HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/13/2023 - Planning Commission - Minutes - RegularPlanning Commission Meeting
MINUTES Wednesday, December 13, 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 December 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, and
Jackson Beamer; together with Mary Ellen Wines, Planning & Zoning Administrator;
Charles E. Van Allman, Jr., Director of Community Development; Maxwell S. Dillon,
Planner; and Jim Guynn, City Attorney; and the following business was transacted: Chair
Daulton called the meeting to order at 6:03 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 December agenda 1. 68 St. John Road 2. 2105-2121 Apperson Drive
A discussion was held regarding the items on the December agenda.
B. Introduction of items on the January 2024 agenda 1. 1236 West Main Street 2. 301 Carey Avenue 3. 416 Electric Road 4. 860 Mount Vernon Lane
Items for the January 2024 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 6:53 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 7:07 p.m., on December 13, 2023. Notice of such hearing was published
in the November 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 Guynn, City
Attorney; Mary Ellen Wines, Planning & Zoning Administrator; Maxwell S. Dillon, City
Planner; and Charles E. Van Allman, Jr., Director of Community Development, and the
following business was transacted:
A. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Consent Agenda
Denise King motioned appointment of Mary Ellen Wines, Zoning and Planning
Administrator, secretary pro tem. Jackson Beamer seconded the motion.
Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King
A. Minutes Consider acceptance of the minutes from the November 15, 2023, work session and
regular meeting. Jackson Beamer motioned approve minutes as amended. Neil Conner 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 E2ST John, LLC, property owner, for
rezoning the property located at 68 St. John Road (Tax Map # 155-2-2.1) from HBD
Highway Business District to HM Heavy Manufacturing District.
Staff noted the following:
The subject property consists of a 0.932-acre tract of land which currently sits within the HBD
Highway Business District designation. To provide a bit of history, this parcel is a portion of
the original St. John Place Commerce Center, designed to be a flexible industrial development.
It is one of two remaining vacant parcels along Electric Road, on the southside of St. John
Road. Formerly zoned HM Heavy Manufacturing, this request seeks to return it to the HM
Heavy Manufacturing classification. This parcel is currently vacant.
The applicant plans to develop this parcel in a similar nature to the flexible commercial lease
space which is currently being constructed at 105 St. John Road. As depicted on the concept
plan, the proposed development will be accessed via St. John Road. This will include a 9,900
square foot building with a 20’ x 20’ loading dock. There will be 19 parking spaces included. Access will be off St. John Road using a shared private access drive.
The Future Land Use Map (FLUM) identifies this area as industrial which is consistent
with the proposed utilization of the property.
Barney Horrell, Brush Mountain Engineering, 3553 Carvins Cove Road, Salem, appeared
before the Commission on behalf of the property owner. He stated that the rezoning request is
consistent with what has been on the opposite side of St. John Road that Helm Building is
building. The proposed structure will be a 90x110 metal building. Access will be off of a
private, existing, shared access road.
A discussion was held regarding the private access road, address of the building, etc.
No other person(s) appeared before the Commission.
Neil Conner motioned to approve the request of E2ST John, LLC, property owner, for
rezoning the property located at 68 St. John Road (Tax Map #144-2-2.1) from HBD Highway
Business District to HM Heavy Manufacturing District. Denise King seconded the motion.
Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King
B. Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Hold public hearing to consider the request of Poindexter SW Florida, LLC, property owner,
for rezoning the property located at 2105–2121 Apperson Drive (Tax Map # 281-1-2.2) from
BCD Business Commerce District to HBD Highway Business District.
Staff noted the following:
The subject property consists of a 1.473-acre tract of land which currently sits within the BCD Business Commerce District designation. To provide a bit of history, this parcel is a portion of the original 19-acre shopping center property that was that was purchased by Lewis-Gale. This property was rezoned from the commercial district B-3 to the current BCD
Business Commerce District to accommodate their needs.
This property is currently partially occupied by various commercial tenants or otherwise
vacant. In order to allow additional commercial uses such as restaurant and retail sales the property must be rezoned to a commercial district. Therefore, the petitioners are requesting the property be rezoned to HBD, Highway Business District.
The Future Land Use Map (FLUM) identifies this area as commercial which is consistent
with the proposed utilization of the property.
Ben Crew of Balzer and Associates, 1208 Corporate Circle, Roanoke, VA, representing the
property owners, appeared before the Commission and noted that the property owners are also
present at the meeting. He stated that the applicants purchased the property July of this year
and plan to continue the positive momentum within that center by increasing the quality of the
tenants in the space. During the process of trying to acquire new tenants, it was realized that in
the unique BCD district that retail and restaurants are not allowed--you can build a hotel, but
you cannot have retail space or a sub shop. The property is within the shopping center and is
bordered by HBD on two sides, BCD on one side, which is the childcare facility, and LM on
the other side, which is the zoning for Layman Candy Company. He stated that the owners
have met with staff previously due to prospective tenants not being able to obtain a business
license due to zoning restrictions, which is the reason for the rezoning request.
Vice Chair King stated that three units are vacant, and as a property owner, you want the
spaces rented. She also stated that when she stopped by the property, the existing tenants are excited about the potential for additional tenants to increase traffic.
Chair Daulton inquired if renovations are planned.
Mr. Crew stated that miscellaneous renovations such as roof items and painting, but nothing
additional is planned at this time.
A discussion was held regarding parking, easements, etc.
No other person(s) appeared related to the request.
Neil Conner motioned to approve request of Poindexter SW Florida, LLC, property owner,
for rezoning the property located at 2105-2121 Apperson Drive (Tax Map # 281-1-2.2)
from BCD Business Commerce District to HBD Highway Business District. Jackson
Beamer seconded the motion.
Ayes: Beamer, Conner, Daulton, Garst, King
4. Adjournment On motion by Member Beamer, seconded by Vice Chair, the meeting was
adjourned at 7:21 pm.
City Council meeting, January 8, 2024, 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street