HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/12/2016 - Planning Commission - Minutes - RegularAPPROVED MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION
October 12, 2016
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in
Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, at 7:00 p.m., on October 12, 2016, there
being present the following members of said Commission, to wit: Vicki G. Daulton, Jimmy W.
Robertson, Samuel R. Carter, and Denise P. King (Bruce N. Thomasson – absent); with Vicki G.
Daulton, Chair, presiding; together with James E. Taliaferro, II, Assistant City Manager and
Executive Secretary, ex officio member of said Commission; Charles E. Van Allman, Jr., Director
of Community Development; Benjamin W. Tripp, City Planner; Mary Ellen Wines, Zoning
Administrator; and the following business was transacted:
The September 14, 2016, work session and regular meeting minutes were approved as
written.
In re: Hold public hearing to consider the request of LMP Investments LLC,
property owner, and Salem Taxi, lessee, for the issuance of a Special
Exception Permit to allow automobile rental/leasing on the property
located at 515 Electric Road (Tax Map # 155-1-1)
The Executive Secretary reported that this date and time had been set to hold a public
hearing to consider the request of LMP Investments LLC, property owner, and Salem Taxi,
lessee, for the issuance of a Special Exception Permit to allow automobile rental/leasing on the
property located at 515 Electric Road (Tax Map # 155-1-1); and
WHEREAS, the Executive Secretary further reported that notice of such hearing had
been published in the September 29, and October 3, 2016, issues of the Salem Times Register
and adjoining property owners were notified by letter mailed October 3, 2016; and
WHEREAS, staff noted the following: the subject property consists of one parcel of
about 2.5 acres; it is located on the west side of Electric Road, near the intersection with St.
John Road; the property is currently occupied by several industrial buildings; the applicant is
requesting a Special Exception Permit to use the property for automobile rental/Leasing, which
encompasses taxicab dispatch services; the property on the east side of the railroad tracks is
city owned and the parking of taxi vehicles in that area is not permitted; and
WHEREAS, Chair Daulton noted that there was no one present to represent the
petitioner, and she asked if the Commission wanted to move forward with the request; and
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WHEREAS, Commissioner King asked staff if the petitioner was specifically told that they
needed to be at the meeting to represent their request; Ben Tripp noted staff always discusses
with the petitioner how the process works, when they are supposed to be at the meetings, etc.;
Mrs. King asked if staff had heard anything from the petitioners, and Mr. Tripp noted that staff
had not; Mrs. King noted that it concerns her when people do not show up for their request,
and she is wondering how seriously they are taking their petition; Commission Member
Robertson noted that he agreed with Mrs. King; and
WHEREAS, Chair Daulton asked what was the pleasure of the Commission; do we want
to move forward or do we continue the request? Commissioner Robertson noted that if anyone
had any questions, then the Commission could continue the item, and if there are no questions,
then the Commission could go ahead and vote on the request; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Carter asked if there is anything that says the petitioner has to
be at the meeting, and Jay Taliaferro noted there was nothing; Mr. Carter asked if they had
submitted all the proper paper work and everything seems to be in order, and he does not have
any further questions, then he would say the Commission should move on with the request;
Commissioner Robertson asked if they will still have to go before City Council with the request,
and it was noted that the request will go before Council as usual; and
WHEREAS, no other person(s) appeared related to said request; and
WHERE, Commissioner King noted prior to voting that she was voting “nay” because the
petitioner was not present;
ON MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER ROBERTSON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
CARTER, AND DULY CARRIED, the Planning Commission of the City of Salem doth recommend to
the Council of the City of Salem that the request of LMP Investments LLC, property owner, and
Salem Taxi, lessee, for the issuance of a Special Exception Permit to allow automobile
rental/leasing on the property located at 515 Electric Road (Tax Map # 155-1-1) be approved –
the roll call vote being as follows: Denise P. King – nay; Samuel R. Carter, III – aye; Jimmy W.
Robertson – aye; and Vicki G. Daulton – aye.
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the same on motion
adjourned at 7:05 p.m.