HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/13/2023 - Planning Commission - Minutes - RegularPlanning Commission Meeting
MINUTES Wednesday, September 13, 2023, 7:00 PM Work Session 6:00PM Regular Session 7:00PM Council Chambers Conference Room, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street:
WORK SESSION
1. Call to Order A work session of the Planning Commission of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in
Council Chambers Conference Room, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia,
at 6:00 p.m. on September 13, 2023; there being the members of said Commission, to wit:
Vicki G. Daulton, Chair; Denise P. King, Vice Chair; Reid Garst, Neil L. Conner (absent),
and Jackson Beamer; together with Mary Ellen Wines, Planning & Zoning Administrator;
Charles E. Van Allman, Jr., Director of Community Development; and Jim H. Guynn, Jr.,
City Attorney; and the following business was transacted: Chair Daulton called the meeting
to order at 5:67 p.m. and reported that this date, place and time had been set for the
Commission to hold a work session.
2. New Business
A. Discussion of items on the September agenda 1. 640 Joan Circle (Tax Map # 243-2-16)
A discussion was held regarding the item on the September agenda.
B. Introduction of items on the October agenda 1. 1862 Murrell Avenue (Tax Map # 128-1-4) 2. 1000 blk Ohio Avenue (Tax Map # 197-1-15)
Items for the October agenda were introduced, and a discussion was held.
3. Adjournment Chair Daulton inquired if there were any other items for discussion and hearing none,
adjourned the work session at 6:45 p.m.
REGULAR SESSION
1. Call to Order
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held
after due and proper notice in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street,
Salem, Virginia, at 7:00 p.m., on September 13, 2023. Notice of such hearing was
published in the August 31 and September 7, 2023, issues of the "Salem Times Register," a
newspaper published and having general circulation in the City of Salem. All adjacent
property owners were notified via the U. S. Postal Service.
The Commission, constituting a legal quorum, presided together with Jim H. Guynn, Jr.,
City Attorney; Mary Ellen Wines, Planning & Zoning Administrator; and Charles E. Van
Allman, Jr., Director of Community Development, and the following business was
transacted:
A. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Consent Agenda
A. Minutes Consider acceptance of the minutes from the August 16, 2023, work session and
regular meeting.
Reid Garst motioned Consider acceptance of the minutes from the July 12, 2023, work
session and regular meeting. Jackson Beamer seconded the motion.
Ayes: Beamer, Daulton, Garst, King
Absent: Conner
3. New Business
A. Special Exception Permit Hold public hearing to consider the request of David A. Thompson, property owner,
for the issuance of a Special Exception Permit to allow a 1,500 square foot detached
garage on the property located at 640 Joan Circle, (Tax Map # 243 -2 - 16).
Staff noted the following:
The subject property (640 Joan Circle, Tax Map # 243-2-16) consists of a 1.05-acre tract of
land that sits within the RSF Residential Single Family zoning district. The applicant has
submitted building plans to construct an accessory structure on his property; however,
because the proposed plans indicate a square footage of greater than 1,000 (1,500 square
feet), a Special Exception Permit is required.
If approved, the building plans indicate that the structure will be constructed on a concrete pad with a combination of masonry, vinyl siding, and asphalt shingles. The structure will be
required to adhere to the site development regulations prescribed in Section 106-202.3. (B) 2. Accessory Structures of the City of Salem Zoning Ordinance.
The Future Land Use Map (FLUM) identifies this area as residential, still consistent with
the proposed utilization of the property should the Special Exception Permit be granted.
David Thompson, property owner, appeared before the Commission and stated that he has
lived at the residence since 1981. His grandchildren outgrew the swimming pool on the
property; therefore, he plans to fill in the pool and place a garage, not to work out of, but to
store cars. He has been a collector for years. He stated that the roofline will be maybe a foot
taller than the roofline on his house. He stated that the neighbor's house to the left of his
property is probably 12-foot taller than his house-- other than that it does not affect anyone.
Chair Daulton questioned if the garage was going to be a foot taller than his
residence.
Mr. Thompson confirmed that it would be, and Chair Daulton asked how tall it would be.
He stated that his house is 11-foot tall, and the garage will be 12-foot tall.
The Zoning Administrator clarified that accessory buildings cannot be taller than the main
house, but one side is two-stories, and the other side is one-story; therefore, the average
height of Mr. Thompson's residence is around 18-feet. She then asked Mr. Thompson how
tall the garage would be.
Mr. Thompson stated that the garage would be 16-feet tall. He further stated that the plans
show the garage being vinyl sided, but he plans to brick up 4-feet and then vinyl side with
arch shingles. He stated that he has a nice home and wants to make the garage nice for
everyone.
Member Beamer questioned if Mr. Thompson would access the garage from the lower
driveway on the left when facing his property. Mr. Thompson stated that he would and
make a circle behind.
Vice Chair King noted that Mr. Thompson already has a two-bay garage and a
carport but has a need for an additional four-bay garage spots.
Mr. Thompson stated that his wife has the two-car garage full of junk, and park under the
carport, but he has five or six cars in his driveway that need to be around the back out of
sight.
Chair Daulton questioned if he plans to gravel the driveway to the proposed garage, and
Mr. Thompson stated he would pave the driveway.
Vice Chair King questioned why the proposed garage is planned to be directly beside
the adjoining property owner.
Mr. Thompson stated that it is more convenient to pull around to go in the house.
Member Garst questioned the cost of the garage. Mr. Thompson stated that he plans to
do the work himself and it will be stick built.
Vice Chair King questioned if Mr. Thompson had considered moving the building to
another portion of his property, and he stated that he has not considered it.
Member Garst asked if Mr. Thompson would consider moving the garage. Mr. Thompson stated that it would be too much out of the way.
It was noted that accessory structures have a setback of five-foot.
Mr. Thompson stated that he plans to have the structure seven-foot off the property line.
Mike Fisher appeared before the Commission and stated that he respects Mr. Thompson
being a property owner and having a large lot. Mr. Thompson is requesting approval for a
four-bay garage and the Commission has already stated that he has a two-car garage and a
carport. He understands and appreciates Mr. Thompson being a car enthusiast, however,
nowhere in Karen Hills is there over a 1,000 square-foot detached building. There is another
car enthusiast who lives in Karen Hills currently building a three-bay garage that is
approximately 943 square feet. He stated that he does not live in the neighborhood, but his
daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren live next door to Mr. Thompson. He stated that Mr.
Thompson's residence is 1,512 square-foot house on the upper level, and he is asking to
essentially build another house within a few feet of a fence because accessory structures
only have to be five feet from the property line. He feels that the structure will have a
negative impact on the neighborhood. The topography of Mr. Thompson's land definitely
slopes down and feels the structure is too big--the proposed driveway on the plans is 50-feet
wide, which is wider that the street in front of the house. He stated that Mr. Thompson has a
very large lot and if he would consider moving the garage to the lower left part of his
property it would have less of a negative impact--the structure is taller than a house and the
same size as a house. He further stated that his daughter and son-in-law purchased their
home a year ago, and one of the reasons they purchased the home was for the beautiful view,
which will definitely be affected with the construction of the proposed garage. He
understands he can build a 1,000 square-foot building anywhere on his property but feels if
the Planning Commission allows a 1,500 square-foot structure at the location proposed, it
will have a negative affect and will affect the view. He asked that the Commission take all of
this into consideration. Paul Daniels, 642 Joan Circle, appeared before the Commission and stated that Mr. Fisher said basically everything he planned to say. He said that he has never been in the ballpark
of telling anyone what they can and cannot do on their property--it's America, but if the structure runs lengthwise along his fence and is16-foot tall, it will have an impact on the view from his property, which is a big reason why they purchased the home.
Mr. Thompson reappeared before the Commission and stated that per the code he can
build 1,000 square-foot building but could build it two-stories tall and place a lift in the
building.
Vice Chair King stated that he could not build a two-story structure as it would be too tall.
The Zoning Administrator noted that the accessory structure could not be as tall as the
main house.
Mr. Thompson does not feel that the neighbor's view would be affected by the
proposed structure.
Vice Chair King stated that she went to the adjacent property and a property up from the
property and looked back to where she thought the structure would be and feels that the
structure would impact the view especially being that close to the property line.
Chair Daulton questioned if there was a reason why Mr. Thompson could not build a 1,000
square-foot structure.
Mr. Thompson stated that 1,000 square-foot building will not meet his needs. He stated
he would attach the structure to his house and build it as big as he wants if this is not
approved.
It was noted that an email was received by Engineering from Judy Harveycutter about
her concerns regarding the size and placement of the proposed structure. Member Garst
read the email. It was also noted that two other emails were received, but they appeared
before the Commission; and a neighbor came into the Community Development office
about the request and had no concerns.
A discussion was held regarding side-yard setback requirements for attached
structures and how it has to be attached to the primary structure.
No other person(s) appeared related to the request.
Denise King motioned to deny request of David A. Thompson, property owner, for the
issuance of a Special Exception Permit to allow a 1,500 square foot detached garage on the
property located at 640 Joan Circle (Tax Map #243-2-16). Reid Garst seconded the motion.
Ayes: Beamer, Daulton, Garst, King
Absent: Conner
4. Adjournment On motion by Member Garst, seconded by Member Beamer, the meeting was
adjourned at 7:20 pm.
City Council meeting, September 25, 2023, 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street