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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/20/2018 - MinutesOAN e"mty. at -qz"no& PLANNING COMMISSIOK Sao IBM Mr. Wayne Bower Mr. Troy Henderson (arrived after approval of the agenda) Mr, Rick James Mr. Paul Mahoney Mir. Jim Woltz (arrived after approval of the agenda) Staff Present: Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary Mr. Peter Lubeck, Senior Assistant County Attorney Mr. David Holladay Ms. Megan Cronise Ms. Becky James Mr. Alex Jones Ms. Cecile Newcomb Ms. Susan McCoy, Recording Secretary Work Session Mr. Mahoney called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Approval of Agenda Mr. James made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 3-0. Community Survey Results Mr. Thompson provided a PowerPoint presentation which was given by Dr. Harry Wilson, Roanoke College, at the Board of Supervisors retreat. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed the results of the survey. Mr. Thompson discussed the purpose of the study, including ascertaining the opinion of County residents, updating and comparing results from 2015 survey, and assessing citizens' satisfaction with governmental services and other services. He discussed the methods used for the survey, noting they utilized both landline and cell phones for the interviews. He discussed interpretation strategy, noting it is preferable to look at groups of questions for context. He provided an overview of the survey results, noting citizens remain mostly satisfied with few changes from 2015. He discussed major issue areas, including economic development, education, and public safety. He discussed connections, noting currently there is lower satisfaction with economic development but the statistics have improved from 2015. He stated the survey indicated the most important issues facing the County in the next five years are economic development, schools/education, and transportation roads. He discussed education, noting it is the second most cited issue for greatest importance and most cited for what the County does best. He discussed public safety, noting the large majority agreed the County is a safe community and it is easy to walk around their neighborhood. He discussed service Page 1 of 4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 20, 2018 rankings with public safety in the top four in importance, including 911 services, emergency squad/rescue, fire services, and police. He stated the next service rankings of importance are public schools, trash collection, and attracting and retaining businesses. He reviewed positive changes from 2015 to 2017, including economic development and County management. Mr. Thompson discussed items for possible consideration, including recycling, transportation, citizen awareness and input, and communications. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed results regarding economic development. They discussed some of the larger employers which have left the area or closed. They discussed regional economic development which is also good for the County. They discussed ways to attract new businesses to the County and what types of business would be preferred. The Commissioners requested that economic development staff attend a Planning Commission Work Session to discuss the economic development vision for the County. Mr. Thompson discussed the various agencies which are involved in a collaborative effort to increase economic development in the area, including the Roanoke Regional Partnership, Visitors' Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, and adjoining localities. Mr. Thompson, Mr. Holladay, and Ms. Cronise discussed the importance of having a collaborative group when speaking with legislators. Planninq Commission Work Plan Mr. Thompson reviewed the draft Work Plan, including Planning Studies, Zoning Ordinance/Code Amendments, and Other Projects/Items, noting revisions to the plan may be made during the year. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners reviewed the details, process, and status of the planning studies, including Hollins Center Plan, Oak Grove Center Plan, Route 460 Access Plan, Regional Greenways Plan/Tinker Creek Greenway, and Route 221 Plan Amendment. They discussed Zoning Ordinance/Code Amendments, including the Floodplain Overlay, sign regulations, wireless communications facilities, agritourism, Explore Park District, fracking/resource extraction, and other miscellaneous laws which may be enacted by the General Assembly. They reviewed other projects, including rezoning and special use permits, design guidelines/handbook amendments, commercial grants program review, and joint City/County Planning Commission meetings. They reviewed timetable for the 2018 Work Plan. Mr. Woltz made a motion to approve the Planning Commission Work Plan — 2018, which was approved 5-0. Planning Commission Annual Report Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners reviewed and discussed the draft report. Mr. Thompson stated he will provide the Commissioners with the finalized version for their approval when the report has been completed. Transportation Projects Mr. Holladay explained his role in the transportation process. Mr. Holladay and Ms. Cronise provided a Powerpoint presentation regarding projects. Ms. Cronise stated that Page 2of4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 20, 2018 regarding survey dissatisfaction, currently there are many projects in the cue which should improve some traffic issues. Ms. Cronise discussed the SMART SCALE application for Route 419/Route 220 Diverging Diamond Interchange, including the concept plan. Mr. Holladay and Ms. Cronise discussed the Route 419 (Ogden Road to Starkey Road) application, including the concept plan. Mr. Thompson stated a shared use path is planned to improve pedestrian safety. Ms. Cronise discussed the McVitty Road and Old Cave Spring Road Improvements, noting the project has been divided into two separate projects. She stated the County is limited to four applications. She reviewed the SMART SCALE application timeline, noting June 2019 the Commonwealth Transportation Board adopts the Six -Year Plan including SMART SCALE projects. Mr. Holladay stated funding sources are on a two year cycle. Ms. Cronise reviewed possible Roanoke Valley (RVTPO) SMART SCALE applications, including the Regional Surface Transportation Program Transportation Technical Committee (TTC) to the (TPO). Ms. Cronise and Mr. Holladay discussed the Commissioners discussed the status of 1- Underway, including Exit 140 Park and Ride E Drive/Route 118 Intersection Safety Improveme Multimodal Improvements, Fallowater Lane E Intersection Safety and Congestion Improvement Hearing will be held on March 29, 2018, from 4 Valley Regional Fire/EMS Training Center, 1220 the Commissioners discussed the concept pla 311 /Route 419 Intersection. Transportation Planning Organization 1-81 Auxiliary Lanes. She discussed (RSTP) recommendation from the Transportation Planning Organization the project listing. Mr. Holladay and 73. Ms. Cronise discussed Projects xpansion, Lila Drive Turnaround, Lila nts, Route 419 Widening, Safety and xtension, and Route 311/Route 419 s. She stated a VDOT Design Public :30 p.m. — 6:30 p.m. at the Roanoke Kessler Mill Road. Mr. Holladay and n regarding changes to the Route Ms. Cronise discussed Request Regional Commission Work Plan Items, including 1-581 Exit 2 Interchange Study and concept plans. Mr. Thompson noted the design would open up the land for development. Ms. Cronise discussed Research Regional Paratransit Service Alternatives, including exploring different and innovative delivery models for paratransit service for the TPO area. Mr. Thompson stated it is important for localities to collaborate and speak with one voice. Citizen Comments There were none. Commissioners' and Staff Comments Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed upcoming meetings and events. Mr. Jones discussed outreach to youth, including using the social media. He discussed survey results, noting the survey has also been translated into Spanish. Mr. Thompson noted Ms. Newcomb coordinated with Roanoke Spanish to provide a printed version of the survey. He stated they are going to tie into other events to acquire more input. Mr. Thompson stated Mr. Mahoney and Mr. Waltz are unable to attend the March 6, 2018 Planning Commission Public Hearing. Page 3of4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 20, 2018 Mr. Thompson stated there are no public hearing agenda items for April 3, 2018. Mr. Henderson made a motion to cancel the April 3, 2018 Planning Commission Meeting, which passed 5-0. Mr. Thompson stated Mr. Arnold Covey, Director of Community Development has announced he will be retiring as of June 1, 2018. The consensus was to honor Mr. Covey at a meeting in May, 2018. Ms. Newcomb discussed the methodology of the Roanoke College survey. She stated more information will be gathered from the citizens regarding mixed-use development. With no further business or comments, Mr. Mahoney adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Susan McCoy Recorqing-Secretary, Roano e County Planning Commission ilip Th mpson cret , Roanoke County Planning Commission Paul Mahoney Chairman, Roanoke Count Planning Commission Page 4 of 4