HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/15/2023 - Planning Commission - Minutes - RegularPlanning Commission Meeting
MINUTES Wednesday, March 15, 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 March15, 2023; there being
the members of said Commission, to wit: Vicki G. Daulton, Chair; Denise P.
King, Vice Chair; Reid Garst, Jackson Beamer, and Neil L. Conner; together
with Charles E. Van Allman, Jr., Director of Community Development; Mary
Ellen Wines, Planning & Zoning Administrator; Maxwell Dillon, Planner; and
Jim H. Guynn, Jr., City Attorney; and the following business was transacted:
Chair Daulton called the meeting to order at 6:09 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 March agenda 1. 907 Florida Street 2. 2730 West Main Street
A discussion was held regarding the March agenda items.
B. Introduction of items on the April agenda 1. Landmark sign - 2500 West Main Street 2. Rezoning - 1630 & 1640 Roanoke Boulevard
A discussion was held regarding the upcoming April agenda items.
C. Other items for discussion 1. New applications 2. Various code changes upcoming
3. Comprehensive Plan
A discussion was held regarding the items.
3. Adjournment
Chair Daulton inquired if there were any other items for discussion and
hearing none, adjourned the work session at 6:58 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 7:01 p.m., on
March15, 2023. Notice of such hearing was published in the March 2 and
9, 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; James E. Taliaferro, II, City Manager and Executive
Secretary, ex officio member of said Commission, to wit; Charles E. Van
Allman, Jr., Director of Community Development; Mary Ellen Wines,
Planning & Zoning Administrator; and Maxwell Dillon, Planner, and the
following business was transacted:
A. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Consent Agenda
A. Minutes Consider acceptance of the minutes from the February 15, 2023, work
session and regular meeting.
Jackson Beamer motioned for acceptance of the February 15, 2023,
work session and regular meeting minutes. Reid Garst seconded the
motion.
Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King
3. New Business
A. Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance
Hold public hearing to consider the request of Michael O. Garst and Alan
L. Garst, property owners, for rezoning the property located at 907 Florida
Street (Tax Map # 185-5-9) from HBD Highway Business District to RSF
Residential Single Family.
Staff noted the following:
The subject property (907 Florida Street, Tax Map # 185-5-9) consists of a “25
foot,” 0.086- acre property which is currently zoned HBD Highway Business
District. Located in “East Bottom” between 7th and 8th street, this parcel sits
amongst a block of properties that encompass an array of zoning
designations including HBD Highway Business District, RSF Residential Single
Family, RBD Residential Business District, and CBD Community Business District.
Further, while the majority of the parcels in this area are currently zoned HBD
Highway Business District, there are numerous tracts which are still utilized as
single-family homes as they have not been repurposed since the last zoning
ordinance update.
The applicants are requesting the rezoning of this property in order to
construct a single-family home which will satisfy the setback requirements for
the RSF zoning district. The Future Land Use Map (FLUM) identifies this area as
Residential, consistent with the proposed rezoning.
Michael Garst, 929 Indiana Street, property owner, appeared before the
Commission and stated that he will build an 18-foot wide house to conform to
current setback requirements, which is the reason for the rezoning request.
No other person(s) appeared related to the request.
Denise King motioned to approve the request of Michael O. Garst and Alan
L. Garst, property owners, for rezoning the property located at 907 Florida
Street (Tax Map #185-5-9) from HBD Highway Business district to RSF
Residential Single Family. Neil Conner seconded the motion.
Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King
B. Special Exception Permit Hold public hearing to consider the request of Daniel N Suggs
Excavating & Grading, Inc., property owner, and AM Transportation of
Roanoke, LLC, contract purchaser, for the issuance of a Special
Exception Permit to allow a truck parking facility on the property
located at 2730 West Main Street, (Tax Map # 174-5-1).
Staff noted the following: The subject property (2730 West Main Street, Tax
Map # 174-5-1) consists of a 1.7-acre tract which possesses the HBD Highway
Business District designation. This parcel was formerly occupied by a grading
business before being demolished and left vacant between 2013/2015.
The contract purchaser is requesting a Special Exception Permit in order to
construct a truck parking facility which will provide truck drivers a secure
location to store their personal cars while they are traveling and their tractor
trailers while at home. This lot will be secured with a gate/coded lock on-site
and monitored by security cameras. There will be no employees at this
location, and nobody will be permitted to stay overnight. The applicant
estimates that a general timeframe for trucks to be gone is 3-4 consecutive
days during a one-week period.
The Future Land Use Map (FLUM) identifies this area as commercial, consistent
with the proposed utilization of the property should the Special Exception
Permit be granted.
Barney Horrell, 3553 Carvins Cove Road, Salem, appeared before the
Commission on behalf of the petitioner to explain the request. He stated that
there are no permanent buildings planned--it would be a truck parking facility.
The applicant currently owns two trucks and utilizes a gravel lot in the Glenvar
area, and other people park their trucks there as well. He further stated that
no employees will be on site; freezer-type trucks (14 spaces are currently
designated, which is subject to change based on topography); and a new
driveway will be created instead of expanding the existing shared driveway.
Gurdeep Singh, owner of AM Transportation, appeared before the
Commission and stated that he currently rents a lot in Glenvar; the proposed
lot will be completely fenced with barbed wire and monitored by cameras.
He further stated that drivers will not be sleeping in the trucks; AM
Transportation LLC will be the operating business and will lease spaces to
others; the hours of operation for truckers will vary; and the site is suitable to
the business due to its proximity to delivery locations.
Vice Chair King stated she has concerns about trucks pulling out into traffic
during normal hours as traffic is heavier in Salem than in Roanoke County.
Mr. Horrell clarified that leasing to other operators may utilize their
spaces in slightly different fashions (only tractor, different hours, etc.).
Vice Chair King inquired as to how often the parking lot would be
checked for oil and other leaks, etc.
Mr. Singh stated that it would be a couple of times a week.
Dwayne Mann, 2743 W. Main Street, Vintage Vault, appeared before the
Commission and stated that he has concerns about the turning radius for the
tractor-trailers, taking a left into the lot and the impact on the traffic light. He
also has concerns about site distance and safety with trucks pulling in and out
at low speeds with a large turn radius.
Member Conner questioned the engineering requirements.
Mr. Van Allman clarified that the final plan would be subject to site plan
review and VDOT requirements.
Jeff and Patty Washenberger appeared before the Commission and stated
that they feel that their business will be negatively affected due to the noises
and emissions associated with the truck facility being located within 50 feet of
sleeping areas-- idling one and off throughout the night, diesel smells,
slamming doors, etc. They are also concerned with the impact of traffic during
normal hours, and the variation within truck schedules--not having control of
lessees.
Terry Kelly, 1672 Dalewood Avenue, Salem, and owner of 2700 and 2712 W.
Main Street, appeared before the Commission in opposition of the request. He
does not feel the proposed business would be beneficial to the city or his
business. He is also concerned with the stormwater area--ponding of water on
adjacent properties he owns, traffic, and questioned the need for truck
parking when there is truck parking near Ditch Witch.
Jon Kelly appeared before the Commission and stated he has concerns
about the potential traffic associated when there is a wreck on Interstate
81.
Mr. Horrell reappeared before the Commission to address the turning radius--
engineering specifications. He stated that access to the property will be
worked out with City engineering, and other uses will likely have a much
higher traffic count. He also stated that stormwater will be an issue and
drainage issues on adjacent properties would be taken care of in site plan
review; fencing would match that of adjacent properties; headlights will be
facing Main Street when the trucks start; noises are consistent with the area;
and the property would be purchased by the business owner.
Mr. Singh reappeared before the Commission and stated that some trucks will
likely be running while stored.
Member Garst questioned Mr. Van Allman about tractor trailer access to
Main Street in regard to signalization.
Member Conner stated that he does not feel the proposal is a bad plan, and
noted that there is a need for this use. He also stated he is not as concerned
about traffic. Emphasized that it's the Commission's job to make sure the use
"fits in" with the character of the corridor, and feels this is the wrong place for
the business.
No other person(s) appeared related to the request.
Neil Conner motioned to deny the request of Daniel N. Suggs Excavating &
Grading, Inc., property owner, and AM Transportation of Roanoke, LLC,
contract purchaser, for the issuance of a Special Exception Permit to allow a
truck parking facility on the property located at 2730 West Main Street (Tax
Map #174-5-1). Jackson Beamer seconded the motion.
Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King
4. Adjournment
Having no other items before the Commission, on motion by Vice Chair King,
seconded by Member Conner and duly carried, meeting was adjourned at
7:50 p.m.
City Council meeting, March 27, 2023, 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street