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Home My WebLink About10/11/2023 - Planning Commission - Minutes - RegularPlanning Commission Meeting MINUTES Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 7:00 PM Work Session 6:00PM 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; 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 6:04 p.m. and reported that this date, place and time had been set for the Commission to hold a work session. 2. New Business Recognition of retiring City Manager Jay Taliaferro was added to the regular meeting agenda. A. Discussion 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) A discussion was held regarding the item on the October agenda. B. Introduction of items on the November agenda 1. Code changes, sign ordinance 2. Code changes, zoning ordinance 3. 800-802 Maryland Avenue Items for the November 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 September 28 and October 5, 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 James E. Taliaferro, II, City Manager; 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: Absent: King 2. Pledge of Allegiance A. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Consent Agenda Chair Daulton recognized retiring City Manager Jay Taliaferro, thanked him for his years of service, and wished him well. Absent: King A. Minutes Consider acceptance of the minutes from the September 13, 2023, work session and regular meeting and the September 29, 2023, joint work session with City Council. Neil Conner motioned acceptance of the minutes from the September 13, 2023, work session and regular meeting minutes, as well as the September 29, 2023, joint work session with City Council. Jackson Beamer seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst Absent: King 4. New Business A. Special Exception Permit Hold public hearing to consider the request of Bruce Maxey, property owner, for the issuance of a Special Exception permit to allow a 1,200 square foot detached garage on the property located at 1862 Murrell Avenue (Tax Map # 128-1-4). Staff noted the following: The subject property (1862 Murrell Avenue, Tax Map # 128-1-4) consists of a 2.03acre tract of land that sits within the RSF Residential Single Family zoning district. The applicant has submitted a rough sketch with the intention 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 preliminary plan indicate that the structure will be constructed behind the rear building line of the home on the property, largely (if not entirely) shielded from the public view. The applicant intends to use the detached garage for storage of equipment and vehicles. The existing accessory structure on the property would be removed after the construction of the planned pole barn garage. 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. Bruce Maxey, property, 1862 Murrell Avenue, appeared before the Commission and stated that he would like to build a garage a little bit bigger than is allowed by right. He stated that the garage would be used for his hobbies (motorcycles) and lawn equipment storage. The garage would be built in the rear of the property and would be lower in elevation than the primary structure. Member Conner questioned the timeframe necessary to remove the old building once the new building is constructed. Mr. Maxey mentioned that it is his desire to remove the old building as soon as possible and requested six months from the time the new building is constructed to remove the old structure. Chair Daulton asked if Mr. Maxey plans on "coming around" his house to enter the new garage. Mr. Maxey noted the location of the driveway and structure. Member Garst asked if staff had received any correspondence regarding the matter. Mary Ellen Wines, Zoning Administrator, stated that no correspondence was received. Member Beamer inquired about height requirements. Ms. Wines noted that accessory structures cannot be taller than the principal structure measured from the average adjacent grade. No other person(s) appeared related to the request. Neil Conner motioned approve the request of Bruce Maxey, property owner, for the issuance of a Special Exception permit to allow a 1,200 square foot detached garage on the property located at 1862 Murrell Avenue (Tax Map # 128-1-4) with the condition that the old structure to be removed within 180 days of the final building inspection approval. Jackson Beamer seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst Absent: King B. Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Hold public hearing to consider the request of Crystal Lowery, property owner, for rezoning the property located at 1000 Blk Ohio Ave (Tax Map # 197-1-15) from HM Heavy Manufacturing District to RSF Residential Single-Family District. Staff noted the following: The subject property (1000 blk Ohio Ave, Tax Map # 197-1-15) consists of a 0.172-acre tract of land that sits within the HM Heavy Manufacturing zoning district. The applicant is requesting a rezoning of the property to the RSF Residential Single Family zoning district in order to construct a single family detached dwelling. This item was presented to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, in an effort to obtain a variance regarding the lot size, lot width, and road frontage requirements of the RSF Residential Single-Family District. The Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously approved the request. If approved, this rezoning request would permit the applicant to build the proposed 1,248 square foot single family home. Primary access to this unit would likely be from the rear alley, mimicking that of the adjacent home (1021 Ohio Avenue). Any residential development on this property (aside from requirements lifted by variance) will be required to adhere to the development standards prescribed in Section 106-202.3. Site development regulations 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. Don Haddon of Balzer and Associates, appeared before the Commission on behalf of the property owner, and stated that the request for rezoning is to build a 1,250 square foot detached single-family home with access to the lot from the rear alley. He stated that driveway access from the rear would be expanded to allow for emergency vehicles to turn around. He also noted that the property had recently received a variance to meet RSF requirements. Member Garst noted that the new "turnaround" is not shown on the provided plans. Mr. Haddon stated that the new design will be reflected on the building plans if the request is approved. A discussion was held regarding the alley--where it stops, parking, etc. It was noted that the turnaround improvements will be located on the property, not in the alley itself. Mr. Joe Foley, 302 Academy Street, appeared before the Commission and stated that he is not speaking in opposition to the item, but he has concerns regarding allowing primary access from alleys. His concern revolves around emergency services and other city services (trash removal, etc.) He would like the city to plan ahead and understand the potential consequences. Member Conner stated that he has managed properties with rear access, and he does not believe it will be an issue. No other person(s) appeared related to the request. Reid Garst motioned approve the request of Crystal Lowery, property owner, for rezoning the property located at 1000 Blk Ohio Ave (Tax Map # 197-1-15) from HM Heavy Manufacturing District to RSF Residential Single-Family District. Neil Conner seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst Absent: King 5. Adjournment On motion by Member Beamer, seconded by Member Conner, the meeting was adjourned at 7:38 pm. City Council meeting, October 23, 2023, 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street