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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/15/2018 - MinutesVQA 0 emutt&raf jqowu4ie PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION MINUTES MAY 15,2018 Mr. Wayne Bower Mr. Troy Henderson Mr. Rick James Mr. Paul Mahoney Staff Present: Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary Mr. Arnold Covey, Department of Community Development Director Mr. Peter Lubeck, Senior Assistant County Attorney Mr. John Murphy Mr. David Holladay Ms. Megan Cronise M& Becky James Ms. Bailey DuBois Mr. Alex Jones Mr. Brian Epperley Ms. Susan McCoy, Recording Secretary 0% Guests: Mr. Adam Taylor, Virginia Tech Sustainability Center Ms. Liz Belcher, Roanoke Valley Greenways Project Coordinator Ms. Lindsay Webb, Parks Planning and Development Manager Mr. Wayne: Wilcox, Park and Greenway Planner Ms. Amanda McGee, Roanoke Valley-All:eghany Regional Commissior Work Session Mr. Mahoney called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Approval of Agenda Mr. Thompson recommended substituting a discussion regarding Zoning Amendments (Agritourism and Signs) as Item H. Mr. Woltz made a motion to approve the agenda as amended, which passed 5-0. Resolution of Appreciation to Mr. Arnold CoveV The Commissioners and staff thanked Mr. Covey for years served with Roanoke County, Mr. Thompson read the resolution of appreciation. MOM Page 1 of 5 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 15, 2018 Mr. Thompson called the roll and the motion passed (5-0) with the following vote: AYES: Bower, James, Henderson, Mahoney, Woltz NAYES: None ABSENT: None Mr. Mahoney presented the resolution to Mr. Covey. Mr. Mahoney and Mr. Thompson presented cards to Mr. Covey from the Commission and staff. Both the Commissioners and staff expressed appreciation for Mr. Covey's service and dedication to the County. Catawba Sustainability Center Mr. Adam Taylor, Virginia Tech Catawba Sustainability Center Manager, provided a PowerPoint presentation, including a brief history of the property and development of the center. He discussed proposed infrastructure updates, including sewer line installation and additional parking for the Appalachian Trail hikers. Ms. Blankenship provided an overview of the preliminary plans for additional parking and pedestrian bridge over Route 311. Mr. Taylor provided 2017 highlights, including wetland design workshop, small farm incubator, beekeeping workshop, agroforesting production, and Catawba Farmers Market. He discussed outreach and participation with area schools. He discussed Virginia Engage Service Days which included project demonstrations. He stated they are also researching fruit orchards and wetland construction. He stated last year the farmers market made approximately $30,000 in sales, noting they had sixteen regular vendors and hired a marketing manager. He discussed the Catawba Cooperative Partnership 2017 Grants, including a history book of Catawba sanatorium, hobby drones on small farms, enhanced hydrologic/water quality, and monitoring infrastructure for Catawba Creek research. He discussed the grants for 2018, including tapping walnut trees for sap production, demonstration of fruit orchard, weather webcam, real time monitoring of stream, and hobby drones in high schools. Mr. Taylor discussed the vision statement and visioning forward, including innovate, collaborate, and sustain. He discussed partnerships with the community, schools, and farmers market. He discussed aspirational goals, including agroforestry research center, expanded research in wetlands, silvopasture, and cover crop agriculture. Mr. Taylor and the Commissioners discussed providing assistance to other farmers. They discussed workshops and tours are available by appointment. Mr. Taylor and Ms. Blankenship discussed the marketability of tapping trees for syrup. Mr. Taylor stated Virginia Tech Extension Agents are trained at the center. Mr. Taylor and the Commissioners discussed phosphorus and nutrient uptake process. Mr. Thompson, Mr. Taylor, and the Commissioners discussed touring the center in the future. 2018 Roanoke Valley Greenways Plan Ms. Liz Belcher discussed the development of the plan, including the history, public input received, meetings, survey results, and posting on the internet. She stated Ms. Blankenship, Ms. Cronise, Ms. DuBois, Mr. Holladay, and Ms. McGee have contributed to the development of the plan. She discussed the process, including adoption of the plan into the comprehensive plans of the participating localities. She reviewed the 2018 Greenway Network Map, including updates on construction of various portions of the Page 2of5 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 15, 2018 greenways. She discussed incorporating other trails into the plan, including trails at Carvins Cove, Mill Mountain, Havens Wildlife Management Area, National Forest, and Blue Ridge Parkway. She discussed partnerships which have been developed to maintain and utilize the trails. She stated the area has become a mountain biking destination hub for tourism. She reviewed the 2018 Greenway Pian Regional Connectivity Map, noting the importance of connecting greenways. She stated they have connected with VDOT and Roanoke City to make trail loops. She discussed the Regional Pedestrian Vision Plan that explored connections which would work in the jurisdictions. She discussed the addition of Botetourt County into the greenway plan, noting they have numerous trails. She discussed promoting tourism and bringing outdoor opportunities to the area. She stated they have been working on the Tinker Creek Greenway Study and researching options. She stated they are also looking at options in the Hollins area. She discussed the Hanging Rock Trail and Hinchee Trail which lead to Carvins Cove. Ms. Belcher, Mr. Thompson, and the Commissioners discussed the process and timeline regarding the approval and adoption of the plan by the County. Ms. Belcher, Mr. Thompson, Ms. Blankenship, and the Commissioners discussed funding issues and opportunities regarding new construction and maintenance of existing trails, including corporate sponsorship of trails. Zoning Ordinance Amendments (Agritourism) Mr. Thompson provided a brief update regarding the agritourism amendment, including definitions of brewery, distillery, and winery. Mr. Lubeck discussed Municode which refers to the State Code and updates. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed changes made to the State Code by the General Assembly regarding agritourism. Mr. Thompson discussed by -right uses in AG -3, AG -1, AR, and AV zoning districts. They discussed noise regulations and waivers, including the use of outdoor amplification and limiting times it could be used. They discussed the importance of being consistent and fair to the applicants. The Commissioners discussed wanting to review and possibly recommend changes to the noise ordinance. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed distillery, winery, and brewery regulations, noting they will follow State Code. They discussed determining if a use is agritourism based on certain facts, noting then it could be directed to the Zoning Administrator for determination regarding substantial impact. They discussed special events facility and road frontage requirements. They discussed parking requirements. They discussed using a common sense approach regulations, noting regulations may need to depend on the event. They discussed requiring a plot plan and review process for the event. They discussed issues regarding erosion and sediment control, noting these issues could be handled by administrative review. They discussed not discouraging economic development in the agricultural districts by being overly restrictive. They discussed removing Schedule B from the agritourism regulations. Ms. James noted Schedule B is a mechanism to have the County review the event plan. Ms. James and Ms. Cronise noted shuttle vehicles may be needed during larger events, requiring access and parking. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed making changes to the amendment in the future if necessary. Mr. Lubeck and the Commissioners discussed the resolution portion of the amendment. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed regulations and requirements enforced by other departments and agencies. Mr. Lubeck discussed regulation of Page 3 of 5 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 15, 2016 agricultural buildings. Mr. Thompson, Mr. Lubeck, and the Commissioners discussed removing the word "strongly" from the section regarding structures in the Agritourism Resolution Attachment B. They discussed combining some portions of the application. Mr. Lubeck discussed the need to give some guidance on which the Zoning Administrator can base his determination. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed adding the total trip count on the proposed form. Mr. Thompson, Mr. Murphy, and the Commissioners discussed access for emergency vehicles. The consensus of the Commission was to hold the public hearing regarding Zoning Amendments (Agritourism), with changes as agreed upon at the May 15, 2018 Planning Commission Work Session, at the June 5, 2018 Planning Commission Public Hearing. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed researching the noise ordinance for future discussion. Mr. Mahoney recommend moving the discussion about sign regulations to the June 19th meeting. The Commissioners agreed with this recommendation. Citizen Comments There were none. Commissioners' and Staff Comments Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed the timeline regarding the draft sign ordinance amendments. The consensus of the Commission was to not hold a meeting in August unless a landuse application is received for public hearing. Mr. Thompson provided a brief update regarding both the Hollins Center Study and Oak Grove Center Planning Study. He stated a community meeting regarding Hollins Center Plan Community Meeting will be held Saturday, May 19, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. — 12:00 noon at the Hollins Library. He stated community meetings regarding the Oak Grove Planning Study will be held on May 19, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. -- 12:00 noon and Thursday, May 24, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., at the Oak Grove Church of the Brethren, 2138 McVitty Road. Mr. Thompson stated the County will be recognizing Mr. Covey at a reception beginning at 3:00 p.m. on May 25, 2018, at the Roanoke County Administration Center. Mr. Lubeck provided an update regarding the status of the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center of Roanoke, Inc. petition. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed visiting offsite areas of interest in the future. With no further business or comments, Mr. Mahoney adjourned the meeting at 9.27 p.m. Page 4of5 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Respectfully Submitted: Susan McCoy Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission Philip Tho 'pson Secreta ,Roanoke Couny Planning Commission A�4 Paul Mahoney Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission Page 5 of 5 MAY 15, 2018