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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/19/2016 - MinutesCommissioners Present: Mr. Wayne Bower Mr. Don Butzer Mr. Rick James Mr. Jim Woltz Commissioners Absent: Mr. Gene Marrano 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 Guests: Ms. Cristina Finch, Roanoke Valley -Alleghany Regional Commission (RVARC) Mr. Carl Palmer, Greater Roanoke Transit Company (Valley Metro) Work Session Mr. James called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Approval of Agenda Mr. Butzer made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 4-0. Transit Vision Plain Ms. Cristina Finch, Roanoke Valley -,Alleghany Regional Commission (RVARC), provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Roanoke Valley Transit Vision Plan. She stated RVARC is requesting involvement of the local government with the visioning portion of the transportation organization process. She discussed the pedestrian, bicycle, and car transportation plans, noting the transit plan needs to be developed. Ms. Finch discussed Livable Roanoke Valley, including development of the economic workforce, environmental sustainabifity, and health of the citizens. She stated RVARC is soliciting input regarding transit from a combination of sources. Ms,. Finch and the Commission discussed trends which determine ridership, including the aging population being unable to drive and the younger population choosing not to drive. Mr. Carl Palmer, Greater Roanoke Transit Company, and the Commission discussed ridership tracking methods. Mr. Palmer noted the drop in ridership is a statewide issue. Page 1 of 4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 19, 2016 Mr. Palmer and the Commissioners discussed the importance of building for the future with the assumption the area will continue to grow. Ms. Finch reviewed the Transit Vision Plan timeline, including hiring a consultant, establishing a steering committee, and public workshops. She reviewed public outreach including a technical report, connections/preferences, and recommendations. She reviewed the service analysis process, including public input, determining locational gaps in service, and determining gaps in service connections. She discussed regional geography, including railroads, travel zones, and road connecting zones. She reviewed a map of existing connections and timing of service. Ms. Finch, Mr. Holladay, and the Commission discussed providing service to urban development areas and activity centers. Ms. Finch reviewed short-term recommendations regarding increasing service, creating new routes, and extending existing routes for the Smart Way buses, Star Line Trolley, and Valley Metro. Ms. Finch, the Commission, and staff discussed potential routes which need service, including area universities, business parks, and retirement centers. Ms. Finch reviewed the medium-term recommendations map, including the addition of service to Botetourt County and the Cave Spring. She stated the plan is flexible and can be amended. She discussed long-term recommendations for build-up, including increasing services and adding service to Troutville. Ms. Finch and the Commission discussed routes which should be reviewed first. Mr. Thompson stated service may be based on the amount of time riders want to spend on the trip. Ms. Finch, the Commission, and staff discussed potential service to Explore Park, Appalachian Trail parking lots near McAfee's Knob and Tinker Mountain, and area greenways and blueways. They discussed using transit to market outdoor activities in the area. Ms. Finch reviewed broad recommendations, including maintaining a centralized hub in Downtown Roanoke, develop peripheral connections, and coordinate transit service with Amtrak schedules. She stated other broad recommendations are establishing more partnerships, regionalizing services for people with disabilities, providing pedestrian access to bus stops, and dignifying waiting at bus stops. Ms. Cronise suggested connecting trolley service with other Carilion facilities. Ms. Finch discussed this issue. Ms. Finch discussed the next steps for the Transit Vision Plan, including presenting information to the boards and councils in the Roanoke Valley, finalizing recommendations, acquiring cost estimates, and developing implementation strategies. She stated after Transportation Planning Organization Policy Board approval, they will seek local government endorsements. Community Strategic Plan Mr. Thompson reviewed the Vision Statement and Community Strategic Plan Process including the timeline. He stated at the fourth meetings, which will be held on April 25, 2016 and April 28, 2016, the groups will review a compilation of information received at previous meetings in preparation for the Draft Community Strategic Plan. He stated the proposed strategic initiatives will be presented at these meetings. He also discussed the focus group statistics, noting 268 people have participated. Page 2of4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 99, 2096 Mr. Thompson discussed common themes across the focus groups which include economic development and transportation issues. He discussed economic development topics and goals, including infrastructure, regional cooperation and marketing, and workforce development. He discussed transportation topics and goals, including infrastructure improvements, multimodal connectivity, balance and accessibility, and connecting Roanoke to the world. He discussed topics and goals for quality of life, including fundamental services for lifelong community, recreation and entertainment, and natural resource management, protection and conservation. He discussed education topics and goals, including paths to success, community involvement and partnerships, and continuum of high quality education. He discussed community health and well-being topics and goals, which include vulnerable populations, public awareness, and healthy citizens. He reviewed the public safety topics and goals, including adequate staffing to meet public safety needs, community focused approach to public safety, and ensure sufficient infrastructure capabilities for first responders. Mr. Thompson discussed strategic initiatives which are based on input from the focus groups, surveys, and common themes from focus group goals and objectives. He discussed utilizing sustainable, measureable, actionable, realistic, and timebound (SMART) principles. He discussed the next steps on the timeline regarding the Community Strategic Plan, including conducting community meetings, reviewing the document at the Board of Supervisors Work Session, and the Board of Supervisors Public Hearing. Citizen Comments There were none. Commissioners' and Staff Comments The Commission discussed having other departments and agency representatives make presentations to the Commission at future Planning Commission Work Sessions. Mr. Thompson reviewed the Focus Group schedule, including the meeting on April 25, 2016, at the South County Library and on April 28, 2016 at the Vinton War Memorial. Mr. Thompson provided a status update of the Julie Abernethy, Friendship Apartment Village Corporation petition and Star City Church of Christ petition which are scheduled for the May 3, 2016 Planning Commission Public Hearing. Mr. Thompson stated that a Request for Proposal (RFP) would be advertised on April 20, 2016, regarding hiring a consultant to conduct the Route 419 Town Center Planning Study. Mr. Thompson and the Commission discussed the timeline of this project. Mr. Thompson provided an update on the hiring process for the vacant Planner II position. He thanked Mr. Bower for his participation in the interview process. Mr. Williams provided a status update on House Bill 2 funding for the 1-81 project near Exit 141 and Exit 143. Page 3 of 4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 19, 2016 With no further business or comments, Mr. James adjourned the meeting at 7:41 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: AM Susan McCoy Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission Philip T mpson Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission f� Rick James Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission Page 4 of 4