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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/12/2023 - Planning Commission - Minutes - RegularPlanning Commission Meeting MINUTES Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 7:00 PM Work Session 6:00PM Council Chambers Conference Room, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street: WORK SESSION 1. Call to Order A work session of the Planning Commission of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in Council Chambers Conference Room, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia, at 6:00 p.m. on April 12, 2023; there being the members of said Commission, to wit: Vicki G. Daulton, Chair; Denise P. King, Vice Chair; Reid Garst, Jackson Beamer, and Neil L. Conner; together with William L. Simpson, Jr., Assistant Director of Community Development; Mary Ellen Wines, Planning & Zoning Administrator; Maxwell Dillon, Planner; and Jim H. Guynn, Jr., City Attorney; and the following business was transacted: Chair Daulton called the meeting to order at 6:13 p.m. and reported that this date, place and time had been set for the Commission to hold a work session. 2. New Business A. Discussion of items on the April agenda 1. Old Virginia Brick sign 2. 1630 & 1640 Roanoke Blvd A discussion was held regarding the items on the April agenda. B. Introduction of items on the May agenda 1. Salem Montessori School A discussion was held regarding an item on the May agenda. 3. Adjournment Chair Daulton inquired if there were any other items for discussion and hearing none, adjourned the work session at 6:53 p.m. REGULAR SESSION 1. Call to Order A regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held after due and proper notice in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia, at 7:00 p.m., on April 12, 2023. Notice of such hearing was published in the March 30 and April 6, 2023, issues of the "Salem Times Register," a newspaper published and having general circulation in the City of Salem. All adjacent property owners were notified via the U. S. Postal Service. The Commission, constituting a legal quorum, presided together with Jim H. Guynn, Jr., City Attorney; James E. Taliaferro, II, City Manager and Executive Secretary, ex officio member of said Commission, to wit; William L. Simpson, Jr., Assistant Director of Community Development; Mary Ellen Wines, Planning & Zoning Administrator; and Maxwell Dillon, Planner, and the following business was transacted: A. Pledge of Allegiance 2. Consent Agenda A. Minutes Consider acceptance of the minutes from the March 15, 2023, work session and regular meeting. Neil Conner motioned Motion. Jackson Beamer seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King 3. New Business A. Landmark Sign Hold public hearing to consider the request of OVB Investments LLC, property owner, to designate the Old Virginia Brick sign located at 2500 West Main Street, Tax Map # 175-2-3, as a landmark sign. Staff noted the following: According to the City of Salem code, “Signs that do not advertise an existing bona fide business, service or product manufactured on a premises, but which may be of significant civic, historic, architectural, or cultural interest may be declared a landmark sign.” The following are requirements for a landmark sign: 1. An application shall be made to the planning commission. 2. Applicants shall provide at the time of application, a written history of the existing sign, noting any and all physical changes or modifications, and/or a written account of the nature of the significance to the community. Applicants shall provide photographs of the sign, preferably at various times throughout its history, and from as many different views as possible, or plans or drawings of the proposed sign from different views, along with a certified plat determining location, and photos of the existing property on which the sign will reside. Applicants shall provide a maintenance plan as to how the sign will be maintained in its current form or a restoration plan to include maintenance to restore the sign to its original form. 3. The commission shall hold a public hearing and review the application before making a determination as to the declaration. 4. Any alterations to any landmark sign must be approved through this process. 5. The commission may remove such landmark designation and require the sign to be removed if it is altered, in disrepair, misused, or any other reason deemed appropriate. OVB Investments LLC, “Old Virginia Brick,” is seeking the landmark designation for the sign located at the front of the property at 2500 West Main Street. Standing in some form or fashion since 1890, the “Old Virginia Brick” sign pays homage to a company which many historians believe to be the oldest manufacturer in the Roanoke Valley during its operation. In addition to its contribution to numerous development projects and homes throughout the City of Salem (such as the Veterans Affair Medical Center) and the greater Roanoke Valley, Old Virginia Bricks also facilitated the construction of numerous iconic sites throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia including the University of Virginia, Colonial Williamsburg, and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. An approval of the landmark designation for a sign does not in any way encroach upon the allowable signage for any future development/business operation which may occur on the site. It is also important to note that according to Section 66-13 (7), “The commission may remove such landmark designation and require the sign to be removed if it is altered, in disrepair, misused, or any other reason deemed appropriate.” It was noted that no one from OVB was present at the meeting. Mary Ellen Wines, Planning and Zoning Administrator, appeared before the Commission to discuss the request. She stated that the Community Development Department approached the property owner regarding their sign which no longer advertises an actual business located on the property. The Sign Ordinance states that after 60 days a sign needs to be removed if it no longer advertises a business located on the property. The options available to the property owner was discussed, and one of the options is to request that the sign be designated as a landmark sign. The property owner is requesting that the sign be designated as a landmark sign and have agreed to refurbish the sign and maintain it in perpetuity to allow the sign to remain. Member Garst questioned the timeframe for the sign to be refurbished. Ms. Wines stated that a timeframe was not given, but if the Commission has a suggestion she would let the property owner know if the request is approved. A discussion was held regarding the property owner needing to be being present and continuing the item to the next meeting. No other person(s) appeared related to the request. Denise King motioned continuance of request of OVB Investments LLC, property owner, to designate the Old Virginia Brick sign located at 2500 West Main Street, Tax Map #175-2-3, as a landmark sign to May 10, 2023, meeting. Reid Garst seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King B. Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Hold public hearing to consider the requests of Patane, LLP and Walter S. Kearns, Jr. and Laurel P. Kearns, property owners, for rezoning the properties located at 1640 Roanoke Boulevard (Tax Map # 222-2-6) and 1630 Roanoke Boulevard (Tax Map # 222-2-5) from RB Residential Business District to LM Light Manufacturing District. Staff noted the following: The subject properties (1640 and 1630 Roanoke Boulevard) combine to form a 1.053 acre tract of land which currently sit within the RB Residential Business designation. These parcels are currently occupied by a house and garage (1630 Roanoke Boulevard), and an office building with a parking lot (1640 Roanoke Boulevard). HPSRx, the business located at the subject properties, is a small specialty distributor in the Women’s Reproductive Healthcare industry. Previously approved to engage in warehousing and distribution in its current location, the applicant is now seeking to rezone the properties from RB Residential Business to LM Light Manufacturing in order to expand the scale of their business. If approved, the applicant intends to remove the existing house and garage located at 1630 Roanoke Boulevard and install a new 5,750 square foot warehouse. This new warehouse is expected to receive deliveries from one semitruck per week. There will also be approximately five pickup/drop-offs by Fed EX or UPS local parcel trucks per weekday, with the business remaining closed on weekends. The property line separating 1630 and 1640 Roanoke Boulevard would be vacated, and the details of the plan would be navigated during the site plan review process. The Future Land Use Map (FLUM) identifies this area as commercial which is not necessarily consistent with the proposed utilization of the property; however, the subject properties would simply be expanding the scale of their operations (not changing their use) and are currently located adjacent to HM Heavy Manufacturing parcels across Eaton Road and Roanoke Boulevard. Barney Horrell, Brushy Mountain Engineering, appeared before the Commission on behalf of the property owners. He stated that he is the site engineer of the project and referenced the preliminary site plan in the agenda packet. He noted that the property owners are also present at the meeting. He stated that Mr. Kearns is getting ready to retire, and at the same time HPS is looking to improve the operations of its business, not necessarily expand it. HPS purchases drugs and distributes them. The requirements of the product and the regulatory bodies necessitate the building of a new distribution warehouse. He further stated that there will not be a huge amount of traffic in and out of the area. HPS does not sell to the public; therefore, there will not be a lot of people coming in and out of the property. Approximately one semi-truck delivers once a week, and several box trucks (i.e. UPS/FedEx type) will distribute 4-5 a day and would not utilize the proposed truck dock. The trucks would park in a designated loading area and will be loaded by hand trucks, not forklifts. He also noted that the warehouse will not look like a typical warehouse, and the architecture of the new warehouse will be somewhat matched to the existing office. If approved, the two parcels will be combined. Vice Chair King questioned if the existing entrance to 1630 Roanoke Boulevard would be used, and Mr. Horrell stated that it will not be used. Mr. Horrell stated that the access cut there will be removed and he will work with the electric department to relocate one pole on the site, and the traffic flow will enter via Roanoke Boulevard and leave via Easton Road. A discussion was held regarding landscaping and storm water management on the site. Member Beamer asked about the number of employees, and Mr. Horrell stated that the number of employees will most likely not increase. Chair Daulton questioned the timeline for development, and Mr. Horrell stated that it will be done as quickly as possible after approval. Vice Chair King questioned if the neighbors are concerned about the project. Mary Ellen Wines, Zoning Administrator, stated that one neighbor called to support the project. No other person(s) appeared before the Commission related to the request. Reid Garst motioned approve the requests of Patane, LLP and Walter S. Kearns, Jr. and Laurel P. Kearns, property owners, for rezoning the properties located at 1640 Roanoke Boulevard (Tax Map #222-2-6) and 1630 Roanoke Boulevard (Tax Map #222-2-5) from RB Residential Business District to LM Light Manufacturing District. Neil Conner seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King 4. Adjournment Having no other items before the Commission, on motion by Member Beamer, seconded by Member Conner and duly carried, meeting was adjourned at 7:22 p.m. City Council meeting, April 24, 2023, 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street