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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/13/2019 - Planning Commission - Minutes - RegularPlanni ng Commi ssi on Meeti ng M INUTES Wednesday, November 13, 2019, 7:00 PM Council Chambers, 114 N. Broad St., Salem, VA 24153 1.C all to Order A regular meeting of the Planning C ommission of the C ity of Salem, Virginia, was called to order at 7:00 p.m., there being present the following members to wit: Vicki G. Daulton, Chair; Denise P. King, Vice C hair; Reid A. Garst II, N. J ackson Beamer, and Neil L. Conner; with Vicki G. Daulton, Chair, presiding; together with C harles E. VanAllman, J r., C ommunity Development Director; Mary Ellen Wines, Zoning Administrator; Benjamin W. Tripp, C ity Planner; and William C. Maxwell, Assistant C ity Attorney. Reid Garst motioned to appoint Benjamin W. Tripp as Executive Secretary Pro Tem for this meeting of the Planning C ommission. Neil Conner seconded the motion. Aye: C onner, Beamer, Garst, King, Daulton 2.C onsent Agenda A.Minutes Consider approval of the minutes from the October 16, 2019, work session and regular meeting. Accepted as presented 3.New Business A.Special Exception P ermit Hold public hearing to consider the request of R. L. Lucas Construction Inc., contractor, and Richard H. Macher, property owner, for the issuance of a Special Exception Permit to allow a new 1,707 square foot detached garage on the property located at 1900 South C learing Road (Tax Map #277-1-4). T he Executive Secretary Pro Tem reported that notice of said hearing had been published in the October 31, and November 7, 2019, issues of the Salem Times Register, and all property owners were notified by letter mailed October 28, 2019. Staff noted the following regarding the request: the subject property consists of a single parcel approximately 4.755 acres, located to the west of the cul-de-sac of Ridgewood Drive. T he property is occupied by the 14,288 square foot “Ridgewood Farm” manor house, which contains an additional separate apartment. T he applicant is requesting a Special Exception Permit to allow the construction of a garage over 1,000 square feet. T he garage would be located in the northeast corner of the rear yard. T he proposed three-bay garage would have a footprint of 1,040 square feet on the ground floor and 518 square feet on the second floor. T he original plans submitted showed an apartment in the second story of the garage. As dwelling units are not allowed in accessory structures, the applicant amended the plans to show only storage space. C hair Daulton opened the public hearing and asked if there was anyone to speak regarding this request. J ason Lucas with R. L. Lucas Construction Inc., contractor, representing the property owner appeared before the Commission. He explained the Special Exception Permit request. He noted Mr. Macher is requesting to build a detached garage greater in size than the 1,000 square footage allowed by the zoning ordinance. T he proposed building building footprint will be 1,040 square feet for a three-car garage. T he original plans showed an apartment above the garage but found out they could not do this so the plans have been revised to show just a bonus room. T he building will be constructed to the right of the house. It was noted for clarification the building will be basically a 1 1/2 story garage. C ommissioner Conner noted that the original plans showed an apartment above the garage. He asked if the property owners would be okay with this remaining as storage space. Mr. Lucas noted that he had actually spoken with Mr. Macher earlier, and he had asked if they might petition the City at a later date to have a guest house in this space. Mrs. Wines noted the guest house use would still be considered an accessory apartment, and apartments are not allowed in accessory structures. If the garage were attached to the home, it could be considered. T his would require a Special Exception Permit that would need to come back through the same process. C hair Daulton noted for clarification that the space above the garage would just be used for storage, and Mr. Lucas stated that this was correct. C hair Daulton asked if there was anyone else to speak on this matter. T here was no response and the public hearing was closed. Denise King motioned as amended to recommend to the Council of the City of Salem that the request of R. L. Lucas C onstruction Inc., contractor, and Richard H. Macher, property owner, for the issuance of a Special Exception Permit to allow a new 1,558 square foot detached garage on the property located at 1900 South C learing Road (Tax Map #277-1-4) be approved. Neil C onner seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King 4.Adjournment T he meeting as adjourned at 7:10 p.m.