated that industrial property had not moved briskly in the past year, and that access, utilities, sewer and water, and a flat area were all needed to market sites and this property had all of these. He then stated that there is a history of past industrial property sales with steep accesses. Ms. Hooker made reference to Mr. Chittum's comments and confirmed that he thought it was appropriate for the property to remain zoned industrial. She stated that she felt confident that the property would sell. Ms. Hooker then stated a clarification that C -1 zoning does not allow for light industrial uses. Mr. Robinson stated that the property may sell at a later time and he did not want to set a standard or a precedent by rezoning the parcel. He staffed that he does not support the rezoning. Mr. Ross then stated that the church was not an appropriate use and that the Board of Supervisors had petitioned to zone the parcel industrial. The Department of Economic Development has identified the area as an Economic Opportunity Area of the county, and that the county has spent considerable money to improve the site. Mr. Ross then made the motion to deny approval of the request for the rezoning from 11C to C1. AYES: Robinson, Witt, Hooker, Thomason, Ross NAYS: None ABSENT: None Mr. Ross then made the motion to deny approval of the request for the Special Use Permit for Religious Assembly. AYES: Robinson, Witt, Hooker, Thomason, Ross NAYS: None ABSENT: None rd Citizens Comments There were no additional citizen comments. Comments There were no additional staff comments. Final Orders The petition of the Roanoke County Planning Commission to re -write the Roanoke County Subdivision Ordinance was approved by the BOS on February 26, 2002. 2. The petition of Betty J. F. Henderson to obtain a Special Use Permit to operate a Home Occupation for a Beauty Salon on .27 acres, located at 5704 Malvern Road, NW, Hollins Magisterial District was approved by the BOS on February 26, 2002. 3. The petition of Jerry and Donna Green to obtain a Special Use Permit for a Private Kennel on 1.50 acres located at 5606 Barns Avenue, Hollins Magisterial District, was continued until the March 26, 2002 public hearing by the PC on February 26, 2002. There being no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:57pm. Respect - - P fitted, Approved: , —, Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission 5 ACTION NO. ITEM NO. AT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ROANOKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, HELD AT THE ROANOKE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION CENTER MEETING DATE March 26, 2002 AGENDA ITEM Requests for Public Hearing and First Reading for Rezoning Ordinances; Consent Agenda COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S COMMENTS BACKGROUND The first reading on these ordinances is accomplished by adoption of these ordinances in the manner of consent agenda items. The adoption of these items does not imply approval of the substantive content of the requested zoning actions, rather approval satisfies the procedural requirements of the County Charter and schedules the required public hearing and second reading of these ordinances. The second reading and public hearing on these ordinances is scheduled for April 23, 2002 The titles of these ordinances are as follows: 1) The petition of Hollins Hospitality to rezone two parcels of .797 acres and 1.290 acres from R -1 to C -2 General Commercial District and R -2 Residential District to C- 2 General Commercial District for a Motel /Motor Lodge located on 8008 Plantation Road and 7929 Carvin Street respectively, Hollins Magisterial District. 2) The petition of Ralph T. Henry to obtain a Special Use Permit to operate a private stable on two parcels with the total acreage of 34.07 acres located between 6341 and 6545 Corntassel Lane, Windsor Hills Magisterial District. 3) The petition of Fellowship Community Church to obtain a Special Use Permit to operate a religious assembly on 15.652 acres located on Red Lane Extension at interstate 81, Catawba Magisterial District. MAPS ARE ATTACHED; MORE DETAILED INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends as follows: (1) That the Board approve and adopt the first reading of these rezoning ordinances for the purpose of scheduling the second reading and public hearing for April 23, 2002 (2) That this section of the agenda be, and hereby is, approved and concurred in as to each item separately set forth as Item 1,3, and that the Clerk is authorized and directed where required by law to set forth upon any of said items the separate vote tabulation for any such item pursuant to this action. Respectfully submitted, Paul M. Mahoney County Attorney Action No Yes Abs Approved () Motion by Church Denied {) Flora Received (} McNamara Referred Minnix to Nickens z