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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/10/2024 - Planning Commission - Minutes - RegularPlanning Commission Meeting MINUTES Wednesday, July 10, 2024, 7:00 PM Work Session 6:00PM Regular Session 7:00PM Council Chambers, 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 July 10, 2024, there being the members of said Commission, to wit: Denise King, Reid Garst, Jackson Beamer, and Mark Henrickson; together with Mary Ellen Wines, Planning and Zoning Administrator, Maxwell Dillon, Planner, Charles E. Van Allman Jr., Director of Community Development, Christopher J. Dorsey, City Manager, and Jim H. Guynn, Jr., City Attorney; and the following business was transacted: Denise King called the meeting to order at 6:00 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 July agenda 1. 1590 West Main Street rezoning from LM to HBD 2. 1221 Lynchburg Turnpike special exception permit for cemetery use 3. 141 Electric Road approval of preliminary site plan A discussion was held regarding the items on the July agenda. B. Introduction of items on the August agenda 1. 101 Corporate Blvd special exception permit for elementary school 2. 1014 East Main Street special exception permit for outpatient mental health and substance abuse clinic Items for the August agenda were introduced, and a discussion was held. 3. Adjournment Denise King inquired if there were any other items for discussion and hearing none, adjourned the work session at 6:49 p.m. Regular Session 1. Call to Order A regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Salem, Virginia, was held in Council Chambers, City Hall, 114 North Broad Street, Salem, Virginia, at 7:00 p.m. on July 10, 2024. Notice of such hearing was published in the June 20 and 27, 2024, 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; Christopher J. Dorsey, City Manager and Executive Secretary, ex officio member of said Commission, to wit; Mary Ellen Wines, Planning and 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. Agenda Amendment Jackson Beamer motioned to add item 4D to the agenda regarding remote participation for Planning Commissioners. Reid Garst seconded the motion. Ayes: Henrickson, Beamer, Garst, King 3. Election of Officers An Election of officers was held. Reid Garst made a motion for Denise King to serve as Chair of the Planning Commission. Jackson Beamer seconded that motion. Ayes: Henrickson, Beamer, Garst, King Mark Henrickson made a motion for Reid Garst to serve as Vice Chair. Jackson Beamer seconded that motion. Ayes: Henrickson, Beamer, Garst, King Chair King noted that this meeting is Mr. Henrickson’s first meeting as a Planning Commissioner. 4. Consent Agenda Chair King asked if each member had reviewed the minutes, and without objection, accepted the minutes as amended. 5. New Business A. Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance Hold public hearing to consider the request of Seaside Heights, LLC, property owner, to rezone the property located at 1590 West Main Street (Tax Map # 140-1-3) from LM Light Manufacturing District to HBD Highway Business District. Staff noted the following: The subject property consists of a 0.734-acre tract of land which currently sits within the LM Light Manufacturing zoning designation. The applicant is requesting to rezone the parcel to allow for the expansion of the drive-thru services. The restaurant was constructed in 2003. At that time the property was zoned Business District B3, which allowed for a restaurant use. In 2005, the City conducted a mass rezoning of the entire city, and this parcel was inadvertently rezoned to LM Light Manufacturing District. At the time of that citywide rezoning, the restaurant use entered into a nonconforming status. Section 106-526.3 of the zoning ordinance states that any improvement that would enlarge or expand the existing use requires a rezoning to an appropriate district which, in this case, is from LM Light Manufacturing to HBD Highway Business District. Chair King opened the public hearing at 7:04p.m. Ben Crew, 1208 Corporate Circle, Roanoke VA, 24018, of Balzer and Associates appeared before the commission as the agent of Seaside Heights LLC. Ben explained that interior updates will be done, as well as small parking updates in the back and the addition of a second drive thru order board. He explained that this request is to smooth out the zoning as a result of the 2005 mass rezoning of the City of Salem where the property in question was rezoned to LM Light Manufacturing. Chair King asked if any parking in the rear will be affected by the additional drive thru space. Mr. Crew explained that some parking will be altered in regard to its angle. He noted that parking demand has decreased while drive thru demand has increased. Member Beamer asked where the location of the second drive thru would be. Mr. Crew explained that the additional drive thru will be directly behind the first drive thru, and those two lanes will merge into one serviced by the windows. Chair King asked if staff had been contacted by anyone interested parties Staff confirmed that nobody had reached out in regard to this matter. No other person(s) appeared related to the request. Chair King closed the public hearing at 7:07p.m. Mark Henrickson motioned approval of the request of Seaside Heights, LLC, property owner, to rezone the property located at 1590 West Main Street (Tax Map # 140-1-3) from LM Light Manufacturing District to HBD Highway Business District. Jackson Beamer seconded the motion. Ayes: Henrickson, Beamer, Garst, King B. Special Exception Permit Hold public hearing to consider the request of Sherwood Memorial Park, Inc., property owner, for a Special Exception Permit to allow for the expansion of the cemetery into the adjacent property located at 1221 Lynchburg Turnpike (Tax Map # 117-1-8). Staff noted the following: The subject property consists of a 6.056 acre tract of land which currently sits within the RSF Residential Single Family zoning designation. The applicant is requesting the addition of the cemetery use to allow for the expansion of the existing adjacent cemetery. The current plan is to utilize two of the six acres for cemetery purposes. The applicant is proposing the utilization of two of the six acres for burial plot purposes. It is further proposed that two terraces/patio areas will be constructed for patrons of the cemetery. The single-family dwelling and surrounding area will remain single-family. Vegetation will be planted to screen along the boundaries of the parcel adjacent to residential properties. Access will remain through the existing entrances to the cemetery. There will not be a new entrance created through this parcel. The petitioner does not expect an increase in funeral services as a result of this expansion. On-site stormwater facilities will be constructed. Chair King opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. Mike Woolwine, 3800 Electric Road, Roanoke, VA 24018, of Hughes and Associates appeared before the commission as the agent of Sherwood Memorial Park, Inc. He noted that the request is for a Special Exception Permit to expand the existing cemetery into the adjacent parcel. Member Henrickson asked about the intent of the single-family dwelling in the future. Susan Mini, President of Sherwood Memorial, explained that a grounds crew member lives there, and the plan is for him to continue to live there. She mentioned that some additional landscaping will be installed on that property. Chair King asked about an entrance to the cemetery along Lynchburg Turnpike from this parcel. Ms. Mini explained that there will not be another entrance to the cemetery from this site. Vice Chair Garst clarified that the portion of the planned cemetery will be accessible by vehicle, but there will not be a new entrance to the cemetery created along Lynchburg Turnpike. Nancy Ikenberry, accompanied by Archie Brooks, 1309 Texas Street, asked about the existing access to 1309 Texas Street and whether that driveway would be altered. Staff noted that they were not aware of any planned changes to that access. Ms. Mini explained that no changes will be made to that access. Chair King asked city staff about relevant zoning requirements for the cemetery. Ms. Wines explained that 25 feet is required between any property line and the any burial site. She further noted that there are no landscape buffering requirements, but existing landscaping is present and that could be a condition placed on the permit by the Commission. Member Henrickson asked whether monuments will be allowed in this portion of the cemetery. Ms. Mini explained that this portion of the cemetery is intended to have flat grave markers. No other person(s) appeared related to the request. Chair King closed the public hearing at 7:14 p.m. Vice Chair Garst motioned approval of the request of Sherwood Memorial Park, Inc., property owner, for a Special Exception Permit to allow for the expansion of the cemetery into the adjacent property located at 1221 Lynchburg Turnpike (Tax Map # 117-1-8) with the condition that there is no entrance to the cemetery from the subject parcel along Lynchburg Turnpike. Jackson Beamer seconded the motion. Ayes: Henrickson, Beamer, Garst, King C. Site Plan Approval Consider the request of Lakeside (Salem) Station LLC, property owner, for the approval of a building addition at 141 Electric Road (Tax Map # 81-4-4) in conjunction with the proffered conditions of Ordinance #118. Staff noted the following: The subject property consists of a 9.692-acre tract of land which currently sits within the HBD Highway Business zoning designation. The applicant is requesting the approval of the proposed addition in accordance with the conditions on Ordinance #118 from 1987 when the old Lakeside Amusement Park property was rezoned to allow for the construction of the retail shopping center. Condition #1 of Ordinance #118 states that “a preliminary site plan shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for review and approval for any future development of the property, other than the development indicated on the proffered site plan submitted to the Planning Commission on November 11, 1987. Said preliminary site plan to include the location of the flood plain, floodway and river, proposed use of the floodway and any other remaining amusement park land and street rights of way, pavement, poles, adjacent streets and drives...” City staff is in the process of reviewing the entire site plan in further detail, and if approved by the Planning Commission, will coordinate any additional requirements with the developer. Ben Crew, 1208 Corporate Circle, Roanoke VA, 24018 of Balzer and Associates appeared before the commission as the acting agent of Lakeside (Salem) Station LLC and explained that Dollar Tree is the new tenant for this location, and a building expansion is required to accommodate their needs in regard to inventory display. An ordinance from 1987 requires that any development not shown on the attached concept plan be presented and approved by the Planning Commission. Member Beamer asked how many units are being occupied by Dollar Tree. Mr. Crew explained that like any good shopping mall, the interior had been a variety of different spaces. He thought two spaces would be utilized. Member Beamer asked about the existing utility meters in the rear of the building where the expansion is planned. Mr. Crew explained that those meters will be reconfigured to accommodate the new development, and that he is working with the city’s utility departments to get everything straightened out. Member Beamer asked what the new space will be utilized for. Mr. Crew explained that most of the space will be retail space, as modern trends do not call for dedicated inventory space. Vice Chair Garst asked if parking would be affected in any way by this expansion. Staff stated there would be no parking issues. Vice Chair Garst motioned approval of the request of Lakeside (Salem) Station LLC, property owner, for the approval of a building addition at 141 Electric Road (Tax Map # 81-4-4) in conjunction with the proffered conditions of Ordinance #118. Mark Henrickson seconded the motion. Ayes: Henrickson, Beamer, Garst, King 6. Remote Participation Chair King explained that this remote participation policy would allow a Commissioner to call into a meeting and participate if not able to be physically present. She noted that City Council passed an identical policy at Monday’s meeting. Jackson motioned to adopt the remote participation policy for Commission members participating in Planning Commission meetings for fiscal year 24-25. Reid Garst seconded the motion. Ayes: Henrickson, Beamer, Garst, King 7. Adjournment Having no other items before the Commission, Chair King adjourned at 7:22 p.m.