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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/16/2011 - MinutesO \l9ANO eQUnt* of ✓l.QanV& F� z PLANNING COMMISSION rah WORK SESSION MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2011 Commissioners Present: Mr. Gary Jarrell Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Rodney McNeil Mr. Jason Peters Mr. David Radford Staff Present: Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary Mr. Joe Obenshain, Senior Assistant County Attorney Mr. John Murphy Ms. Tammi Wood Ms. Amanda Micklow Call to Order: Mr. Jarrell called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Approval of Agenda Ms. Hooker made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 5 -0. ZoningOrdinance Amendments Amendments Mr. Murphy provided an overview of the proposed amendment changes, noting Ms. Wood is working on electronic signage regulations and Ms. Micklow is working on residential poultry regulations. He stated staff has met with technical experts from Roanoke County's Communications and Information Technology Department regarding further development of the Emergency Communications Overlay District (ECO). He stated an updated list of facilities providing services will be developed in order to expand the overlay district. He stated the Emergency 911 system has been upgraded from an analog to a digital signal. He stated the purpose of the overlay is to prevent interruption of service in the area by protecting the antenna sites. Mr. Obenshain discussed merging systems with Roanoke City. Mr. Murphy discussed sharing information with nearby localities to improve services. Mr. Peters noted a digital signal does not have as much interference. Mr. McNeil inquired about dispatch centers. Mr. Obenshain stated localities will share some equipment but will continue to have separate dispatch centers. Mr. Peters noted it will enhance service to the citizens. Mr. Obenshain noted that sharing services will allow localities to have continued coverage in the event one system fails. Mr. Murphy stated staff is currently in the early planning stage of making changes to the overlay district. Ms. Wood provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding electronic signs which included definitions and website examples of signage. She stated electronic signage Page 1 of 3 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2011 on vehicles is prohibited. Mr. Jarrell inquired about permitted vehicle signage. Ms. Wood and Mr. Murphy discussed this issue. Mr. McNeil inquired about various vehicle signage violations. Mr. Murphy discussed this issue. Mr. Radford stated flashing signs are offensive since they are similar to those of emergency vehicles. Ms. Hooker stated slowly scrolling signage and brightness of lighting at night can be distracting. Ms. Wood suggested researching signage issues such as location, structure, display, and media content. Mr. McNeil stated costs are generally based on length of time message appears. He also suggested inviting advertising people speak to the commission on signage. Ms. Wood explained the current revision will apply only to on- premise signage. She requested input from the commission regarding signage malfunction regulations. Ms. Hooker suggested that unusable signage should be removed from the site. Ms. Wood discussed current signage regulations and requirements. Mr. Thompson discussed the timeline of the development of proposed ordinance revisions. Ms. Micklow provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding residential poultry, stating this issue is part of a local food movement. She stated citizens have requested residential poultry for a learning experience, companionship, and hobby. She reviewed current regulations for animals and poultry. She stated currently poultry is permitted exclusively in agricultural designations. She discussed health and safety issues regarding the storage of feed and noise and odor issues. She stated roosters are usually prohibited with residential poultry. Ms. Hooker inquired about confinement pens. Ms. Micklow stated confinement pens are required in most localities. She discussed enforcement requirements and fees. Mr. McNeil expressed concern regarding allowing poultry in any residential area. Mr. Jarrell noted area retailers are selling pre -made chicken houses. Mr. Thompson discussed adding lot requirements if poultry is permitted. Staff and commissioners discussed potential problems and issues regarding this use in residential areas. Ms. Micklow discussed statistics, noting eight complaints had been received regarding chickens in residential areas and none have been received in agricultural areas. Mr. Murphy noted the only recourse currently available for citizens is to request rezoning of their property. Mr. Peters noted citizens who may be interested in having residential poultry should have a method to make a request for review and consideration. Ms. Micklow noted some homeowners' associations prohibit poultry. Ms. Hooker suggested having acreage requirements. Ms. Micklow discussed setbacks and restrictions. She discussed ordinances in other localities. The commissioners agreed to move forward at this time with research of restrictions regarding acreage, setbacks, and density of population in area. Mr. McNeil inquired about overlay districts and allowable signage. Staff and commissioners discussed this issue. Mr. Thompson stated signage design guidelines would be incorporated into the design handbook. He suggested developing common themes and minimum standards to use countywide as a reference point in order to provide equity to all districts. Ms. Hooker discussed having uniformity of signage to reduce cluttered appearance. Page 2 of 3 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2011 Other Comments Mr. Thompson stated Ms. Cronise will be returning to work on August 22, 2011. He stated the Board of Supervisors Public Hearing regarding proposed amendments relating to Large and Utility Wind Energy Systems will be held on August 23, 2011. He stated a FOIA request has been received for salaries of the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission. He also provided an update on Mr. Moneir. He stated a site visit is planned to view Scott and Debbie George's property on September 6, 2011. He noted staff will provide an update on the Glenvar Community Plan at the work session on September 20, 2011. With no further business or comments, Mr. Jarrell adjourned the meeting at 7:26 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Susan Carter Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission Philip ?rryv,. mpson Secret Roanoke County Planning Commission Approved: Gary Jarrell Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission Page 3 of 3