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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/3/2022 - Public Hearing and WorksessionMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE TOWN OF VINTON PLANNING COMMISSION HELD ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022, AT 5:15 P.M., IN THE TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING MEMBERS PRESENT: Keith Liles, Chairman Robert “Bob” Benninger Sarah Reid Jonathan McCoy MEMBERS ABSENT: David “Dave” Jones, Vice Chairman STAFF PRESENT: Anita McMillan, Planning and Zoning Director Nathan McClung, Assistant Planning and Zoning Director Fayula Gordon, Associate Planner Julie Tucei, Planning and Zoning Coordinator OTHERS PRESENT: Jasmine McCoy, resident of Vinton and wife of Jonathan McCoy AGENDA WORK SESSION—5:15 P.M. I. Call to Order—Roll Call II. Briefing 1. Briefing on an Amendment to the Town of Vinton Comprehensive Plan to Adopt and Incorporate by Reference the Town of Vinton GAP Summary – Route 24 Bike/Ped Plan, May 2022. 2. Briefing on amendments to Town Code Sec. 10-97. - Fowl, chickens, and other domestic birds. III. Comments of Planning Commissioners and Planning Staff IV. Adjournment REGULAR SESSION—6 P.M. I. Call to Order—Roll Call II. Approval of Minutes a. Work Session and Public Hearing, February, 24, 2022 b. Work Session, April 21, 2022 III. Public Hearing to receive comments concerning: 1. An Amendment to the Town of Vinton Comprehensive Plan to Adopt and Incorporate by Reference the Town of Vinton GAP Summary – Route 24 Bike/Ped Plan, May 2022. IV. Adjournment Chairman Liles welcomed everyone to the work session and called the meeting to order at 5:46 p.m. He asked Ms. Tucei to call the roll. Ms. Tucei called the roll, and all members, except Vice Chairman Jones, were present. The following members of Town Staff were also present: Anita McMillan, Nathan McClung, Fayula Gordon, and Julie Tucei. The first item on the work session agenda was the Briefing on an Amendment to the Town of Vinton Comprehensive Plan to Adopt and Incorporate by Reference the Town of Vinton GAP Summary – Route 24 Bike/Ped Plan, May 2022. Mr. Liles asked for the briefing on the Plan from Mr. McClung. Mr. PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION NOVEMBER 3, 2022 PAGE 2 McClung stated that the study was done along Washington Avenue, Bypass Road, Hardy Road, and S. Pollard Street. He said that no town money was spent to conduct the study, that it was OIPI grant money. He stated that the consultant looked at past plans and also received input from the public on what they would like to see. Mr. McClung said they had an in-person public meeting, but no members of the public showed up except Debbie Adams from the Vinton Messenger. However, he said that many people took the online survey. Also, a steering committee made up of citizens was formed to work with the consultant during the study. Mr. McClung mentioned that the downtown Vinton area is fairly well-established as far as wayfinding signs, sidewalks, etc. He stated that the study shows sidewalk gaps, the need for bike lanes, and traffic calming and pedestrian safety improvements in those areas. Mr. McClung said they are already using a portion of the plan for E. Cleveland Avenue and Gus Nicks Boulevard improvements. Mr. McClung stated that VDOT grants will be needed, so having this plan as an amendment to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan will enable funding to be accessed. He said it legitimizes the plan as well. Ms. McMillan mentioned that Phase 1 of Walnut Avenue from 5th Street to Walnut Avenue cost is $1.6 million for the improvements, and she stated that she may have to ask for additional funding. She said Phase 2 will involve the town funding some right-of-way purchase and a donation from Pathfinders for Greenways. She stated that the money for Walnut Avenue Phase 3 will come from VDOT in the amount of $7.6 million. She said these type of projects are no longer inexpensive. The next item on the agenda was the briefing on amendments to Town Code Sec. 10-97. - Fowl, chickens, and other domestic birds. Ms. Gordon said the Planning Department has been receiving a lot of calls from people wanting to have chickens. However, the acreage required makes it not allowable for most people. She stated that the department researched other localities and what they allow as far as residential chicken keeping. She said the Town would like to make changes to the ordinance to keep complaints low. She next went over the proposed changes to the regulations, a copy of which will be made a part of the permanent record of this meeting. She mentioned that a one-time permit fee of $35 will be required along with a required initial inspection of the coop area. If the applicant is found to be in violation at any time, the permit to keep chickens would be revoked. Ms. McMillan stated that when the ordinance was initially adopted, the Town Council was concerned about the Town’s density and also avian flu, and that is why they made the acreage requirement. She mentioned that the slaughtering of chickens will still not be allowed—that the hens can be raised only for their eggs. Ms. Tucei mentioned that the one-time permit will be easier for staff to track and maintain and will eliminate the need of staff having to call those who forget to renew their permits each year. Mr. Benninger asked if there would be any requirement for lot size. Ms. McMillan said there will be no minimum lot size of an acre requirement. Ms. Reid asked what setbacks will be required, and Ms. Gordon went over the setbacks. Mr. McCoy asked if staff had considered allowing up to 8 chickens. He also questioned if they could increase the required pen size to 100 square feet or 10 square feet per hen. Ms. McMillan said they may look into that at a later time. Mr. Liles mentioned that would also require grandfathering in existing people who have chickens. Mr. McClung stated that they could also define the size of the structure versus the roaming area for the chickens. Mr. McCoy said that Christiansburg’s ordinance is pretty clear on those requirements. Mr. McClung mentioned that this is a Town Code item so the Planning Commission members are welcome to email him any comments or suggestions on this because there is still time to do revisions. Mr. McClung stated that beginning in January 2023, the permitting for chickens will be a clean slate. PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION NOVEMBER 3, 2022 PAGE 3 The next item on the agenda were the comments of the Planning Commission and Staff. There were no further comments. With there being nothing further to discuss, the work session was adjourned at 6:11 p.m. The regular session was called to order at 6:12 p.m. by Chairman Liles. Ms. Tucei called the roll, and all members, except Vice Chairman Jones, were present. The following members of Town Staff were also present: Anita McMillan, Nathan McClung, Fayula Gordon, and Julie Tucei. The first item on the agenda was the approval of minutes from a work session and public hearing held on February 24, 2022, and a work session held on April 21, 2022. There were no changes or additions to the minutes. A motion to approve both sets of minutes as submitted was made by Mr. Benninger and seconded by Ms. Reid. A roll call vote was taken, and all members present voted in favor of the motion, except Mr. McCoy who abstained since he was not yet a member during, and was not present for, those meetings. The next item on the agenda was a public hearing to receive comments concerning an amendment to the Town of Vinton Comprehensive Plan to adopt and incorporate by reference the Town of Vinton GAP Summary – Route 24 Bike/Ped Plan, May 2022. Chairman Liles opened the public hearing at 6:14 p.m., and he asked for the presentation of the staff report. Mr. McClung presented the staff report, a copy of which will be made a part of the permanent record. A copy of the GAP plan will also be made a part of the permanent record. Mr. McClung stated that an initial briefing on this amendment was made to Council on Tuesday of this week. He briefly went over the GAP plan during his staff report. Mr. McClung mentioned that Town has more freedom to not have to construct projects to VDOT standards since the Town owns it roads. He said that in some neighborhoods it could be difficult to meet some of the VDOT standards. He also showed them the data they gathered from the surveys filled in by members of the public. Mr. McClung also went over each item in the toolkit that was recommended within the plan. He then turned the meeting over to the members for comments and questions. Ms. McCoy, who arrived at the meeting at 6 p.m., asked how the Town would decide which streets will be designated safe streets, as mentioned in the toolkit. Mr. McClung said that even if the Town adopts the plan, we won’t be bound to using the toolkit suggestions. Ms. McCoy said she would like to see E. Jackson Avenue designated as a safe street. Mr. McClung said that street may be better option than E. Cleveland Avenue. Ms. McCoy mentioned that E. Jackson Avenue has that very tight, dangerous curve on it. Mr. McClung said the projects from this plan would be selected during the CIP process, and it would be up to Town staff to make recommendations to Council as to what should be implemented. Ms. McMillan added that other factors like utility replacements may come into play when project priorities are set. She mentioned that suggested speed tables may or may not be implemented due to citizens’ generally negative opinions of them. Mr. McClung said that if speed tables are implemented on one street, then people may start using another street instead, which could put a burden on that area. There were no further comments or questions; therefore, Chairman Liles closed the public hearing at 6:31 p.m. A motion to recommend the amendment to Town Council as presented was made by Mr. McCoy, and it was seconded by Ms. Reid. A roll call vote was taken, and all members present voted in favor of the motion. PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION NOVEMBER 3, 2022 PAGE 4 With there being nothing further to discuss, the meeting was adjourned by Chairman Liles at 6:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Anita McMillan Planning Commission Secretary