HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/16/2021 - MinutesROANOKE COUNTY
PLANNING COMMISSION
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Mr, Rick James
Mr. Kelly McMurray
Mr. Jlim Woltz
Commissioners Absent:
Mr. Wayne Bower
Mr. Troy Henderson
Staff Present:
Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary
Ms. Rachel Lower, Senior Assistant County Attorney
Ms. Becky James
Ms. Bailey Howard -DuBois
Mr. Will Crawford
Mr. Isaac Henry
Ms. Alyssa Dunbar
Ms. Susan McCoy, Recording Secretary
Work Session
Mr. McMurray called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
Approval of Agenda
Mr. James made a motion to approve the agenda, which passed 3-0.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Woltz made a motion to approve the January 19, 2021 minutes, which passed 3-0,
Zoning Ordinance Amendments
Mr, Thompson provided an overview of the proposed amendments, including home
occupation use and design standards, drive-thru bypass lane, multi -family percentage
allowed in C-1 and C-2 zoning, and future work items. Ms. Dunbar reviewed the current
regulations regarding section 30-82-3. She discussed the amendments regarding home
occupation use, including percentage of total square footage and maximum square
footage allowed, accessory structure usage, weekly customer limit, and combining Type
I and Type 11 use standards. Ms. Dunbar, Mr. Thompson, and the Commissioners
discussed standards for Type I and Type 11, including maximum floor area and storage of
goods or products area. The consensus was to keep the standards in both types similar.
Ms. Dunbar and the Commissioners discussed regulations in other localities. Mr.
Thompson and the Commissioners discussed equity of using square footage, noting if
percentage of total space is used then may be better opportunity for citizens to be able to
have this use. They reviewed the square footage percentages for Type I and Type 11
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 16, 2029
home occupation use, noting using a percentage of square footage may be issue for
smaller homes. They reviewed the history of the home occupation changes and the need
for consistency within the ordinance. Ms. James discussed the current ordinance in
regards to the principal dwelling. Staff and the Commissioners discussed regulations
regarding calculating the square footage of the principal structure and accessory
structure. Mr. Thompson stated the use type is allowed in an accessory structure in Type
II. Ms. James noted zoning district designation determines the use type and regulations.
Ms. Dunbar, Mr. Thompson, and the Commissioners discussed limiting the number of
customers. The consensus of the Commissioners was to remove customer limits from
the ordinance.
Mr. Crawford provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding stacking spaces and drive-
through facilities, including regulations regarding this issue in other localities. Mr.
Crawford, Mr. Thompson, and the Commissioners discussed this issue. The consensus
of the Commission was to remove the requirements to have all drive-through facilities
provide a bypass lane.
Mr. Thompson provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding multi -family dwellings
including catalyst projects and scenarios for redevelopment. He discussed the town
center plans and reviewed images of the type of development which is desired in the town
centers. He discussed Section 30-82-11 regarding multi -family dwellings. Mr. Thompson
and the Commissioners discussed the percentage of commercial use and residential use
allowed. They discussed renderings and developing use and design standards in the
future. The consensus of the Commissioners was to allow multi -family dwellings to
account for 75% of the square footage on site in the town center planning areas, noting
that above 75% would require a special use permit.
Mr. Thompson discussed temporary use agricultural activities on industrial zoned
property. He noted agricultural uses are currently allowed on industrial properties. Mr.
Thompson and the Commissioners discussed agritourism and various types of temporary
activities and uses. They discussed that much of the industrial property is located along
the railroad tracks which is often in the flood zone. They discussed an agricultural use
would have to be the principal use of property. They discussed that if the use would have
a substantial impact then a special use permit would be required.
Comprehensive Plan Update
Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed the layout, process, and timeline for
the development of the revised Comprehensive Plan. He provided an overview of the
plan including the background and plan update. He stated the plan is a blueprint for future
growth of the area, noting five chapters were added to the Comprehensive Plan in 2005,
including Economic Development, Growth Management and Capital Facilities Planning,
Stormwater Management, Public Utilities, and Transportation. He stated the County is
comprised of eleven planning areas, noting the boundaries are a combination of
geographical features, roads, communities, and U.S. Census Bureau divisions. He stated
area plans have been added to the Comprehensive Pian, including Route 220 Corridor
Study, Mount Pleasant Community Plan, Hollins Area Plan, Route 221 Area Plan, Vinton
Area Corridors Plan, and Glenvar Plan. They discussed the Community Strategic Plan
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 16, 2021
(2016) and Economic Development areas, including 419 Town Center Plan, Oak Grove
Center Plan, and Hollins Center Plan. They discussed the Comprehensive Plan update
process, including organizing the document, identifying issues, gathering data, public
input, scheduling, and branding. They discussed data gathering which would include
three main themes, land use and housing, community facilities and infrastructure, and
natural and cultural resources.
Ms. Howard DuBois provided a summary of stakeholder meetings which have been
conducted virtually. She reviewed the meeting schedules for input from representatives
from fire and rescue, stormwater management, Roanoke River Blueway, CORTRAN,
Valley Metro, Roanoke -Blacksburg Regional Airport, housing experts, utilities,
environmental protection agencies, tourism, and property owners. She discussed making
the process accessible and available to everyone, including reaching out to citizens with
disabilities or others which are involved in advocating for this population. She stated they
plan to invite these representatives to participate in focus groups at future meetings.
Mr. Thompson reviewed the timeline and the process for the plan. Mr. Thompson and
the Commissioners discussed including broad County goals and Community Plans in the
final document. They reviewed new branding images for the County. They discussed
touring each district with the representatives to view and prioritize items which are of
interest. They discussed acquiring suggestions for stakeholders to participate in the
process.
Citizen Comments
There were none.
Commissioners' and Staff Comments
Mr. Thompson provided a status update on the Oak Grove Center Plan. He stated
Roanoke City Council voted to amend the City Plan 2040 to include the Oak Grove Center
Plan on March 15, 2021. He stated Roanoke County Board of Supervisors will hold a
public hearing on March 23, 2021, regarding the plan.
Mr. Thompson stated a meeting will be held remotely via Zoom on March 18, 2021, at
6:00 p.m. to discuss the status of the Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility
Authority (WRIFA) development on Wood Haven Road.
Mr. Thompson and the Commissioners discussed topics for upcoming meetings.
With no further business or comments, Mr. McMurray adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
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Susan McCoy
Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission
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ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Philip Th psora
Secret0y, Roanoke County Planning Commission
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Wayne ltower
Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission
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MARCH 16, 2021