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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/1/2002 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 1, 2002 Present: Mr. Al Thomason Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Don Witt Mr. Kyle Robinson Mr. Todd Ross Mr. Arnold Covey Ms. Janet Scheid, Secretary Mr. John Murphy Ms. Tammi Wood Mr. David Holladay Mr. Chris Lowe Mr. Tim Beard Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary Guests: Mr. Kevin Booker, Hodges Sign Co. Mr. Garland Kitts, Lamar Outdoor Mr. Bill Lodzinski, Lamar Outdoor WORK SESSION: Session opened at 3:30 p.m. Approval of Agenda Mr. Kyle Robinson moved to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 5 -0. Approval of Minutes Mr. Al Thomason moved to approve the September minutes with changes. Motion passed 5 -0. Approval of Consent Agenda Ms. Martha Hooker moved to approve the consent agenda. Motion passed 5 -0. Public Street and Parking Design Standards and Specifications Waiver 1. There was the request for a Public Street and Parking Design Standards and Specifications Waiver request by Balzer & Associates on behalf Robert P. Fralin and Housemart to waive Section 200.12 for the development of a subdivision on Red Lane Extension (VA Sec. Rt. 705), Catawba Magisterial District. Mr. John Murphy presented the Staff Report for this petition. Mr. Robinson asked about the possibility of purchasing additional property to allow for alignment of the intersection. Mr. Sean Horne, Balzer & Associates, stated there is a house located on the lot at the intersection which makes it cost prohibitive to purchase. Mr. Murphy explained the topographical restrictions in this area. Mr. Witt asked if an attempt had be made to acquire property to allow for street alignment. Mr. Horne stated there are other factors which prohibit the alignment of the intersection. He stated since there is a drainage feature which crosses the area, a flood study would be required. Mr. Horne presented photos of the area. He stated a large bank would need to be cut out in order to align the intersection which would be costly. Mr. Thomason expressed concerns about stormwater drainage. Mr. Witt inquired about the amount of traffic through the area. Mr. Murphy stated a traffic study was conducted on Red Lane with a count of 1416 per day. Mr. Robinson expressed concern about the adherence to the subdivision guidelines. He also inquired about the market value of the homes. Mr. Horne stated they plan to build 50-55 split -level and colonial homes valued at approximately $115,000. Ms. Hooker then made a favorable motion to approve the waiver: AYES: Hooker, Ross, Robinson, Witt, Thomason NAYS: None ABSENT: None Route 460 West Design Guidelines Mr. Chris Lowe gave a brief explanation of changes made to the guidelines by staff. He stated the existing overlay does not extend to Dixie Caverns at this time. Mr. Lowe and Ms. Scheid both explained these guidelines are more site specific to the area which is zoned commercial and industrial. Mr. Lowe stated that the proposed design guidelines create an environment more conducive to businesses. He stated the community meeting revealed that the citizens are most concerned about the road widening. He stated the project will be similar to the Williamson Road project. He stated incentives will be offered to businesses. Mr. Witt expressed concern regarding the objective which states, "Discourage development that creates high traffic volumes... ". Ms. Scheid stated this section could be reworded. Mr. Witt expressed concern regarding stormwater drainage requirements not being setout in the guidelines. Mr. Lowe explained the stormwater requirements will be addressed in the Stormwater Management Guidelines for the county. Mr. Lowe stated incentives will be offered to attract businesses to the area. He stated in order for the businesses to receive the incentives, conforming to the guidelines will be mandatory. Ms. Hooker stated she has been pleased with the results created by the Williamson Road Guidelines. Mr. Lowe stated the incentives will encourage new businesses to be developed in this area. Mr. Robinson suggested taking before and after photos of the area. Mr. Lowe stated the overlay area will most likely move out farther as 2 the area develops. Mr. Robinson expressed concerns about traffic flow with regards to increased development. Mr. Lowe stated VDOT will work with businesses regarding crossovers. He stated since VDOT cannot grant all requests for crossovers, businesses will be encouraged to share entrances. Mr. Lowe suggested the Planning Commission and staff visit the area during a future worksession. Sign Ordinance Mr. David Holladay reviewed definitions of the different types of signs. Mr. Robinson asked if a temporary sign is affixed in concrete does that make it a permanent sign. Mr. Holladay stated this would indeed make it permanent by definition. Mr. Holladay stated temporary signs will be addressed under a separate section of the ordinance. Mr. Holladay reviewed revisions to the Sign Ordinance. Mr. Witt expressed concern regarding the 5 -foot setback regulation, questioning whether or not it was a good idea to allow signage that close to the road. Mr. Kevin Booker, Hodges Sign Co., stated a sliding scale is good in theory but not in reality. Mr. Booker stated the regulation should be clear and easy to follow. He stated this sliding scale may not be aesthetically pleasing. Mr. Booker stated it would be better if Roanoke, Salem, and Roanoke County had similar regulations. Mr. Ross suggested using a standard setback scale. Mr. Holladay stated a height and location regulation could be added at the end of the ordinance. Mr. Thomason stated it is important to keep regulations simple. Mr. Robinson stated flexibility is important. Mr. Holladay reviewed the Cap & Replace regulations for off - premise signs. He discussed the importance of setting a specific date to begin enforcing the new regulations. Mr. Garland Kitts, Lamar Outdoor, stated he has not erected any new billboards since the Comp Plan was adopted. He stated he is unable to find a location to put them. Mr. Kitts stated the regulation should be if they lose a sign they would be allowed to put one back up in its place. Mr. Robinson and Mr. Ross agreed with Mr. Kitts that it should not be 2 for 1. Ms. Hooker suggested the PC not get involved in the private industry marketing issues. Mr. Witt expressed concern that the revision may be limiting competition. He stated the strategy of the revision is to reduce the number of billboards. Mr. Thomason agreed. Ms. Scheid and Mr. Covey stated the joint meeting between the PC and BOS will likely take place in October or November. Mr. Robinson suggested they should compromise so the PC can make a unified presentation to the BOS. Ms. Scheid stated it would be beneficial for both sides to be presented to BOS. Mr. Holladay reviewed off - premise signage regulations in rural areas. He stated zoning takes care of most problems in scenic areas such as Rt. 221 and Rt. 311. Ms. Scheid stated the BOS is interested in developing an overlay to protect these areas. She asked the PC to be thinking about this topic. Mr. Holladay stated the Clearbrook overlay will be left as it is regarding signage. Mr. Thomason stated the sign industry has not taken care of some of the signs left behind in fields. He sited Rt. 419, Rt. 311, Rt. 460 East. Mr. Kitts stated his company has spent $1.5 million over the past 2 -3 years on sign repairs. Mr. Bill Lodzinski, Lamar Outdoor, stated if a lease expires the structure is taken down. He stated the industry is a self- regulating industry since in order to make money the signage needs to be aesthetically pleasing. He stated the changes are anti- business and unfair. Mr. Ross stated some members are more in favor of business and some are more in favor of mountains and views. Mr. Lodzinski stated he hoped the PC would move forward with revisions in fairness to the sign industry. Ms. Hooker stated the surrounding localities are reducing allowable signage and the signage is moving into Roanoke County because of lenient sign regulations. Mr. Witt stated Botetourt allows no billboards. Mr. Thomason reiterated the reason for revisions is to reduce non- conforming signage in the county. Mr. Robinson stated he hopes if we limit signage it will be better maintained. Mr. Holladay urged the PC and staff to keep the ordinance simple. Memorandum from Paul Mahoney, County Attorney, to Board of Supervisors regarding Special Use Permit Condition for Keith W. Martin Mr. Holladay gave a brief explanation of the Mr. Mahoney's memo regarding the removal of a billboard. Site Viewin The meeting was adjourned for site viewing at 5:10pm. PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Todd Ross called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Mr. Donald Witt gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance. There was a 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. Witt made the motion to continue the petition of Cotton Hill Land Co., LC due to lack of information provided by the petitioner and the fact that the public notice signs were not placed on the property by the petitioner as required by Section 30 -14 -3 of the Roanoke County Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Witt specifically requested information on number of housing lots, placement of lots in regard to Cotton Hill Road, access to the property, information on new subdivision roads, etc. 4 The motion to continue this public hearing until November 5, 2002 carried unanimously. AYES: Ross, Robinson, Witt, Hooker, Thomason NAYS: None ABSENT: None Citizens Comments There were no citizen comments. Final Orders 1. The petition of Keith W. Martin and the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors to obtain a Special Use Permit on a .374 acre parcel located at 3704 Brambleton Avenue and rezone from C -1, Office District to C -2, General Commercial District and obtain a Special Use Permit on a .226 acre portion located at 3738 Brambleton Avenue for the construction and operation of a minor automobile repair service and used automobile dealership, Cave Spring Magisterial District, was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the Public Hearing on September 24, 2002. 2. The petition of Robert A. Buckley to obtain Special Use Permit to construct a drive -in restaurant on 10.15 acres, located at the 4300 block of Starkey Road, Cave Spring Magisterial District, was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the Publ Hearing on September 24, 2002. There being no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:06 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved: �. x.f Se6etary, Roanoke County Planning Commission 5