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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/17/2009 - MinutesRoanoke County Commissioners Present: Mr. Steve Azar Ms. Martha Hooker Mr. Gary Jarrell Mr. Rodney McNeil Mr. David Radford Staff Present: Mr. Philip Thompson, Secretary Mr. Joe Obenshain, Senior Assistant County Attorney Mr. Tarek Moneir Mr. John Murphy Ms. Megan Cronise Mr. Tim Beard Mr. Chris Patriarica Ms. Becky Mahoney Ms. Amanda Micklow Ms. Tara Lambert Ms. Susan Carter, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Hooker called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Approval of Agenda Mr. Jarrell moved to approve the agenda. Motion passed 5-0. Open Space in Cluster Developments Mr. Murphy provided an overview of the proposed revisions. He discussed definition changes regarding ridgetops. He then discussed requirement revisions which will provide document clarification and consistency. Portable Temporary Storage Containers Mr. Murphy discussed proposed changes to the guidelines regarding residential use of the containers. He stated time restrictions could be extended, if after written request, the Zoning Administrator authorizes additional time. Ms. Hooker inquired about container dimension restrictions. Mr. Murphy discussed size restrictions which are applicable to residential areas. Mr. McNeil inquired about construction site restrictions. Mr. Murphy noted construction site restrictions are applied through building permit process. Mr. Radford suggested the language of the revision be more directly applicable to residential. Mr. McNeil noted residential storage containers have become Page 1 of 3 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 17, 2009 more prevalent. Ms. Hooker requested clarification regarding home occupation restrictions. Mr. Murphy discussed the intent of the revision regarding the revisions. Temporary Signs Mr. Patriarica discussed the proposed revisions regarding signage. He reviewed definition changes. He reviewed the types of signage which will be included. He discussed limiting access, timeframe restrictions, and enforcement of violations. Mr. McNeil expressed concern regarding the language of timeframe restrictions. Mr. Obenshain and Mr. Thompson discussed options regarding the wording of the revision. Ms. Hooker inquired about commercial decorative flags. Mr. Patriarica discussed the current restrictions regarding commercial flags. He discussed enforcement of signage setbacks. He noted vehicle signage may require more stringent time limits. He discussed signage restrictions and guidelines in other localities. Screening, Landscaping, and Buffer Yards Ms. Lambert discussed definition revisions and buffering options. Ms. Cronise discussed environmentally low impact parking designs. She discussed the importance of lighting and sidewalks in order to provide safe access for pedestrian traffic within parking lots. She discussed expansion and renovation regulations for existing parking areas. Mr. Azar expressed concern regarding excessive costs for businesses when expanding parking areas. Ms. Cronise discussed improving environmental aspects of existing parking areas. Ms. Lambert reviewed foundation planting options around signage and buildings. She discussed definition changes which will comply with new amendments. Ms. Cronise discussed design standards. Mr. Thompson noted proposed amendments are guidelines and not part of the ordinance. Ms. Cronise provided illustrations of suggested plantings. She discussed transportation issues, including paving. She explained the guidelines are a compliment to the zoning ordinance. Mr. Radford suggested the adding benches and refuse containers to the design guidelines. Parking R2Rgjjj!M Ms. Micklow discussed the intent of the proposed revisions. She discussed current issues regarding stormwater management, runoff water quality, and heat islands. She discussed proposed amendments regarding parking requirements and limitations. She explained environmental benefits of using pervious surfaces. Mr. Azar expressed concern regarding the effect of the guidelines to large businesses. Ms. Micklow stated the amendments are to be used as guidelines, not requirements. Mr. McNeil inquired about the guidelines of other localities. Ms. Micklow stated many other localities have environmental parking area regulations. Mr. Thompson discussed the quality of stormwater runoff from large parking areas. Mr. McNeil requested information regarding cost differences of various methods of paving. Ms. Micklow noted the cost may be more intensive initially to install pervious surfaces. Mr. Jarrell stated pervious pavement maintenance costs may be lower. The commissioners and staff discussed current guidelines. Mr. Patriarica noted stormwater management regulations are becoming increasingly more stringent. Mr. Radford discussed the importance of appropriate stewardship of the community. Mr. Murphy discussed the aesthetic Page 2 of 3 ROANOKE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 17, 2009 aspects of the guidelines. Ms. Micklow invited the commissioners to attend a paver informational session to be conducted for the planning department on March 2 nd at 10:00 a.m. in the Roanoke County Administration Center. Mr. Moneir noted builders will be encouraged to explore alternative methods of paving. Mr. McNeil requested a cost comparison of various paving materials. Mr. Obenshain suggested comparing paving methods from the standpoint of stormwater management requirements. Ms. Micklow discussed shared parking. Mr. Thompson noted it may financially beneficial for businesses to share parking areas. Ms. Cronise noted it may allow businesses to become more marketable. Ms. Micklow then discussed parking guidelines for alternative transportation methods, including bicycling, motorcycles, and mass transit. Other Comments Mr. Thompson provided an update on the distribution of the commissioners' laptop computers. He discussed site plan visits for March 3. He stated a joint work session with the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission will take place on March 17 to discuss the petition of Wolf Creek, Inc. Mr. Thompson requested available dates for the Roanoke County Planning Commission and the Town of Vinton Planning Commission to tour the Vinton planning district. Ms. Cronise stated that on March 4 at 7:00 p.m. a Community Meeting will be held at William Byrd Middle School to discuss the Wolf Creek, Inc. revised PRID. The commissioners requested a private tour of the Western Virginia Regional Jail. With no further business or comments, Ms. Hooker adjourned the meeting at 7:31 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: Susan Carter Recording Secretary, Roanoke County Planning Commission Philip T mpson Secret ry, Roanoke Cou/y Planning Commission Approved: Martha Hooker Chairman, Roanoke County Planning Commission Page 3 of 3