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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/11/2018 - Planning Commission - Minutes - RegularPlanni ng Commi ssi on Meeti ng M INUTES Wednesday, April 11, 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 (absent); Denise P. King, Vice C hair; Reid A. Garst II (absent), N. J ackson Beamer, and Neil L. Conner; with Denise P. King, Vice C hair, presiding; together with 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 C ity Attorney. J ackson Beamer motioned to appoint Mary Ellen Wines as Executive Secretary Pro Tem for this meeting of the Planning C ommission. Neil Conner seconded the motion. Ayes: Conner, Beamer, King Absent: Daulton, Garst 2.C onsent Agenda A.Minutes Consider approval of minutes from the March 14, 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 services, major business on the properties located at 414 8th Street, (Tax Map # 185 - 7 - 3) and 1005 Delaware Street (Tax Map# 185-7-3.1). T he Executive Secretary Pro Tem reported that notice of such hearing had been published in the March 29 and April 5, 2018, issues of the Salem Times Register and adjacent property owners were notified by letter mailed March 28, 2018. Staff noted the following regarding the Special Exception Permit request: the subject properties consist of two parcels containing approximately 0.344 acres, located at the southwest corner of 8th Street and Delaware Street, east of College Avenue. T he parcel at 414 Eighth Street is occupied by a two-story building currently housing a catering business, and the parcel at 1005 Delaware Street is a vacant lot. T his request is to allow Automobile Repair Services, Major in a new building on the combined parcels. If granted, this new building would be constructed to the east of the existing one and would allow the expansion of business operations from 404 8th Street, their current location. Vice C hair King opened the public hearing and asked if there was anyone present who would like to speak regarding this matter. W. G. C rotts of 3846 Gladden Road, Salem, property owner, appeared before the C ommission to explain the request. He noted the property he wants to expand is located at 414 Eighth Street. He further noted that he would like to grow his business. He has letters from some of the neighbors who are in support of his request. In addition, he has a picture of a building similar to the one he would like to build, and he also has a sketch to show the addition. C ommissioner Conner asked if the use would be basically what he is currently doing up the street from this property. Mr. Crotts noted that it will be the same as what he is currently doing. He is proposing to expand putting in three more bays with deeper space. Vice C hair King asked if we need to have the letters, etc. that Mr. C rotts has discussed. Mr. C rotts submitted letters, etc. to the Commission. Mr. Crotts noted that one of his neighbors, Charles Brown, was in the audience in support of his request. T here was also a discussion regarding the catering business which is currently located in the building at 414 Eighth Street. C harles Brown of 841 Tremont Road appeared before the C ommission in support of the Special Exception Permit request. He noted he owns a number of properties in this area and is in favor of development. He feels the use works well with all the other businesses and industry in the area. Vice C hair King asked if there were any others who would like to speak regarding this matter. T here was no response, and the public hearing was closed. J ackson Beamer motioned to recommend to the Council of the City of Salem that the request of W. G. C rotts, property owner, for the issuance of a Special Exception Permit to allow an automobile repair services, major business on the properties located at 414 8th Street (Tax Map # 185 - 7 - 3) and 1005 Delaware Street (Tax Map # 185-7-3.1) be approved. Neil Conner seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, King Absent: Daulton, Garst B.Amendment to the City Code Hold public hearing to consider enacting C hapter 106, Zoning, Article II District Regulations, Section 106-210.3(E), and Article III Use and Design Standards, Section 106-306.7 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 Downtown administrative services and drive-through facilities. T he Executive Secretary Pro Tem reported that notice of such hearing had been published in the March 29 and April 5, 2018, issues of the Salem Times Register. Staff noted the following regarding the request: staff continually reviews the Zoning Ordinance for its current applicability. Topics of discussion have arisen due to the progression of the Downtown Plan and the redevelopment of the downtown area. Adjustments are necessary to encourage the type of development the community has requested. T he proposed changes will add use and design standards to administrative services in the Downtown District, restricting them to above the ground floor on parts of Main Street, College Avenue, and North Market Street. T he proposed changes will also prevent drive-throughs downtown except for financial institutions with access from side or rear streets. Ben Tripp appeared before the C ommission explaining the proposed zoning ordinance amendments. He noted a lot of the changes to the code have come about due to the implementation of the Downtown Plan. T he proposed changes this evening relate to Downtown administrative services and drive-through facilities. T here is one grammatical change in Section 106-210.3(E) Other Requirements. It should read "... financial institutions only, and only in the rear yard with access from the side or rear street." He noted that the Commission has discussed this previously, but he would be happy to answer any questions. Vice C hair King 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, and the public hearing was closed. Neil Conner motioned to recommend to the Council of the City of Salem that C hapter 106, Zoning, Article II District Regulations, Section 106-210.3(E), and Article III Use and Design Standards, Section 106-306.7 of the C O D E O F T HE C IT Y O F SA LEM, VIRG IN IA be approved as amended. J ackson Beamer seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, King Absent: Daulton, Garst 4.Adjournment T he meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m.