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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/5/2002 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 5, 2002 Present: Mr. Al Thomason Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Don Witt Mr. Kyle Robinson Mr. Todd Ross Mr. John Murphy Ms. Janet Scheid, Secretary Mr. David Holladay Mr. Chris Lowe Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary Absent from worksession but present at public hearing: Todd Ross Martha Hooker WORK SESSION: Session opened at 4:05 p.m. by Mr. Don Witt. Approval of Agenda Mr. Kyle Robinson moved to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 3 -0. Approval of Minutes Mr. Al Thomason moved to approve the October minutes. Motion passed 3 -0. Approval of Consent Agenda Mr. Kyle Robinson moved to approve the consent agenda. Motion passed 3 -0. Site Viewing The meeting was adjourned for site viewing at 4:15 p.m. 1 PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Todd Ross called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Mr. Todd Ross gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance. 1. There was the petition of Cotton Hill Land Company, LC to Rezone 22.743 acres from AR Agricultural Residential District to R -1 Low Density Residential District for a development of single family housing located at Virginia Secondary Route 688 (Cotton Hill Road) and Raintree Road, Cave Spring Magisterial District. Mr. Chris Lowe presented the staff report for this petition. Mr. Witt asked staff for a comparison of AR versus R -1. Ms. Scheid gave a brief comparison. Mr. Ross asked if Cotton Hill Road is on the 6 -year secondary road improvement plan. Mr. Lowe stated it had previously been on the plan but with VDOT budget reductions had been taken off. Mr. Ed Natt gave a brief history of the petition and compared AR and R -1 zonings. He stated no driveways would be constructed from Cotton Hill Road. He reported the Blue Ridge Parkway had no problem with the subdivision if stipulations are followed. Mr. Natt stated the petitioner is willing to do whatever VDOT requires, VDOT has not yet provided a definitive answer regarding intersection placement. He stated there is a gas pipeline right -of -way on the edge of the property that would allow for VDOT to widen the road if necessary. Mr. Witt inquired about the area that adjoins the parkway. Ms. Scheid explained that Raintree Road is on Parkway property and the area between Raintree Road and the petitioner's property is also Parkway property. Mr. Witt then inquired about the existing treeline. Mr. Lowe stated it is east of Sylvan Brook Road, near Lots 10, 11,and 12. Mr. Robinson expressed concern regarding extra state funding needed for the acquisition of additional road right -of -way. Mr. Natt indicated that when VDOT informs the petitioner of road requirements, they will dedicate property for the easement. Mr. Natt stated that Cotton Hill Road has a prescriptive easement. Mr. Robinson was concerned that if VDOT does not decide now how much property they will need for future road widening, they will have to pay for the property later. Mr. Ross inquired about the number of lots in the Gardens development across Cotton Hill Road from the proposed subdivision. Mr. Natt stated there are approximately 100 building lots remaining in the Gardens. He stated the average cost of the homes in the proposed development is approximately $200,000. Mr. Robinson expressed concern regarding school overcrowding and trash pickup. Many citizens expressed their concerns. Dale Hopkins, Joan Hopkins, W. B. Wallace, Katharine Shank, Andrea Krochalis, Diane Campbell, Claudine Ujvary, Jill Pigeon, Dorothy Runyon, Ralph Davis, Bill Adams, John Kessler, 2 and Tara Purcell. Their primary concerns were increased traffic, disturbance of the viewshed from the Blue Ridge Parkway, overcrowding of schools, and the decrease of wildlife habitat. Mr. Wallace, Ms. Shank, and Ms. Ujvary expressed concern regarding the potential impact the development will have on their wells that adjoin the petitioner's property. Ms. Krochalis stated she thought the development conflicted with the Community Plan. She also expressed concern about emergency services coverage in the area. She stated an environmental impact study should be conducted in the area before any further development is approved. Ms. Runyon, Director of the Roanoke Wildlife Rescue, expressed concern over the future of that facility which adjoins the petitioner's property. She stated she has been at the present site for 13 years treating approximately 1000 animals per year. Mr. Witt questioned the type of impact the development would have on the animals. She stated precautions are taken by staff to minimize human interaction with the rehab animals in order to successfully return them back out into the wild. She stated an increase in noise would also disturb the animals. Several of her Wildlife Rescue volunteers reiterated her concerns. Ms. Purcell stated her family had moved away from an urban area to this more rural area. She was fearful this area was becoming another "urban sprawl." Mr. Natt stated the Roanoke Wildlife Rescue would not be allowed to encroach on the petitioner's property. He stated the development would not bother existing wells. He stated there would be no access onto Sylvan Road. He stated VDOT not the petitioner is responsible for road improvements. He also stated the petitioner would like to see the speed limit reduced on Cotton Hill Road. He explained 40 homes could be built right now under the existing zoning. He stated the petitioner could also clear -cut the land if he chooses. Mr. Ross asked for the topographic survey from the petitioner which the Planning Commission reviewed. Mr. Robinson questioned the difference between the map submitted to the Planning staff and the one Mr. Natt presented. Mr. Natt explained the one he presented is more current. Mr. Witt stated that everything on that side of Cotton Hill Road before you get to the Parkway is zoned AR and he is concerned that rezoning this property to R -1 could set a precedent. He also stated that development in this area is inevitable. Ms. Hooker stated that with the petitioner's proffers there is some control regarding driveways, access and density. Mr. Robinson expressed that with public sewer and water available he thought the rezoning was appropriate. He also stated that traffic is VDOT's issue. Mr. Thomason reiterated that VDOT has control over the roads. Mr. Ross stated his concerns regarding the density and contradictions with the Community Plan. 3 Mr. Witt then made the motion to make an unfavorable recommendation of the rezoning: AYES: Thomason, Hooker, Witt, Ross NAYS: Robinson ABSENT: None 2. There was the petition of Sheree & James Ringer for a Special Use Permit for a home occupation in an accessory structure, located at 3564 Grandin Road, Windsor Hills Magisterial District. Mr. David Holladay presented the Staff Report for this petition. Mr. Thomason inquired about the occupation of the petitioner. Mr. Ringer stated he oversees regional agencies for Farmers Insurance. He stated he does paperwork only in his home; no clients come to his residence. Mr. Witt inquired about the size of the accessory structure with regard to the lot size. Mr. Holladay stated the allowable size of the structure is 7% coverage of the lot. Mr. Thomason was concerned about items to be stored outside. Mr. Ringer stated no equipment will be stored outside of the building. Mr. Thomason expressed concern about the narrowness of the driveway. Mr. Ringer stated only he and his family use the driveway. Mr. Robinson inquired about the use of the space. Mr. Ringer explained that some of the space would be used for an office and some for storage. He stated since his parents will be coming to live at his home, it is necessary to clear his in -house office and storage area in order to accommodate them. Mr. Witt asked if the petitioner had discussed the structure with the neighbors. Mr. Ringer stated all surrounding neighbors were agreeable with the addition of new structure. He also stated his property is surrounded by trees which assists in concealing his property. There were no citizen comments. Mr. Thomason then made a favorable recommendation to approve the special use permit: AYES: Thomason, Hooker, Witt, Robinson, Ross NAYS: None ABSENT: None 3. There was the petition of Larry G. & Ida Jane E. Conner to Rezone 16.255 acres from C -2 General Commercial District to R -1 Low Density Residential District for the purpose of constructing a single family dwelling, located in the 6000 block of Cove Road, Catawba Magisterial District. Mr. John Murphy presented the staff report for this petition. 4 M�s. Hooker then made the motion to recommend approval of the rezoning of 16.255 acres to G-2 to R-1: AYES: Thomason, Hooker, Witt, Robinson, Ross NAYS:: None ABSENT: None Final Order's Respectfully Submitted, Approved: Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission