HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/6/2015 - MinutesCommissioners Present:
Ms. Martha Hooker
Mr. Rick James
Mr. Gene Marrano
Mr. Jim Woltz
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Mr. Wayne Bower
M TKOOM "M I
Mr. Philip Thompson
Mr. Ruth Ellen Kuhnel, County Attorney
Mr. John Murphy (afternoon work session only)
Ms. Megan Cronise (afternoon work session only)
Ms. Becky James
Ms. Tara Pattisall (afternoon work session only)
Ms,'Tammi Wood (afternoon work session only)
Mr. Brian Hughes (afternoon work session only)
Ms. Susan, McCoy, Recording Secretary
Call to Order
Ms. Hooker called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.
,A►pproval of Agenda
Mr. Marrano made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 4-0.
Election of Officers
Mr. Thompson opened the floor for nominations of chairman for the 2015 calendar year.
Ms. Hooker nominated Mr. Marrano. No other inomiinations were received and the
Commission unanimously voted for Mr. Marrano as, chairman for 2015.
Mr. Marrano opened the floor for nominations of vice-chairman for the 2015 calendar
year. Ms. Hooker nominated Mr. James. No other nominations were received and the
Commission unanimously voted for Mr. James as vice-chairman for 2015.
Approval of Minutes
Ms. Hooker made a motion to approve the minutes of December 15, 2014, which passed
4-0.
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 6, 2015
Consent Agenda
Ms. Pattisall provided an overview of the Sheldon Henderson petition, including current
zoning, land use designation, and topography of the property. She stated the petitioner
plans to use the property for agricultural use. Ms. Pattisall and the Commissioners
discussed family exemption regarding subdividing the property. They discussed
surrounding zoning. Ms. Pattisall stated the petitioners currently have an erosion and
sediment control permit.
Mr. James made a motion to approve the consent agenda, which passed 4-0
Citizen Comments
There were none.
Commissioners' and Staff Comments
Mr. Thompson introduced Planning Services newest staff member, Mr. Brian Hughes,
Planner I, noting he will primarily be working in code enforcement.
Mr. Thompson discussed the postponement of the Morgan Ventures, LLC petition. Mr.
Thompson, Ms. Wood, and the Commissioners discussed the letter received from the
National Park Service which includes recommendations for the proposed tower. Mr.
Thompson and Ms. Wood stated the petitioner will be submitting additional information
regarding the tower prior to the public hearing.
Mr. James stated signs opposing the petition have been posted by citizens in the
surrounding neighborhood. Mr. Marrano discussed the visibility of the tower from the
neighborhood, noting it was not visible from the Blue Ridge Parkway during the balloon
test. He also discussed collaborating with other localities regarding cell tower issues. Mr.
James discussed consulting a specialist to investigate technical impacts. Mr. Thompson
and Ms. Kuhnel discussed this issue with the Commissioners. Mr. James stated
neighbors have expressed concern that possible zoning compliance issues exist on the
property.
Mr. Marrano adjourned the meeting for dinner at 4:26 p.m.
EVENING SESSION
Mr. Marrano called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Woltz gave the invocation
and led the pledge of allegiance.
The petition of Morgan Ventures, LLC to obtain a Special Use Permit for a
broadcasting tower (cell tower) approximately 195 feet in height in a C-2, High
Intensity Commercial, District on approximately 1.00 acre, located at 4247
Bonsack Road, Vinton Magisterial District. (Postponed at the request of the
petitioner)
2. The petition of Roger and Deborah Rardin to rezone an approximately 8.00 acre
portion of an approximately 19.44 acre parcel from 1-2, High Intensity Industrial,
District to R-1, Low Density Residential, District and to remove a proffered
condition from the 11.44 acre portion of the property zoned R-1, Low Density
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
JANUARY 6, 2095
Residential, District, located west of the Norfolk Southern Railroad near the 5000
block of Poor Mountain Road and north of Bydawyle Road, Catawba Magisterial
District. Ms. James presented the staff report, including a brief history, current
zoning, land use designation, and limited road frontage.
Mr. Roger Rardin and Ms. Deborah Rardin stated they are trying to sell the property
for single family use. Mr. Marrano inquired if the split zoning of the property has
created financing issues for the prospective buyer. Mr. Rardin discussed this
issue.
Mr. Marrano opened the public hearing for public comment.
With no citizens requesting to speak, Mr. Marrano closed the public hearing.
Mr. James discussed the previous rezoning and concerns regarding the proposed
rezoning. He noted staff had reported the proposed rezoning is not in conformance
with the Comprehensive Plan. He discussed the adjoining properties which are
zoned industrial, noting industrial zoned property in the County is limited. Mr.
Marrano inquired about access to the adjoining property. Mr. Thompson discussed
this issue, noting the adjacent property is privately owned. Ms. James stated a
single family dwelling exists on the adjacent property. She discussed issues which
could affect the development of the petitioner's property, including lack of access,
limited road frontage, and topographical issues. Mr. Marrano inquired about the
zoning history. Mr. Thompson discussed this issue. Ms. Hooker noted the current
zoning is not advantageous to the owner.
Ms. Hooker made a motion to recommend approval of the request.
Mr. Thompson called the roll and the motion passed (3-1) with the following vote:
AYES:
Hooker, Marrano, Woltz
NAYES:
James
ABSENT:
Bower
Citizen Comments
Ms. Lori Foster, 4535 Red Barn Lane, spoke regarding the petition of Morgan Ventures,
LLC. She asked that the Commissioners visit the neighborhood. She discussed the
current unobstructed view of Read Mountain from her home. She discussed the
importance of preservation of beauty of the community. She discussed the importance
of neighborhood preservation and conservation. She stated the adjoining property will be
approximately 20 feet from proposed structure. She discussed the aesthetics of the
tower, noting it will not fit the surroundings and will be visible above the existing tree line
creating an eyesore. She invited the Commissioners to visit the area to see the views
and find available cell phone signals. She stated the Comprehensive Plan does not
support this use. She requested that the members vote against the petition.
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
JANUARY 6, 2015
Commissioners' and Staff Comments
Mr. Thompson briefly discussed topics for the January 20, 2015 Planning Commission
Work Session.
With no further business or comments, Mr. Marrano adjourned the meeting at 7:19 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Susan McCoy
Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission
Vi
Philip Thpfnpson
Secretary, Roan k County Planning Commission
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Gene Marrano
Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission
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