HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/17/2001 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
WORK SESSION MINUTES —JULY 17, 2001
Present: Mr. Al Thomason
Mr. Kyle Robinson
Mr. Don Witt
Mr. Todd Ross
Ms. Janet Scheid
Mr. David Holladay
Mr. Chris Lowe
Mr. Tim Beard
Ms. Tammi Wood, Recording Secretary
Absent: Ms. Martha Hooker
WORK SESSION:
Session opened at 4:00pm by Mr. Al Thomason.
Approval of Agenda
Ms. Scheid requested that agenda items D and E be switched due to a scheduling
conflict. Mr. Al Thomason moved to approve the agenda with change. Motion passed
4 -0.
Approval of Additional Consent Agenda Item
Mr. Al Thomason moved to approve the additional consent agenda item. Motion passed
4 -0.
Nathaniel C. Haile — Pitzer Road Golf Course Petition
Ms. Janet Scheid presented the Pitzer Road Golf Course Petition information from the
7110101 BOS Work Session. Mr. Haile presented the display of the petition site plan,
which consisted of the entire 364 acres including housing throughout the golf course
rather than on a separate parcel as presented to the Planning Commission. The BOS
suggested that the applicant withdraw the original application and re -apply requesting a
Special Use permit for 364 acres and rezoning the 118 acres now zoned AG -3 to AR.
The BOS stated that the County would work out the fee schedule with the applicant.
Mr. Haile stated that he preferred the plan with the housing placed throughout the
course and Mr. Hodge and Mr. Doug Chittum concurred.
Mr. Don Witt motioned to approve the consent agenda item. Motion passed 4 -0,
Review of Draft Screening & Landscape Ordinance
Mr. Chris Lowe presented the draft information. Mr. Lowe compiled Carol Rizzio's,
Planning Commission and staff notes to result in the draft presented to the PC. One of
the main goals of the revision was to give additional options to developers and builders
for various land uses.
Several issues were questioned:
Parking — the threshold for the island /buffering regarding the number of parking spaces
required. Smaller parking areas should be referenced.
Buffer Vs. Screening — differences?
Protection and Preservation Methods are temporary — needs to specified
Crown coverage - defined
Native plantings — definition?
Built Environment — definition — adaptable to an urban environment
Determine the acreage size required for the Landscape Architect approval
Temporary or permanent utility construction installation — add underground utilities
Wherever possible consider more flexibility
Make the ordinance less threatening — insert qualifications at the beginning
The completed ordinance will be ready for review at the August 21 work session.
Discussion of the Proposed 1 -73 Corridor
Mr. David Holladay presented information on the corridor and referred to corridor -
highlighted maps on the wall. The zoning of the affected districts is primarily AG -3, AR,
and AG -1. There is limited water and sewer on the south side of the parkway. If the
corridor is built, it would be an appropriate time to add the piping. The parkwayl1-73
corridor crossing is planned for underneath the Blue Ridge Parkway to protect the view.
VDOT did not indicate why the Rte. 220 spur is being built. It was stated that the issues
raised during the BOS work session were similar to the PC issues.
Update on the Ridgetop Protection Ordinance
Ms. Janet Scheid distributed a proposed schedule of the timeline for completing the
ordinance. The goal is to get the completed ordinance to the BOS prior to year -end
2001. Information is being compiled from several counties in Virginia as well as ideas
from various areas around the country. The ordinance is being written from an
elevation /slope standpoint. Justification for the ordinance will include public health and
safety issues as well as aesthetics. BOS is supportive of several initiatives including tax
incentives.
Protection of Read Mountain
Mr. David Holladay presented information on this issue. Mr. Ron Crawford has been
involved in developing a grassroots citizen's effort to protect Read Mountain.
Mr. Crawford is in the process of raising money and contacting major landowner's on
the mountain. He has a project schedule, which includes the canvassing of the
surrounding neighborhoods by volunteers. Mr. Crawford met with ECH last week and
has previously given Mr. Hodge a tour of the area. The BOS approved a resolution of
support for protection of the mountain and Botetourt County is scheduled to do the
same. The Read Mountain Alliance will be a large advocate group for the Roanoke
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County Mountain Protection ordinance effort and will be invited to attend the public
hearing on November 6, 2001. There is a mountain hike /ride with Mr. Crawford
scheduled for October 20, 2001.
Comments of Planning Commissioners and Planning Staff
Mr. Kyle Robinson stated that the Roanoke County Planning Staff was a good one. Mr.
Don Witt stated that the public hearings were too long and must be shortened. It was
stated that there are two types of petitions - some with keen citizen interest and others
which are clear -cut and could pretty much be moved on quickly. It was suggested that
the beginning information on the staff reports be revamped including highlighting and
bullet points for all the pertinent information including the petitioner's proffers.
Additionally, to conserve time, the staff should only read the Executive Summary which
would be in bullet points. It was stated that the main reason for the reading of the Staff
Report was to inform the citizens of the petition because the PC had a copy of the
report. Mr. Thomason requested that Mr. Holladay revamp the staff report by the next
work session on August 21.
Adlournment
The meeting was adjourned at 5:45pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
J� i WO
Approved:
Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission