HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/19/2015 - Minutes
County of Roanoke
PLANNING COMMISSION
DISCUSSION SUMMARY
MAY 19, 2015
On May 19, 2015, the Planning Commission did not have a quorum to conduct an
official meeting. A summary of the items discussed on this date is provided below.
Commissioners Present:
Mr. Wayne Bower
Mr. Jim Woltz
Commissioners Absent:
Mr. Rick James
Ms. Martha Hooker
Mr. Gene Marrano
Staff Present:
Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary
Mr. Butch Workman, Stormwater Operations Manager
Mr. David Holladay
Mr. John Murphy
Ms. Megan Cronise
Ms. Tara Pattisall
Ms. Becky James
Ms. Naomi Siodmok
Mr. Brian Hughes
Ms. Susan McCoy, Recording Secretary
The discussion started at 6:13 p.m.
Plantation Road Bicycle, Pedestrian Streetscape Improvements
Mr. Holladay provided a PowerPoint presentation, including an overview of the Lila
Drive acquisition process. He stated the County purchased Lila Drive on April 22, 2015,
noting the private drive will be brought up to State standards in the future. He
discussed the project status, including right-of-way acquisition, construction plans,
above-ground utility relocation plans, and the construction advertisement which will be
published in October, 2015. He discussed the current scope (Phase 1A), including a
shared use path from Williamson Road to Walrond Drive, pedestrian lighting, possible
sidewalk extension from Walrond Drive to Gander Way, and possible pedestrian signs
at the Gander Way/Friendship Lane intersection. He discussed the future scope (Phase
1B), including a sidewalk from Williamson Road to Friendship Lane, pedestrian lighting,
and intersection improvements.
Mr. Holladay discussed funding for additional Plantation Road projects, including the
Lila Drive traffic signal and road reconstruction, Friendship Lane/Carvins Creek Bridge
replacement, and Friendship Lane reconstruction. Mr. Holladay and the Commissioners
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DISCUSSION SUMMARY MAY 19, 2015
discussed funding options, including Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP),
Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), Transportation Alternatives (TA)
Program, and Revenue Sharing Program. Mr. Holladay discussed House Bill 2 (HB2)
Legislation. He stated projects considered for funding will have to meet a transportation
need as defined in the statewide plan, including corridors of statewide significance,
regional networks, and urban development areas (UDAs). Staff and the Commissioners
discussed these issues. They also discussed the State scoring method used to allocate
funding. Mr. Holladay stated VDOT staff will give a presentation on the HB2 at the May
26, 2015 Board of Supervisors Meeting.
Brambleton Avenue Business Association
Ms. Cronise provided a PowerPoint presentation, including a brief history of the
development of the association. She stated the first meeting was held on October 14,
2014, at the Brambleton Center which was attended by approximately fifty people. She
stated the group agreed to begin the process of forming a merchant’s association. She
stated Ms. Wendy Jones, Executive Director of the Williamson Road Area Business
Association (WRABA) and Ms. Melinda Cox, Economic Development, have been
instrumental in the development of the association.
Ms. Cronise stated the group has developed and adopted bylaws, noting the group
became the Brambleton Business Association (BABA). She stated they have created a
Brambleton Business Association Facebook group. She stated meetings have been a
way to update and receive feedback from the business community regarding Economic
Development, Police, and Community Development activities. She reviewed outreach
methods including mailings, emails, Facebook, and the media. She discussed
volunteer-led efforts, membership, election of officers, noting the group will need to take
active ownership for the business association to be successful.
Possible Zoning Ordinance Amendments
Mr. Thompson introduced Mr. Workman, Stormwater Operations Manager. Mr.
Thompson noted Ms. Siodmok has also been working on this project.
Mr. Workman provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the National Flood
Insurance Program (NFIP), noting the NFIP provides maps and regulator basis for local
floodplain management and serves as a primary source for insurance protection for
flood prone properties. He reviewed the objectives, including being familiar with flood
hazards, understanding basis for flood maps and data, minimum regulatory
requirements of NFIP, and regulations for new construction and repairs and
improvements for existing buildings. He discussed the authority to regulate floodplains,
including Zoning Ordinance Section 30-74 Floodplain Overlay District, local regulations
for reducing flood loss, and VA Residential/Construction Code (ASCE-24).
Mr. Workman discussed how the NFIP works, noting there is a mutual agreement
between the Federal Government and Roanoke County. He stated they guarantee
flood insurance for communities which agree to regulate development in their mapped
floodplains. He stated NFIP has three basic parts, mapping, insurance, and regulation.
He discussed the State role (VA Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and
the Federal role. Mr. Workman discussed flood hazards, flood history, and types of
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DISCUSSION SUMMARY MAY 19, 2015
floods in the Roanoke area. He reviewed NFIP flood studies and map terminology. He
discussed the Flood Insurance Study (FIS), Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), and
Letter of Map Revision (LOMR). He reviewed the digital flood insurance rate map
(DFIRM’s), noting flood data is transferred into the County’s GIS System. He discussed
terms including floodway, floodplain, and fringe, noting structures which are located in
the floodway must remain the same. He reviewed examples of maps and types of map
changes. He discussed elevation requirements for new construction, including
additions and substantial improvements. He discussed regulations regarding accessory
structures and recreational vehicles. He discussed the variance process. He discussed
the importance of keeping accessible records, including elevation certificates, NFIP
report forms and correspondence, and floodplain management data. He reviewed the
NFIP Biannual Report process, which is required by 44 CFR Section 59.22.
Mr. Workman, Mr. Thompson, and the Commissioners discussed regulations regarding
new and existing structures within the floodplain. Mr. Thompson and the
Commissioners reviewed the proposed definitions for the Zoning Ordinance. The
Commissioners expressed concern for the property owners’ investments if the
regulations are adopted. They requested information regarding the number of
properties which would be affected by the new regulations if the ordinance is adopted.
The discussion ended at 7:46 p.m.
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