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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/16/2021 - Planning Commission - Minutes - RegularPlanning Commission Meeting MINUTES Wednesday, June 16, 2021, 7:00 PM Salem Civic Center, Community Room, 1001 Roanoke Boulevard, Salem, VA 24153 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 Community Room, Salem Civic Center, 1001 Roanoke Boulevard, Salem, Virginia, at 7:00 p.m., on June 16, 2021. Notice of such hearing was published in the June 3 and 10, 2021, issues of the "Salem Times Register", a newspaper published and having general circulation in the City. 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; Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and Deputy Executive Secretary; William L. Simpson, Jr, City Engineer; Benjamin W. Tripp, City Planner; and Mary Ellen Wines, Zoning Administrator; and the following business was transacted: Chair Daulton called the hearing to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Consent Agenda A. Amend Agenda Reid Garst motioned to amend Item F to consider the request for preliminary and final approval of a proposed subdivision plat AND PLAN filed by Simms Property, LLC, property owner/developer, for a 7.564-acre tract known as Simms Farm Section 1. Neil Conner seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King B. Minutes Consider acceptance of the minutes from the May 12, 2021, work session and regular meeting. Jackson Beamer motioned to accept the minutes from the May 12, 2021, meeting. Neil Conner seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King 4. New Business A. Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Hold public hearing to consider the request of Bethel Baptist Church, Inc., property owner, for rezoning the property located at 6 Front Avenue (Tax Map # 234-6-2) from RSF Residential Single-Family District to HBD Highway Business District with proffered condition. Hilton Jeffries, 2125 Stonemill Drive, lead pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, appeared before the Commission on behalf of the church; he presented pictures of the sign and proposed changes to the sign; he stated the location of the sign will not change and the same structure will be used; the center of the sign will be replaced with a screen that will be pointed toward 7-Eleven. A discussion was held regarding the existing sign--lighting, etc. and the proposed sign lighting, etc. Adam Hughes, 4620 Buck Run Drive, Apartment E, Roanoke, associate pastor, appeared before the Commission to further explain the sign; the static sign at the top does not do any type of moving or lettering, but the original design of the top part of the sign did have a static light that was set on a timer to go off at a certain time of night--it does not scroll or do any video, it just shows the name of the church. No other person(s) appeared before the board to speak on the matter. It was noted that a sign permit would be required to place the sign on the property. Vice Chair King complimented the preschool staff at Bethel Baptist Church. Reid Garst motioned to consider the request of Bethel Baptist Church, Inc., property owner, for rezoning the property located at 6 Front Avenue (Tax Map #234-6-2) from RSF Residential Single-Family District to HBD Highway Business District with proffered condition. Jackson Beamer seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King B. Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Hold public hearing to consider the request of Peter R. Fields and Vivian D. Fields, property owners, for rezoning the property located at 303-305 South Colorado Street (Tax Map # 121-10-4) from RMF Residential Multi-Family to TBD Transitional Business District. Commissioner Conner requested to be recused due to a conflict. Chair Daulton approved. Peter Fields, 6416 North Barrens Road, Roanoke, property owner, appeared before the Commission; he stated that the reason for the request is to allow for the operation of a hair cutting salon in the building, which is not allowed under the current RMF zoning with a Special Exception Permit; he feels the business is in conformance with the way the building was built in the 1960s as it was originally built as a dental practice; the building has always either been a dental office or an office building since it was constructed and he does not know how the property became to be zoned a residential multi-family zoning; he stated that the use of the building hasn't changed and isn't changing with the request, the request will properly zone the building for what it's always been used for. No other person(s) appeared before the board to speak on the matter. Denise King motioned to consider the request of Peter R. Fields and Vivian D. Fields, property owners, for rezoning the property located at 303-305 South Colorado Street (Tax Map #121-10-4) from RMF Residential Multi Family to TBD Transitional Business District. Jackson Beamer seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Daulton, Garst, King Abstain: Conner C. Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Hold public hearing to consider the request of MCLIP Properties, LLC, property owner, for rezoning the property located at 901 South Colorado Street and 110 7th Street (Tax Map # 184-4-8) from LM Light Manufacturing District to CBD Community Business District. Leslie McVay, 2655 Lees Gap Road, Fincastle, representing MCLIP Properties, appeared before the Commission to explain the request; she stated that there are two buildings located on the property; the structures are not set up for light manufacturing--there are no docks, drive-ins, etc.; it has never been used as light manufacturing; it's always been used as retail/office commercial on the first floor with an apartment above for the 901 S. Colorado Street building, and the building that fronts on 7th street is still being used in that way as a grandfathered use. The structure at 901 S. Colorado Street was the former Hickson Lock and Key business and had an apartment above the business, but it has been vacant for more than two years and is in need of renovation. The plan is to renovate the structure to display its historic features for it to be used as a commercial/retail space with an apartment above as there is a need/demand for that type of space. She stated that they already have a permit to renovate the upstairs apartment in the structure located at 110 7th Street as it had a tenant up until last year. No other person(s) appeared before the board to speak on the matter. Neil Conner motioned to consider the request of MCLIP Properties, LLC, property owner, for rezoning the property located at 901 S. Colorado Street and 110 7th Street (Tax Map #184-4-8) from LM Light Manufacturing District to CBD Community Business District. Denise King seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King D. Special Exception Permit Hold public hearing to consider the request of Timothy J. Toohig and Lonzie L. Linkous, Jr., property owners, for the issuance of a Special Exception Permit to allow a two-family dwelling on the property located at 335 Roanoke Boulevard (Tax Map # 146 - 1 - 3). Timothy Toohig, 5719 Glen Meadow Drive, Roanoke, property owner, appeared before the Commission to explain the request; he stated that the property has been used in the past as an office--ad agency on one side, oral surgeon in the other--they would like to use it as a duplex as it backs up to nice residential properties on Pennsylvania Avenue. The property has been in a bit of disrepair but would like to renovate the property for a two- family dwelling. Vice Chair King noted that there is a garage on the property and questioned if the garage would be split between the duplex, or would it be used for only one side. Mr. Toohig stated it would be left for one. No other person(s) appeared before the board to speak on the matter. Denise King motioned to consider the request of Timothy J. Toohig and Lonzie L. Linkous, Jr., property owners, for the issuance of a Special Exception Permit to allow a two-family dwelling on the property located at 335 Roanoke Boulevard (Tax Map #146-1-3). Neil Conner seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King E. Special Exception Permit Hold public hearing to consider the request of Total Motion Performance, lessee, and 751 Union Station, LLC, property owner for the issuance of a Special Exception Permit to allow athletic instruction services on the property located at 773 Union Street (Tax Map # 183 - 1 -1). Ashton King, 9 Alleghany Street, Christiansburg, partner and Director of Performance at Total Motion, appeared before the Commission to explain the request; he presented a proposed layout of the space and a plan of business for the property; he stated that Total Motion Performance partners with Total Motion Physical Therapy to operate an out-patient physical therapy clinic out of the space to better utilize service to cater to athletes. Total Motion Performance would be the main lessee of the building that would provide athletic training services with a monthly membership rather than a session-by-session basis to cater to golfers and baseball players, as well as football, basketball, etc.; a lot of the green area would be taken up with cages, etc., as well as a track man golf simulator for golf clientele, and a full weight room for all of the other performance clientele. The main base of operation for the performance operations and offices would be upstairs, which is a different, added on space that is listed on the floorplans. He stated that physical therapy would operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and performance would operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The number of employees for physical therapy would be two and there would be two for performance with future projections having three for physical therapy and up to six for performance. He further stated that the employee number would stay very low compared to what the property was previously used for. There is plenty of parking available for the businesses. Given the property's close proximity to the Moyer Sports Complex, it would be opened up during those weekends if batting practice or anything else was needed for the teams playing at Moyer. They currently hold tournaments and camps at their current location in Blacksburg, and plan to do the same at this location as well. With it being a former warehouse, there isn't an issue for noise, etc. He clarified that the physical therapy offered would be for existing clients/athletes/members of the facility, not post-op patients. Chair Daulton questioned if membership would be offered to individuals or teams. Mr. King stated that memberships would be offered to both. A team membership would be offered a consulting membership where members of the team would train individually and one of the consultants would work with the team to consult along the lineups or any implementation of on-field strategy. Vice Chair King questioned if physical therapy would be allowed since the request is to allow athletic instruction on the premises. The Zoning Administrator stated that physical therapy would be allowed as an accessory to the business. A discussion was held regarding services offered at the proposed business and how it differs from a regular gym membership; accessory businesses allowed as part of the request, etc. Mr. King further explained the physical therapy services that would be offered--it would be a "get back to play" type of therapy for members, not referrals from doctors for post-op or neurological patients. It would also be used for research and data collection to help develop better treatment. Vice Chair King noted that the Special Exception Permit goes with the property, not the business. She also questioned if a stop sign should be placed at the entrance of the property. A discussion was held regarding a stop sign, parking, average group size, etc. Member Conner questioned why this property versus another property. Mr. King started that they got a good deal on the building and plans to move the business from Blacksburg to Salem. No other person(s) appeared before the board to speak on the matter. Jackson Beamer motioned to consider the request of Total Motion Performance, lessee, and 751 Union Station, LLC, property owner, for the issuance of a Special Exception Permit to allow athletic instruction services on the property located at 773 Union Street (Tax Map #183-1-1). Denise King seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King F. Simms Farm Section 1 Consider the request for preliminary and final approval of proposed subdivision plat filed by Simms Property, LLC., property owner/developer, for a 7.564-acre tract known as Simms Farm Section 1. Chair Daulton stated that the request is not a public hearing and requested that staff speak regarding the matter. Mary Ellen Wines, Zoning Administrator, appeared before the Commission to speak on the zoning aspects of the proposed plat and plan. She reviewed the conditions that were placed on the property as part of the rezoning and Special Exception Permit--the property shall be developed in substantial conformance with the master plan dated September 17, 2019. All new homes constructed within the development shall have roof materials of architectural grade shingles, designer shingles, and/or metal; all front elevations shall have a combination of masonry finish and siding; all above grade foundations shall be faced with brick, stone, synthetic stone, or equivalent materials; the hours of construction associated with the development are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, and no construction on Sundays; all homes constructed on the cluster lots shall be a maximum of one and half stories; a Type B landscape buffer will be provided along Upland Drive along the western property line of Tax Parcel 273-2-2; the minimum front setbacks of Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 136, 137, 138, and 139 shall be a minimum of 40 feet; the houses will be constructed in substantial conformance with exterior architectural styles depicted on the Simms Farm Architectural Styles exhibits filed with the rezoning request dated September 26, 2019, and all commercial vehicle construction traffic will be prohibited from using Franklin Street for access to and from the project site. She stated that before the Commission is Section 1 of the Simms Farm project and not all of the conditions apply at this point. Anything that has to do with the appearance, the architectural style, the materials used, the one and half stories tall will be handled on a building permit level once submitted; but everything else currently meets the conditions as part of Section 1. Member Garst noted that what is being presented is what was originally presented and there aren't any changes. Will Simpson, City Engineer, appeared before the Commission to review the storm water, erosion control issues with the project. He stated that the plan submitted has been reviewed for all drainage, storm water, and erosion and sediment control. The calculations submitted, which include drainage structures, storm water ponds, was submitted with the plans and meets the city and state standards; it will be containing all of the water that is created with the development of the plan. Any additional runoff that is created by the development of the plan--new houses, roads, etc.--will be captured and contained within the proposed storm water management facilities. As far as erosion and sediment control, all of the measures proposed in the plan as submitted, do meet the current state standards, which is what the City of Salem follows. This development will require a state permit through DEQ, which has its own set of standards. Member Garst questioned if the standards referred to are both construction and final finish development standards. Mr. Simpson confirmed the standards. He stated that during construction, there is a set of standards that have to be met for the erosion and sediment control; and then at post- construction there is a set of standards that have to meet for storm water runoff. The engineer that designed the plan, has taken into account both sets of standards, and it meets both sets of standards. A discussion was held regarding water runoff on Upland Drive, sewer line inspections, mud in roadway, etc. Benjamin Trip, City Planner, appeared before the Commission and noted that staff has reviewed the subdivision plans at length through the plan review process. The process involves all of the departments in the city. The plans are reviewed and discussed at length. A list of comments and questions are produced which are sent to the developer. The developer has to respond to the comments and questions, and make necessary corrections/changes, which will then be reviewed by all of the departments. The staff has approved the proposed subdivision plan, which is what is presented to the Commission. Jackson Beamer motioned to consider the request for preliminary and final approval of proposed subdivision plat and plan filed by Simms Property, LLC, property owner/developer, for a 7.564-acre tract known as Simms Farm Section 1. Neil Conner seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King 5. Adjournment Member Garst thanked the Deputy Sheriff present at the meeting. Meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Work Session, Wednesday, June 16, 2021, 6:00 p.m. Parlor B, Salem Civic Center City Council meeting, June 28, 2021, 6:30 p.m. Auditorium of Andrew Lewis Middle School