HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/3/2015 - MinutesCommissioners Present:
Mr. Wayne Bower
Ms. Martha Hooker
Mr. Rick James
Commissioners Absent:
Mr. Gene Marrano
Mr. Jim Woltz
Staff Present:
Mr. Philip Thompson
Mr. Ruth Ellen Kuhnel, Senior Assistant County Attorney
Mr. David Holladay (afternoon session only)
Ms. Megan Cronisle (afternoon session only)
Ms. Tammi Wood
Ms. Tara Pattisall
Mr. Brian Epperley (afternoon session only)
Mr. Brian Hughes
Ms. Naomi Siodmok
Ms. Susan McCoy, Recording Secretary
Guests:
Mr. Doug Blount, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
Ms. Lindsay Blankenship, Greenway Planner
Ms. Liz Belcher, Roanoke Valley Greenway Project Coordinator
Work Session
Mr. James called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
Approval of Agenda
Ms. Hooker made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 3-0.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Bower made a motion to approve the minutes of February 3, 2015, which passed 3-
0.
Consent Agenda
Mr. Thompson stated no applications have been received for the April 7, 2015 Planning
Commission Public Hearing.
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 3, 2095
Roanoke River Greenway in Roanoke County
Mr. Doug Blount, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism introduced Ms. Lindsay
Blankenship, Greenway Planner, and Ms. Liz Belcher, Roanoke Valley Greenway
Project Coordinator. He provided a brief overview of the PowerPoint presentation,
including updates on the Roanoke River Greenway, Roanoke River West, Roanoke
River East, and Hanging Rock Bridge.
Ms. Belcher provided an update on the plan, including funding methods. She discussed
the advantages of combining the four surrounding localities. She provided an overview
of the Greenway System, including completed and future projects.
Mr. Blount provided a project overview of the WRRG, which is Western Section of the
Greenway from Green Hill Park in the County to Riverside Park in the City of Salem.
He stated it consists of approximately 1.6 miles of new greenway along the Roanoke
River. He stated it is a joint project with Roanoke County and the City of Salem. He
discussed construction challenges and topographical issues in this section of the
greenway. He discussed Phase 1, development of alternative routes of the greenway
and pre -engineering completed by AECOM. He reviewed Phases II and III, selection of
route, final design, permitting, right-of-way, and bidding of the project. He stated Phase
II is currently underway with Anderson and Associates. He reviewed project plans. Mr.
Blount and Ms. Blankenship discussed the various plans with the Commissioners. They
discussed floodplain, easements, stability of the land, and emergency access. Ms.
Belcher and the Commissioners discussed traffic flow and crosswalks at intersections
with public roadways. Mr. Blount stated VDOT has provided feedback regarding
greenway development. He reviewed the timeline for the project.
Mr. Blount provided a project overview of ERRG, which is the Eastern Section of the
Greenway from Roanoke City to the Blue Ridge Parkway. He stated it is approximately
2.7 miles on the south side of Roanoke River. He stated the challenge for this area is
acquiring right-of-way easements from twelve property owners. He reviewed the ERRG
project map. He discussed achievements for this portion of the project, including
meeting with VDOT right-of-way staff and preparing preliminary plats to use during
easement acquisition. He discussed project phasing and timeline.
Mr. Blount discussed funding options and funding sources for both the West Project and
East Project, including VDOT Container Funds, VDOT Enhancement Program, and
Regional Surface Transportation Program. Mr. Blount, Ms. Blankenship, and the
Commissioners discussed options if additional funding is needed in the future.
Mr. Blount reviewed the development of the Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail, including the
Mason Creek Bridge Crossing. He discussed footings and arches, concrete work, and
the finished project.
Mr. Blount discussed greenway connectivity with downtown and embracing the outdoor
amenities of the area. Ms. Belcher stated the completed length of the greenway when
completed will be 22 miles, from Green Hill Park to Explore Park. Mr. Blount and the
Commissioners discussed maintenance costs of the greenway including flood damage.
Ms. Belcher discussed the development of the Blueway by the Roanoke Valley -
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 3, 2015
Alleghany Regional Commission, which will provide more opportunities to use the
Roanoke River. Mr. Blount, Ms. Blankenship, and Ms. Belcher discussed the
development of tourism and economic opportunities for the area by utilizing outdoor
resources and amenities.
The Commissioners expressed appreciation to Mr. Blount, Ms. Belcher, and Ms.
Blankenship for the project progress.
Citizen Comments
There were none.
Commissioners' and Staff Comments
Mr. Thompson provided an update on the petition of Morgan Ventures LLC, noting the
petitioner has withdrawn the application.
Mr. Thompson stated a consultant has been hired to review technical applications which
are submitted to the County.
Mr. Thompson and Ms. Wood provided an update on signed proffers for the petition of
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed possible Community Development
fee schedule changes.
Mr. Thompson introduced Planning Services newest staff member, Ms. Naomi
Siodmok, Planner II, noting she will be working primarily in long-range planning.
Mr. dames adjourned the meeting for dinner at 4:59 p.m.
EVENING SESSION
Mr. James called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. He gave the invocation and
led the pledge of allegiance.
1. The petition of Fountain Head Land Company, LLC, to amend the proffered
conditions, the Planning and Design Document and the Master Plan for the
Planned Residential Development (PRD) known as Ballyhack Golf Club (formerly
Fountain Head Golf Resort). The proposed amendments would: change the
name of Fountain Head Golf Resort to Ballyhack Golf Club; allow access onto
Pitzer Road; remove language regarding minimum house sizes; increase the
maximum height of lighting from 16 feet to 18 feet; and allow the possibility of the
maintenance facility and additional parking to be constructed on the south side of
Pitzer Road. The Ballyhack Golf Club PRD measures approximately 368 acres
and is located on Pitzer Road near Saul Lane, Vinton Magisterial District. Ms.
Pattisall presented the staff report, including an explanation of the proposed
proffer amendments.
Mr. Sean Horne, Balzer and Associates, discussed the decreased speed limit
and proposed access changes on Pitzer Road. He stated only one lot will be
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
MARCH 3, 2015
directly affected by the access change. Mr. James inquired about previous
speed limit decrease and proposed access changes. Mr. Horne stated the lower
speed limit provides for the opportunity to change access to the PRD. Mr. James
inquired about lighting. Mr. Horne discussed lighting revisions. Mr. James
inquired about the maintenance facility. Mr. Horne discussed this issue, noting
the maintenance facility will now be located closer to the clubhouse. Mr. James
inquired about the additional entrance. Mr. Horne stated they want to add a
formal entrance at the location of the current construction entrance.
Mr. James opened the public hearing for public comment.
Janet Corcoran, 3852 Pitzer Road, inquired about the location of the
maintenance building. Mr. Horne pointed out the location on the site plan. Ms.
Corcoran was satisfied with the location.
With no other citizens requesting to speak, Mr. James closed the public hearing.
Mr. James made a motion to recommend approval of the request.
Mr. Thompson called the roll and the motion passed (3-0) with the following vote:
AYES: Bower, Hooker, James
NAYES: None
ABSENT: Marrano, Waltz
2. The petition of Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc, to rezone approximately 5.59 acres
from 1-1, Low Intensity Industrial, District to C-2, High Intensity Commercial,
District for communication services (television production and broadcasting),
located at 5305 and 5310 Valleypark Drive, Catawba Magisterial District. Ms.
Wood presented the staff report, including concept plan, surrounding businesses,
and property access. Ms. Hooker inquired about reason the proposed use is not
compatible with light industrial zoning. Ms. Wood discussed this issue, noting
Communication Services are not allowed in industrial zoning districts but are
permitted in C-2 zoning districts. Ms. Hooker stated she was concerned about
downzoning property. Mr. James concurred but noted the buildings are already
constructed and the use appears compatible with the area. He discussed
proffered conditions, noting some C-2 uses may not be appropriate for this site.
Ms. Wood discussed the signed proffers restricting uses.
Ms. Nicole Ingle, Esquire, stated the petitioner is interested in expanding and
relocating their business to the County. She stated the proposed site is currently
vacant, noting significant improvements are planned for the property. She stated
the proposed business will provide approximately twenty-five additional jobs to
the area, noting it is a good economic opportunity for the area.
Ms. Hooker inquired about the additional space available at the site. Ms. Ingle
discussed the site plan, noting the smaller building is currently occupied by a
tenant.
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 3, 2015
Mr. James opened the public hearing for public comment.
With no citizens requesting to speak, Mr. James closed the public hearing.
Ms. Hooker suggested reviewing allowable uses in industrial districts. Mr. James
and Mr. Bower concurred.
Ms. Hooker made a motion to recommend approval of the request with the
following proffered conditions:
The property will be used only for the following uses: Administrative
Services, Day Care Center, Post Office, Safety Services, Utility Services
(Minor), Financial Institutions, General Office, Medical Office, Laboratories,
Business Support Services, Business or Trade Schools, Custom
Manufacturing*, Industry Type 1 and for Communications Services.
Mr. Thompson called the roll and the motion passed (3-0) with the following vote:
AYES: Bower, Hooker, James
NAYES: None
ABSENT: Marrano, Waltz
Mr. Thompson stated the Commission and staff can revisit industrial uses in the
future, however, the petitioner needs to move forward with their petition at this
time.
Final Orders
1. The petition of Sheldon Henderson to rezone approximately 90 acres from R-1,
Low Density Residential, District to AG -3, Agricultural/Rural Preserve, District on
property located at 3320 Harborwood Road, Catawba Magisterial District was
approved by the Board of Supervisors on February 24, 2015.
Citizen Comments
There were none.
Commissioners' and Staff Comments
Mr. James made motion to cancel the April 7, 2015 Planning Commission Meeting,
which passed 3-0.
Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed the progress regarding the
development of the Mountain Valley Pipeline Citizen Advisory Committee.
With no further business or comments, Mr. James adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
RespectfUlly Submitted:
Susan McCoy
Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission
Phifip Th pson
Secretait,"FRoanoke County canning Commission
Gene Marranid
Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission
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MARCH 3, 2015