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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/20/2014 - MinutesCommissioners Present: Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Rick James Mr. Gary Jarrell Mr. Gene Marrano Commissioners Absent: Mr. Jim Woltz Staff Present: Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary Ms. Ruth Ellen Kuhnel, Assistant County Attorney Ms. Melinda Cox, Economic Development Mr. David Holladay Ms. Megan Cronise Ms. Tammi Wood Ms. Susan McCoy, Recording Secretary Call to Order Ms. Hooker called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Approval of Agenda Mr. Jarrell made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 4 -0. Hollins University Focus Groups Meetings Ms. Cronise and Ms. Cox presented a PowerPoint presentation regarding results of past and recent Focus Group meetings with Hollins University students. Ms. Cronise discussed the type of development the focus group would like to see, including grocery stores /drug stores, restaurants /coffee shops, and retails shops. She stated the students would also like to have access to a Hollins shuttle in order to travel to other off - campus venues, including downtown Roanoke and area shopping centers. Ms. Cox stated the group would like a hometown - village style business community. She stated student athletes would like healthy food establishments which would provide take -out at night after practices and events. She stated they also expressed interest in having a meeting place off -site, a craft store, and consignment shops. She stated the students also suggested having access to short -term car rentals. Ms. Cronise stated only 10% of the students have vehicles on campus. Mr. Jarrell noted students are currently walking long distances to acquire groceries. Ms. Cox stated the students would like to have access to yoga and dance facilities. Mr. Marrano inquired about the installation of sidewalks. Ms. Cox discussed the need for sidewalks and crosswalks on Page 1 of 3 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 20, 2094 Williamson Road and Plantation Road. She stated they plan to conduct another survey during the 2014 Fall Session. Residential Chicken Keeping Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed amending the code section regarding the accessory use of residential chicken keeping. He stated thirteen permits have been granted to County citizens. He stated some citizens have inquired if more than six chickens could be allowed if the property is larger in size. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed developing a sliding scale based on lot size. They reviewed lot sizes within the residential zoning districts located in each magisterial district. Mr. Thompson discussed site development regulations within each zoning district, including minimum lot requirements, setback requirements, maximum height of structures, and maximum building and lot coverage. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed residential site visits to various homes which have residential chicken keeping. The consensus of the Commissioners was to visit various residences which have permitted chicken keeping. They discussed various types of chicken coops which are allowed. Mr. Thompson noted there is no limit to the number of chickens which can be kept in agricultural zoning districts. Design Guidelines Design Handbook and Commercial Matching Grant Mr. Thompson discussed landscaping, including updating natural species list and coordinating parking and storm water management. He reviewed updating lighting standards, including possible height requirement, standard measurement (foot candles or lumens), CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) standards, dark sky standards, and Photometric Plan requirement. He discussed parking issues including simplifying categories of how parking is calculated, current regulations, and storm water management. Mr. Thompson discussed signage including how total signage is calculated, standards in various districts, setback requirements, off - premise directional signage, electronic signage, and temporary signs. Mr. Thompson and Ms. Wood, and the Commissioners discussed current regulations and enforcement of temporary signs. Mr. Jarrell and Mr. Marrano inquired about regulations regarding the removal of permanent signage when a business is no longer located at the site. Mr. Thompson and Ms. Kuhnel discussed this issue. Mr. Thompson discussed site access and building location, including VDOT standards, building setbacks, and pedestrian accommodations. He stated Ms. Cronise and Ms. Zirkle are working on architectural guidelines, including corridor review, conversion of residential structures, review of Visual Preference Survey, and commercial development preferences. Ms. Hooker inquired about the removal of signage. Mr. Thompson discussed this issue. Mr. James inquired about offering incentives for interparcel connectivity. Mr. Thompson discussed this issue. Comprehensive Plan Update Mr. Thompson reviewed the Comprehensive Plan revision process. He and the Commissioners discussed revising the Vision Statement which was developed in 1998. Page 2of3 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 20, 2014 Mr. Thompson stated the Commissioners and staff members will review the current work plan and discuss the future direction of the County. Citizens' Comments There were none. Other Comments Mr. James inquired about the status of the Plantation Road improvements. Mr. Thompson, Ms. Cronise, and Ms. Kuhnel discussed this issue. Mr. Thompson stated the June 3, 2014 Planning Commission Meeting has been canceled. With no further business or comments, Ms. Hooker adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: 1 Susan McCoy Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission Philip TXompson Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission Approved: 1 Martha Hooker Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission Page 3 of 3