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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/5/2020 - Minutes0AN ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION '83B MAY 5, 2020 Commissioners Present: Mr. Wayne Bower Mr. Rick James Mr. Troy Henderson Mr, Kelly McMurray Mr. Jim Woltz Staff Present: Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary Ms, Rachel Lower, Senior Assistant County Attorney Ms. Susan McCoy, Recording Secretary Call to Order Mr. James called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Woltz gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance. Approval of Agenda Mr. Woltz made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 5-0. Adoption of Resolution Mr. James made a motion to adopt the Resolution Authorizing the Adoption of Procedures for Electronic Public Meetings and Public Hearings, which passed 5-0. Approval of Minutes Mr. Bower made a motion to approve the March 3, 2020 minutes, which passed 3-0-2, with Mr. Henderson and Mr. Woltz abstaining. Public Hearing 1. The petition of Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority to rezone 2.02 acres from R-1, Low Density Residential, District to PTD, Planned Technology Development, District for the development of the Wood Haven Technology Park, and to amend a portion (43.72 acres) of the Wood Haven Technology Park Master Plan, located in the 7800 and 7900 blocks of Wood Haven Road, including 7875 Wood Haven Road, Catawba Magisterial District. Ms. Maryellen Goodlatte, Esquire, provided a PowerPoint presentation, including an overview of the request, a brief history, concept plan, topography, landscaping and buffering. She reviewed development standards,, including permitted uses, maximum structure height, lighting regulation, signage regulations, setbacks, and stormwater management. She reviewed the Master Plan amendments. She discussed the benefits of the proposed rezoning, including preservation of natural Page 1 of 7 ROANOKP COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 5, 2020 vegetation in the buffer, moving slopes and berm farther from Wood Haven Road, preservation of 450 feet of linear stream, gentler slopes up to the development pad, and three acres of additional area on development pad. Mr. Henderson inquired if stormwater management access location was added to the development plan. Ms. Goodlatte discussed the access to stormwater management area on the concept plan. She stated approval of the stormwater facility location will ultimately be part of the comprehensive site development plan which will be reviewed by engineering staff during the site plan review process. She stated there are many requirements regarding stormwater management plans. Mr. Henderson inquired about the location of the berm. Ms. Goodlatte discussed the proposed location of the berm. She discussed advantage of providing a larger site and improved building pad. Mr. Henderson inquired about the date of the concept plan. Mr. Sean Horne, Balzer and Associates, Inc., stated the date of the concept plan presented is March 9, 2020. Mr. Woltz stated the landscaping and design is a very good addition to the technology park, noting it will make development of the property easier. Mr. Bower inquired about streams on the property. Ms. Goodlatte and the Commissioners discussed the concept map, including the natural water courses. Ms. Goodlatte noted the streams would not be disturbed with proposed plan. Mr. Bower inquired about VDOT's review of plan. Ms. Goodlatte stated the traffic impact analysis (TIA) would need to be updated based on the nature of the use of the property not the acreage. Mr. James stated the proposed plan would make for a better overall project, noting Sequoia Drive issues would be mitigated by the redesign. He stated the riparian landscape buffer and preservation of the existing vegetative nature of the project makes the project more amenable. He discussed less stream impact and having the project a more conventional shape. He discussed the prototype design of the stormwater basin. Mr. Woltz inquired about stormwater pond calculations. Mr. Horne discussed the preliminary design which is based on calculations for full buildout of the property. He stated they used the maximum area that would be allowed on the property at the time of development to determine preliminary sizing of the stormwater facility. He noted plan currently being presented is a concept plan. Mr. James inquired about the approach used to determine preliminary sizing of stormwater facility. Mr. Horne discussed this issue. Mr. James opened the public hearing for public comment. Mr. James called for a 10 minute recess to receive comments via phone or email which be an at 7:36 p.m. He reconvened the meeting at 7:52 P.M. Mr. Thompson stated no citizen emails or phone calls were received during the recess. He stated over 230 adjoiner letters were sent out with contact information for both staff and Mr. Hull. He stated one person contacted staff regarding stormwater runoff concerns. He stated another person inquired if permitted uses on the property would change. He noted permitted uses on the property would not change. Page 2 of 7 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 5, 2020 Mr. Horne stated they follow State regulations to prevent stormwater runoff. Mr. James inquired about post development runoff. Mr. Horne affirmed post development runoff cannot exceed current runoff. With no other citizens comments received by email or by phone, Mr. James closed the public hearing. Mr. Woltz stated the changes make the development more palatable from the design and development standpoint. Mr. James stated he hopes others will also find that it is a better project due to the thoroughness of the proposed design. Mr. Henderson made a motion to recommend approval of the request. Mr. Thompson called the roll and the motion passed (5-0) with the following vote: AYES: Bower, James, Henderson, McMurray, Woltz NAYES: None ABSTAIN: None Mr. Thompson stated the Board of Supervisors Public Hearing regarding this petition will be held on May 26, 2020. 2. Proposed amendment to the Roanoke County Comprehensive Plan. The proposed amendment would incorporate the Hollins Center Plan into the Roanoke County Comprehensive Plan. The Hollins Center Plan study area is approximately 465 acres in size located near Hollins University covering Plantation Road from Williamson Road to Interstate -81 and Williamson Road from Hollins University to Peters Creek Road. The proposed Pian includes recommendations on the future development of this area. Mr. Thompson provided a PowerPoint presentation, including an overview of plan. He discussed Roanoke County Zoning, County's Goals, Economic Development Areas, and Planning Study Objectives. He reviewed the plan contents, including the Introduction, Existing Conditions, Community Engagement, Vision and Principles, and Plan Implementation and Recommendations. He reviewed the introduction, noting Hollins was identified as an activity center. He discussed the existing conditions, including demographics and boundary of the study area, existing land use, zoning, zoning non-conformance, environment, community facilities, and transportation and infrastructure. He reviewed community engagement, noting approximately 880 citizens participated. He reviewed stakeholder interviews and other outreach methods for the plan. He stated they had a mailing list of over 2,000, a dedicated webpage, email list, and monthly newsletter. He reviewed a summary of major needs and suggestions from all engagement activities. Mr. Thompson reviewed the vision and principles, including both the draft vision and draft principles. He discussed implementation and recommendations. He discussed the land use Page 3 of 7 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 5, 2020 recommendations, gatewaylstreetscape recommendations, community engagement recommendations, community facilities recommendations, and transportation recommendations. He discussed phasing of the plan and identifying and providing accessibility in the study area. Mr. James opened the public hearing for public comment. Mr. Thompson stated some citizen emails were received priorto the public hearing, noting copies of those emails have been provided to the Commissioners. He provided a summary of comments (Exhibit 1) which were received online, including seven comments which were included in the meeting packet. He provided the Commissioners with copies of three additional comments which were received after the packet was sent to the Commissioners. Mr. James called for a 10 minute recess to receive comments via phone or email which began at 8:23 p.m. He reconvened the meeting 8:43 p.m. Mr. James stated seven comments were in the packet, three additional comments were received after packet was published, and one comment was received during public hearing recess. Mr. Thompson provided an overview of the citizen emails and comments which were included in the packet. He reviewed emails received after the packet was published. He then reviewed the comments which were received during open session for public comments via phone and email. Mary Terry, Hollins University, stated she is interested in the Hollins Plan. She requested that the Commission vote yes for the plan, noting if they do not vote in favor of this plan the area will be left out. Valerie Stevens asked if it would be fair to the property owners of these single family homes to restore the R-1 residential zoning for their properties. She inquired about provisions and protections for residential homeowners in the study area. She asked what will be done to conserve and protect residential neighborhoods in, near, and surrounding the study area of Hollins Center Plan. She stated she strongly favored increased pedestrian accommodations for safely walking in the study area, increased public transportation options, preserving and protecting the irreplaceable natural resources in and near the study area, improving parks and playgrounds, rebuild Hollins Public Library, improving landscaping and visual attractiveness of Williamson Road and Plantation Road to attract more visitors to businesses and attract more businesses, form partnerships with Hollins University. She stated many of the recommendations will be an improvement for the Roanoke County Comprehensive Plan. Liz Belcher stated the graphics and layout of the plan are very nicely done, public comment was extensive, and comments were well incorporated into the plan. She stated she is in support of the inclusion of bicyclelpedestrianlgreenway facilities, concept of improving the Hollins area to be more of a gateway to Roanoke County, Page 4 of 7 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 5, 2020 implementation recommendations including completion of Tinker Creek Greenway and U.S. 11 transportation corridor study from Hollins to Cloverdale and beyond. She stated the focus appears to be driven by economic development opportunities and concerns, noting the plan could benefit from additional economic analysis. She suggested providing additional information including adequacy and availability of utilities. She suggested providing maps of underutilized or empty buildings, employment data with work force job skills needed, and an analysis of restaurants within the study area. She stated the plan narrowly focuses on the Hollins Center, but the public thought of this as an area plan not a plan for commercial or village center. She stated that it is important in the introduction to frame this plan within the context of other plans. She suggested using the explanation of how Hollins area developed in the introduction. She stated she would like to see the area become more livable and sustainable in the future. Martie and David Byrd stated they are twenty year residents and have enjoyed seeing growth within the area. They inquired about the expansion of 1-81 and if sound buffers would be added for neighborhoods which border 1-81 including near the Buckland Forest neighborhood. They also inquired if businesses will be incentivized to come to this area. With no other citizens comments received, Mr. James closed the public hearing. Mr. Woltz stated that the plan provides a broad look of this area. He stated adoption of the plan would be an asset for the Hollins area. Mr. Bower inquired if traffic light consideration is within the Commission's purview. Mr. Thompson discussed this issue. He discussed speed limit enforcement, noting the Board of Supervisors can request that VDOT conduct a speed study. He stated the County can request that VDOT study the Hollins University and Lamarre Drive intersection. He stated the Hollins Center Drive subdivision is not very large, noting the analysis has to meet certain thresholds and warrants to be considered for a traffic light. He stated staff can investigate the concern regardless of the adoption of plan. Mr. Bower inquired about Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for the Lila Drive project. Mr. Thompson discussed the ADA requirements, noting they are mandatory, He stated any project in which the County is involved will follow ADA requirements. Mr. Bower inquired about buffering along 1-81. Mr. Thompson discussed construction between Exit 140 and Exit 141. He discussed sound barriers for the project near the Buckland Forest area. Mr. Thompson discussed types of sound barriers, noting natural sound barriers would be preferable. Mr. Bower inquired about business incentives. Mr. Thompson discussed this issue including public- private partnerships. Mr. Bower inquired about Carvins Cove. Mr. Thompson discussed the existing trails, noting they are looking at all types of alternatives including linkages for pedestrians between neighborhoods. Mr. Bower inquired about a segment on Gander Way. Mr. Thompson discussed currently funded projects and other recommendations. Mr. Bower inquired about zoning. Mr. Thompson stated zoning in this area dates back to 1992 when much of the property was developed. He discussed residential and commercial zoning including some Page 5 of 7 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 5, 2020 legal but non -conforming areas. Mr. Thompson discussed reviewing the future land use designations and zoning designations comprehensively in the future. Mr. Bower noted the Commission has given this plan a lot of consideration. Mr. Woltz noted they have spent a lot time developing the plan. He stated if parcels are rezoned separately then the area will become a checkerboard of various zoning designations which is not preferred. Mr. Thompson stated they have worked closely with Economic Development staff members and the Economic Development Authority (EDA). He stated they support the recommendation of this plan. Mr. James stated VDOT reviews the traffic data to determine if something is justified or merited. He discussed funding limitations, noting they are making progress. Mr. Bower discussed the comments, noting the majority of comments which have been received are positive, noting he is in favor of recommending approval of the plan. Mr. Bower made a motion to adopt the Resolution Recommending Adoption of an Amendment to the Comprehensive Plan for Roanoke County, Virginia: Incorporating the Draft Hollins Center Plan, dated March 5, 2020. Mr. James stated they should contemplate revision of the rezoning ordinance when the Comprehensive Plan is revised. Mr. Thompson called the roll and the motion passed (5-0) with the following vote: AYES: Bower, James, Henderson, McMurray, Waltz NAYES: None ABSTAIN: None Mr. Thompson reviewed the timeline for future action regarding the plan. Upcoming Planning Commission Meetings Mr. Thompson stated no applications are scheduled for public hearing on June 2, 2020. Mr. Thompson and the Commission discussed upcoming meetings and COVID-19 Pandemic issues. Mr. James made a motion to cancel the May 19, 2020, and June 2, 2020 Planning Commission Meetings, which passed 5-0. Commissioners' and Staff Comments The Commissioners offered their sincere condolences to the family of Ms. Ruth Ellen Kuhnel, Roanoke County Attorney, regarding her recent passing. Mr. Thompson thanked everyone who made the meeting possible, including RVTV and many County staff members. Final Orders 1. The petition of Michele Meinhart to rezone property to remove the proffered conditions on approximately 1.24 acres zoned C-1 C, Low Intensity Commercial, Page 6of7 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 5, 2020 District with conditions, located at 5881 Starkey Road, Cave Spring Magisterial District was approved by the Board of Supervisors at a Public Hearing on February 25, 2020. With no further business or comments, Mr. games adjourned the meeting at 9:34 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Susan McCoy Recordjj],g_Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission Philip Th meson Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission y $-1 0 ON Ric James Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission Page 7 of 7