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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/18/2018 - MinutesCommissioners Present: Mr. Troy Henderson Mr. Rick James M'r. Jim Woltz Commissioners Absent: Mr. Wayne Bower Mr. Paul Mahoney of Off *0 0 10 110 R2141401i '111POWAY" tSk WIIWAVF�W SEPTEMBER 18,2018 Staff Present: Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary Mr. Peter Lubeck, Senior Assistant County Attorney Ms. Jill' Loope, Director of Economic Development Mr. Ray Brenchick, Economic Development Manager Ms. Megan Cronise Ms. Bailey DuBois, Mr. Alex Jones Ms. Cecile Newcomb Ms. Susan McCoy, Recording Secretary Guests: Mr. Wayne Strickland, Executive Director of the Roanoke Valley—Alleghany Regional Commission Work Session Mr. James called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. Approval of Agenda Mr. Woltz made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 3-0. Regional Transportation for Economic Development (TED) Study Mr. Wayne Strickland provided a PowerPoint presentation, including an overview of the study. He stated the project purpose is, to identify key transportation priorities that will enhance the region's economic development opportunities.. He discussed the membership of the TED Study Steering Committee. He discussed the regional economic context, including growth and prosperity, challenges, strengths and opportunities. He stated' the region's growth is below the State average. He discussed regional transportation and economic development goals, including connectivity, competitiveness, maintenance, and sustainability. He discussed identification of transportation priorities:, including connectivity between Roanoke Valley and New River Valley, and Roanoke Valley and Lynchburg area. He also discussed connectivity from Botetouirt and Franklin Counties to central Roanoke Valley localities. He also discussed improving mobility within Urban, Development Areas (UDAs) and Designated Growth Areas (DGAs). Page I of 4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 2018 Mr. Strickland discussed Roanoke Valley Transportation Organization (RVTPO) prioritization, including transportation needs, regional and local priorities, solutions, projects, and alignment review. Mr. Strickland and the Commissioners discussed the needs, specific proposals, and priority projects, They discussed providing transit for people who need it, street design, and airport needs. He stated the next steps will include continuing to work towards securing funding for identified priority projects and studies through SMART SCALE and other funding sources, bundling projects strategically to ensure desired improvements can be implemented as opportunities arise incrementally, and incorporating performance data/tools to identify potential project opportunities. He stated the website link to view the TED Study is: www.rvare.org/ lans-and-studies. Strategic Direction of Economic Development in Roanoke County Ms. Loope discussed issues regarding growth in the region, including slow population growth, shrinking workforce, aging popuillation, slow housing construction, and unemployment. She discussed the Economic Development Department strategy which includes people, profit, and place. She discussed people, including talent attraction and expansion. Mr. Brenchick discussed career and technical education, customized assistance, and apprenticeships for students.He discussed the career and technical education partnership, including student career fairs, future professionals' tour, Burton Center tour, registered apprenticeships, and working on real life projects in conjunction with businesses and organizations. Mr. Brenchick and the Commissioners discussed including both high school students and middle schools students, Mr. Brenchick discussed customized assistance and examples of workforce partnerships. He discussed the Regional Workforce Summit, noting it is difficult to Ihire students under 18 years of age in Virginia. Mr. Brenchick and the Commissioners discussed the importance of teaching ethics as part of'the program. Mr. Brenchick discussed profit, including personal and corporate wealth and prosperity. Ms. Loope, Mr. Brenchick, and the Commissioners discussed ways to determine if economic development programs are successful. Mr. Brenchick discussed desired outcomes for existing business, including retaining businesses, business expansion, and diversity of economy. He discussed business visitation and business assistance partnerships. He discussed entrepreneurship process and outcomes, including increase in small business enterprise:, decrease in small business failures, and increase in innovation driven enterprises. Mr. Brenchick and Ms. Loope discussed examples of growth of innovative companies and community building and placemaking. Ms. Loope discussed redevelopment and reuse for placemaking, including resurgence of activity in the Town of Vinton. She discussed planning for placemaking, including 419 Town Center, Hollins Center, Oak Grove Center, Plantation Road Improvement Project, and Explore Park. She discussed providing infrastructure for placemaking to encourage economic development, including Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority, Fallowater Lane Extension, and Plantation Road Streetscape Improvements. She discussed site development and marketing, including Center for Research and Technology, Wood Haven Technology Park, and Vinton Business Center. She discussed marketing and outreach to increase interest, activity, and quality of community. Ms. Loope and the Page 2 of 4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 2018 Commissioners discussed working cooperatively with other areas and supporting infrastructure improvements. Mr. Thompson stated the Planning Department and Economic Development Department are now working more closely together. He stated the departments have begun to discuss infrastructure and prioritization of issues which led to the TED study. He discussed the importance of cooperatively prioritizing and working with surrounding localities. He discussed placemaking and investing in the plan, noting that greenway planning started in 1995 and is the reason why we have the greenway system that we have today. He discussed the importance of projecting 15-20 years into the future regarding infrastructure and development. He discussed future housing needs and extension of utilities. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed reuse and redevelopment of existing properties. Ms. Loope reviewed the agenda for the 2018 Regional Leadership Trip to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which will begin on October 28, 2018. Citizen Comments There were none. Commissioners' and Staff Comments Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed the status of the Richard Atkinson and Kay Atkinson petition. Mr. Thompson stated this petition has been postponed. Ms. Cronise stated VDOT will be holding a public meeting regarding the Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Plan at 3:00 p.m. on October 25, 2018, at the Holiday Inn—Valley View, 3315 Ordway Drive, Roanoke, Virginia. Mr. Thompson, Ms. Cronise, and the Commissioners discussed ways the County currently supports the Regional Transportation Study. They discussed the importance of regional cooperative efforts regarding the study. With no further business or comments, Mr. James adjourned the meeting at 8:11 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Sus-afi McCoy C J Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission - '4 � A!9�6z�� Nip T ompson Secr ry, Roanoke County Planning Commission Page 3 of 4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 2018 ,A W- q., Paul ah e Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission Page 4 of 4