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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/3/2020 - MinutesROANOKE COAFM UNTY- IN, PLANNING COMMISSIO91O MARCH 3, 2�020 Commissioners Present: Mr. Wayne Bower Mr. Rick James Mr. Kelly McMurray Commissioners Absent: Mr. Troy Henderson Mr. Jim Woltz Staff Present: Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary Mr. Tarek Moneir, Director of Development Services Mr. Butch Workman, Stormwater Operations Manager Ms. Mary Beth Nash, Senior Assistant County Attorney Ms. Susan McCoy, Recording Secretary Call to Order Mr. James called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Mr. McMurray gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance. Approval of Agenda Mr. Bower made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 3-0. Approval of Minutes Mr. McMurray made a motion to approve the minutes of February 4, 2020, as amended, and February 18, 2020 minutes, which passed 3-0. Approval of Consent Agenda There were no consent items. Public Hearing 1. Proposed amendments to Article I (General Provisions), Article 11 (Definitions and Use Types), and Article III (District Regulations) of the Roanoke County Zoning Ordinance. Amendments to Article 1, Section 30-5, would amend the powers and duties of the Zoning Administrator; amendments to Article 11, Sections 30-28 & 29, would add, amend, and delete definitions associated with floodplain management; and amendments to Article III, Section 30-74 Floodplain Overlay District, would add or amend regulatory sections dealing with floodplain management. The proposed amendments are consistent with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's model ordinance which complies with the requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations. Mr. Thompson presented the Page 1 of 4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 3, 2020 proposed amendment, including a brief history of the document, revisions, and definitions. He stated they used the State model as a guide forthe ordinance. He reviewed the revised document, noting the Floodplain Administrator will enforce the ordinance. He noted changes to the ordinance will assist citizens with insurance needs. He discussed incorporating the variance process into the ordinance. He stated the ordinance needs to meet current State standards. Mr. James opened the public hearing for public comment. Roberta Bondurant, 11577 Bottom Creek Road, discussed the floodplain along Back Creek on Bent Mountain and properties which are impacted. She stated she attended the previous public hearing regarding the ordinance. She stated the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) reached out to make flood insurance available. She stated the document looks to strive to be within Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards. She stated some communities have had workshops with DCR. She request that the Commission table action on this document so that the citizens have opportunities to go over the provisions. She stated that in 2017 no floodplain delineation was made in Roanoke County. She stated the people here are bringing salient information for floodplain determination. She discussed the importance of having a robust document that the communities are behind. Bonnie Law, Box 312, Boones Mill, stated she worked with floodplain insurance. She stated that in 1980, FEMA had lots of problems with insurance issues. She stated if insurance coverage is not required in floodplain areas, the taxpayers bear the brunt of the cost. She stated there is no Federal protection to the water supply. She asked that they look at guidelines for the local floodplain ordinance. She stated that she was trapped downtown Roanoke during the flood of 1985. She stated she would like higher standards not just minimum standards. She stated Clearbrook and Back Creek areas need to be included. Grace Terry, stated she owns property near Honeysuckle Road. She discussed changes to erosion and sediment control, including the 25 foot stream buffer. She asked if the ordinance was based on science. She requested that any action on the ordinance be delayed until the month of May. She inquired if stream buffer is adequate. She stated she is concerned the 25 foot buffer is not tied to the Zoning Ordinance but to the Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance. She stated steep slopes have different water dynamics, noting flooding is not mapped in those steep sloped areas. She requested the Commission map one hundred percent of the county particularly in the steep areas. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed procedural issues regarding continuing the public hearing if the Commission chooses this action. Mr. James noted that only two percent of eligible property owners carry flood insurance. He also inquired about floodplain delineation in certain areas. Mr. Workman discussed that a flood study is done if the property is over 100 acres or more. He stated a flood study would have to be completed if the property is Page 2of4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 3, 2020 developed. Mr. James inquired if the study would be the burden of the developer. Mr. Workman affirmed it would be the responsibility of the developer to submit a flood study of the property. He reviewed the various flood zone designations, noting Bent Mountain is not studied and is in Zone X due to mountaintops. Ms. Law inquired about water supply for an industrial developer. Mr. Workman and Mr. Thompson discussed this issue, noting requirements would have to be met by the developer. Mr. Moneir stated any developing parcel which has streams or waterways requires an engineer of record to do the study and calculations for erosion and sediment control. He stated the idea is to have no impact prior or post development of the site. He stated the plan has to be certified by a licensed engineer or licensed landscape architect. Mr. Workman discussed water quality requirements. Mr. James inquired about reviewing the Erosion and Sediment Ordinance and the Floodplain Ordinance. Mr. Thompson discussed this issue, noting the Erosion and Sediment Ordinance is not in the Zoning Ordinance. He discussed procedural issues regarding the ordinances. Mr. James inquired if the engineering community had provided any feedback. Mr. Thompson stated he had not received any additional comments. Ms. Bondurant requested that any action on the ordinance be delayed for two weeks and allow citizen and conservations groups to review the document to make sure communities recognize all concerns. She noted only three of the five Commissioners are present at the hearing, noting that Mr. Woltz has great knowledge of area and she would like to learn from all of the Commissioners. Mr. Thompson stated floodplain maps have been provided. He discussed the limits of floodplain studies. Mr. Workman stated the Army Corps of Engineers conducted the studies, noting they were updated in 2007. Mr. Thompson stated the digital version of the maps have been interfaced with the County's GIS maps. Mr. Workman stated additional flood studies would need to go through FEMA. Mr. Thompson reiterated that if the property is over 100 acres a flood study map will be required from the developer. Mr. Bower inquired about acreage on Bent Mountain. Mr. Workman stated if property of 100 acres is adjacent to a creek a flood study would be required from developer, noting it is the same procedure required by FEMA. He noted it would be a 100 acre watershed. Mr. Bower inquired about regulations for development. Mr. Workman discussed the regulations, noting that 24 inches above flood plain is more than is required by State regulations. Mr. James noted the Commission is an advisory body. He stated the Commission has reviewed the proposed amendments a number of times. He noted staff will enforce the flood study requirements. Mr. Bower stated the amendment process has been ongoing for years, noting they have reviewed the ordinance extensively. With no other citizens requesting to speak, Mr. James closed the public hearing. Mr. Bower made a motion to recommend approval of the proposed amendments. Mr. Thompson called the roll and the motion passed (3-0) with the following vote: Page 3of4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 3, 2020 AYES: Bower, James, McMurray NAYES: None ABSTAIN: None Mr. Thompson discussed procedural issues regarding forwarding the proposed Floodplain Ordinance Amendments to the Board of Supervisors. Citizen Comments There were none. Commissioners' and Staff Comments Mr. Thompson stated that upon Mr. Murphy's retirement, Ms. games has been appointed Acting Zoning Administrator by the Board of Supervisors. He stated she will serve in this capacity until the position is permanently filled. Mr. Thompson stated a community meeting regarding the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority petition will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2020, at Mason Cove Elementary School. He stated the Board of Supervisors Public Hearing regarding this petition will be held on March 24, 2020. Mr. Thompson stated the Planning Commission Public Hearing regarding the Hollins Center Plan will be held at 7:00 p.m. on March 17, 2020. He stated citizens comments will be accepted ten days prior and ten days after the public hearing, noting the comment session will close on March 27, 2020. He stated staff plans to provide the comments received to the Commission at the April 7, 2020 Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Thompson provided an update regarding a potential land use application. With no further business or comments, Mr. James adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m, Respectfully Submitted: Susan McCoy RecordJog-Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission Philip Thpson Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission Ric James Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission Page 4 of 4