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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/11/2007 - Planning Commission - Minutes - RegularAPPROVED MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION April 11, 2007 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 April 11, 2007, there being present the following members of said Commission, to wit: Gardner W. Smith, Terrance D. Murphy, Jimmy W. Robertson, and Vicki G. Daulton, (Bruce N. Thomasson – absent); with Gardner W. Smith, Chairman, presiding; together with Melinda J. Payne, Director of Planning and Development; William L. Simpson, Jr., Assistant City Engineer; Charles B. Aldridge, Sr., Acting Building Official and Zoning Administrator; Benjamin W. Tripp, Planner; Krystal M. Coleman, Deputy Clerk of Council; and William C. Maxwell, Assistant City Attorney; and the following business was transacted: ON MOTION MADE BY COMMISSION MEMBER DAULTON, AND DULY CARRIED, due to the absence of the Executive Secretary and Assistant Executive Secretary, Krystal M. Coleman is hereby appointed Executive Secretary Pro Tem for this meeting of the City of Salem Planning Commission – the roll call vote: all present – aye. ON MOTION MADE BY COMMISSION MEMBER ROBERTSON, AND DULY CARRIED, the minutes of the regular meeting and work session held on February 1 4 , 2007, were approved as written – the roll call vote: all present – aye. The regular City of Salem Planning Commission meeting and work session scheduled for Wednesday, March 14, 2007, were cancelled due to there being no matters to come before the Commission. In re: Request of Jackie & Debbie Kanode, and Denton Willard, lessees, and L & M Properties LLC, property owner, for rezoning two parcels located in the 1400 block of East Main Street and 100 block of Kesler Mill Road (Tax Map # 81-2-1 and 76-3-16) from LM Light Manufacturing District to HBD Highway Business District The Executive Secretary Pro Tem reported that this date and time had been set to hold a public hearing to consider the request of Jackie & Debbie Kanode, and Denton Willard, lessees, and L & M Properties LLC, property owner, for rezoning two parcels located in the 1400 block of East Main Street and 100 block of Kesler Mill Road (Tax Map # 81-2-1 and 76-3-16) from LM Light Manufacturing District to HBD Highway Business District; and WHEREAS, the Executive Secretary Pro Tem further reported that notice of such hearing had been published in the March 29, and April 5, 2007, issues of the Salem Times-Register, and adjoining property owners were notified by letter mailed March 30, 2007; and WHEREAS, staff noted the following: the subject property consists of two parcels located along Kesler Mill Road; the first parcel at the corner of Kesler Mill and East Main Street is approximately 1.1 acres with a single story 50’ by 132’ building; the second parcel, located to the north of the first along Kesler Mill Road, is approximately 1.3 acres and largely undeveloped; the property is bordered by the Norfolk and Southern Catawba Branch to the west and by Mason Creek to the east; this request is to rezone the property from LM to HBD to allow the relocation and operation of Salem Banquet Hall, currently located at West Salem Plaza; they would like to use the building as a bingo/recreation center; the applicants state they will repair the parking lot and would like to add approximately 85 spaces, along with lighting; the interior will feature new bathrooms and a new kitchen; the property is located in the floodway portion of the floodplain; and WHEREAS, Denton Willard of 822 Stroupe Circle, Salem, lessee, appeared before the Commission explaining the request to rezone this property from LM Light Manufacturing District to HBD Highway Business District; he noted that the Salem Banquet Hall is currently located at West Salem Plaza, and they are proposing to move the business to this location; and WHEREAS, Chairman Smith asked Mr. Willard if the floor space of the new location would be the same as the current location, and Mr. Willard noted that it would be less floor space; he noted that the new location has approximately 6,800 square feet, and the West Salem Plaza location has approximately 9,000; and WHEREAS, Vice Chairman Murphy asked Mr. Willard if they planned to sell alcohol and also if he could expand on the recreational center use for the building; Mr. Willard noted that outside of the bingo use they would use the building for auctions, weddings, parties, etc.; he also noted that they would not be obtaining a liquor license; and WHEREAS, Chairman Smith asked Mr. Willard how frequently they have bingo games, and Mr. Willard noted that they have games two nights a week, Sunday and Monday; and WHEREAS, Vice Chairman Murphy asked Mr. Willard to expand on the parking improvements proposed, and Mr. Willard noted they will have to repave the parking lot and probably will add approximately 45 parking spaces; Mr. Willard further noted that they plan renovations to the interior of the building; and WHEREAS, Mr. Willard stated that bingo is a highly regulated business now so they have to meet certain criteria and will have to bring the building up to state code; and WHEREAS, Commission Member Robertson asked if the recreation center would be anything like the former Laser Venture, and Mr. Willard noted that the recreation center would not be like the Laser Venture business; Mr. Willard noted that the building could be used for auctions, weddings, and corporate use; and WHEREAS, Chuck Aldridge, Acting Building Official and Zoning Administrator, noted that the access to the building must be made handicap accessible, and the restrooms would have to be handicap accessible; Mr. Willard noted that they were aware of these requirements and would comply; Mr. Aldridge noted that Mr. Willard stated they would add 45 spaces; however, he stated that he had discussed with the applicants adding 85 spaces; he questioned how many spaces would be added, and Mr. Willard noted that after laying it out, it appears that they can add about 45-50 without changing the contour of the land; Mr. Aldridge asked if they planned to light the parking lot since the building would be used at night, and Mr. Willard noted that they would light the parking lot; and WHEREAS, Commission Member Robertson asked if the additional parking would be in the rear of the property and if it would actually go over onto the other lot they are requesting to rezone, and Mr. Willard noted that the additional parking would be in the rear and that it would possibly take approximately 20-25 feet of the other lot; and WHEREAS, Commission Member Daulton asked how many total spaces would they have, and Mr. Willard noted approximately 100 spaces; ON MOTION MADE BY VICE CHAIRMAN MURPHY, 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 Jackie & Debbie Kanode, and Denton Willard, lessees, and L & M Properties LLC, property owner, for rezoning two parcels located in the 1400 block of East Main Street and 100 block of Kesler Mill Road (Tax Map # 81-2-1 and 76-3-16) from LM Light Manufacturing District to HBD Highway Business District be approved as presented – the roll call vote: all present – aye. There being no further business to come before the Commission, the same on motion adjourned at 7:13 p.m.