HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/6/2015 - MinutesCommissioners Present:
Mr. Wayne Bower
Ms. Martha Hooker
Mr. Rick James
Mr. Gene Marrano (arrived after approval of minutes)
Mr. Jim Woltz
Staff Present:
Mr. Philip Thompson
Mr. Ruth Ellen Kuhnel, Senior Assistant County Attorney
Mr. Butch Workman
Mr. John Murphy
Ms. Megan Cronise
Ms. Naomi Siodmok
Ms. Becky James
Mr. Brian Hughes
Mr. Tori Williams
Ms. Susan McCoy, Recording Secretary
Guest:
Mr. Peter Lubeck:, Assistant County Attorney
Work Session
Mr. James called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
Approval of Agenda
Mr. Woltz made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 4-0.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Bower made a motion to approve the minutes of September 1, 2015, which passed
3-0-1, with Ms. Hooker abstaining.
Mr. Thompson introduced Planning Services newest staff imem:ber, Mr. Tori: Williams,
Planner 11.
Ms. Kuhnel introduced Mr. Peter Lubeck, Assistant County Attorney, noting he primarily
works with the Department of Social Services but is being cross -trained with the main
office.
Park(inn) Lot Darr
Ms. Siodmok provided a brief history of using parking lots as public spaces. She stated
the third Friday in September is the day this celebration takes place annually. She stated
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 6, 2015
this year it was held at South County Library, noting participants included Parks and
Recreation, Ride Solutions, and County staff members. She stated fourteen parking
spaces were used for the event. She reviewed the vision of the event which included
games, art, and chalk drawing. She stated local school children were invited to attend
the event. She stated Mill Mountain Zoo and various retailers participated in the event,
noting approximately 200 people attended the event. She discussed the take-aways and
future goals, including meeting with other nearby localities, conducting contests with
prizes, and creating parklets and pavement parks.
Mr. Marrano inquired about allowing food trucks at events. Mr. Thompson, Ms. Kuhnel,
and the Commissioners discussed this issue.
Planning Commission Meeting Times
Mr. Marrano stated he would like more flexibility with meeting times. Mr. Thompson and
the Commissioners discussed this issue. The consensus of the Commission was to
continue site visits as a group for upcoming agenda items and maintain flexibility with
scheduling of meeting times.
Upcoming Planning Commission Meetings
Mr. Thompson noted there are no new applications scheduled for the November 2, 2015
Planning Commission Public Hearing. He and the Commissioners also discussed
scheduling issues regarding the December meetings.
Mr. Woltz made a motion to cancel the November 2, 2015 Planning Commission Public
Hearing, which passed 5-0.
Ms. Hooker made a motion to change the December Planning Commission Public
Hearing from December 7, 2015 to December 1, 2015, and the Planning Commission
Work Session from December 21, 2015 to December 15, 2015, which passed 5-0.
Zoning Ordinance Amendments (Floodplain Overlay District)
Mr. Thompson and Mr. Workman provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the
Floodplain Overlay District, including government roles, flood history, and flood
management. Mr. Thompson discussed flood mapping, noting most maps are in digital
format. Mr. Workman and the Commissioners discussed elevation surveys. Mr.
Workman stated that the State inspects the entire program. Mr. Thompson compared the
model ordinance to the proposed County ordinance, noting the model ordinance will be
incorporated into the County's ordinance, noting that adding definitions will better clarify
the ordinance. He stated new development would need to comply with revised
regulations. He stated if an addition is made to existing buildings only the addition would
need to comply with the regulations. He stated if improvements to existing buildings are
greater than fifty percent of the market value of the building, the entire building would
need to comply with the new standard. Mr. Workman discussed alternations which may
be required for structures built within the floodplain. Mr. Thompson, Mr. Workman, and
the Commissioners discussed the standards which homeowners need to meet in order to
qualify for Federal funding and insurance coverage.
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 6, 2015
Mr. Thompson reviewed the timeline of the proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments
regarding the Floodplain Overlay District. The Commissioners and staff discussed
sections of the Floodplain Overlay District Amendments which need clarification.
Consent Agenda
There were no items.
Citizen Comments
There were none.
Commissioners' and Staff Comments
Ms. James and the Commissioners discussed the petition of Drew Patterson (Verizon
Wireless Agent), including the balloon test which was performed at 199 feet. Ms. James
stated the petitioner is revising petition to lower the height of the tower, noting the petition
will be resubmitted with changes. Ms. Kuhnel and the Commissioners discussed
historical findings in the area. Ms. James and the Commissioners discussed conducting
a community meeting after the revisions are submitted.
Mr. Woltz suggested reviewing the subdivision ordinance, including definitions and
required road frontage. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed this issue. Mr.
Woltz also discussed reviewing property which is available for industrial development.
Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed reviewing environmental issues and
regulatory impediments within the County. They discussed options including analysis of
Future Land Use map and reviewing areas which are inconsistent with the
Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed developing a
strategic plan for the County.
Mr. Thompson stated the Explore Park Masterplan meetings will be held on October 19,
2015, at Penn Forest Elementary School and October 20, 2015, at the Salem Civic
Center.
Mr. Thompson stated a meeting will be held at the Town of Vinton on October 12, 2015,
at 6:30 p.m. to discuss plans for the Roland E. Cook School building.
Mr. Marrano and the Commissioners congratulated Ms. Kuhnel on her appointment as
County Attorney.
Mr. Marrano congratulated Mr. Woltz and his family on receiving the 2015 Land Saver
Award.
With no further business or comments, Mr. Marrano adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Susan McCoy
Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER $, 2015
Philip Tho 0son
Secretary, ar!pke County Planning Commission
Gene arrano
Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission
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