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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/1/2024 - Work SessionMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE TOWN OF VINTON PLANNING COMMISSION HELD ON THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2024, WORK SESSION AT 6 P.M., REGULAR SESSION AT 6:30 P.M., IN THE TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING MEMBERS PRESENT: Keith Liles, Chairman David “Dave” Jones, Vice Chairman Robert “Bob” Benninger Jonathan McCoy Sarah Reid STAFF PRESENT: Richard “Pete” Peters, Town Manager (at 6:24 p.m.) 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: Annette Patterson, Petitioner Brandon Hall, Petitioner AGENDA WORK SESSION—6 P.M. I. Call to Order—Roll Call II. Review 2022 and 2023 Planning Commission Annual Reports III. Briefing 1. Petition of the Advancement Foundation, for a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a proposed flea market use, located at 301 South Pollard Street, Suite A, Vinton, Virginia, tax map numbers 060.15-07-40.00-0000 & 060.15-07-41.00-0000, zoned CB Central Business District. 2. Proposed amendments to the Vinton Zoning Ordinance. The proposed amendments would: require for an alternative financial institution use to obtain a special use permit in the GB General Business District, and allow for a personal service business use to be permitted by-right in the R-B Residential-Business District in Article IV (District Regulations); amend the standards for vehicle storage or impound lots in Article V (Supplemental Regulations); amend the yard and screening requirements for swimming pools, tennis, or pickleball courts, amend the standards and permitted modifications of the landscaping ordinance section, and remove the maximum motor vehicle parking requirements in Article VI (Development Standards); and amend the definition of flea market in Article XI (Definitions). IV. Comments of Planning Commissioners and Planning Staff V. Adjournment of Work Session REGULAR SESSION AGENDA—6:30 P.M. I. Call to Order—Roll Call II. Approval of Minutes: November 3, 2022, May 23, 2023, April 11, 2024 III. Public Hearing to receive comments concerning: 1. Petition of the Advancement Foundation, for a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a proposed flea market use, located at 301 South Pollard Street, Suite A, Vinton, Virginia, tax map PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION AND REGULAR SESSION JULY 1, 2024 PAGE 2 numbers 060.15-07-40.00-0000 & 060.15-07-41.00-0000, zoned CB Central Business District. IV. Public Hearing to receive comments concerning: 1. Proposed amendments to the Vinton Zoning Ordinance. The proposed amendments would: require for an alternative financial institution use to obtain a special use permit in the GB General Business District, and allow for a personal service business use to be permitted by-right in the R-B Residential-Business District in Article IV (District Regulations); amend the standards for vehicle storage or impound lots in Article V (Supplemental Regulations); amend the yard and screening requirements for swimming pools, tennis, or pickleball courts, amend the standards and permitted modifications of the landscaping ordinance section, and remove the maximum motor vehicle parking requirements in Article VI (Development Standards); and amend the definition of flea market in Article XI (Definitions). IV. Adjournment Chairman Liles called the work session to order at 6:00 p.m. He asked Ms. Tucei to call the roll. Ms. Tucei called the roll, and all members were present. The following members of Town Staff were present: Pete Peters (at 6:24 p.m.), Anita McMillan, Nathan McClung, Fayula Gordon, and Julie Tucei. Annette Patterson and Brandon Hall, petitioners, were also present. First on the work session agenda was the review of the 2022 and 2023 Planning Commission Annual Reports. These did not require a motion or vote, only review. There were no changes or additions requested on the two reports. Next on the agenda was the briefing on the Petition of the Advancement Foundation, for a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a proposed flea market use, located at 301 South Pollard Street, Suite A, Vinton, Virginia, tax map numbers 060.15-07-40.00-0000 & 060.15-07-41.00-0000, zoned CB Central Business District. Mr. McClung provided a briefing on the Special Use Permit request that would be heard during the Public Hearing in the regular session. The business to be located there will be the Farm Shoppe. The store has already opened, but they would like to be able to also have a vendor booth market located within their shop. Under the zoning ordinance, this type of use is classified as a flea market and requires a special use permit. Mr. McClung stated that there are two parcels that this business encompasses as the building spans across two separate tax parcels, and this Special Use Permit is for both of those parcels. He mentioned that the packet included the application submitted by the owner of property, The Advancement Foundation, which is represented by Annette Patterson. He said that the business will be operated by Brandon Hall as The Farm Shoppe. Mr. McClung mentioned that the second item on tonight’s agenda are some zoning ordinance amendments, one of which will be clarifying the definition of flea market. Mr. McClung stated that this location, 301 S. Pollard Street, was previously occupied by the Innovation Mill and the Hemp Mill. He mentioned that there are residential apartments on the 2nd floor of the building. Mr. McClung stated that the current Vinton Comprehensive Plan designates this area as retail service/commercial land use. He said that the staff conclusion is that this proposed use is consistent with uses allowed in the Central Business District. Mr. McClung stated that if this Special Use Permit is approved, the flea market use will only be allowed in Suite A of this building. If this use is to be expanded PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION AND REGULAR SESSION JULY 1, 2024 PAGE 3 into other portions of the building, an additional Special Use Permit will be required. He said all activities shall be conducted entirely within the enclosed structure in Suite A. Mr. McClung mentioned that this does not preclude the business owner from displaying some display items outside on the sidewalk along S. Pollard Street. However, all sales transactions must be conducted inside the building. Mr. Benninger asked if the stall spaces would have to be inspected and approved by the Building Department. Mr. McClung stated that the Building Commissioner will not have to inspect them if the booth walls do not extend all the way up to the ceiling. Vice Chairman Jones mentioned that this is like the type of use that used to be located at 107 S. Pollard Street years ago. Ms. McMillan agreed with Vice Chairman Jones and said they did have a Special Use Permit for that business. Mr. McCoy asked if there is a Suite B in this building, and Mr. McClung stated that Suite B is a pawn shop currently. He said that if this Special Use Permit is approved, they will not be able to just automatically expand into that part of the building without coming back for an additional Special Use Permit. The next item on the work session agenda was the briefing on the proposed amendments to the Vinton Zoning Ordinance by Mr. McClung. The proposed amendments would: require that an alternative financial institution use to obtain a special use permit in the GB General Business District, and allow for a personal service business use to be permitted by-right in the R-B Residential-Business District in Article IV (District Regulations); amend the standards for vehicle storage or impound lots in Article V (Supplemental Regulations); amend the yard and screening requirements for swimming pools, tennis, or pickleball courts, amend the standards and permitted modifications of the landscaping ordinance section, and remove the maximum motor vehicle parking requirements in Article VI (Development Standards); and amend the definition of flea market in Article XI (Definitions). Mr. McClung mentioned that these proposed amendments are just maintenance on the ordinance which was adopted in 2022. Mr. McClung went over each of the proposed amendments from his staff report, a copy of which will be made a part of the permanent record of this meeting. Regarding the amendment concerning Personal Service Businesses, Vice Chairman Jones asked if this would help to avoid “situations” we have had in the past like the business that used to be located next to Bruce Mayer’s former law office on Washington Avenue. Mr. McClung stated that this is written to avoid those types of situations. Vice Chairman Jones asked about the new medical office that wants to move in on 3rd Street. Both Chairman Liles and Ms. McMillan stated that the property on 3rd Street is already zoned for medical services and is allowed there by right. Concerning Vehicle Storage and Impoundment Lot Setbacks, Vice Chairman Jones asked which are the three tow lots currently located in the Town. Mr. McClung stated that they are Woods, Big Johns and the third one is located over in Midway on Daleton Avenue. Regarding Yard and Screening for Pools, Tennis or Pickelball courts, Vice Chairman Jones mentioned that there is a newer swimming pool that has been constructed on a lot just down the street from the Berkshire. Mr. McClung stated that it complies with the ordinance. Ms. McMillan explained that the property Vice Chairman Jones mentioned has two road frontages and said that awhile back the Zoning Ordinance was changed to reduced setbacks for corner lots. Mr. McClung stated that this ordinance update does not change anything but will make it easier to the find information within the ordinance. Regarding Maximum Vehicle Parking, Mr. McClung stated that we will be keeping the minimum parking requirements but will eliminate maximum requirements. Mr. McCoy asked if having parking maximum limits has deterred businesses from coming. Mr. McClung said it has not stopped any development, but that staff had to use the clause that said the zoning administrator could determine means of mitigating stormwater impacts when the maximum parking requirement is to be exceeded when working with Starbucks on their site plan. He stated that Starbucks PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION AND REGULAR SESSION JULY 1, 2024 PAGE 4 corporate has a set number of parking spaces that each franchise is required to have in their parking lot. Mr. McCoy stated that he likes the having maximum parking requirement, but he doesn’t want to have the zoning administrator having to determine that number when those situations arise. Lastly, for the Flea Market Definition, Mr. McClung said that we are not changing the Special Use Permit requirement, but we are proposing to change the definition of it by adding the wording “vendor market” and refining the verbiage describing this specific use. Chairman Liles said that vendor market sounds a lot better than flea market. The next item on the agenda was comments of the Planning Commission and Staff. There were no further comments from Commissioners or Town Staff. The work session was adjourned on a motion by Mr. McCoy and a second by Ms. Reid at 6:36 p.m. Chairman Liles called the regular session to order at 6:38 p.m. He asked Ms. Tucei to call the roll. Ms. Tucei called the roll, and all members were present. The following members of Town Staff were also present: Pete Peters, Anita McMillan, Nathan McClung, Fayula Gordon, and Julie Tucei. Annette Patterson and Brandon Hall, petitioners, were also present. The first item on the agenda was the approval of the minutes of the meetings held on November 3, 2022, May 23, 2023, April 11, 2024. Ms. Reid made a motion to approve all three sets of minutes as submitted. Mr. McCoy seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken, and all members voted in favor of the motion to approve the minutes as submitted. The next item on the agenda was the public hearing to receive comments on the petition of the Advancement Foundation, for a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a proposed flea market use, located at 301 South Pollard Street, Suite A, Vinton, Virginia, tax map numbers 060.15-07-40.00-0000 & 060.15-07- 41.00-0000, zoned CB Central Business District. Chairman Liles opened the public hearing at 6:40 p.m. and asked for the staff report. Mr. McClung gave the staff report concerning this request, a complete copy of which will be made a part of the permanent record of this meeting. Mr. McClung reminded the Planning Commission members that they can recommend additional conditions, other than the two recommended conditions included in the staff report. Annette Patterson and Brandon Hall, petitioners, presented their request to the Commission, which included a PowerPoint presentation. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation will be made a part of the permanent record of this meeting. Ms. Patterson introduced Mr. Hall, the owner of the Farm Shoppe. She stated that the Town needs businesses like the Farm Shoppe that Mr. Hall has created. She said it will serve as an incubator for makers of items who would normally only sell their items at festivals or craft shows. She then turned the presentation over to Mr. Hall. He briefly went through the PowerPoint they submitted. Mr. Hall stated that this will not be a typical antique-type store. It will be a retail incubator. Each crafter’s booth will have its own look, logo and decorations. He said he has mapped out about 20 booths within the space for vendors. He explained that this is for the vendors to grow their businesses. Mr. Hall said The Farm Shoppe will be a central shopping destination for people to be able to get a lot of different items in one place. He stated that the front of the space will be items sold by The Farm Shoppe itself. In the back of the space, he will construct booths to house the different vendors. He said all the walls of the booths will be movable at any time and will not be attached to the building in any way. He mentioned that he also currently has 2 two booths located in Willow Tree PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION AND REGULAR SESSION JULY 1, 2024 PAGE 5 Antiques and Primitives in Roanoke and a booth in a shop in the Smith Mountain Lake area. Mr. Hall assured the Commissioners that no yard sale-type booths will be allowed in The Farm Shoppe. He stated there will be an application process, and each vendor will have to be approved for a space in the shop. He said that he wants to make Vinton a top shopping destination. At his previous location, behind the Vinton Farmers’ Market, he brought in over 1,000 shoppers on his first day open. To continue to bring people into the new store location, he said they plan to hold special events including during holidays. He concluded his presentation. No members of the public were on hand to speak for or against the request. Therefore, it was time for discussion and questions from the Commissioners. Vice Chairman Jones asked if the vendors will be there the entire time the shop is open. Mr. Hall said the store will be run by him and his staff. He stated that the vendors will only come periodically to check and replenish their stock. Mr. Hall mentioned that the vendors’ leases will be for 90 days initially then will renew on a month-to-month basis. All purchases will be rung up on The Farm Shoppe’s register. Vice Chairman Jones asked how Mr. Hall will ensure it does not become like the former Happy’s Flea Market. Mr. Hall stated again that there is an application process, and the vendors will have to submit photos of their merchandise with the application. The applications will have to be reviewed and approved by him and Ms. Patterson. Ms. Patterson stated that this will be a marketplace for the vendors to grow their businesses. Mr. Hall said it will ultimately be up to him as to whether vendors are approved to sell there. Chairman Liles asked how many potential vendors they have already. Mr. Hall said they have 13 interested so far. Vice Chairman Jones asked about the items in the shop already. Mr. Hall stated that the items in the shop now are the home décor items that he sells, and his items will only be displayed in the front of the store. Mr. Hall stated that the tagline for the business is going to be, “The Marketplace of Virginia Entrepreneurs”. Ms. Reid asked about the criteria for the vendors. Mr. Hall asked for clarification on the questions. Ms. Reid said she was wondering about the criteria for the vendors as far as what would be accepted or not accepted to be sold. She asked if there will be a requirement that the vendors must make or produce their own items. Mr. Hall said they will not have to make or produce their own items. Mr. Hall stated there will be no resales of items like in a thrift store. Ms. Reid mentioned that she has seen booths at craft shows that are reselling items from Amazon and the like and that she does not find that appealing. Vice Chairman Jones mentioned that the shop that used to be located at 107 S. Pollard Street was a similar setup to this. Mr. Hall stated that he does not want the Roanoke Antique Mall feel to his shop. Mr. McCoy mentioned that he had checked with Town staff prior to the meeting tonight regarding voting on this Special Use Request because he is on the Board of Ms. Patterson’s Advancement Foundation. Staff reached out to the Town Attorney who said Mr. McCoy can vote as there is no conflict of interest in this case. There were no further questions or comments from the Commissioners. Therefore, Chairman Liles closed the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Jones to recommend that Town Council approve the Special Use Permit request with the two recommended staff conditions: 1. The flea market use shall only be permitted in the footprint of the structure currently designated as Suite A. An additional special use permit will be required to expand the use into other areas contained within the structure.; and 2. All activities related to the flea market use shall occur entirely within the enclosed structure and the designated footprint of Suite A. This condition shall not preclude the outdoor display of goods or merchandise in accordance with the provisions of Article V, Sec. 5-19 of the Zoning Ordinance; however, the outdoor display of merchandise shall only be located immediately adjacent to the front of the building facing S. Pollard Street and shall not impede the sidewalk nor ADA accessibility. The motion was seconded by Ms. Reid. A roll call vote was taken, and all members voted in favor of the motion. PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION AND REGULAR SESSION JULY 1, 2024 PAGE 6 The final item on the agenda was to receive comments on the proposed amendments to the Vinton Zoning Ordinance. The proposed amendments would: require an alternative financial institution use to obtain a Special Use Permit in the GB General Business District, and allow for a personal service business use to be permitted by-right in the R-B Residential-Business District in Article IV (District Regulations); amend the standards for vehicle storage or impound lots in Article V (Supplemental Regulations); amend the yard and screening requirements for swimming pools, tennis, or pickleball courts, amend the standards and permitted modifications of the landscaping ordinance section, and remove the maximum motor vehicle parking requirements in Article VI (Development Standards); and amend the definition of flea market in Article XI (Definitions). Chairman Liles opened the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. and asked for the staff report. Mr. McClung stated that they had already covered all the proposed amendments during the work session portion of tonight’s meeting. There were no members of the public present to give any comments. Vice Chairman Jones asked if these changes would assist with the Comprehensive Plan Update. Mr. McClung stated that this is not really related to the Comprehensive Plan Update and is not being done in conjunction with any work being done on the Plan. He mentioned that the Plan Update may guide us back to do additional updates in the Zoning Ordinance in the future. Mr. McCoy stated that he agreed overall with the changes proposed, but he would still like to see something regarding maximum parking requirements in the future. There were no further comments or questions. Chairman Liles closed the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. A motion was made by Mr. McCoy to recommend that Town Council approve all the amendments to the Zoning Ordinance as submitted. Ms. Reid seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken, and all members of the Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the motion. With there being nothing further to discuss, the regular session was adjourned on a motion by Ms. Reid and a second by Mr. McCoy at 7:06 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Anita McMillan Planning Commission Secretary