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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/14/2023 - Planning Commission - Minutes - Regular1 Planning Commission Meeting MINUTES Wednesday, June 14, 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 June 14, 2023; there being the members of said Commission, to wit: Vicki G. Daulton, Chair; Denise P. King, Vice Chair; Reid Garst, Neil L. Conner, and Jackson Beamer; together with Mary Ellen Wines, Planning & Zoning Administrator; Maxwell Dillon, Planner; 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 6:06 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 June agenda 1. 1617 West Main Street 2. 514 West Main Street 3. 500 block White Street A discussion was held regarding the items on the June Agenda. B. Introduction of items on the July agenda 1. 1201 Texas Street Items for the July 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 6:55 p.m. 2 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 June 14, 2023. Notice of such hearing was published in the June 1 and 8, 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; H. Robert Light, Assistant City Manager and Executive Secretary, ex officio member of said Commission, to wit; Mary Ellen Wines, Planning & Zoning Administrator; Charles E. Van Allman, Jr., Director of Community Development, 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 May 10, 2023, work session and regular meeting. Jackson Beamer motioned Consider acceptance of the May 10, 2023, work session and regular meeting minutes. Denise King seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King 4. New Business A. Special Exception Permit Hold public hearing to consider the request of Joshua Davis, lessee, and Dallas Scaggs, Jr., and Paul Walrond, property owners, for the issuance of a special exception permit to allow for a pawn shop on the property located at 1617 West Main Street (Tax Map # 139 – 3 - 4). Staff noted the following: The subject property located at 1617 West Main Street consists of a 0.246- acre tract of land shared with an additional address, 1619 West Main Street. This parcel possesses the HBD Highway Business District zoning designation and is comprised of a two-story building with commercial space on the ground floor and an apartment on the second floor. The apartment on the second floor has lost its “grandfathering” and will not be able to be utilized as a residential space. The property has been vacant since its occupancy by Aberration Music. The applicant is requesting a Special Exception Permit be issued to allow for the operation of a pawn shop. 3 The Future Land Use Map (FLUM) identifies this area as commercial, which is consistent with the proposed development of a pawn shop. If approved, the applicant will have to submit application to the police department for dealing precious metals, and ATF for dealing firearms. Joshua Davis, 202 Baldrock Road, Roanoke, Virginia, appeared before the Commission and stated that he currently owns four pawn shops in Lexington, Culpepper, Harrisonburg, and Williamsburg, Virginia, and would like to operate one in Salem as well. Vice Chair King asked what Mr. Davis plans to do with the building. Mr. Davis stated that he plans to "take the edge off" of the building by placing some reclaimed wood around the sign band, and things to make the building look more presentable and appealing for people to come in shop. Vice Chair King also asked what a commercial pawn shop entails. Mr. Davis stated that he has been in finance the past 30 years and has semi-retired with this being his "pet" project; he comes from a commercial background and not the traditional mom and pop pawn shops you typically see. He stands behind everything sold--does things the "right way" and the locations are fully regulated by the ATF, etc. He has opened up over 250 retail locations in the past 20 years. He stated they are professionals. Member Garst asked about any specialties offered for retail. Mr. Davis stated that they offer jewelry, firearms, electronics, etc. Vice Chair asked about the hours of operation. Mr. Davis stated they would be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. five or six days a week depending on the market, with the store typically closed on Wednesdays. Chair Daulton reiterated that the upstairs of the building could not be used as an apartment. Mr. Davis stated that he will not be utilizing the upstairs; he will be using the entire ground floor only. Member Beamer asked when he planned to open the business. Mr. Davis stated that the AFT application typically takes 60 days, the up fit takes 30 days, and once the City has given its approval, he can get started so he feels it should be open in about 90 days. Vice Chair King asked if he has had contact with Chief Crawley. Mr. Davis stated that he will as part of the AFT application. A discussion was held regarding the market area, who would run the store, etc. 4 No other person(s) appeared related to the request. Denise King motioned approve the request of Joshua Davis, lessee, and Dallas Scaggs, Jr., and Paul Walrond, property owners, for the issuance of a special exception permit to allow for a pawn shop on the property located at 1617 West Main Street (Tax Map # 139 – 3 - 4). Neil Conner seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King B. Special Exception Permit Hold public hearing to consider the request of Terry Steele, lessee, and Kieu Thi Thuy Do, property owner, for the issuance of a special exception permit to allow for personal service (barber shop) on the property located at 514 West Main Street (Tax Map # 123 – 3 - 5). Staff noted the following: The subject property located at 514 West Main Street consists of a 0.41-acre tract of land shared with two additional addresses, 506 and 510 West Main Street. This parcel possesses the RB Residential Business zoning designation, and the subject building was formerly occupied by a personal service before that business ceased operations several years ago. The applicant is requesting a Special Exception Permit be issued to allow for a barber shop. The current business plan consists of one barber with two salon chairs, with a potential staff expansion to two barbers in the future. The Future Land Use Map (FLUM) identifies this area as mixed-use, which is consistent with the proposed development of a barber shop given structure of the existing buildings and the current character of the corridor. Jerry Steele, 1620 McCauley Avenue, Salem, appeared before the Commission. Vice Chair King asked if there would be a second barber. Mr. Steele stated that there is a possibility, but he prefers to work alone. Chair Daulton asked about parking. Mr. Steele stated that he will park his vehicle behind the building and plans to remove the freestanding sign in front of the building to make access easier. A discussion was held regarding parking on the lot. Member Beamer asked if appointments or walk-ins would be offered. Mr. Steele stated he would prefer walk-ins. Chair Daulton asked what the hours of operation would be and when does he plan to open. 5 Mr. Steele stated that the hours would be 9 am to 4:30 pm Monday thru Friday, and 9 am to 12 noon on Saturdays. He anticipates being able to open August 1st. No other person(s) appeared related to the request. Neil Conner motioned approve the request of Terry Steele, lessee, and Kieu Thi Thuy Do, property owner, for the issuance of a special exception permit to allow for personal service (barber shop) on the property located at 514 West Main Street (Tax Map # 123 – 3 - 5). Reid Garst seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King C. Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Hold public hearing to consider the request of J S Salem LLC, contract purchaser, and the Trustees Faith Assembly of God, property owner, for rezoning the property of 500 block of White Street (Tax Map # 161 - 4 - 2) from RSF Residential Single-Family District to CBD Community Business District. Staff noted the following: The subject property is located at the 500 blk of White Street and consists of a 0.337-acre tract of land which currently possesses the RSF Residential Single Family zoning designation. The applicant is requesting a rezoning with proffered conditions of the property from RSF Residential Single Family to CBD Community Business District in order to allow for the construction of a parking lot which will accommodate Invision Eye Care located across the street. The proffered condition states that this property will only be utilized as a parking lot. This lot will be utilized for staff parking with the existing parking lot servicing customers. If approved, the new parking lot would adhere to any applicable landscaping requirements, along with the required buffer yards, as prescribed by Section 106-402.3. of the zoning ordinance. These details would be addressed during the site plan review process. The Future Land Use Map (FLUM) identifies this property as commercial, which is consistent with the proposed use of a parking lot. Scott Mann, 511 Walker Street, Radford, Virginia, appeared before the Commission on behalf of Invision. He stated that they are busy, and parking is difficult sometimes; therefore, they would like to save the best parking spaces for customers and have the employees park in the parcel in question. Member Conner stated that the application states that you "anticipate" the lot to be used for parking and questioned if Mr. Mann would proffer that the lot would only be used for parking. Mr. Mann stated that he would proffer that the land will be used for parking. Vice Chair asked about the shed on the property. John Goodman, 929 South College Avenue appeared before the Commission and stated that the shed on the property is the church's property and will likely be removed. He also stated that he and Mr. Mann have spoken with the adjacent property owners to make them aware of their intentions, and they were 6 not opposed to the request and would prefer to see a parking lot instead of any other development on the property. Member Jackson asked if there will be curb and guttering involved. Mr. Van Allman stated that everything in that nature will be addressed during the site plan review process. No other person(s) appeared related to the request. Neil Conner motioned approve the request of J S Salem LLC, contract purchaser, and the Trustees Faith Assembly of God, property owner, for rezoning the property of 500 block of White Street (Tax Map # 161 - 4 - 2) from RSF Residential Single-Family District to CBD Community Business District. Jackson Beamer seconded the motion. Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King 5. Adjournment Having no other items before the Commission, on motion by Member Garst the meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m. City Council meeting, June 26, 2023, 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street