HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/1/2024 - Joint1
MINUTES OF A JOINT WORK SESSION BETWEEN THE VINTON TOWN COUNCIL AND
VINTON PLANNING COMMISSION HELD AT 6:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2024,
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311
SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor
Michael W. Stovall, Vice Mayor
Keith N. Liles
Sabrina M. McCarty
Laurie J. Mullins
PLANNING COMMISSION
MEMBERS PRESENT: Keith N. Liles, Chairman
David R. Jones, Vice Chairman
Robert W. Benninger
Jonathan P. McCoy
PLANNING COMMISSION
MEMBERS ABSENT: Sarah G. Reid
STAFF PRESENT: Richard Peters, Town Manager
Cody Sexton, Deputy Town Manager
Antonia Arias-Magallon, Town Clerk/Administrative Manager
Anita McMillan, Planning and Zoning Director
Nathan McClung, Assistant Planning and Zoning Director
Fayula Gordon, Associate Planner
Marshall Stanley, Economic Development Specialist
Planning Commission Chairman Liles called the work session to order at 6:00 p.m. The Town
Clerk called the roll with Council Member Liles, Council Member McCarty, Council Member
Mullins, Vice Mayor Stovall, and Mayor Grose present. The Town Clerk then called the roll
for the Planning Commission with Chairman Liles, Vice Chairman Jones, Commissioner
Benninger, and Commissioner McCoy present and Commissioner Reid absent.
Anita McMillan began the work session and commented on the Vinton 2050 Comprehensive
Plan. Mrs. McMillan introduced Mike Callahan, president of 3TP Ventures and the consultant
for the comprehensive work plan. Mr. Callahan reviewed a PowerPoint presentation that will
be available at the Town Clerk’s office as part of the permanent record. Mr. Callahan
commented on what the community wants to see in Vinton in the next 25 years. A study was
done to get feedback from citizens on what they would like to see in Vinton in the next 25
years. The community engagement was a big part of this. Mr. Callahan attended the
Dogwood Festival and has had meetings with other groups of people to get different
perspectives, including an advisory committee and specialized focus groups. There was a lot
of positive feedback regarding the downtown redevelopment, the sense of community, the
location, and the natural aspects of Vinton. A survey was sent out over a month ago to
citizens, and about 500 people have taken the survey. The number one thing that citizens
want to see regarding transportation is safety. The number one thing that citizens want to
see regarding the environmental goals is maintaining the small town feel and improving the
water quality of streams, creeks, and the Roanoke River.
Mr. McCoy questioned the need for safer streets, and Mr. Callahan responded that it is a
common thing for citizens to want. Whether their neighborhood is safe or not, they want it to
either stay safe or to become safer. Mr. Callahan commented that the Town’s streets are not
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necessarily unsafe to travel but may feel unsafe for other modes of transportation, such as
walking or biking.
Mr. Callahan commented that the forecast for Vinton's population in 2050 is 9,114 people.
Mr. Callahan commented that regarding the community needs, the downtown could benefit
from more trees. He then went over the highlights of the survey responses.
Mr. Callahan commented that the key environmental and land use needs include maintaining
the small-town feel, cleaner water in streams and rivers, providing mixed-use to increase
vitality, and adding more trees.
Mr. Callahan commented that the key economic development needs include investing in
the quality of life as an economic asset, providing housing to meet job growth, non-service
jobs, and growing the tax base,
Mr. Callahan commented that the key transportation needs are providing transportation for
an aging population, safety, closing gaps in greenways, improving high-traffic streets like Gus
Nicks Boulevard, and reconnecting neighborhoods for all modes of transportation.
Mr. Callahan commented that the key recreation needs are providing all ages accessible
recreation, access to parkways and Explore Park, connecting greenways, access to schools,
and 10-minute walks to parks and playgrounds.
Mr. Callahan commented that the key housing and revitalization needs include assisting in
housing renovation, right-sized housing for an aging population, more starter homes, regional
solutions for homelessness, and more affordable housing.
Mr. Callahan commented that the key facility and service needs include future school
capacity, connection to regional water system, and facility maintenance and expansion.
Mr. Callahan commented that the stormwater, water, and sewer needs include restoration of
eroded stream banks, better data on the stormwater management system, upgrades to
the stormwater management system, and upgrades to water/sewer for new growth.
Council and the Planning Commission members expressed their appreciation for the work
being done on the comprehensive plan.
Planning Commission Commissioner Benninger left the meeting at 7:07 p.m.
Council Member Liles made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by
Council Member McCarty and carried by the following vote, with all members of the Town
Council voting: Vote 5-0; Yeas (5) – Liles, McCarty, Mullins, Stovall, Grose; Nays (0) – None
and all members of the Planning Commission voting: Vote 2-0; Yeas (2) – Liles, Jones,
McCoy; Nays (0) – None; Absent (2) – Benninger, Reid.
Following further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
APPROVED:
_________________________________
Bradley E. Grose, Mayor
ATTEST:
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_________________________________
Antonia Arias-Magallon, Town Clerk