HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/18/2020 - Minutes•ROANOKE COUNTY
PLANNING COMMISSIO
1 N
WORK SESSION MINUTES
CoTf -fr issioTers.Prese-f t: FEBRUARY 18,2020 1
Mr. Wayne Bower
Mr. Troy Henderson
Mr. Rick James
Mr. Kelly McMurray
Mr. Jim Woltz (arrived after approval of agenda)
Staff Present:
Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary
Mr. Tarek Moneir, Director of Development Services
Ms. Mary Beth Nash:, Senior Assistant County Attorney
Mr. John Murphy
Ms. Megan Cronise
Ms. Bailey Howard -DuBois
Ms. Cecile Newcomb
Mr. Isaac Henry
Mr. Alex Jones
Ms. Susan McCoy, Recording Secretary
Work Session
Mr. James called the meeting to order at 6:04 pm.
Approval of Agenda
i
Mr. Henderson made a motion to approve, the agenda, which passed 4-0.
Hollins Center Plan
Mr. Thompson provided an overview of the development of the plan and revisions to the
draft plan. He reviewed various Plan Recommendations. He discussed Land Use,
including the current and the amended future land use designation maps. He discussed
land use types and land use determinants. He discussed updating the design guidelines
and development standards. Mr. Thompson discussed the timeline for the plan. Mr,.
Thompson and the Commissioners discussed Community Facilities, including Hollins
Branch Library, Hollins Fire and Rescue Station, playground at Sadler Park, paving
existing trail at Hollins Park, and building trails on recently acquired land at Read Mountain
Preserve, The Commissioners inquired about including Carvins Cove. Ms. Newcomb
stated that Carvins Cove is not a County property.
Mr. Thompson discussed Transportation projects. He stated they will request that VDOT
conduct an analysis of the corridor and provide a recommendation, noting the County
would then seek funding for the projects. He discussed projects which currently have
funding available. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed prioritizing projects.
Ms. Cronise discussed the process for acquiring funding for projects, noting projects listed
in the plan are to be implemented within the next ten years.
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
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Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed Gateway/Streetscape Improvements,
including wayfinding signage, installation of gateway and streetscape improvements
throughout study area and maintenance of landscaping and other streetscape
improvements. Ms. Howard -DuBois stated they are working on the process with the Park,
Recreation, and Tourism Department. Mr. Thompson, Ms. Cronise, and Ms. Howard -
Dubois discussed maintenance programs in other localities.
Mr. Thompson discussed Community Engagement, including public-private partnerships
for redevelopment and revitalization opportunities, seeking developer partners who are
interested in building mixed-use projects, maintaining communication with business and
property owners, keeping residents informed about progress, collaborating with various
entities to utilize open space areas for programming, and seeking opportunities for
public/private outdoor spaces and public art.
Mr. Thompson stated the plan will be reformatted and additional graphics will be
incorporated, noting an introduction will included in the plan. Mr. Thompson and the
Commissioners discussed procedural issues and the proposed timeline of the plan.
The consensus of the Commission was to move forward with the plan as discussed.
Mr. Thompson stated the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 7.00 p.m. on
March 17, 2020, regarding the Hollins Center Plan.
Zoning Ordinance Amendments
Mr. Thompson provided a brief history of the proposed amendments to the County's
Zoning Ordinance, noting several sections of the Zoning Ordinance reference the
Department of Community Development. He stated since the Department of Community
Development has been broken into two separate departments (Department of Planning
and Department of Development Services) changes need to be made to the Zoning
Ordinance. He reviewed the revisions to Article I, Article III, Article IV, and Article V. Mr.
Thompson and the Commissioners discussed the timeline for the amendments.
The consensus of the Commission was to move forward with the proposed amendments.
Mr. Moneir discussed the new permitting system which provides a public portal for plan
submission. He requested that the Commissioners test the portal and provide input
regarding the new system. He noted the portal will available to the public in the near
future. He stated after the new system was implemented, the previous system was retired
in October, 2019, and is no longer accessible. He stated the system will evolve as time
moves forward and more input is received. Ms. Nash noted the system change has been
a big transition. Mr. Moneir and the Commissioners discussed the permitting system, site
plan review process, and compilation of statistical information. Mr. Moneir stated there
are many variables which can affect the statistics.
Planning Commission 2020 Work Plan
Mr. Thompson provided an overview of the draft work plan. He discussed the Planning
Studies, including Hollins Center Plan, Oak Grove Center Plan, Route 460 Corridor Study,
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 18, 2020
Economic Development Strategic Plan, and Update to the Master Plan for Parks,
Recreation, and Tourism. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed traffic issues
within the Route 460 Corridor. Mr. Thompson noted the Planning Commission would be
a stakeholder in the Economic Development Strategic Plan. Mr. Thompson and the
Commissioners discussed future revision of the Comprehensive Plan including
incorporating the various plans.
Mr. Thompson discussed the Zoning Ordinance/Code Amendments, including Floodplain
Overlay, Wireless Communications Facilities, Parking and Landscaping Standards. He
also discussed miscellaneous amendments, including new laws which are enacted by the
General Assembly and regulations which are identified and need to be amended. The
Commissioners discussed adding the review of rural subdivision access to the projects.
Mr. Thompson discussed Other Projects/items, including Rezonings/Special Use
Permits, Joint Planning Commission Meetings, and Presentations. Mr. Thompson and
the Commissioners discussed future presentations which would be of interest to the
Commission. They reviewed the 2020 Work Plan Timetable.
Mr. Bower made a motion to approve the plan with changes as discussed, which passed
5-0.
Citizen Comments
There were none.
Commissioners' and Staff Comments
The Commissioners thanked Mr. Murphy for his service to the County. Mr. Murphy stated
it has been a privilege to work for the County. He stated County staff members are
excellent and work well collaboratively.
Mr. Thompson stated the March 3, 2020 Planning Commission Meeting will begin at 7:00
p.m. He stated the Hollins Center Plan Public Hearing will be held March 17, 2020 at
7:00 p.m.
Mr. Thompson provided a status update on the Western Virginia Regional Industrial
Facility Authority (WVRIFA) property.
Mr. Thompson provided an update on the Hollins Area Community Meeting conducted by
Mr. Phil North, Hollins Magisterial District. Mr. Jones provided an overview of the
community engagement portion of the draft Hollins Center Plan.
Mr. Thompson stated Mr. David Radford, Windsor Hills Magisterial District, plans to host
a community meeting in his district in April, 2020.
Mr. Thompson stated a Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority (VFRA) meeting will be
held on March 12, 2020, to discuss the proffered conditions on Explore Park property.
Mr. Thompson thanked Mr. Murphy for all of his years of service to the County. He stated
Mr. Murphy has been an exemplary employee. He stated a retirement reception honoring
Mr. Murphy will be held on February 27, 2020.
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 18, 2020
Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed topics for future meetings,
With no further business or comments, Mr. James adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
oel'-) c S�� P. -
Susan McCoy
Recordin_Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission
ip Thopson
r9tarff Roanoke County Planning Commission
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Rick nes
Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission
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