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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/12/2018 - Planning Commission - Minutes - RegularPlanni ng Commi ssi on Meeti ng M INUTES Wednesday, September 12, 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; Reid A. Garst II, N. J ackson Beamer, and Neil L. Conner (absent); with Vicki G. Daulton, Chair, presiding; together with J ames E. Taliaferro, Assistant City Manager and Executive Secretary (absent); Charles E. VanAllman, J r., Director of Community Development Department; Benjamin W. Tripp, C ity Planner; Mary Ellen Wines, Zoning Administrator; and William C . Maxwell, Assistant City Attorney. Reid Garst motioned to appoint Mary Ellen Wines as Executive Secretary Pro Tem for this meeting of the Planning Commission. J ackson Beamer seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Garst, King, Daulton Absent: Conner 2.C onsent Agenda A.Minutes Consider approval of minutes from the J uly 11, 2018, work session and regular meeting. Approved as presented 3.New Business A.Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Hold public hearing to consider the request of J erry R. Letterman, property owner, for rezoning property located at 711 Apperson Drive (Tax Map # 247-2-14) from RSF Residential Single Family District to RB Residential Business District. T he Executive Secretary Pro Tem reported that notice of such hearing had been published in the August 30, and September 6, 2018, issues of the Salem Times Register and adjacent property owners were notified by letter mailed August 23, 2018. Staff noted the following regarding the rezoning request: the subject property consists of a single parcel of approximately 0.44 acres, located on the north side of Apperson Drive, to the west of the intersection with Manchester Drive. T he property is currently occupied by a two-story brick single family residence. T his request is to rezone the property to allow it to be used as an office space for an accountant. T he applicant has stated that he has an interested party, and that the traffic of approximately one client per day could be handled by the existing driveway. Per Section 106-400, the conversion of a Single Family Residential structure to a higher use requires a site plan. Given the proposed business and expected volume of visitors to the property, staff does not feel a site plan is necessary at this time. However, the applicant is advised that should a more intensive use, or additional parking, be proposed a site plan would be required at that time, and that such a plan may involve landscaping, stormwater management, and other requirements. C hair Daulton opened the public hearing and asked if there was anyone to speak. J erry Letterman of 703 Apperson Drive, property owner, appeared before the C ommission explaining the rezoning request. He noted that he would like to rezone this property in order to convert to offices. His accountant would like to locate his office in this house. Vice C hair King asked how he would handle parking for the proposed offices. Mr. Letterman noted that the driveway is wide enough to accommodate two cars, and his accountant only has one client at a time in the building. Also, the accountant lives across the street and can walk to this property. Olaf Barthelmai C PA of 645 Apperson Drive, lessee, appeared before the C ommission explaining the request. He noted that he has had his C PA firm in Salem for almost ten years. His current office is cramped and has bad insulation. When Mr. Letterman offered to try to rezone his property at 711 Apperson Drive, he thought this would be closer to home and give him more space. In his business, he has very few visitors due to doing a lot of work by phone, Internet and email. T here is never more than one visitor at a time and basically only during the busy season in April. Also, he only has one employee. Vice C hair King asked if the cars could turn around in the yard rather than backing into Apperson Drive. Mr. Letterman noted that they have been backing into Apperson for years, but he does not have a problem with people turning around in the yard. Vice C hair King asked what he would have as far as signage. Mr. Barthelmai noted he currently has one sign which is on two 4 X 4 poles, and it has been approved by the C ity. He would like to move this sign. He also has a small metal door sign, which has also been approved, and this one would be placed on the building. Mrs. King asked if the current signs meet the City's sign ordinance requirements. Mrs. Wines noted she did not know if the signs meet the requirements, and Mr. Barthelmai will have to ask for a sign permit to move the signs. At that time, the signs will be evaluated for the zoning district at this location. C hair Daulton asked if there was anyone else to speak regarding this request. T here was no response, and the public hearing was closed. Denise King motioned to recommend to the C ouncil of the C ity of Salem that the request of J erry R. Letterman, property owner, for rezoning property located at 711 Apperson Drive (Tax Map # 247-2-14) from RSF Residential Single Family District to RB Residential Business District be approved. J ackson Beamer seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Daulton, Garst, King Absent: Conner B.Greenway P lan Update Consider recommending approval of resolution adopting the 2018 Roanoke Valley Greenway Plan T he Executive Secretary Pro Tem stated the Commission has received a request to consider recommending approval of a resolution adopting the 2018 Roanoke Valley Greenway Plan. Staff noted the following regarding the request: in 2017 the Roanoke Valley Greenway C ommission celebrated its 20th anniversary and began looking ahead to plan for the future. T he Greenway Commission has developed a 2018 Plan in conjunction with the cities of Roanoke and Salem, the counties of Roanoke and Botetourt, the Town of Vinton, and the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional C ommission, taking into account progress and changes since 2007 and looking at specific goals and direction for the next ten years. T he 2018 Plan includes off-road and on-road routes, recognizing the need to tie neighborhoods to the bigger network to promote a bikeable and walkable community. While many miles of greenways and trails are now built, many routes are still conceptual and represent a vision for a comprehensive greenway network. T his 2018 Plan provides an update on the status of greenway routes, documents progress meeting goals established in 2007, and incorporates Botetourt County, a new member of the Greenway Commission, into the planning process and vision. T he Plan incorporates two rounds of public comments, as well as staff's perspective. Liz Belcher, Roanoke Valley Greenway C oordinator, appeared before the C ommission in support of the request and noted her office address is 1206 Kessler Mill Road, Salem. She stated that she is here to ask the C ommission to adopt the 2018 Roanoke Valley Greenway Plan. She further discussed the proposed 2018 Roanoke Valley Greenway Plan and noted that she would be glad to answer any questions from the C ommission. T here were no questions from the Commission. C hair Daulton asked if there was anyone else to speak regarding this matter, and there was no response. Reid Garst motioned to recommend to the Council of the City of Salem to adopt a resolution in support of the 2018 Roanoke Valley Greenway Plan. J ackson Beamer seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Daulton, Garst, King Absent: Conner 4.Adjournment T he meeting was adjourned at 7:09 p.m.