HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/15/2020 - MinutesU ROANOKE COUNTY
PLANNING COMMISSION-,
SEPTEMBER 15,2020
Commissioners Present:
Mr. Wayne Bower
Mr. Troy Henderson
Mr. Kelly McMurray
Mr. Jim Woltz
Commissioners Absent:
Mr. Rick James
Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary
Ms. Rachel Lower, Senior Assistant County Attorney
Ms. Megan Cronise
Ms. Bailey Howard-DuBoi,w
Mr. Isaac Henry
Mr, Alex Jones
Ms. Alyssa Dunbar
Ms. Cecile Newcomb
Mr. Will Crawford
Ms. Susan McCoy, Recording Secretary
Work Session
Mr. Bower called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.
Approval of Agenda
Mr. Woltz made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 4-0.
Oak Grove Center Plan
Mr. Thompson provided a PowerPoint presentation, including an overview of the draft
plan Appendices, including the Introduction, Existing Conditions, Community
Engagement, Vision and Principles, and Plan Recommendations and Implementation
Strategies. He reviewed the Draft Principles of the plan. He discussed the
Implementation and Recommendations, noting the importance of collaboration, between
Roanoke County and Roanoke City. He discussed implementation process, including
design principles, funding strategies, timing/phasing, communication, accessibility,
getting started. He reviewed plan recommendations, including land use, community
facilities, transportation, gateway/streetscape improvements, and community
engagement. He discussed community facilities recommendations and transportation
recommendations.
Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed the plan. The commission agreed to
move forward with the plan. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed the
process and timeline for the plan. They discussed options for the public hearings.
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 15, 2020
Transportation Pro'ects
Ms. Cronise provided a PowerPoint presentation, including an overview SMART Scale
projects. She provided updates on Round 1 projects, including 1-81 widening from Exit
143 to Exit 141, Lila Drive/Route 115 Intersection, and Route 419 widening. She
discussed Round 2 applications, including Route 419 and Route 221 Adaptive Signal
Control, and Plantation Road Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Streetscape Improvements
(Walrond Drive to Gander Road), and West Main Street Pedestrian Improvements. She
discussed updates on applications for Round 3, including Route 419 /Route 220 Diverging
Diamond Interchange and Williamson Road Pedestrian Improvements (Peters Creek
Road to Plantation Road). She reviewed Round 4 applications, including Valleypointe
Parkway Realignment, Route 419 Streetscape Improvements (Starkey Road to Ogden
Road), Starkey Road/Buck Mountain Road Intersection Improvements, Route 460
Operational Improvements Study, and Route 460 at Alternate Route 220 Intersection
Improvements. She reviewed the Roanoke Valley Transportation Planning Organization
SMART Scale Projects, including Route 460 at West Ruritan Road Intersection
Improvements, Route 460 Intersections from Carson Road to Huntridge Road, and
Orange Avenue (Route 460) Improvements from 11th Street to Gus Nicks Boulevard. She
discussed the City of Roanoke SMART Scale projects, including Orange Avenue (Route
460) at Blue Hills Drive, Orange Avenue (Route 460) at King Street, Orange Avenue
(Route 460) at Seibei Drive/Hickory Woods. She reviewed Roanoke Valley -Alleghany
Regional Commission SMART Scale projects, including 1-581 Exit 2 (Peters Creek Road)
Interchange Improvements. She discussed lessons which have been learned and
implemented and the next steps in the SMART Scale process.
Ms. Cronise provided an overview of Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Funding
projects, including Orange Market Park and Ride & Parking Lot Improvements and Oak
Grove Streetscape Improvements. She reviewed other active projects, including
Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Plan (Salem District), Route 220 Arterial Preservation
Program and Signalization Improvements Study, McAfee Knob/Route 311 Pedestrian
Improvements, Fallowater Lane Extension. Ms. Cronise, Mr. Thompson, and the
Commissioners discussed design options for the proposed McAfee Knob/Route 311
bridge and potential shuttle options. She reviewed the VDOT bridge projects which are
completed and underway, including Route 116 over Back Creek, Route 220 over Back
Creek, and Route 221 over Martins Creek. She stated they work to keep communication
with VDOT and notify citizens about projects. She discussed the VDOT safety project on
Route 419 at its intersection with Colonial Avenue. She provided an overview of the
Roanoke River Greenway, including West Roanoke River Greenway from Green Hill Park
to Riverside Park in Salem, East Roanoke River Greenway re -scoping to construct
greenway on western and eastern edges, East Roanoke River Greenway under the Blue
Ridge Parkway along Highland Road, East Roanoke River Greenway along the Blue
Ridge Parkway to Explore Park, and East Roanoke River Greenway through Explore Park
to Rutrough Road.
Ms. Cronise and the Commissioners discussed E -bike legislation which went into effect
July 1, 2020, allowing Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 E -bikes the same rights as regular
bicycles unless localities take action regarding this issue. Ms. Cronise stated
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 15, 2020
Transportation, Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, and Fire and Rescue Departments have
been acquiring data regarding E -bike use.
The Commissioners expressed their appreciation for the work performed by County staff
regarding the transportation projects. Mr. Thompson thanked County staff, the Board of
Supervisors, and regional partners for their collaboration on this project.
Citizen Comments
There were none.
Commissioners' and Staff Comments
Mr, Thompson discussed upcoming petitions and public hearings. He stated the
remaining 2020 Planning Commission Public Hearings will be held on Monday, October
5, 2020, Monday, November 2, 2020, and Monday, November 30, 2020.
Mr. Thompson discussed Board of Supervisors resolutions to research temporary
construction yard and short-term rentals. He stated staff is currently researching these
uses. He stated these findings will be discussed at future work sessions. Mr. Thompson
and the Commissioners briefly discussed short-term rentals use.
Mr. Thompson stated the Board of Supervisors adopted the Floodplain Ordinance on the
Hollins Center Plan. He stated copies of the Hollins Center Plan Summary will be
distributed to citizens in study area.
With no further business or comments, Mr. Bower adjourned the meeting at 8;04 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
W�1= _4\
Susan McCoy
Record ij �ecretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission
PFiilip Th9ppson
SecretarffvR�appke County Planning Commission
Rick James V °
Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission
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