Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/6/2002 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 6, 2002 Present: Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Don Witt Mr. Kyle Robinson Mr. Al Thomason Ms. Janet Scheid, Secretary Mr. Todd Ross Mr. John Murphy Mr. Tim Beard Mr. David Holladay Mr. Chris Lowe Ms. Tammi Wood Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary Absent: Mr. Don Witt (present for Public Hearing) WORK SESSION: Session opened at 3:34 pm by Mr. Ross. Approval of Agenda Ms. Hooker moved to approve the agenda. Motion passed 4 -0. Approval of Minutes Mr. Thomason moved to approve the July 2" a minutes. Motion passed 2 -0. Mr. Robinson and Mr. Ross abstained. Approval of Consent Agenda Mr. Robinson moved to approve the consent agenda. Motion passed 4 -0. Site Viewing The meeting was adjourned for site viewing at 3:45 pm. PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Todd Ross called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm. Mr. Kyle Robinson gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance. I . There was a petition of 419 Properties, LLC to rezone a portion of two parcels consisting of approximately 4 acres from C -2C, General Commercial District with conditions to C -2C, General Commercial District with amended conditions to construct a hotel, located on North Electric Road, Catawba Magisterial District. Mr. Chris Lowe, Roanoke County Planning presented the staff report for the petition. Mr. Benton Hopper, petitioner, gave an overview of the property. Mr. Witt asked petitioner if there would be lighting on the building. Mr. Henschel, architect, stated lighting would be on poles only. He stated there were no plans for lighting to be attached to the building. Mr. Witt asked if property was at street level. Mr. Henschel stated there was a slight dip at the property entrance. He also stated the restaurant is slightly lower than the hotel due to the terrain of the property. Mr. Witt asked about buffer of trees near residents on Embassy Drive. Mr. Henschel stated the buffer would include a reasonable amount of trees. Mr. Hopper and Mr. Henschel are in agreement with proffers set out by staff. Mr. Robinson asked direction of entrance of hotel. Mr. Henschel stated it fronts Route 419. Mr. Witt inquired about signage to be used. Mr. Henschel stated entrance would have a pedestal sign. Several adjoining neighbors, Giles Gilley, Don Eubank, Diana Morehead, and George Igoe, expressed concerns about stormwater drainage, lighting, and noise from the property. Mr. Eubank expressed concern that the property values would be diminished if flooding were allowed to go unchecked. He also stated he was concerned about maintenance and cleaning of existing stormwater drains. Mr. Thomason asked if current drainage system takes care of stormwater runoff. Mr. Eubank stated they still have problems with surface water in yards. Mr. Eubank also stated that Pinkerton's new parking lot is creating additional runoff. Ms. Hooker asked staff to clarify stormwater retention plans. Mr. Lowe stated that the additional drainage basins for the proposed, new development would assist in slowing the dissemination of the stormwater runoff. Ms. Hooker inquired about stormwater easements and responsibility of cleaning drainage culverts. Mr. Lowe reported the property owner is responsible for clearing the culverts and drainage ditches of overgrowth and debris. Ms. Morehead expressed concerns regarding lack of trees buffering property and effects of lighting on property. Mr. Igoe had concerns with buffering of light and sound and stormwater management. Mr. Thomason expressed concern about the stormwater issues. He suggested a separate engineering analysis of the property be done including raising the height of the retention wall. Mr. Ross 2 stated he was confident the county engineers would make sure the retention plan was sufficient. Ms. Hooker stated there was good discussion at the community meeting regarding stormwater drainage concerns. She stated a cure was not promised, but the proposal will decrease stormwater runoff. Ms. Martha Hooker made the motion to recommend approval of the rezoning of the property with the following proffers: 1. The site plan shall generally conform to the Master Site Development Plan for the Country Inn & Suites and Family Restaurant Plan presented on August 6, 2002. 2. No access to either the development or to Route 419 shall be made from either Embassy Drive or Governor Drive and only one access shall be allowed from Route 419 to serve both parcels. 3. Wherever possible, existing vegetation shall be preserved and incorporated into the buffering requirements. Screening and buffering in that area of the development adjoining Tax Map No's 36.19- 0136, 36.19- 01 -37, and 36.19 -02 -30 shall be Type C, Option 2 (30' Buffer, One large tree for every 30', 6' Screening, and 6 shrubs for every 10'). All screening and buffering material must be evergreen. 4. Building height shall be a maximum of 45 feet. 5. All parking lot lighting shall be down lit and consists of High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lighting. The poles including fixtures for the parking lot lighting shall not exceed 25 feet above grade. 6. Signage shall follow the Roanoke County Sign Regulations with the exception of square footage per linear foot of frontage. Instead of the allowable 1.5 sq. ft. of signage per linear foot of frontage, the applicant shall be allowed 1.0 sq. ft. of signage per linear foot of frontage and lighting for freestanding signs shall be with in- ground units or backlit. 7. No off premises advertising signs shall be constructed on the property. The motion passed with the following vote: AYES: Hooker, Robinson, Ross, Witt NAYS: None ABSTAIN: Thomason ABSENT: None 2. There was a petition of McNeil Asphalt to amend conditions on a Special Use Permit to operate a construction yard on 2.62 acres, zoned AV, Agricultural Village District located at 7210 Franklin Road, Cave Spring Magisterial District. Postponed by the petitioner from the July 2, 2002 Planning Commission Public Hearing to the September 3, 2002 Planning Commission Hearing. 3. There was the petition of Triple S. Investments to rezone 6.15 acres from AR, Agricultural Residential District to 1 -1, Industrial District and to obtain a Special User Permit for 2 acres for a mini - warehouse located on 6227 — 6237 West Main Street, Catawba Magisterial District. Postponed by the Petitioner from August 6, 2002 Planning Commission Public Hearing to September 3, 2002 Planning Commission Public Hearing. 4. There was a petition of James Dean Consultants, LLC to rezone .64 acres from C -1, Office District to C -2, General Commercial District and to obtain a Special Use Permit to operate a car wash located on 3504 Electric Road, Cave Spring Magisterial District. Mr. Tim Beard, Roanoke County Planning Staff, presented the petition for this request. Mr. Witt reviewed the proffers. He discussed the impact of changing the wording of the Colonial Avenue Design Guidelines from "should" to "shall ". Mr. Witt inquired about the standard for recycled water. Staff informed the board that 75 %recycled water is standard but that the petitioner had offered 80 %. Ms. Hooker asked how restricted business hours at the car wash could be enforced. The Commission asked who would be responsible for enforcing the noise ordinance. Staff stated the police would enforce violations of noise ordinance. Mr. Ed Natt, attorney, spoke on behalf of the petitioner. He gave an overview of the site plans including traffic patterns. He stated he did not agree with changing the word "should" to "shall." Regarding vacuums, he stated his client would need to have vacuums to stay competitive. He also stated vending machines with cleaning supplies and a moneychanger was also needed. Regarding signage, Mr. Natt stated the petitioner would need only one sign on the building and some low directional signs. He stated limiting business hours would hinder the petitioner's business. He stated they agree to downlighting the area using 14 -foot lights. Regarding traffic, he stated the stacking lanes would be located in the rear of the building with the exit being to the front of the building on Route 419 or circling to Colonial Avenue. He estimates approximately 50 patrons per day for the car wash compared to 400.500 for a bank. Mr. Natt discussed the decibel level of the vacuums, equating the noise level to that of a busy office. Mr. Witt discussed sound comparisons given by the manufacturer of vacuums. Mr. Dean, petitioner, stated there would be three 1115 horsepower vacuums at the front of the building. Mr. Witt also questioned amount of trash and need for dumpster. Mr. Dean stated people like to clean out cars at a car wash. Mr. Dean stated his son would manage the facility, monitoring it twice daily. Mr. Natt and Mr. Dean reported it would be a brush less-touch less car wash, requiring the patron to get out of the car only to vacuum. Mr. Robinson asked if the trash bin would blend with the current building structure. Mr. Dean stated the brick used for the trash enclosure would be the same brick as the building. Mr. Dean stated he would put his phone number on building in case of an emergency. Mr. Robinson inquired about vending machine use. Mr. Dean stated the vending machines would be outside the old teller windows. Mr. Robinson stated he was concerned about the noise level of the vacuums. Mr. Dean stated he could put a buffer around the vacuum in the form of a vinyl picket fence around each vacuum aisle. Mr. Robinson inquired about the amount of business, which would be conducted between 10 pm and 7 am if the hours were restricted. Mr. Dean stated about 1 % of his business would be lost. He also stated if his business closed at night, it would leave the facility open to vandalism during that time. He reported none of his other car wash facilities have provoked noise complaints from the surrounding residents. He stated he would erect no- loitering signs on the property to inhibit people gathering on premises. Several citizens including Richard and Patricia Eubank, Robert Armstrong, Cindy Webster and Steven Sutherland expressed concerns about noise, lighting, and hours of operation. Mr. Armstrong was concerned the traffic would be increased at the intersection of Route 419 and Colonial Avenue. He was also concerned about the aesthetics of the open structure. Ms. Webster commended Mr. Dean on making the effort to provide a "clean carwash." She recommended that an attendant should be on duty during business hours with business hours being the same as the adjacent shopping center. Ms. Webster also stated the requested dumpster should be in the back of the shopping center with other business dumpsters. Mr. Sutherland stated noise should be mitigated whenever possible by buffers. Mr. Witt then made the motion to recommend approval of the rezoning from C -1 to C -2C with the following conditions: 1) The subject property will be developed in accord with the concept plan prepared by Balzer & Associate, Inc. dated June 19, 2002, and; 2) The subject property will be used solely for a car wash facility. The motion passed with the following vote: AYES: Hooker, Robinson, Ross, Witt, Thomason NAYS: None ABSENT: None Mr. Witt also made the motion to recommend approval of the Special Use permit with the following conditions. 1) No food or drink vending machines shall be placed on the property; 2) Vacuum equipment shall be placed inside enclosures around 75% of the vacuum; 3) Building architecture shall be in accord with renderings by Balzer & Associates dated August 6, 2002 4) No off - premises signage shall be allowed; 5) Allowable signage shall be limited to a maximum of 130 square feet exclusive of directional and informational signs; 6) A recovery system for 75% of water used shall be in effect at all times; 7) Exterior lighting standards or placements shall be downlit and shall not exceed 15 feet in height; 8) The car wash shall be closed from the hours of 10:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. the following day, everyday. The motion passed with the following vote: AYES: Hooker, Robinson, Ross, Witt, Thomason NAYS: None ABSENT: None 5. There was a petition of R. W. and Joan C. Bowers to rezone 2.66 acres from C -1 C, Office District with conditions to C -1 C, Office District with amended conditions located on the northwest corner of Washington Avenue and Spring Grove Drive intersection, Vinton Magisterial District. Mr. John Murphy, Roanoke County Planning Staff, presented the petition for this request. Mr. Robinson asked how the site plan had changed and Mr. Murphy stated the petitioner wants an increase in building size and a change in the orientation of parking. Mr. Edward Natt, attorney, gave a history of the site. Mr. Robinson commented on stormwater drainage plans. Mr. Witt asked if petitioner had permission to use New Testament Church entrance. Mr. Natt, stated an easement had previously been acquired in 1986 for the petitoner to use this road. Mr. Robinson asked about construction time frame. Mr. Natt stated there would not be any building for approximately one year or more. Mr. Witt questioned stormwater retention plan. Mr. Ross inquired about a retaining wall in the rear of building. Mr. Webb, Lumsden Associates, stated the wall would be approximately 6 -7 feet. Several citizens including Mr. Henry Wiesen, Ms. Linda Miles, Mr. Harold Miles, and Ms. Adele Karnes, spoke regarding concerns about increased traffic and stormwater drainage. Mr. and Ms. Miles inquired about the property directly across Spring Grove Drive. Mr. Ross explained the petitioner has not requested to rezone this property at this time. Mr. Wiesen expressed concern about increased traffic and the safety of children 10 crossing the street. Mr. Karnes suggested buffers around the building and expressed concern regarding the aesthetic impact of the building to the area. Mr. Robinson then made the motion to recommend approval of the rezoning from C -1 C to C -1 C with the following condition: 1) The site will be developed in substantial conformity with the preliminary plan dated June 20, 2002, prepared by Lumsden & Associates, PC. The motion carried with the following vote: AYES: Hooker, Robinson, Ross, Witt, Thomason NAYS: None ABSENT: None Citizen Comments There were no citizen comments. Comments Ms. Hooker discussed her concern for the Triple S Investment petition. She stated the Community Plan should be reviewed regarding issues of rezoning in this area. Ms. Scheid said these guidelines would be reviewed in the next Planning Commission Work Session. Mr. Witt distributed copies of a legal notice from a Delaware community to use in comparison to Roanoke County legal ads. He also stated the Planning Commission by -laws need to be reviewed and revised as deemed necessary. Final Orders 1. There was a petition of Calvary Chapel Roanoke to obtain a Special Use Permit to operate a religious facility on 3.48 acres, zoned C -2 General Commercial District, located at 2067A Electric Road, Windsor Hills Magisterial District was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on July 23, 2002. 2. There was a petition of St. Francis of Assisi Service Dog Foundation to obtain a Special use Permit to operate a commercial kennel on 18.16 acres, zoned AR, Agricultural Residential District located at 8232 Enon Drive, N.W., 7 Hollins Magisterial District was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on July 23, 2002. 3. There was a petition of William E. Lee to obtain a Special use Permit to operate a surplus sales business on 1.47 acre parcel, zoned 1 -2, Industrial District located at 3716 Garman Road, Catawba Magisterial District was postponed by the petitioner to the Board of Supervisors Public Hearing on August 27, 2002. There being no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 pm. Respectfully Submitted, '-sugo- C--O,'-� Ap ;y. d: S c Roanoke County Planning Commission