HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/19/2014 - Packet (3)
County of Roanoke
PLANNING COMMISSION
Ms. Martha Hooker, ChairmanCatawba District
Mr. Gene Marrano, Vice-ChairmanCave Spring District
Mr. Wayne BowerHollins District
Mr. Rick JamesVinton District
Mr. Jim WoltzWindsor Hills District
AGENDA
TUESDAY,AUGUST 19,2014
th
6:00 P.M. (4FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM 438)
WORK SESSION
A.Call to Order
B.Approval of Agenda
C.Discussion of Commercial Matching Grant Program(Richfield Retirement Project)–
Megan Cronise
D.Review of 2005 Comprehensive Plan (Chapter 1 Introduction and Chapter 2 Vision
Statements)–Philip Thompson
E.Citizens’ Comments
F.Comments of Planning Commissioners and Planning Staff
G.Adjournment
PO Box 29800, Roanoke, VA 24018 * Phone (540) 772-2068 * Fax (540) 776-7155
properties for beautification and economic redevelopment
Encourage improvements above and beyond
current building and zoning requirements to business
of highway entrance corridors in Roanoke County.
Eligible Site Improvements:
Façade Renovation
Site Accessories
Landscaping
Parking
Lighting
Purpose:Signage
Eligible Applicants:
Funding:
Chapter 1: Introduction
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
The Roanoke County Community Plan is a blueprint for the future growth and
development of the County over the next 10-15 years. It provides direction and guidance,
for both the public and private sectors, in making decisions about land development,
public services and resource protection. This Plan allows decision makers to study the
long-
impact the County for many years to come.
The Community Plan i
visions of what the future might be. It allows the Board of Supervisors to present a
includes those involved in private land development, neighborhood organizations and
civic groups, neighboring jurisdictions, County departments, commissions and boards
and the general public. It also provides those in the land development process the
opportunity to anticipate Board decisions and to actively work in concert with the Plan
rather than in conflict with it.
The Community Plan is a public document, developed with a great deal of public
participation. It encourages individual participation in public affairs and particularly the
long-range planning process of the County. It also ensures citizens that decisions based
on the Plan are well-thought out and in the best interests of the County as a whole.
The Roanoke County Community Plan was developed in accordance with Chapter 15.2
of the Code of Virginia, Local Planning Legislation, Article 3, The Comprehensive Plan,
which requires that:
for the physical development of the ter
s vision for the future
documented in the Vision Report, The Changing Century - Roanoke County 2010. The
research, debate, discussion, thought and commitment that went into the visioning
process are articulated and reflected in this Plan. The following components of the Plan
Land use, community facilities and resource preservation issues - These general,
community wide issues affect the entire community.
Future Land Use Guide - This chapter includes land use designations and policies.
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Chapter 1: Introduction
Community Planning Areas - The future land use maps are included in this
chapter along with critical neighborhood issues and resources.
Community Plan Implementation - The final chapter includes work item
priorities.
THE COMMUNITY PLAN PROCESS
History
Roanoke County has a long history of comprehensive planning. In 1939 the County
Community Plan was adopted and in 1941 the first zoning ordinance was in place.
In 1974 Roanoke County adopted the second Community Plan and in 1983 a general
revision to that plan was begun. Two years later the third Community Plan was adopted by
the County. The community lead visioning process was begun in 1995 and at its
conclusion, in the summer of 1996, an intensive community involvement process was
begun to develop the 1998 Community Plan.
Process
The community involvement process used in developing the Community Plan is, in many
ways, as important to the credibility and value of the plan as the final document itself.
order to be called a success. It cannot be a reflection of only a minority of viewpoints or
special interest groups.
Over the past three years, Roanoke County has been involved in an extensive outreach
program to involve its citizens in the development of a new Community Plan. The first
component of this outreach program was the visioning process. In February 1995 the
visioning process formally began with a community values survey. This scientifically-
valid telephone survey questioned 500 county residents about public policy issues and
assessed the relative importance of these issues. The visioning process continued
throughout the spring and summer and eventually involved more than 800 citizens in the
development of a vision of what Roanoke County could be like in the year 2010. This
component of the citizen outreach program was concluded in June 1996 with the
publishing of the Vision Report, The Changing Century - Roanoke County 2010.
The second component of the outreach program was to develop a neighborhood-based
citizen participation element. This element was designed to identify issues at the
neighborhood level and to relate the findings of the vision process to each neighborhood.
To accomplish this task the Board of Supervisors appointed a Citizen Advisory
Committee (CAC) consisting of 24 citizens - two from each of the twelve community
planning areas. The CAC held their first meeting in August 1996. The charge to the
CAC was to formulate a citizen participation process that would effectively involve a
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Chapter 1: Introduction
broad spectrum of county citizens in the comprehensive planning process. In addition,
the goal was to develop a citizen involvement structure that would continue to be
involved in county planning at all levels - from the development of neighborhood plans to
rezoning issues. The purpose was to integrate active, concerned citizens into the
planning process thereby increasing the level of commitment to the long-range plan and
ensuring future accountability to the plan.
The CAC met during the fall of 1996 and by December developed a citizen participation
process. This process involved the creation of neighborhood councils in each of the
community-
neighborhood council process were:
To assure that the Community Plan reflects the desires of the majority
of citizens for the future of Roanoke County and to expand the sphere
of influence the Community Plan will have in guiding decisions in the
future for our Roanoke County community.
The neighborhood councils began meeting in January 1997. Over the next four months
they worked to identify critical land use, resource preservation and public facility issues
in their neighborhoods. These extensive lists of issues were later prioritized by council
members. Secondly, the councils mapped cultural, historical and natural resources that
added uniqueness, beauty and a sense of place to their communities. The final
component of their work was to identify examples of design elements, located in their
neighborhoods, such as building size and mass, building architecture, landscaping,
parking design, signage, materials and colors that are visually appealing.
In May 1997 a community forum was held to exhibit the results of the neighborhood
council process. This meeting was an open house with booths that displayed the work
and maps produced by each council. Representatives of various special interest groups
made presentations to the Planning Commission and the CAC.
The major components of the Community Plan reflect the results of the visioning process
as well as the work of the CAC and neighborhood councils. The first component
provides background, goals, objectives, issues and opportunities and implementation
strategies in the areas of land use, community facilities and resource preservation. The
second component is the Future Land Use Guide. Land use guidelines and policies that
reflect the results of the visioning process are outlined. The third component is the
Community Planning Area Analysis. This section takes an in-depth look at each of the
12 community planning areas around the County. Future land use maps are displayed in
this section. The final chapter of the Plan includes implementation strategies.
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Chapter 1: Introduction
PLAN UPDATES
Every five years the Community Plan will be reviewed and updated as necessary to
ensure that it is consistent with the overall community vision. This review process will
provide the opportunity to analyze and address changes in the community and to update
statistical data and implementation strategies. It will also provide the opportunity to
measure progress and make adjustments, where necessary, toward the implementation
strategies recommended in the 1998 plan.
PLAN AMENDMENTS
The Roanoke County Community Plan is a general planning document that is subject to
interpretation. It is intended to guide future land use development in the County but is
not fixed in place. Therefore, proposed amendments to the Community Plan will be
received and reviewed twice annually in the months of January and July. Amendments to
the Roanoke County Community Plan may be initiated by any citizen, the Board of
Supervisors, the Planning Commission, any county landowner or the Secretary to the
Planning Commission.
Amendment applications must meet one or more of the following criteria:
The subject property was misinterpreted or overlooked in the Community Plan.
Significant changes have occurred in the condition of surrounding lands.
The requested amendment will significantly enhance other goals of the
Community Plan.
Amendment applications will be considered based on the preceding qualifications. The
Planning Commission will review the application, hold a public hearing and recommend
to the Board of Supervisors whether to consider the amendment. The Planning
Commission may, at their discretion, hold a community meeting or convene a meeting of
the appropriate neighborhood council. If recommended by the Planning Commission,
the Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing and vote to accept, deny, or modify
the amendment and forward its order to the Secretary to the Commission. The Board of
Supervisors retains the right to initiate an amendment to the Community Plan at any time.
Any amendment should be determined to be consistent with the remaining goals of the
Community Plan and the overall community vision.
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CHAPTER 2
VISION STATEMENTS
INTRODUCTION
In 1995 the citizens of Roanoke County initiated a strategic planning process called
visioning. The purpose of this process was to build a vision for the future of Roanoke
County that is based on community consen
In March 1995 a thirteen-member citizen Steering Committee was formed to administer
and guide the vision process. The Steering Committee formed ten focus groups to discuss
and prepare recommendations on the following topics: Agriculture and Forestry,
Economic Development, Public Education, Technology, Resource Preservation,
Transportation, Growth Management and Planning, Government Relations, Recreation
and Culture and Housing. These focus groups involved over 200 citizen volunteers.
The focus groups met throughout the summer of 1995 and in the fall presented their
recommendations to the Steering Committee and Board of Supervisors. There were five
key issues, or principles of action, that emerged from the focus group reports. These issues
cut across the thinking that County citizens brought to the vision process and are as
follows:
COMMUNITY-WIDE THEMES
1. Regionalism - The County must take the lead in finding new and innovative ways to
look beyond its political boundaries for solutions to the challenges of the next century.
2. Sustainability - Recognizing that our natural systems are vital to providing both
economic needs and quality of life for all citizens, sustainable development has been
incorporated into County planning -- meeting the needs of the present generation without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
3.Community Identity - Roanoke County citizens identify very closely with their
neighborhoods and school districts. Efforts must be made to preserve the elements of
community identity that provide gathering places for the exchange of information and
support.
4.Scenic Beauty - The mountains that surround the County provide a sense of place and
are a source of beauty, recreational activity and inspiration. Steps must be taken to
develop sound conservation policies for our dwindling farm lands, mountainsides and
ridges, rivers and streams, soil and air. These resources are considered by many to be our
t asset.
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5. Quality of Life - The citizens of Roanoke County recognize that there exists a fragile
balance between economic growth and prosperity and the preservation of a way of life
that is cherished by many. Proactive steps must be taken to manage growth in a positive
way - to act conservatively and with deliberation when making decisions that will affect
In addition to these five broad community-wide themes each focus group developed a
vision statement that reflects their discussions about the future of Roanoke County.
VISION STATEMENTS
The following vision statements represent the work of the focus groups and are reprinted
here exactly as they were developed by each group.
Government Relations
1. In 2010, Roanoke County is one of a group of regional independent counties and
cities, that choose to practice - as an aggressive and proactive policy - broad
based, regional collaboration and cooperation in: 1) meeting the current day-to-
day needs of the citizens of Roanoke County, and 2) preparing for the challenges
and opportunities of the future. In these cooperative efforts, RoanokeCounty
government leads the way, thereby ensuring the prosperity and happiness of the
citizens of Roanoke County.
Resource Preservation
1. In 2010, Roanoke County has incorporated principles of sustainability into
County ordinances. These principles will maximize energy efficiency and
minimize waste and pollution. To assist with this effort, the County has adopted
and enacted local interpretations of the recommendations of the "Blueprint for
Sustainable Development of Virginia," while bolstering industry through a variety
of incentives to adhere to these standards.
2. In 2010, Roanoke County continues to support the educational efforts of Explore
Park and includes environmental education in the public school curriculum.
3.In 2010, Roanoke County has enacted ordinances and programs to preserve the
integrity of the surrounding mountains and open space. These include
mountainside, ridgeline and natural resource protection.
4.
resources by means of a comprehensive survey and makes use of this
information in designating sites to be protected as preserves, parks, greenways
and other natural corridors connecting critical habitats.
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5.In 2010, Roanoke County has established tax incentives to encourage landowners
to dedicate their mountain land for scenic and conservation easements. This has
been supplemented by purchases of land by a Natural and Scenic Resources
Foundation - a local land trust.
6. In 2010, Roanoke County has participated in a regional effort to identify and
protect viewsheds along the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail.
7. In 2010, Roanoke County has established sound growth management policies that
preserve the region's scenic assets and natural resources while allowing residential
development that includes open spaces, parks, cluster development and rural
villages.
8. In 2010, Roanoke County continues to recognize the economic and scenic value
of its farm lands and has actively participated in promoting the economic viability
of the rural lifestyle.
9. In 2010, Roanoke County citizens exhibit a strong public and private sector
commitment to the preservation of Roanoke County's distinctive cultural heritage
-- its historic buildings and landscapes, archaeological sites and folk traditions.
Recognizing that the architectural and archaeological records of this valley lend
character and identity to our area, historic preservation has become an important
tool for economic development. Through efforts to identify heritage resources,
through cultural heritage education in the public schools and through cooperative
efforts with other groups, the County has, over the last 15 years, set the standard
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for a sound preservation ethic
10. In 2010, Roanoke County has implemented the "Recommendations for Planning"
produced as a result of the architectural survey of 1991-1992. The County has
also initiated a similar archaeological survey.
11. In 2010, Roanoke County community libraries have established local archives
which house video and audio tape oral histories, copies of family trees, diaries,
and pertinent newspaper articles and books that document each community's
unique history.
12. In 2010, Roanoke County has mountain festivals, jamborees, fiddler conventions,
story telling festivals, and pow-wows that are used to preserve interest in and
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knowledge of local folktraditions
Housing
1. In 2010, Roanoke County has developed incentives and a sliding scale of fees to
encourage affordable housing. Housing costs have been addressed by controlling
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utility connection fees, erosion control requirements and waste disposal options.
2. In 2010, Roanoke County has a diverse housing stock meeting the demands of
current and future residents. Dwellings are available in a range of prices, styles
and designs to accommodate students, single persons, the elderly and families.
Alternatives to single family ownership are being met by an adequate supply of
apartments, duplexes, attached housing, senior services and nursing homes for
rent.
3. In 2010, Roanoke County has managed a healthy economic growth while
protecting and maintaining its natural resources. Through careful planning and
orderly development, our natural resources have been protected to ensure the
quality of life forfuture generations. Open spaces and greenways have been
provided through the use of cluster development and innovative site design
concepts.
4. In 2010, Roanoke County has taken a leadership role in valleywide cooperative
efforts to hold the cost of public services to a relatively low level. Services have
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been extended, in a planned and orderly manner, to meet housing demands
Transportation
1. In 2010, Roanoke County roads are well maintained. New roads are initiated and
planned in cooperation with VDOT and with a high level of citizen participation.
Transportation planning is carried out in conjunction with the County
ComprehensivePlan. New roads are designed to accommodate large vehicles
and incorporate new technology wherever possible. The design and construction
of new roads are accomplished in an environmentally sensitive manner, protecting
natural resources and minimizing various forms of pollution.
2. In 2010, Roanoke County, Roanoke City and Salem City have encouraged the
growth of public transit throughout the Roanoke Valley. An active and successful
public relations campaign has resulted in increased ridership. Public transit is
now a vital link in the Valley's multi-modal transportation network.
3. In 2010, Roanoke County has incorporated the efficient movement of freight into
the overall transportation system design. The new Inland Port has given
southwest Virginia's industries a promising global connection.
4. In 2010, Roanoke County has incorporated the use of bicycle trails, pedestrian
walkways and greenways into the transportation network.
5. In 2010, Roanoke County has embarked on a multi-purpose light rail project.
This project serves as a valuable transportation and recreational facility for
residents and visitors alike.
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Growth Management and Planning
1. In 2010, Roanoke County growth management provides for greenways and open
space as an integral part of communities and individual lifestyles.
2. In 2010, Roanoke County has addressed the impacts of strategies to provide for
sustainability within growth management.
3. In 2010, Roanoke County communities have small commercial nodes and
business opportunities that serve local areas. This strategy has encouraged and
enabled citizens to use alternative forms of transportation such as pedestrian
corridors, bicycle paths and public transit.
4. In 2010, Roanoke County allows flexibility, within a consistent framework of
sustainable development, to encourage community redevelopment, commercial
development, infilldevelopment and industrial revitalization while preserving
neighborhood stability and property values. This planning process is successful
due to extensive community and private sector involvement.
5. In 2010, Roanoke County transportation planning is an integral part of growth
management strategies. Following through with a trend begun in 1995, Roanoke
County citizens have continued to be pro-active participants in the transportation
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planning process
6. In 2010, Roanoke County growth management strategies and sustainability are
guided and measured by a system of benchmarks established with citizen input.
This results in a highly involved citizenry who are knowledgeable in planning
principles, who proactively participate in the planning process, and who believe
they can influence the process.
Agriculture and Forestry
1. In 2010, Roanoke County has taken action to identify and establish distinct rural
areas worthy of preservation that will balance the rights of property owners while
protecting the productive value of rural lands.
2. In 2010, Roanoke County has implemented policies to tax rural land on its
specific value for agriculture and/or forestry production.
3.In 2010, Roanoke County has taken action to reinforce the "right to farm" and there
exists
a high level of mutual respect among farmers, non-farm owners and rural visitors
of individual property rights, responsibilities and privacy.
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4. In 2010, Roanoke County has established markets for small- scale farm and
forestry products that support and sustain a viable rural land-based economy and
robust farmers' markets in the Valley.
5. In 2010, Roanoke County continues to value, protect and preserve the scenic
vistas, water resources and other important natural and cultural resources of the
rural areas. There continues to be strong recognition that these resources are
critical components of the quality of life of the region.
6. In 2010, Roanoke County has established and has been operating a level of public
services, particularly fire and rescue, to the rural areas that is appropriate and
consistent with the needs of an aging rural population.
7. In 2010, Roanoke County has established mechanisms so that rural residents are
directly represented, consulted, advised and involved in their local government.
Economic Development and Tourism
1. In 2010, Roanoke County has played a major role in developing the Roanoke
Valley into a center of industrial and commercial technology by adequately
funding the Industrial Development Authority, enabling them to acquire property
and providing the infrastructure to encourage economic growth.
2. In 2010, Roanoke County and the surrounding areas have become a natural
playground for visitors and residents. The local governments have provided the
necessary infrastructure to permit full usage and enjoyment of our scenic
resources - both private and public - such as a regional greenway system,
pedestrian-friendly roads, campgrounds and recreational vehicle parking areas.
Strong incentives have been put into place to encourage developers to include
dedicated lands and connected greenways in all new development projects.
3. In 2010, Roanoke County has taken the lead to preserve our most valuable natural
asset, the scenic environment and natural ridge lines of the mountains surrounding
the Roanoke Valley.
Recreation and Culture
1. In 2010, Roanoke County - through unique initiatives and as a result of reciprocal
arrangements and partnership efforts with neighboring local governments and
private entities- is nationally known as a preeminent East Coast recreational and
cultural center and is the major recreational and cultural center on the Blue Ridge
Parkway. Awareness of the County's unique and high-quality recreational and
cultural programs is reflected in large audiences, a high level of individual
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participation and volunteer activity, broad-based financial support, a healthy
citizenry and increased tourism.
Technology and Communications
1. In 2010, Roanoke County provides its citizens opportunities to interface with each
other, the capability to access local and global community services through the
latest communications technologies and encourages - through both public and
private means - the use of the latest technologies to enhance the quality of life in
the Roanoke Valley.
2. In 2010, Roanoke County encourages technological improvements/innovations in
manufacturing, power transmission, communications, commerce and
transportation to reserve and enhance the natural resources of the Roanoke Valley.
Roanoke County facilitates a managed technological environment that balances
education, productivity, social skills, health and the ecosystem.
3. In 2010, Roanoke County affords its citizens opportunities - through technical
schools, extension programs, and a four-year college of higher learning - to obtain
thetechnological skillsrequired to work and function in a rapidly changing world.
Public Education
1. In 2010, Roanoke County provides access to world-class educational services to
all citizens. The educational focus is to prepare learners for the work place and to
develop in them characteristics of responsible, productive members of society for
whom learning is a lifelong endeavor.
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