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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/4/2020 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY - PLANNING COIVIIVIISSIO�_ AUGUST 42020 Commissioners Present: Mr. Wayne Bower Mr. Rick James Mr. Kelly McMurray Mr. Jim Woltz Commissioners Absent: Mr. Troy Henderson Staff Present: Mr, Philip Thompson, Secretary Ms. Rachel Lower, Senior Assistant County Attorney Ms. Rebecca James Ms. Alyssa Dunbar Ms. Cecile Newcomb Ms. Bailey Howard -,DuBois Ms. Susan McCoy, Recording Secretary Call to Order Mr. James called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m., Mr. McMurray gave the invocation and led the pledge of allegiance. Approval of Agenda Mr. Woltz made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 4-0. Approval of Minutes Mr. Bower made a motion to approve the July 7, 2020 minutes, which passed 4-0. Consent Agenda Mr. Thompson stated there are no petitions scheduled for public hearings in September. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed this issue. The Commission decided to hold a work session on September 1, 2020. Public Hearing 1. The petition of M'CE Owner Occupied, LLP to obtain a special use permit in a C- 1, Low Intensity Commercial, District to allow a multi -family use to account for more than 50 percent of the gross floor area on the site on approximately 1.116 acres, located at 3220 McVitty Road, Road, Windsor Hills Magisterial District. Ms. Dunbar provided a PowerPoint presentation, including an overview of the petition. She reviewed the property acreage, surroundings property uses, VDOT right-of- way, and property entrance. She reviewed the previous use of the property, Page 1 of 7 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 4, 2020 topography, and elevations. She discussed the concept plan, including Phase 1 and Phase 2. She discussed lighting, signage, and future land use designation. She noted the proposed use is not consistent with the future land use designation but it is consistent with abutting future land use designations. She reviewed the suggested conditions. Ms. Maryellen Goodlatte, Esquire, provided a history of the property, noting it was previously a childcare center. She stated the proposed multi -family development would have sixteen units. She stated over 150 children attended the previous childcare center. She stated the building has been vacant during the past year and has suffered some vandalism during that time. She discussed surrounding uses, noting that McVitty Road is close to Route 419. She stated several other multi -family developments are located along Route 419. She stated the Roanoke County Fire Department is located nearby along with other commercial uses. She stated homes are located on Rasmont Road. She discussed the topography of the property, noting it rises to the back of the parcel. She stated the petitioner has no objection to the suggested conditions. She stated the proposed use is a small scale redevelopment. She introduced Mr. Ray Craighead, Craighead and Associates Architects, and Mr, John McLeod, Principal Owner of MCE Owner Occupied, LLP. Mr. Woltz inquired about the timeframe for the development. Ms. Goodlatte stated they will renovate the existing structure, noting they will continue development when that phase is completed. Mr. McLeod stated they plan to move forward with the development if approved by the County. Ms. Goodlatte stated they will be market tate apartments, Mr. James inquired about buffering. Ms. Goodlatte discussed this issue, noting they will follow County use and design standards and maintain current vegetation. Mr. James opened the public hearing for public comment. Mr. James stated they have received an email from Ardell Stone, who has a dance studio at 4333 Cave Spring Lane. She stated she is concerned about traffic being heavy and speeding, noting the road is not good for traffic. She stated there was an accident in this area last year. She stated the stop sign at the intersection of McVitty Road and Old Cave Spring Road has been knocked down many times. Mr. Ed Murray, 3123 McVitty Road, sent an email and spoke at the public hearing. He stated VDOT has made plans and bought property to upgrade this road, noting the road is dangerous. Mr. McMurray stated that the State had bought frontage property beside the childcare facility. He stated the road is bad through that area. He stated he does not know when VDOT will finish the project. Mr. James called for a 10 minute recess to receive comments via phone or email which be an at 7:24 p.m. He reconvened the meeting at 7:38 .m. Mr. Thompson stated no additional comments by phone or email were received during the recess. Page 2 of 7 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 4, 2020 Mr. James inquired about the status of the VDOT project on McVitty Road. Mr. Thompson discussed the status of McVitty Road improvements. He discussed the State's funding process, noting there is no funding available for this project at this time. He stated they will continue to seek funding for this project. Ms. Goodlatte stated the road frontage was taken six to eight years ago but the project has been fallow for about a year. She discussed the traffic on McVitty Road and Cave Spring Road, noting the development would be capped at 16 units. She stated traffic generated from the proposed development would be significantly less than from the child care center. She stated VDOT would have to perform another review for a larger use. Mr. James noted VDOT had provided comments which are included in the Commission's packet, noting the proposed development would need to follow VDOT regulations. Mr. James closed the public hearing for public comment. Mr. Woltz discussed the slope of the property. He noted the nearby houses have large backyards. He stated the property has been abandoned a long time and this use would fill a need in Southwest County. Mr. McMurray stated that McVitty Road has been used as a shortcut. He stated he is concerned about traffic but sees this use as an improvement and more in line with neighborhood conservation than the previous child care center. Mr. James stated he is in favor of the adaptive reuse of the property in the County where land is constrained. Mr. McMurray made a motion to recommend approval of the request with the following conditions: 1. The site shall be developed in substantial conformance with the "Concept Site Plan" prepared by Craighead and Associates dated May 23, 2020, subject to any changes required during the site plan review process. 2. The site shall be developed in general conformance with the existing building proposed renovations — Phase 1 and 2, Exhibits B and E, prepared by Craighead and Associates dated May 23, 2020, subject to any changes required during the commercial building plan review process. 3. The proposed freestanding sign shall be developed in substantial conformance with the McVitty Commons Signage, Exhibit D, dated June 11, 2020. The freestanding sign shall only be lit from the ground and shall not cause glare on adjoining properties or roads. There shall be no neon signage or electronic message boards on the property. 4. The maximum number of apartments shall be limited to 16. 5. Free standing light poles, including lighting fixtures, shall not be more than 18 feet above grade. All exterior lights shall be down -lit or shielded so as not to direct glare onto adjoining streets or residential properties. Page 3 of 7 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 4, 2020 Mr. Thompson called the roll and the motion passed (4-0) with the following vote: AYES: Bower, James, McMurray, Woltz NAYES: None ABSTAIN: None Mr. Thompson stated the Board of Supervisors Public Hearing regarding this petition will be held on August 25, 2020. 2. The petition of Om Shree Hospitality, LLC to rezone approximately 9.99 acres from AG -1, Agricultural/Rural Low Density, District to C-2, High Intensity Commercial, District for the construction of a hotellmotellmotor lodge, located near the 2700 block of Wildwood Road and the 1700 block of Skyview Road, Catawba Magisterial District. Ms. Newcomb provided a PowerPoint presentation, including surrounding uses, topography, and concept plan. She noted there are no proffered conditions with this rezoning. She stated the entrance and exit would be on Wildwood Road with 103 parking spaces at the site. She discussed surrounding zoning, current zoning, and future land use designation. She stated a petition has been received with comments regarding traffic, fire, and noise. She stated the proposed use is consistent with the future land use designation of Core, noting the use of the property has not been proffered. Mr. Woltz inquired about location of property access on Wildwood Road. Ms. Newcomb discussed this issue, including VDOT's comments. Mr. Woltz inquired about turning lane requirements. Ms. Newcomb stated the need for a turning lane has not been determined. Mr. Fletcher Smoak, former owner of Virginia Brick, stated they had more traffic when the quarry was operational. Mr. Steve Wandrei, Esquire, stated his client has a contract to purchase the property. He introduced Mr. Harry Patel, Ms. Cary Patel, and Mr. Amit Patel. He stated the use would be a hotel if the rezoning is approved, noting the hotel use would be permitted in a C-2 district. He stated noise and lighting would be addressed during the site plan review process, noting they would comply with the County regulations which are applicable to the project. He discussed the traffic impact analysis (TIA) which has been performed, noting the property would have a commercial grade entrance. He stated there have not been any recent crash records in the area. He stated there has been not a recommendation for an additional turn lane. He discussed the concept plan. He stated the property has challenges but will be good for the petitioner's proposed use, noting it is limited for other uses. He stated the natural vegetation on the property will shield nearby residences. He stated the proposed hotel will be a three story hotel with eighty rooms and a ballroom. He stated the use will provide additional tax revenue with minimal impact on County services. Mr. Woltz inquired about the future use of the property. Mr. Wandrei stated that if the rezoning is approved they would proceed with the hotel. Page 4 of 7 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 4, 2020 Mr. James inquired about the traffic concerns and stormwater management. Mr. Andrew Lumsden, Lumsden Associates, P.C., discussed these issues. He stated Wildwood Road is a collector road, noting there is not a large volume of traffic on this road. He discussed property access, noting turn lanes would not be needed. He stated Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has very strict regulations regarding stormwater management. He stated portions of the property are undisturbed areas due to the topography of the property. Mr. James opened the public hearing for public comment. Mr. James reviewed emails received from citizens, noting copies of these emails have been provided to the Commissioners. Mr. Luke Foster, 2768 Wildwood Road, sent an email stating he is in support of the proposal. He stated that his tax map number is incorrect on the concept plan (Exhibit A). He stated that other property tax map numbers and information on the concept plan are also incorrect. He stated he wants items addressed so that no intrusions are made onto his property and there will be adequate space for the proposed road, retaining wall, and stormwater management area. Ms. Debra Repsher and Mr. Scott Repsher sent emails regarding items of concern, including grade and radius of turn into site from Wildwood Road for emergency vehicles, undisturbed area labeled to the southeast of the proposed hotel structure, noise, signage, stormwater management, stormwater runoff into nearby creek, safety near quarry site, safety issues regarding fire in area, sufficient parking for guests, retaining walls, access road, restaurant parking, landscaping, native wildlife, lighting, traffic should enter site from Skyview Road, and hotel sewage management. Mr. Clyde Bones, 2818 Brogan Lane, stated he has lived in the area since 1959. He stated when they developed the area they dug out big dens of snakes. He stated if commercial use is developed will the snakes be unearthed. He stated he has provided the Commission with hunting laws, noting it is unlawful to kill a snake. He discussed the types of snakes which are in the area. He stated some rattle snakes can be eight feet long and live to be twenty years old. He stated the timber rattle snake is magnificent animal. He stated the cane and timber rattlers should be given respect. He stated there is a blind spot for traffic in the area, noting dump trucks from the brickyard could be seen and heard as they were coming. He stated smaller vehicles will make it a dangerous situation. Mr. James called for a 10 minute recess to receive comments via phone or email which began at 8:20 p.m. He reconverted the meeting at 8.35 p.m. Ms. Newcomb stated she has received a petition with nine signatures and comments regarding the petition. She provided copies of this petition to the Commission. She stated Mr. Atul Patel, 1671 Skyview Road, called stating he is paying for six street lights on Skyview Road and he would like reimbursement on the light bill. Page 5 of 7 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 4, 2020 Mr. James reviewed the role of the Commission. He stated traffic issues have been addressed by Mr. Lumsden. He noted the land was intended for single family homes. Ms. Newcomb discussed zoning and future land use designation, noting the Comprehensive Plan supports Core development. Mr. Fletcher Smoak, 2611 Crystal Spring Avenue, stated he previously owned Old Virginia Brick. He stated the brickyard had five to ten trucks per hour use the road to travel from the quarry to the plant on Main Street. He stated when residents complained about the trucks carrying dirt onto the road, the company would clean the road. He stated eventually they purchased a tire washing station for the trucks to prevent this issue. Mr. Michael Beavers, 2528 Wildwood Road, stated he built a new house on his property. He discussed his concern regarding future use of the property and commercial sprawl. He stated numerous other properties could be utilized for this use. He stated if it is permitted and the site plan falls through other permitted C-2 uses could be worse. He stated the three story building would be an ugly scar on the property. He stated he is vehemently opposed to the proposed rezoning. Mr. James closed the public hearing for public comment. Mr. James inquired about future land use designation. Mr. Thompsons stated the future land use designation on this property dates back to at least 2005 and possibly 1998. Mr. Bower noted that most citizen concerns received are regarding traffic issues. He inquired about the TIA process. Mr. Lumsden discussed the process, including determining if turn lanes are needed and sight distance requirements. He discussed drainage issues and stormwater management. He stated the tax numbers on the concept plan included in the Planning Commission's packet are correct. Mr. James inquired about the information used for the TIA. Mr. Lumsden discussed this issue, noting they used the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) manual and crash data from the last two years. Mr. Bower inquired about permitted uses in C-2 zoning. Ms. Newcomb discussed permitted uses in C-2 zoning, including daycare, office uses, auto dealership, trade schools, fuel center, and recycling centers. Mr. James noted some uses have stricter standards. Mr. McMurray made a motion to recommend approval of the request. Mr. James stated it is important to consider what is consistent with the future land use designation. Mr. Woltz stated this property would be difficult to develop for other uses. He stated the property will require extensive preparation for development, noting the proposed use is a better use for C-2. He stated he is reluctant to approve rezoning without proffered conditions. Mr. James stated he shares Mr. Woltz's concern regarding the request for rezoning. He stated it is a challenging site to develop and uses would be limited. Page 6of7 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 4, 2020 Mr. Thompson called the roll and the motion passed (4-0) with the following vote: AYES: Bower, James, McMurray, Woltz NAYES: None ABSTAIN: None Mr. Thompson stated the Board of Supervisors Public Hearing regarding this petition will be held on August 25, 2020. Commissioners' and Staff Comments Mr. Thompson stated the Hollins Center Plan was approved by the Board of Supervisors on July 28, 2020. Final Orders 1. The petition of Wild Partners to obtain a special use permit in a C -2S, High Intensity Commercial, District with special use permit to operate a car wash facility on approximately 1. 152 acres, located at 4065 Electric Road, Cave Spring Magisterial District.was denied by the Board of Supervisors at a Public Hearing on July 28, 2020. With no further business or comments, Mr. James adjourned the meeting at 9:01 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Susan McCoy Recordina_Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission Philip ThorrApson / Secreta, Roanoke unty Planning Commission e� Rick James Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission Page 7of7