HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/14/2018 - Planning Commission - Minutes - RegularPlanni ng Commi ssi on Meeti ng
M INUTES
Wednesday, March 14, 2018, 7:00 P M
Council Chambers, City Hall. 114 North Broad Street, Salem
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 (absent); Reid A. Garst II, N.
J ackson Beamer, and Neil L. C onner; with Vicki G. Daulton, C hair, presiding;
together with J ames E. Taliaferro, Assistant City Manager and Executive Secretary;
C harles E. Van Allman, Director of C ommunity Development Department;
Benjamin W. Tripp, C ity Planner; Mary Ellen Wines, Zoning Administrator; and
William C . Maxwell, Assistant City Attorney.
2.C onsent Agenda
A.Minutes
Consider approval of the minutes from the J anuary 10, 2018, work session and
regular meeting.
Approved as written
3.New Business
A.Special Exception P ermit
Hold public hearing to consider the request of W. G. C rotts, property owner, for the
issuance of a Special Exception Permit to allow an automobile repair business on
the property located at 414 8th Street, (Tax Map # 185 - 7 - 3).
T he Executive Secretary noted that this item has been withdrawn and will probably
appear before the Commission at the April meeting.
B.Amendment to the City Code
Hold public hearing to consider amending Chapter 106, Article II District
Regulations, Section 106-200.2(A)2, Section 106-202.2(A)2, Section 106-
204.2(A)2, Section 106-208.2(A)2, (A)3, and B(3), Section 106-213.2(B)2, Section
106-210.2(A)4, Section 106-210.3(B)1 and (E), Section 106-214.2(A)3 and (B)3,
Section 106-216.2(A)3, Section 106-218.2(A)3, (A)5, and (B)3, Section 106-
220.2(A)3, (A)5, and (B)3; Article III Use and Design Standards, Section 106-
304.15(A) and Section 106-308; Article IV Development Standards, Section 106-
Staff
Staff
402.25 and Section 106-406.27; and Article VI Definitions and Use Types, Section
106-600 of the C O D E O F T HE C IT Y O F SA LEM, VIRG IN IA. T hese changes
relate to single family dwelling use and design standards, administrative services,
Downtown Business District setback requirements, corner lots, drive-through
facilities, office use types (use and design standards), and requirements for exterior
storage, refuse disposal, etc.
T he Executive Secretary reported that notice of such hearing had been published in
the March 1 and 8, 2018, issues of the Salem Times Register.
Staff noted the following regarding the request: these changes relate to single family
dwelling use and design standards, administrative services, Downtown Business
District setback requirements, corner lots, drive-through facilities, office use types
(use and design standards), automotive repair services, major use and design
standards, requirements of exterior storage, refuse disposal, and modular housing
and permanent foundations definitions.
T he Executive Secretary noted that staff is requesting to remove Section 106-
210.2(A)4, Financial Institutions from the Use and Design Standards in this section.
Also, staff is requesting to remove Section 106-210.3(E) Other Requirements from
consideration this evening.
Mary Ellen Wines appeared before the Commission explaining the proposed zoning
ordinance amendments. She noted that staff would like to add a use and design
standard for single family detached dwellings with the minimum square footage
being 600 square feet; this is due to building code changes effective in J uly. Staff
would like to remove the Administrative Services use from a by-right use and apply
them to a Special Exception Use in Residential Business, Highway Business, Light
Manufacturing and Heavy Manufacturing. Further, staff is proposing to remove
Administrative Services from the Business Commerce District entirely. In the
Downtown Business District, staff is proposing to add a use and design standard for
Office Use Types that they be permitted only on floors above the ground floor and
in the same structure as a commercial use type for parcels fronting on (a) Main
Street between T hompson Memorial Drive and Academy Street, (b) College
Avenue between Clay Street and T hompson Memorial Drive, and (c) North Market
Street. Also proposed is amending the front setback of the Downtown District to a
maximum of zero just to be clear on the build to at the right of way. T his would be
added to the corner lot setback as well with the exception being a maximum of 20
feet if for outdoor patio-style dining. In Light Manufacturing and Heavy
Manufacturing districts, for Auto Repair Major, staff is proposing to add the same
use and design standards as in the Highway Business District. Further, additional
requirements for exterior storage, refuse disposal, etc. is in the Site Plan section of
the ordinance, and staff is proposing to move it from this section to the
Miscellaneous provisions to require this for all businesses not just those who go
through the site plan process. Finally in the Definitions section, it is proposed to
revise the definition of Modular Home to be in adherence with the State code
definition of industrialized buildings and to add a definition for Permanent
Foundation. She noted that she would be glad to answer any questions.
C hair Daulton noted that this is a public hearing and asked if anyone was present
who would like to speak regarding this matter. T here was no response from the
audience, and the public hearing was closed.
J ackson Beamer motioned to recommend to the Council of the City of Salem that
C hapter 106, Zoning, Article II District Regulations, Section 106-200.2(A)2,
Section 106-202.2(A)2, Section 106-204.2(A)2, Section 106-208.2(A)2, (A)3, and
B(3), Section 106-213.2(B)2, Section 106-210.3(B)1, Section 106-214.2(A)3 and
(B)3, Section 106-216.2(A)3, Section 106-218.2(A)3, (A)5, and (B)3, Section 106-
220.2(A)3, (A)5, and (B)3; Article III Use and Design Standards, Section 106-
304.15(A) and Section 106-308; Article IV Development Standards, Section 106-
402.25 and Section 106-406.27; and Article VI Definitions and Use Types, Section
106-600 of the C O D E O F T HE C IT Y O F SA LEM, VIRG IN IA be amended as
presented. Neil Conner seconded the motion.
Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst
Absent: King
C .Amendment to the City Code
Hold public hearing to consider amending Chapter 66, Article I In General, Sections
66-5(A) and (B); and Article IV Permitted Signs by Use and District, Sections 66-
103(B) and 66-105(A) of the C O D E O F T HE C IT Y O F SA LEM, VIRG IN IA
pertaining to signs.
T he Executive Secretary reported that notice of such hearing had been published in
the March 1 and 8, 2018, issues of the Salem Times Register.
Staff noted the following regarding the request: the changes proposed include
updates to various sections of the Sign Ordinance relating to enforcement,
nonconforming signs, corner lot street frontage calculations and calculations for
multi-tenant buildings.
Mary Ellen Wines noted that being proposed are four sign ordinance changes. T he
first relates to unsafe signs and signs maintained in violation of the chapter. Staff is
proposing to add civil penalties in addition to the criminal charges which are
currently in place. She further discussed these changes. T he second relates to
nonconforming signs. T his is to clarify that moving any sign in a window or to
another window makes the sign a relocated sign so it would lose any grandfather
rights. T hird, in total allowable signage for all signs, there is a clarification related to
corner lots. T he last change is a clarification to wall signs in multi-tenant buildings.
C ommissioner Garst asked if there is additional recourse after the $1,000 limit has
been met with relation to violations. Mrs. Wines noted that yes there is recourse.
She noted that if we have a repeat offender after the civil process is completed, once
they start putting signs out again, it would be a new offense, and the C ity can pursue
the criminal misdemeanor charge.
T here was further discussion regarding changes to the sign ordinance.
C hair Daulton noted that this is a public hearing and asked if anyone was present
who would like to speak regarding this matter. T here was no response from the
audience, and the public hearing was closed.
Reid Garst motioned to recommend to the Council of the City of Salem that
C hapter 66 - Signs, Article I In General, Sections 66-5(A) and (B); and Article IV
Permitted Signs by Use and District, Sections 66-103(B) and 66-105(A) of the
C O D E O F T HE C IT Y O F SA LEM, VIRG IN IA be amended as presented. Neil
C onner seconded the motion.
Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst
Absent: King
4.Adjournment
T he meeting was adjourned at 7:14 p.m.