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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/15/2019 - Work SessionMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE TOWN OF VINTON PLANNING COMMISSION HELD ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019, AT 6 P.M., AT THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET. MEMBERS PRESENT: Keith Liles, Chairman Dave Jones, Vice Chairman Bob Benninger Bill Booth Bob Patterson STAFF PRESENT: Anita McMillan, Planning and Zoning Director Nathan McClung, Principal Planner Julie S. Tucei, Planning and Zoning Coordinator AGENDA WORK SESSION I. Call to Order—Roll Call II. Briefing on the Town of Vinton Comprehensive Plan Amendment to Adopt and Incorporate by Reference the Vinton Urban Development Areas (UDA)—Downtown Public Realm Design Guidelines and Action Plan III. Discussion on Recommended Topics, Committee Selection, and Tentative Schedule for the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance Amendments IV. Discussion of proposed implementation of digital packet delivery for upcoming numerous future meetings V. Comments of Planning Commissioners and Planning Staff VI. Adjournment of Work Session The work session of the Planning Commission was called to order at 6:03 p.m. by Chairman Liles. Roll was called, and all members were present. The first item on the agenda was a briefing on the Town of Vinton Comprehensive Plan Amendment to Adopt and Incorporate by reference the Vinton Urban Development Areas (UDA)—Downtown Public Realm Design Guidelines and Action Plan. Ms. McMillan gave them a brief summary of the process starting from the beginning. She said that the consultants had studied our ordinances and had selected areas of it that need to be considered for changes. She mentioned that the zoning ordinance had previously been updated in a piecemeal fashion to incorporate state code changes—including items such as med cottages and the telecommunications ordinance. At this point, they decided to combine agenda item II and III and also discuss the recommended topics, committee Selection, and tentative schedule for the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance Amendments. Ms. McMillan mentioned that Mr. McClung has put together some recommended topics for discussion based on what the consultants suggested. Ms. McMillan said the goal is an ordinance that is easy to understand and interpret. She called their attention to the committee assignments and asked them to let her know if they had any issues with their assignments to the committees. Ms. McMillan said it is hoped that the new ordinance can be adopted by December 2019, but no later than January 2020. She asks that they plan for the committees to meet at least once per month in 2019 on the first Thursday of each month, except July, in order to accomplish the ordinance adoption on time. Some items to consider is that there are some uses that need to be PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION JANUARY 15, 2019 PAGE 2 added such as doggy daycare and accessory dwelling units (ADU). She asked them for suggestions of other uses that may need to be considered for addition to the new ordinance. She asked if they thought additional members are needed on the committees, such as business owners or Council members. She also asked them to consider what the goals are of Town Council as she does not want to spend time developing an ordinance only to have it not be passed by Council. Chairman Liles stated that he felt that Council would want public participation on the committees during the revision process. Vice Chairman Jones said that they should consider limiting the size of the committees. Ms. McMillan said not all committees may require additional citizen participation, but definitely the sign committee and accessory structure committee will need it. Ms. McMillan suggested that the committees could meet from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the first Thursdays of each month, or perhaps during lunchtime on any weekday. Vice Chairman Jones said he doesn’t think that the same person should be on multiple committees. He also said that we must have a commitment from the people who serve on the committees that they will attend the meetings. Ms. McMillan asked for suggestions of names of people who might be asked to serve on the committees. Chairman Liles suggested Alan Wood for the sign committee since Mr. Wood’s father, who has passed away, was very passionate about the issue. He also suggested that a local developer would be a good choice for the Subdivision Ordinance committee. Vice Chairman Jones suggested that some Board of Zoning Appeals members, such as Mr. Kasey or Mr. Michelsen, might be interested in being on one of the committees. The possible names that were suggested are: Alan Wood, Mick Michelsen, Allen Kasey, Stephanie Brown Mead, Tim Greenway, Dale Wilkerson, Roger Saunders, Justin Davison, Chris McCarty, Tom Rotenberry, Norman Mall, Roy McCarty, Sara Reid, and Gary Hough. The next item on the work session agenda was the discussion of proposed implementation of digital packet delivery for upcoming numerous future meetings. In the past, the Planning Department has prepared paper packets for each member of the commission and then had a police officer hand-deliver it to each member’s home. Ms. McMillan asked how they would feel about the use of tablets with delivery of the future meeting packets to be electronic. Mr. Benninger said it would be a lot easier on staff. Chairman Liles said also felt it would make it easier, and it would always be easily accessible to the members. Vice Chairman Jones said he would need some training if the electronic packets are implemented. Both Mr. Booth and Mr. Patterson said they liked the idea. The final item of the work session was the comments from Planning Commissioners and Staff. Ms. McMillan explained where they will sit during the Council meeting later this evening. She said that Council will have roll call first, and then she will do the roll call for the Planning Commission. She reminded them that they would be considering a recommendation to Town Council to adopt the UDA Downtown Guidelines and Plan. She said that during the adoption of the UDA, the Mayor will close the public hearing, then the commission would make and vote on a recommendation to Council. Then the Council would vote on it. In regards to the ordinance updates, Mr. McClung will be providing a memo with information about the updates and a table showing how other localities handle certain issues. The memo will also show the consultants’ recommendations. Vice Chairman Jones said he would like to see highlights of what is happening in Vinton that relates to the different committees. PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION JANUARY 15, 2019 PAGE 3 Ms. McMillan mentioned that there could be some upcoming training opportunities, and she will email them if any come up. With there being nothing further to discuss, the work session was adjourned at 6:47 p.m. on the motion to adjourn made by Mr. Patterson. Respectfully Submitted, Anita McMillan Planning Commission Secretary