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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/15/2016 - MinutesMr. Wayne Bower Mr., Don Butze,r Mr. Rick James Mr. Gene Marrano Mr. Jim Woltz (arrived after approval of the agenda) Staff Present: Mr. Philip Thompson Mr. Peter Lubeck, Senior Assistant County Attorney Mr. David Holladay Ms. Megan, Cronise Mr. Tori Williams Ms. Susan McCoy, Recording Secretary Work Session Mr. James called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Approval of Agenda Mr. Marrano made a motion: to approve the agenda, which passed 4-0. Community Strategic Plan Mr. Thompson provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Roanoke County Citizen's Survey conducted by The Institute for Policy and Opinion Research at Roanoke College. He reviewed the purpose of the survey, including ascertaining the opinion of County residents regarding various issues and assessing citizen satisfaction with governmental services. He stated the surveying method consisted of telephone interviews of County residents. He discussed interpretation strategy, including looking at groups of questions for context and not focusing on any single question. He provided an overview including citizen concerns, forward-looking focus, and improving the County. He reviewed major issue areas, including economic development, education, and public safety. He also noted these issues are linked together. He stated the top three issues, within the next five years according to County residents, are economic growth, schools/education, and population growth. Mr. Thompson discussed public safety being the most important service ranking, including emergency squad/rescue, 911 operator, fire services, and police. He stated other service rankings are public schools, trash collection, and attracting and retaining businesses. He reviewed items for possible consideration, including economic development, education, public safety, quality of life, citizen awareness, and communications. He stated other items for possible consideration include recycl:ing and transportation. Page 1 of 3 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 15, 2016 Mr. Thompson, Ms. Cronise, and the Commissioners discussed the method and results of the survey. Mr. Thompson and the Commission discussed additional citizen outreach. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed methods to attract businesses and a skilled workforce to the region. They discussed prioritizing goals and utilizing area assets. Mr. Thompson provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Community Strategic Plan, including the vision statement and the focus areas. He stated the focus areas include community health and well-being, economic development, education, public safety, quality of life, and transportation. He reviewed the Community Strategic Plan Process including the proposed timeline. He reviewed the focus group meeting deliverables which include topics, goals, and objectives. Mr. Thompson reviewed community health and well-being topics, including vulnerable populations, public awareness, and healthy citizens. He reviewed economic development topics, including infrastructure, regional cooperation and marketing, and workforce development. Mr. Thompson, Mr. Williams, and the Commissioners discussed expanding technical training and education in order to provide a skilled workforce for the area. Mr. Thompson discussed education topics, including paths to success, community involvement and partnerships, and continuum of high quality education. He reviewed public safety topics, including adequate staffing to meet public safety needs, community focused approach to public safety, and sufficient capabilities for first responders. Mr. Thompson reviewed quality of life topics, including fundamental services for a lifelong community, recreation and entertainment, natural resource management, protection, and conservation. He discussed transportation topics, including infrastructure improvements, multi -modal connectivity, balance and accessibility, and connecting Roanoke to other areas. Ms. Cronise stated updates and meeting notes for each focus group are available for review on the County website. House Bill 2 Transportation Proiects Mr. Holladay provided a PowerPoint presentation, including a statewide overview of funding for highway, transit, rail, road, operational improvements, and transportation demand management projects. He reviewed estimated funding available, including district grant programs and high priority projects. He provided a Salem District overview, noting that of the 38 applications submitted, 37 of those applications scored. He reviewed the County Projects for FY2017 - FY2021, including Route 3111Route 419 intersection, Route 419 widening, Lila Drive/Route 115 intersection, and McVitty Road/Old Cave Spring Road. He stated the McVitty Road/Old Cave Spring Road was not recommended for funding. Mr. Holladay and the Commissioners discussed methods which may be utilized to raise the scores of proposed projects to improve future funding opportunities. Mr. Thompson and Mr. Holladay discussed diminished availability of secondary funding sources. Mr. Holladay discussed the Roanoke Valley Transportation Planning Organization (RVTPO) Projects for FY2017-FY2021, including Route 220 signal coordination, West Roanoke River Greenway, 1-81 Northbound from Exit 141 to Exit 143, 1-81 Northbound Page 2 of 3 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 15, 2016 and Southbound at Exit 150, 1-81 Northbound and Southbound from Exit 140 to Exit 143, and 1-81 Interchange Lighting. He stated only two were recommended for funding, Route 220 Signal Coordination and West Roanoke River Greenway. Mr. Holladay and the Commissioners reviewed map of the proposed projects. He reviewed other Salem District Projects recommended for funding which are not within the County. Mr. Holladay reviewed the proposed timeline for the funding process. Citizen Comments There were none. Commissioners' and Staff Comments Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed the Drew Patterson (Verizon Wireless Agent) petition, noting the need for additional towers is due to increasing data transmission. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed attendance and citizen input at recent community meetings. Mr. Thompson provided a status update on the David B. McClure, Apex Tower, LLC petition which is scheduled for public hearing on April 5, 2016. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed Tanglewood Mall redevelopment potential, noting the County is in the process of researching this issue. With no further business or comments, Mr. James adjourned the meeting at 8:16 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Susan McCoy Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission Offilip Th mpson Secretafy, Roanoke County Planning Commission AV C. a- 4)v -"r Rick James Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission Page 3 of 3