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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/6/2017 - MinutesjUNE 6, 2017 Commissioners Present: Mr, Wayne Bower Mr. Rick James Mr. Paul Mahoney Mr. Jim Woltz Commissioners Absent: Mr. Troy Henderson Board', of Supervisors Present: Mr. Joe McNamara Mr. George Assaid Mr. Al Bedrosian Ms. Martha Hooker Board of Supervisors Absent: Mr. Jason Peters Staff Present: Mr. Tom Gates, County Administrator Ms. Debbie Jacks, Chief Deputy Clerk Ms. Ruth Ellen Kuhnel, County Attorney M r. Richard Caywood, Assistant County Administrator Mr. Dan O'DonnelI, Assistant County Administrator Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary Mr. Peter Lubeck, Senior Assistant County Attorney Mr. David Holladay Ms. Megan Cronise Ms. Becky James Ms. Tara Pattisall Ms. Dorothy Baker Ms. Susan McCoy, Recordings Secretary Guests: Mr. Steve Kearney, Stantec Consulting Services PC/BOS Work Session Mr. McNamara called the Board of Supervisors meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Mr. Bower called the Planning Commission meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Page 1 of 4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 6, 2097 Draft 419 Town Center Plan Mr. Thompson provided a PowerPoint presentation of the revised 419 Town Center Plan, including the process, vision, market analysis, design, and transportation guiding principles. He discussed community outreach, including workshops and surveys. He discussed the strengths, demographics, and transportation challenges of the area. He reviewed the Vision Statement, including the plan design principles. He discussed creating an authentic place, securing and sustaining a healthy future, and improving connectivity. He discussed guiding principles and objectives. He reviewed the draft concept design and objectives, including traffic design to move more traffic, intersection treatments, and transit integration. He discussed the public realm, including creating new public gathering spaces, streetscape amenities, improving lighting, and introducing stronger landscape standards. Mr. Thompson reviewed redevelopment priorities, including the Core Town Center and the Ridges. He discussed prime sites for redevelopment, including Old Country Plaza, Madison Square, and Tanglewood Mall. He discussed the implementation process, including plan approval, land use and zoning updates, land owner engagement, developer attraction, and infrastructure investments. Mr. Bedrosian requested an example of a C-2 overlay. Mr. Thompson discussed this issue, including by -right uses and those allowed by special use permit. Mr. Assaid inquired about examples of properties developed after the Clearbrook Village Overlay was adopted. Mr. Thompson stated this information is not available yet but these are things to consider. Mr. Bedrosian inquired about uses which have been turned down since the adoption of Clearbrook Village Overlay. Mr. Thompson discussed special use permit applications and signage issues have been submitted since adoption of the overlay. Mr. Bedrosian inquired about the Clearbrook Village capacity. Mr. Thompson discussed this issue, noting it is less than fifty -percent capacity since overlay was adopted approximately ten years ago. Mr. Thompson discussed the proposed building architecture and facades of the plan. He discussed height requirements, characteristics, including sidewalk and streetscape elements such as trees, lighting, and benches, and other amenities. He discussed open space areas, noting the importance of enhancing the town center area. Mr. Assaid inquired about public and private space development. Mr. Thompson stated the spaces could be either public or private development. Mr. Bedrosian inquired about the cost of the study. Mr. Thompson discussed this issue, noting Tanglewood did not pay for the study but did participate in dialogue with the consultant. Mr. Bedrosian inquired about the largest parcels in the research area. Mr. Thompson stated the largest properties in the plan area are South Peak, Tanglewood Mall, and Old Heritage. Mr. Assaid inquired about the largest property by value. Mr. Thompson stated Tanglewood is largest by value. Mr. Thompson discussed the parking regulations in the plan. Mr. McNamara noted the plan is an opportunity to transform the area. Mr. Bedrosian discussed issues between government and free market development. He discussed the status of Valley View Mall in Roanoke City. Mr. Woltz noted Valley View Mall draws from a larger area, including West Virginia and 1-81 traffic. Mr. Woltz discussed the importance of developing zoning regulations and standards so developers will invest in the area, noting improvements will help increase County revenue. Mr. Bedrosian stated the plan appears to have increased regulations for the area. Mr. Woltz discussed making Page 2 of 4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 61 2017 regulations user-friendly and flexible. Mr. Bedrosian inquired about the cost of construction. Mr. James discussed creating a vision in which others will invest to acquire economic growth. Mr. Assaid inquired about the cost of development per acre. Mr. Kearney discussed this issue. He stated most of the newer larger malls are thriving but smaller malls are dying. Mr. Mahoney stated Other areas have repurposed outparcels, creating a central open space and parking. Ms. Hooker discussed viewing the plan as a change of the ordinance. Mr. Bowers stated the County should guide development but not provide funds for development. He stated the County should pursue investors to redevelop the area, noting the importance of relaxing standards. Mr. Bedrosian noted a funding investment will be required from the County. Mr. Bower stated the County will receive a return on the investment. Mr. Assaid inquired about incentives which might be offered to develop the area. He suggested working with the Comprehensive Plan by relaxing standards to get increased interest in development. Mr. Woltz stated development would have a positive impact on the community. Mr. McNamara discussed the future of the area if improvements are not made. Mr. Mahoney discussed issues if regulations are too restrictive. He also discussed possible issues regarding public spaces. Mr. James discussed making strategic changes to transform area over time. Mr. Bedrosian inquired about statistics regarding the financial viability of these types of districts. He inquired about the financial burden on the taxpayers. Mr. Assaid discussed his concern regarding the cost of grants. Mr. McNamara requested additional time to review the proposed plan. Mr. Thompson discussed infrastructure improvements, including transportation improvements, structured parking, and transit expansion. He discussed Route 419 widening, diverging diamond, interconnectivity, and access management. He discussed multi -use pathways, streetscape improvements, and structure parking. He discussed redevelopment/development, including landowner and business engagement, developer attraction, and public-private proposals. He discussed the plan implementation, noting adjustments may need to be made at various intervals of the development. He reviewed the next steps regarding development of the plan. With no further business or comments, Mr. Bower adjourned the Planning Commission meeting at 6:18 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Susan McCoy Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission Philip T�mpson o Secret y, Roanoke County Planning Commission Page 3 of 4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Wayne Bower Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission Page 4 of 4 JUNE 6, 2017