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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/15/2025 - Joint J�1.1TO� Bradley E. Grose, Mayor G Laurie J. Mullins, Vice Mayor "'' Vinton Municipal Building Keith N. Liles, Council Member 311 South Pollard Street Sabrina M. McCarty, Council Member Z Vinton, VA 24179 Michael W. Stovall, Council Member (540) 983-0607 O ~ 1884 Vinton Town Council Regular Meeting Council Chambers 311 South Pollard Street Tuesday, July 15, 2025 AGENDA Consideration of: A. 6:00 p.m. - ROLL CALL AND ESTABLISHMENT OF A QUORUM AND CITIZEN GUIDELINES B. MOMENT OF SILENCE AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE U.S. FLAG C. COMMUNITY EVENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/COUNCIL ACTIVITIES D. REQUESTS TO POSTPONE, ADD TO, OR CHANGE THE ORDER OF AGENDA ITEMS E. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Consider a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting on June 17, 2025. 2. Consider a motion to approve the minutes of the Planning Commission Joint Work Session on June 3, 2025. F. AWARDS, INTRODUCTIONS, PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS 1. Chief Drumond will recognize Corporal Dibble as Officer of the Year. G. CITIZENS' COMMENTS AND PETITIONS - This section is reserved for comments and questions for issues not listed on the agenda. H. ITEMS REQUIRING ACTION 1. Consider a motion to adopt a Resolution to amend applicable requirements and standards for Planned Unit Development districts within the Town's Zoning Ordinance. I. PUBLIC HEARING 1. Consideration of public comments on an Ordinance repealing in its entirety the 2004 Town of Vinton Comprehensive Plan, adopted on September 7, 2004, by Ordinance 1 No. 806, and adopting by reference the Vinton 2050 Comprehensive Plan, Volumes I & ll. a. Open Public Hearing i. Report from Staff ii. Receive public comments iii. Council discussion and questions b. Close Public Hearing c. Consider the repeal of Ordinance No. 806 and the approval of a new Ordinance to adopt the Vinton 2050 Comprehensive Plan — Volume 1, and Volume 2. J. BRIEFINGS 1. Economic Development Update—Jill Loope K. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES 1. Public Works Committee— Bo Herndon 2. Finance Committee—Andrew Keen a. Consider a motion to approve Financial Statements for May 31, 2025, and June 30, 2025. L. TOWN ATTORNEY M. TOWN MANAGER'S PROJECT UPDATES/COMMENTS N. COUNCIL AND MAYOR O. ADJOURNMENT NOTICE OF INTENT TO COMPLY WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. Reasonable efforts will be made to provide assistance or special arrangements to qualified individuals with disabilities in order to participate in or attend Town Council meetings. Please call (540) 983-0607 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting date so that proper arrangements may be made. NEXT COMMITTEE/TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS AND TOWN EVENTS: August 2, 2025 — 10:00 a.m. —Christmas in August Sale —Vinton History Museum August 5, 2025 — 5:00 p.m. — National Night Out—Community Center Parking Lot August 13, 2025 —9:00 a.m. —Community Development Committee Meeting —TOV Annex August 19, 2025 —3:00 p.m. — Finance Committee Meeting —TOV Annex August 19, 2025—6:00 p.m. — Regular Council Meeting —Council Chambers 2 Town Council Agenda Summary VINTON I N 1: 1 \ 1 \ Meeting Date July 15, 2025 Department Town Clerk Issue 1. Consider approval of the minutes of the Regular Meeting on June 17, 2025. 2. Consider approval of the minutes of the Planning Commission Joint Work Session on June 3, 2025. Attachments June 17, 2025, minutes June 3, 2025, minutes Recommendations Motion to approve consent agenda as presented MINUTES OF A JOINT WORK SESSION BETWEEN THE VINTON TOWN COUNCIL AND VINTON PLANNING COMMISSION HELD AT 4:30 P.M. ON TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2025, IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET, VINTON, VIRGINIA MEMBERS PRESENT: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor Laurie J. Mullins, Vice Mayor Michael W. Stovall Keith N. Liles Sabrina M. McCarty PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Keith N. Liles, Chairman David R. Jones, Vice Chairman Robert W. Benninger, Commissioner Jonathan P. McCoy, Commissioner Joshua Mullen, Commissioner STAFF PRESENT: Richard Peters, Town Manager Cody Sexton, Deputy Town Manager Megan Lawless, Executive Assistant Anita McMillan, Planning and Zoning Director Nathan McClung, Planning and Zoning Assistant Director Julie Tucei, Planning and Zoning Coordinator Jill Loope, Special Projects Assistant to the Town Manager Scott Stephenson, Code Enforcement Officer Mayor Grose called the work session to order at 4:32 p.m. The Executive Assistant called the roll with Council Member Liles, Council Member McCarty, Council Member Stovall, Vice Mayor Mullins, and Mayor Grose present. The Planning and Zoning Director then called the roll for the Planning Commission with Commissioner Mullen, Commissioner Benninger, Commissioner McCoy, Vice-Chairman Jones, and Chairman Liles. The next item on the agenda was the update on Vinton 2050 Comprehensive Plan Mike Callahan and Vlad Gavrilovic with 3TP Ventures presented a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the Vinton 2050 Comprehensive Plan. This presentation will be kept on file in the Town Clerk's office as part of the permanent record. Mr. Callahan started off by explaining where we are in the project. The plan is documented into two Volumes. One Volume contains all the information through the community needs assessment, community engagement, existing conditions and issues along with opportunities. The other Volume contains all the forward-looking policies and investment recommendations. For citizens, this tells them what the Town thinks about the future but also shows what happened in the past. Mr. Callahan went over the flow of the presentation and spoke about the different sections that will be reviewed. Mr. Callahan shared a graph that showed where Vinton has been. He went on to share that there was outstanding involvement from the public during this process. There were two pop- ups at the Dogwood Festival (2024 & 2025)with over 100 people stopping by each year who shared their thoughts and ideas. Two community surveys were issued with 500 respondents. 1 A traditional Open House was held, and it produced good results. Last, the Advisory Committee was actively involved and helped shape the plan into what it is. They met seven times throughout the past year. Mr. Callahan pointed out that this was the third joint meeting with Town Council which is important to staying on track. The Downtown area was a heavy focus from the community feedback at the 2025 Dogwood Festival outreach event along with support for roundabouts. Mr. Gavrilovic spoke about how proud he is of this comprehensive plan and highlighted how modern and exciting the plan is. The plan is user friendly with clear graphics. Mr. Gavrilovic shared the analysis of the needs to include the market value of housing and land, demographics and redevelopment potential. The plan includes descriptions of policies and visuals about the kind of development in each area. Mr. Callahan returned to the podium to speak on the implementation strategy which includes goals and actions to help achieve the goals such as policies or specific investments. The plan also includes long-term redevelopment potential of community facilities. Mr. Callahan advised that the Town would want to look at codes and adjust them to be consistent with the goals of the comprehensive plan. Mr. Callahan explained that VDOT will have to review the plan and then we will be ready for a public hearing. Planning the next steps involves an assessment of stormwater needs, a zoning update that aligns with the plan and then a downtown master plan update. The next item on the agenda was a discussion on the information provided. Mayor Grose thanked the consultants and all the folks who worked to put the plan together. He went on to comment about how we need to concentrate on the shopping center on Bypass Road. Mayor Grose agreed on the concept of connecting it to the existing downtown area. Council Member Liles likes the way the plan is readable and makes sense and complement the good work. Chairman Jones commented on the point that was made about checking of the things that go back 25 years. Most things have been completed the way the plan was laid out then. Vice Mayor Mullins shared that everyone did a wonderful job on this project. Jonathan McCoy, Commissioner presented two questions regard zoning. He went on to say the housing goals detailed on Action 4.1 talks about buildings with residential space above commercial space in the downtown area. Many other policy actions call for amending the zoning code to do away with the requirement to have commercial space on the bottom floor. Mr. McCoy asked if there was disconnect between the two. Mr. Callahan answered yes and no and further explained that the recommendation included the area around the downtown corridor to not require a commercial ground floor use. There is a lot of land sitting undeveloped on the outside of downtown area and a lot of commercial space in downtown so adding some housing units near downtown will help it thrive more with flexibility. Mr. McCoy then asked if there were any areas in the zoning section that could be a conflict with some of the roles within the comprehensive plan. 2 Mr. Callahan answered by mentioning the housing outside of downtown. With the current zoning requirements, Housing can be developed, but only a few units based on the lot size restrictions. Lot sizes are the main issue for residential developments that will contain two or more units. A little bit of tweaking will need to be done. There are certain holdovers that need to be revisited. Nathan McClung, Planning and Zoning Assistant Director advised the biggest conflict in the comprehensive plan is multi-family zoning which is defined as three or more units. It is not permitted anywhere in R-1 or R-2 residential districts. Current use requirements and zoning districts do not permit what the comprehensive plan is recommending for residential districts. Mr. Callahan pointed at that the current plan does not recommend dramatic density increases but more of filling in overtime and evolving in the core areas. Walkability is much more than a sidewalk and everyone wants it. Walkable places tend to have a mixture of uses in close proximities. Council Member Liles commented on the ordinances and how downtown had a height limit of two-stories, but the ordinances were changed to four-stories indicating there is potential for housing. Participants circled back around to some of the presentation highlights for additional clarification. Richard Peters, Town Manager added we have great actions that can be implemented within the comprehensive plan. We have had a lot of success with the last five years from having a strategic plan, so the next step is to take the 25-year plan and bump it down to smaller actionable items. For the next five or ten years we must look at what are we going to put our limited staff time and revenue sources towards. Mr. Peters thanked the staff for their work. He is proud of this plan and appreciates the citizens, staff and consultants for their contributions. Mayor Grose thanked everyone involved and expressed his excitement for the plan. Anita McMillan, Planning and Zoning Director advised the adoption of the plan will be in July and suggested to use the website for further questions or comments. No further discussion. Council Member Liles made a motion to adjourn the work session at 5:32 p.m.; the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Mullins 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 5-0; Yeas (5) — Liles, Benninger, McCoy, Mullen, Jones; Nays (0) - None. APPROVED: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor ATTEST: Richard W. Peters, Jr., Town Clerk 3 Town Council Agenda Summary VINTON I R G I 1 1 Meeting Date July 15, 2025 Department Police Issue Officer of the Year recognition Summary Chief Drumond will introduce Corporal Dibble as the 2024 Officer of the Year. Attachments None Recommendations No Action Required Town Council Agenda Summary l�u`of VINTON %" 1 P G I 1 A Meetine Date July 15, 2025 Department Planning and Zoning Issue Consideration of a Resolution to initiate the process with Town staff and the Planning Commission to amend applicable requirements and standards for Planned Unit Development districts within the Town's Zoning Ordinance. Summary The amount of developable land for the purpose of creating residential or mixed-use communities is limited in addition to other factors involving stormwater management requirements, water and sewer infrastructure proximity and capacity, and the necessary public infrastructure improvements for such developments. The purpose of Planned Unit Development districts in the Vinton Zoning Ordinance is to provide greater flexibility than normal zoning classifications in order to encourage the most efficient and economical use of limited vacant land,to maximize opportunities to provide open space and preserve natural features of the land through clustering and other design concepts and to adapt development standards to the unique characteristics of individual sites. The purpose of the Resolution is to give the directive to Town Staff and the Planning Commission to review the applicable requirements and standards for Planned Unit Development districts within the Town's Zoning Ordinance to ensure they align with the current and future goals of the Vinton Comprehensive Plan, the current housing market demands, and the characteristics of the remaining developable parcels within the Town. Attachment Resolution Recommendations 0 Motion to adopt Resolution RESOLUTION NO. AT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, DULY 15, 2025, AT 6:00 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING,311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET,VINTON,VIRGINIA WHEREAS, Virginia Code §§ 15.2-2283 and 15.2-2284 enumerate the purposes of zoning ordinances and matters to be considered in drawing and applying zoning ordinances and districts; and WHEREAS, purposes of zoning ordinances and amendments thereto include promoting the health, safety, and general welfare of the public and accomplishing the objectives set out in Virginia Code § 15.2-2200, such as recognizing the needs of agriculture, industry, and business in future growth, providing residential areas with healthy surroundings for family life, and providing for growth that is consonant with the efficient and economical use of public funds; and WHEREAS, purposes for zoning ordinances and amendments thereto also include, among other things, to promote the creation and preservation of affordable housing suitable for meeting the current and future needs of the locality as well as a reasonable proportion of the current and future needs of the planning district within which the locality is situated, and encouraging economic development activities that provide desirable employment and enlarge the tax base;and WHEREAS, the amount of developable land in the Town for the purpose of creating residential or mixed-use communities is limited and the ability to develop that limited land is further limited by stormwater management requirements, water and sewer infrastructure proximity and capacity, and the necessary public infrastructure improvements for such developments; and WHEREAS, the purpose of Planned Unit Development districts in the Vinton Zoning Ordinance is to provide greater flexibility than normal zoning classifications in order to encourage the most efficient and economical use of limited vacant land, to maximize opportunities to provide open space and preserve natural features of the land through clustering and other design concepts and to adapt development standards to the unique characteristics of individual sites; and WHEREAS,. Virginia Code § 15.2-2286(A)(7) permits a governing body to initiate an amendment to the locality's zoning regulations by resolution;and WHEREAS, the Town Council of the Town of Vinton, for the public necessity, convenience, general welfare, and good zoning practice, desires to initiate the process, with Town staff and the Planning Commission, to amend requirements and standards for Planned Unit Developments districts under the Town's Zoning Ordinance. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Vinton Town Council that, for the public necessity, convenience, general welfare, and good zoning practice, it hereby resolves to initiate the process, with Town staff and the Planning Commission, to amend applicable requirements and standards for Planned Unit Development districts within the Town's Zoning Ordinance. This Resolution was adopted on a motion made by Council Member seconded by Council Member ,with the following votes recorded: AYES: NAYS: APPROVED: Bradley E. Grose,Mayor ATTEST: Richard W. Peters,Town Clerk Town Council _ Agenda Summary VN OF ITIIE NTON V l a 6 1 W I A Meeting Date July 15, 2025 Department Planning and Zoning Issue Consideration of public comments concerning an ordinance repealing in its entirety the 2004 Town of Vinton Comprehensive Plan, adopted on September 7, 2004, by Ordinance No. 806, and adopting by reference the Vinton 2050 Comprehensive Plan, Volumes 1 and 2. Summary In April 2024,the Town of Vinton awarded a contract to 3TP Ventures to assist with updating the Town's Comprehensive Plan, which was last adopted in 2004. The updated plan, titled Vinton 2050, envisions the community's future over the next 25 years and outlines the Town's long-term vision along with actionable strategies for growth and development. 3TP Ventures, in collaboration with subconsultants New Paradigm Planning and Line and Grade Civil Engineering, has worked closely with Town staff from the Planning and Zoning and Administration departments, members of Town Council, the Planning Commission, and an appointed Advisory Committee. The result is a community-driven blueprint shaped through 13 months of engagement with residents,local businesses,students,environmental groups,builders,neighboring jurisdictions,and other key stakeholders. A joint work session of the Town Council and the Planning Commission was held on June 3, 2025, to review and discuss the final draft of the Vinton 2050 Comprehensive Plan with the consulting team. Attachment Ordinance Recommendations • Conduct Joint Planning Commission and Town Council Public Hearing • Motion to adopt Ordinance i ORDINANCE NO. AT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE VINTON TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2025, AT 6:00 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE VINTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING,311 SOUTH POLLARD STREET,VINTON,VIRGINIA 24179. AN ORDINANCE repealing in its entirety the 2004 Town of Vinton Comprehensive Plan, adopted on September 7, 2004, by Ordinance No. 806, and adopting by reference The Comprehensive Plan: Vinton 2050 — Volume 1 and Volume 2." WHEREAS, a Comprehensive Plan is a vital tool for communities to strategically plan for the future,address challenges, seize opportunities,and provide a structured framework to guide Town Council decision-making,resource allocation,and community development; and WHEREAS, Section 15.2-2229 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, authorizes the Planning Commission to prepare and recommend amendments to the Comprehensive Plan upon the direction from the Town Council; and WHEREAS, in April 2024, the Town of Vinton awarded a contract to 3TP Ventures to assist in the update of the Town's Comprehensive Plan, last adopted in 2004 and which was reviewed and amended every five years by incorporating pertinent local and regional plans by reference; and WHEREAS, 3TP Ventures, along with their subconsultants, New Paradigm Planning, and Line and Grade Civil Engineering, have collaborated with Town staff in Planning and Zoning and Administration,as well as members of Town Council,the Planning Commission,and an Advisory Committee to develop the updated Comprehensive Plan; and WHEREAS, the updated plan is titled The Comprehensive Plan: Vinton 2050— Volume I and Volume 2("Vinton 2050'), envisioning the future of the Town through the year 2050; and WHEREAS, Vinton 2050 is a community-driven blueprint for the Town's future, developed through 13 months of extensive engagement with residents, local businesses,high school students, environmental groups, builders, neighboring jurisdictions, and other stakeholders; and WHEREAS, public engagement played a critical role in the Plan's development through community meetings,surveys,and dissemination of information via The Vinton Messenger,social media, and the Town's website; and WHEREAS, Vinton 2050 addresses key areas including transportation, land use, parks and recreation, economic development, housing, and utilities, while also laying the foundation for future updates to the Town's zoning and subdivision ordinances; and WHEREAS, Vinton 2050 documents were submitted via email to the Virginia Department of Transportation(VDOT)Salem District on May 28,2025,for their review,and on July 7,2025,the Town received a memorandum via email from the VDOT Salem District confirming that Vinton 1 2050 is consistent with the Commonwealth Transportation Board's (CTB) Statewide Transportation Plan, the Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP), and the locations of routes approved by the CTB; and WHEREAS,the Vinton 2050 webpage was created on the Town's website in April 2024 and the draft plan documents have been publicly accessible on the Town's website at https://www.vintonva.gov/537/Comprehensive-Plan---Vinton-2050; and WHEREAS, on June 3, 2025, the Vinton Planning Commission and the Vinton Town Council held a joint work session with the consulting team to review the final draft of Vinton 2050; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Section 15.2-2204 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended,joint public hearings of the Vinton Planning Commission and Town Council were duly advertised in a local newspaper on June 30, 2025, and July 7, 2025; and WHEREAS,on July 15,2025,during said joint public hearings,the Vinton Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that Town Council repeal the 2004 Comprehensive Plan in its entirety and adopt Vinton 2050 by reference; and WHEREAS, on the same date,the Vinton Town Council voted unanimously to accept the Planning Commission's recommendation and to adopt Vinton 2050 by reference. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Vinton, Virginia. that: 1. Ordinance No. 806, adopted on September 7, 2004, establishing the 2004-2024 Town of Vinton Comprehensive Plan, is hereby repealed in its entirety; and 2. The Comprehensive Plan: Vinton 2050— Volume 1 and Volume 2 is hereby adopted by reference as the official Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Vinton. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption. This Ordinance adopted on motion by Council Member seconded by Council Member , with the following votes recorded: AYES: NAYS: APPROVED: Bradley E. Grose, Mayor 2 Town Council of Agenda Summary vINT�ON VIRGINIA Meeting Date June 15, 2025 Department Administration Issue Consideration of the 7 Walnut Ave./McClung building redevelopment Request for Proposals (RFP #052325) responses and the development of a lease agreement with the Wilkinson Development Group,LLC. Summary The Town entered into a Parking Lot Lease and Real Property Purchase Right of First Refusal Agreement on May 1, 2022, for the 7 Walnut Ave./McClung property to create additional public parking to support the farmers'market, downtown businesses and special events. The ten-year agreement also includes a Right of First Refusal to purchase the property and sub-lease the building during the term of the lease to protect the Town's investment in these improvements. To date,the parking lot improvements have been completed, creating 84 new public parking spaces with landscaping islands and aesthetic features. A Phase II Environmental Assessment and a Property Conditions Assessment have also been completed,with the goal of redeveloping the building into a multi-tenant space for new business growth. On May 23, 2025, a Request for Proposals(RFP#052325)was issued to solicit proposals from developers to redevelop, sublease and manage the 11,618 sq. ft. McClung building at 7 Walnut Ave. Staff received one response to the RFP on June 20, 2025, from the Wilkinson Development Group, Inc. The proposal includes the creation of a multi-tenant space with interior modifications, attracting and securing appropriate businesses, managing tenant leases and overseeing all operations for the building. Staff will present an overview to the Town Council of the 7 Walnut Ave./McClung building redevelopment RFP response received from the Wilkinson Development Group at this meeting. Attachments None Recommendations Accept the June 20,2025 proposal from the Wilkinson Group, Inc. for the 7 Walnut Ave./McClung redevelopment project and authorize staff to draft an agreement for Council's consideration at a future meeting. Town Council Agenda Summary VI&tbN V I G I IY I A Meeting Date July 15, 2025 Department Public Works Issue Public Works Committee Summary The Public Works Committee met on July 9, 2025. Bo Herndon, Public Works Director, will be present to provide a report to Council on what the Committee discussed. Attachments None Recommendations No action required Town Council Agenda Summary VINTON 1 F 1. 1 \ i Meeting Date July 15, 2025 Department Finance Issue Finance Committee Summary The Finance Committee met on July 15, 2025. Andrew Keen, Finance Director, will be present to provide a report to Council on what the Committee discussed. Attachments None Recommendations Consider a motion to approve of Financial Statements for May 31, 2025, and June 30, 2025.