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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/5/2020 - Minutes.nAN4 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 30 OCTOBER 5, 2020 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 7:01 p.m. He 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 September 1, 2020 minutes, which passed 3- 0-1, with Mr. Woltz abstaining. Mr. Woltz made a motion to approve the September 15, 2020 minutes, which passed 3- 0-1, with Mlr. James abstaining. Consent Agenda Ms. Newcomb presented a PowerPoint presentation on the petition of Milestone Tower Limited Partnership IV, including acreage, locations, future land use designation, zoning, and permitted uses.She reviewed surrounding uses and the concept plan!, noting the existing restrooms will be demolished. Mr. James stated youth sports and people on the greenway use the facilities at this location. He stated the restrooms are a needed service for the park. Mr. Bower inquired about the need for the tower. Ms. Newcomb and Mr. Thompson discussed this issue, noting a specialist will be performing an analysis of the area. Mr. James stated he had received information from the petitioner regarding a Page 1 of 5 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 5, 2020 community meeting. Mr. Thompson stated the County will not be conducting a community meeting, however, the petitioner may independently host a community meeting. He noted an adjacent property owners' letter with additional information will be sent to a larger area than required. Mr. Woltz inquired if the County would benefit from the tower. Mr. Thompson discussed this issue. Mr. Thompson discussed the petition of Appalachian Power Company and the Roanoke County Economic Development Authority for a 2232 Review. He provided a history of the petition including the masterplan of CRT. Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed why the review is required, noting a public facility has to be in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan. They discussed procedural issues and process regarding the petition. Mr. McMurray made a motion to approve the consent agenda, which passed 4-0. Public Hearing 1. The petition of Engineering Concepts, Inc. to rezone property to remove the proffered conditions on approximately 2.66 acres zoned C -1C, Low Intensity Commercial, District with conditions, and to obtain a special Use permit for religious assembly in a R-1, Low Density Residential, District, C-1 C, Low Intensity Commercial, District with conditions, and C-2 High Intensity Commercial, District on approximately 10.68 acres, located at and near 2500 East Washington Avenue, Vinton Magisterial District. Ms. Dunbar presented the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation, including a brief history of the parcels and photos of the parcels and an overview of the request. She reviewed the concept plan, topography, current zoning, and future land use designation. She stated the proposed use is in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan. She reviewed the suggested condition for the petition. Pastor Jay Richards, Lighthouse Bible Church, thanked the Commission for their service to the community. He stated the property has previously had different purposes. He stated the church has been with the church eleven years. He stated they currently have 450 active members. He stated the church is an investment in families. He stated he and his wife lead marriage ministries. He stated they are out of space in every aspect. He stated they are trying to reach the demands of their congregation. He stated they plan to have multiple services. He stated they can seat 260 people in the gym where they are currently meeting. Mr. James stated he is pleased the church is flourishing. Mr. Woltz inquired when they would petition is approved. Pastor Richards stated they plan to begin in three to five years. He stated construction will be dependent on funding availability. Mr. James opened the public hearing for public comment. Chris Craft, 1501 Eastgate Avenue, stated Pastor Jay and the church are great people. He stated the project would be a great addition to Vinton. He stated as the church grows more people will. shop and eat which will encourage more businesses to open in the area. He asked that the Commission approve the request. Page 2 of 5 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 5, 2020 Mr. James called for a 10 minute recess to receive comments via p1lone or email which began at 7.42 p.m. He reconvened the meeting at 7:59 p.m. Mr. James stated one call was received during the recess. He provided a summary of the call. Linda Miles, 123 Spring Grove Drive, stated the existing entrance is off of Washington Avenue. She stated that she is concerned about the impact of traffic if the properly entrance is off of Spring Grove Drive. She stated it is a very busy road. She stated the church traffic will slow down the neighborhood traffic and create issues. Mr. James provided a summary of the emails received from citizens. James Gurley, stated residents are requesting the petition will be denied. He stated he has concerns regarding traffic on Spring Grove Drive which is used by three subdivisions. He stated adding an entrance onto Spring Grove will cause additional traffic congestion especially for traffic turning left onto Route 24. He stated they enjoy the wildlife and creek, noting they are afraid of destruction of the area. He stated there is trash and construction materials from previous programs along the perimeter of the church. He suggested the pastor and congregation walk the perimeter of the property and take better care of the facilities they have now. Mary Meador, 132 Spring Grove Drive, stated she is representing herself and her husband, David Meador. She stated she is opposed to the application, noting the land is zoned for a single story office building and has limited parking. She stated the changes will affect her property and properties and surrounding properties. She stated the proposed entrance from Spring Grove Drive will increase traffic. She discussed noise issues, including the slamming of 200 car doors beside her house. She discussed her concern regarding stormwater runoff flowing into the culvert that runs into her yard. She stated they have had numerous flooding issues, noting this will affect it. She stated she is concerned about flooding in the field beside her home. She stated removing existing vegetation will affect water drainage. She inquired where vehicles will park with limiting parking. She stated she prefers not to have parking lot beside her home. She stated the petitioner has left discarded building materials beside and in back of her home. She stated the petitioner disregards noise ordinances. She requested that this rezoning request not be allowed to pass. An anonymous caller stated that the church wants to build a new road on their street. She stated her neighbors are elderly on Spring Grove Drive and this will ruin the neighborhood. She stated if the church wants to have a school it should be at the existing location. She stated traffic is terrible, noting they have 200 cars coming in and out of their neighborhood twice a day. Page 3 of 5 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 5, 2020 Mr. James closed the public hearing for public comment. Pastor Richards stated the trash is from an event which includes wood from the props used. He stated they would like to mow the entire area since they will not be doing the event this year. He stated they are planning to plant a barrier along the creek to buffer noise. He stated they will clean the property and address the wood on the property prior to construction. He stated most noise is from music at the church. He stated they are no louder than the nearby school band. He stated the current building is metal and the new building will likely have more sound proofing for sound quality. Mr. Woltz discussed the concept plan, noting the sanctuary will be closer to Washington Avenue which is further from the nearby neighborhood. Pastor Richards stated they will continue to grow their church. He stated they plan to start a Christian church and develop sports program. Mr. Woltz and Pastor Richards discussed the concept plan. Mr. James noted moving the building closer to Washington Avenue will help with noise issues. Pastor Richards stated it is a community church which has been at this location forty-four years. Mr. James inquired about traffic. Mr. Bobby Wampler, Engineering Concepts, Inc., stated traffic will increase but create a safer traffic flow. He stated currently a vehicle has to make a U-turn to enter the church property from Route 24. He stated Spring Grove Drive is 42 feet wide which is more than adequate to serve the church. He discussed stormwater management, noting any potential issues would be addressed during the County site plan review process. Mr. James noted new construction stormwater runoff cannot exceed current stormwater runoff amount. Mr. Wampler stated they will abide by all State and County regulations. Mr. James discussed the cross - movement East on Route 24, noting making a U-turn is problematic. He discussed VDOT's comments. He stated the proposed entrance would require an approved entrance permit from VDOT. Mr. James made a motion to recommend approval of the request with the following condition: 1. The site shall be developed in substantial conformance with the concept site plan prepared by Engineering Concepts, Inc. dated September 24, 2020, subject to any changes required during the site plan review process. Mr. Woltz stated the proposed use of the property is a good use. Mr. Bower stated the traffic will not be impacted at the busiest time during the week. He stated there are strict State and Federal guidelines regarding water quality which will be followed. Mr. James noted the Traffic Impact Analysis will be reviewed during the review and construction process. Mr. Thompson called the roll and the motion passed (4-0) with the following vote: AYES: Bower, James, McMurray, Woltz NAYES: None ABSTAIN: None Page 4 of 5 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 5, 2020 Mr. Thompson stated the Board of Supervisors Public Hearing regarding this petition will be held on October 20, 2020. Citizen Comments There were none. Commissioners' and Staff Comments Mr. James thanked staff for being responsive to businesses by trying to help them navigate through the processes. Final Orders 1. The petition of MCE 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, Windsor Hills Magisterial District was approved by the Board of Supervisors at a Public Hearing 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 hotel/motel/motor lodge, located near the 2700 block of Wildwood Road and the 1700 block of Skyview Road, Catawba Magisterial District was approved by the Board of Supervisors at a Public Hearing on August 25, 2020. With no further business or comments, Mr. James adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Susan McCoy Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission Philip TFt,¢y mpson / Secr t ,D"ook unty Planning Commission Rick James Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission Page 5 of 5