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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/13/2024 - City Council - Minutes - RegularCity Council Meeting MINUTES Monday, May 13, 2024, 6:30 PM Work Session is cancelled for May 13, 2024 Regular Session 6:30 P.M. Community Room, Salem Civic Center, 1001 Roanoke Boulevard, Salem, Virginia 24153 WORK SESSION WORK SESSION IS CANCELLED REGULAR SESSION 1. Call to Order A regular meeting of the Council of the City of Salem, Virginia, was called to order at 6:30 p.m., there being present the following members to wit: Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor; James W. Wallace, III, Vice-Mayor; Councilmembers: Byron Randolph Foley, William D. Jones, and H. Hunter Holliday; with Renée Ferris Turk, Mayor, presiding together with Chris Dorsey, City Manager; Rob Light, Assistant City Manager and Clerk of Council; Rosemarie B. Jordan, Director of Finance; Chuck Van Allman, Director of Community Development; Mike Stevens, Director of Communications; and Jim Guynn, City Attorney. 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Bid Openings, Awards, Recognitions There were none this evening. 4. Consent Agenda William Jones motioned to change the order of the agenda and move item 6A (the public hearing) to the last item. H Hunter Holliday seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace A. Citizen Comments Comments from the public, limited to five minutes, on matters not already having a public hearing at the same meeting. John Breen, 142 Bogey Lane, expressed concern with the budget process and setting of the tax rate. He made note of specific line items from the budget that he had questions and concerns about. Mr. Breen requested that Council hold a dedicated budget question and answer session and allow questions to be asked by the public and answered at the public hearing. B. Minutes Consider acceptance of the April 22, 2024, Work Session and Regular Meeting minutes, the April 23, 2024, Special Meeting Budget Work Session minutes, and the April 24, 2024, Special Meeting Budget Work Session minutes. The minutes were approved as written. 5. Old Business There was no old business this evening. 6. New Business A. Appropriation of Funds Consider request to adjust the Civic Center Operating Budget. Audit - Finance Committee James Wallace motioned to increase the Show Revenue and Show Expense budgets for the Civic Center by $600,000 due to higher than budgeted show activity in the current fiscal year. Randy Foley seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace B. Redi-Mix Consider setting bond for erosion and sediment control and landscaping for Redi-Mix. Audit - Finance Committee Vice-Mayor Wallace noted that this was good news. He shared that one of our businesses was going to reopen after being dormant for a while. James Wallace motioned to bond the project for Ready-Mix, located at 2200, 2250, and 2260 Salem Industrial Drive in the amount of $13,205, for a time frame for completion set at twelve (12) months. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace C. New Metal Building - 68 St. John Road Consider setting bond for erosion and sediment control and landscaping for the New Metal Building - 68 St. John Rd project. Audit - Finance Committee The City Engineer's office has reviewed the estimate for erosion and sediment control and landscaping for New Metal Building located at 68 St. John Road. James Wallace motioned to bond the project in the amount of $13,158 for a time frame for completion set at twelve (12) months. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace D. Boards and Commissions Consider appointments to various boards and commissions. Mayor Turk noted that these boards and commissions are served by our public as well as by members of our City staff. She encouraged those present to go online and watch for vacancies and alternate positions they might have interest in. Randy Foley motioned to recommend Steve Belanger for Circuit Court reappointment as a full member for a full five-year term ending June 5, 2029 to the Board of Zoning Appeals; recommend reappointing Wendel Ingram for a three-year term ending June 11, 2027, to the Real Estate Tax Relief Review Board; recommend reappointing H. Hunter Holliday and James W. Wallace, III, for three-year terms ending June 30, 2027, to the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission; and recommend appointing Rosemarie Jordan as Member and Chris Dorsey as alternate for the remainder of the terms ending December 13, 2024, to the Western Virginia Regional Jail Authority. William Jones seconded the motion. Ayes: Foley, Holliday, Jones, Turk, Wallace E. Public Hearing Hold public hearing to consider the request of Virginia Baptist Children's Home (dba HopeTree Family Services), property owner, for rezoning the properties located at 1000 block Red Ln and a portion of 860 Mount Vernon Lane (Tax Map #'s 41-1-1, 41-1-2, 41-1-3, 41-1-4, 41-1-5, 41-1-6, and a portion of 44-3-10) from RSF Residential Single Family to PUD Planned Unit District. (Advertised in the May 2nd and 9th, 2024 issues of the Salem Times-Register). This is a public hearing only. There will be no formal action taken at this meeting. This item was moved to the end of the agenda this evening by vote at the beginning of the meeting. Mayor Turk noted that we would now return to Item 6A. She noted that this evening the public hearing only would be held and that no formal action would be taken. She expressed appreciation by Council for the respect that had been shown and how great everyone had been to work with to this point. She added that Council had loved the opportunity to have conversations with everyone. Mayor Turk expressed that Council had been addressed a number of times, had met with the Planning Commission, had met with Community Development, and had met with various citizens. She noted that many emails had also been received. Since August 2023, Council has had a total of 29 speakers that had addressed them in Council meetings through the Citizen Comment period regarding Hope Tree. Mayor Turk added that council appreciates being able to hear and listen to our citizens. She also noted that a Joint Meeting had been held with Council, the Planning Commission, and Hope Tree and that Council understands the concerns. She shared that for tonight’s public hearing, each speaker will be allotted three minutes and went over a few guidelines to help the process to run smoothly. Mayor Turk asked Community Development to begin by sharing some of the information that had been received from Hope Tree and from the Developers. This was in the form of fourteen points that included information in response to questions that Council had requested answers for. She asked that Mary Ellen Wines, the Zoning Administrator from Community Development, come forward and give a synopsis of some of the points that have been clarified and restricted up to this point. Mayor Turk opened the public hearing. Mary Ellen Wines noted that her purpose this evening was not to support or oppose this rezoning request but rather to provide factual information about this application and its evolution since it arrived in Community Development in the latter stages of 2023. Ms. Wines provided a summary of highlights and major changes in the petitioner’s application since the original application was received. She remarked that throughout this process the Hope Tree project team had been responsive to addressing the concerns of both City staff and Mattern & Craig. Staff feels that the current form of the plan satisfies the minimum requirements of the PUD District in the zoning ordinance. A final draft of the PUD document was recommended for approval by the Planning Commission on April 10, 2024. Nancy Reynolds, 925 Saddle Drive, was the first citizen to appear before Council. She noted that she was here this evening on behalf of her homeowners association and that they were unanimously opposed to the rezoning. She expressed concerns related to Virginia State Code and Salem Zoning Code in relation to this proposed rezoning. She also expressed concerns about the impact on property values of surrounding neighbors. Paul Dotson, 927 Saddle Drive, and noted that his property adjoins the Baptist Home property. He stated that he is opposed to the rezoning. Robert Walker, 425 N. Shanks Street, expressed opposition to the Hope Tree rezoning proposal. He shared concerns that this project was too large for this location and in relation to traffic. Dick Fowler, 604 Red Lane, expressed opposition to the Hope Tree rezoning. He voiced concern in relation to traffic and the ability of the surrounding streets to support the resulting traffic increase. George Henry, 801 N. Broad Street, expressed opposition to the Hope Tree rezoning and asked that public comment be held open until the meeting at which a vote is taken. He expressed concerns about the sewer system and storm water runoff as well as traffic. Earl Pettrey, 650 Joan Circle, expressed that he was in favor of the Hope Tree rezoning and that he felt this would draw new young families into the area. Rose Hart, 304 18th Street, SW, Roanoke, expressed opposition to the Hope Tree proposal. She voiced concern for the impact on small businesses in Downtown Salem, traffic, property values, sewage issues, and stormwater runoff. She requested that Council vote against this rezoning request. Victor Delapp, 932 Saddle Drive, noted opposition to the rezoning due to the impact of traffic on safety and property values. Peter Ostaseski, 831 Honeysuckle Road, expressed opposition to the Hope Tree rezoning proposal. He noted concerns in relation to traffic, location, impact of competition for businesses along Main Street, and the impact on established surrounding neighborhoods. Curt Steele, 706 Red Lane, voiced opposition to the Hope Tree rezoning and noted concerns with traffic that would be generated and the impact on quality of life and property values. He proposed approval of a lower-density buildout, preserving the residential character of the neighborhood. Bob Rotanz, 313 N. Broad Street, expressed concern with the PUD for the residents of the neighborhoods in relation to traffic. He proposed stop signs at corners to slow traffic and connecting sidewalks Laura Hart, 514 High Street, requested that any new construction for Hope Tree development include completing sidewalks on High Street, Cleveland, and Hawthorne as well as any neighborhoods for future development. Jane Johnson, 2940 Phillips Brook Lane, spoke in favor of the Hope Tree rezoning. She noted 16 years of service on City Council as well as 2 years of service on the Planning Commission. She has owned a business in downtown Salem for 32 years. She noted that this would offer the potential to add to the tax base, offer a better variety of housing types, and attract younger people to move to Salem, and increase tax revenue. Emily Paine Carter, 335 N. Broad Street, voiced opposition to the Hope Tree proposal. She expressed concerns for the impact on the greenspace, runoff, and City services. Mark Nayden, 352 N. Broad Street, spoke against the Hope Tree rezoning. He expressed the concerns that this proposal was not compatible with the current Comprehensive Plan and for the impact it could have on existing commercial businesses in downtown Salem. He suggested some alternatives and noted a petition against the rezoning including over 600 signatures. Ashby Garst, 130 Rutledge Drive, spoke for the Hope Tree rezoning proposal. She referenced a petition in support of the Hope Tree rezoning. She noted the benefits of a safe, walkable neighborhood including food and retail and job opportunities for a declining population. Kevin Conlan, 532 High Street, spoke requesting sidewalks for the benefit of walkers. Chris McCart, 316 N. Broad Street, spoke against the Hope Tree rezoning, She expressed concern that too many questions remain unanswered. She specifically spoke with regards to the impact on traffic on the dispersal zone, ability of existing neighborhoods to utilize Hope Tree greenspace, the amount of greenspace that will remain, the housing market for the proposed housing, and questioned if there was a need for more commercial space. She asked that Council vote ”no” now and gather more information. Doug McCart, 316 N. Broad Street, urged Council to vote against the Hope Tree rezoning request. He expressed that the main reason the request should be denied was the commercial aspect and the impact of the commercial vehicles that would be required to service this on the neighborhood roads. Russ Pruitt, 400 N. Broad Street, voiced that he was opposed to the Hope Tree redevelopment, and he encouraged City Council to also opposed the project. He noted that he did not feel this proposal was in line with the current Comprehensive Plan and encouraged City Council to focus attention on the completion of the downtown revitalization project. Mike Kummer, 916 Red Lane, expressed support for the Hope Tree rezoning project. He noted that his family had lived in this location for nearly 70 years. He shared his opinion that this proposal offered options that would preserve historic buildings and greenspace on the property and that commercial ventures created would be welcomed. Todd Leeson, 212 N. Broad Street, referenced a letter that he and his wife, Whitney Leeson had submitted to Council on Aprill 22nd and requested that Council reference this as well as a letter from another neighbor that was unable to speak this evening. He spoke against the Hope Tree rezoning and expressed concern that this was not the right location for this project, for the density of the project, and for the infrastructure, and urged Council to vote against this proposal. Madeline Grochowski, 440 Ingle Ct., expressed concerns about quality of life, safety, and potential impact on the school system in opposition of the Hope Tree rezoning request. She also referenced sidewalks. Jennifer Thomas, 916 Red Lane, spoke in favor of the Hope Tree rezoning proposal. She noted experience in City Planning and that she had visited a similar project with similar topography and acreage in Black Mountain, North Carolina, and that these experiences have led her to support the rezoning. She noted that the plan strategically addressed traffic issues and the addition of limited commercial uses would decrease vehicle trips. She added that the plan preserves historic buildings and walking space and would offer a new opportunity for revenue. Lisa Miller, 405 Apperson Drive, referenced a petition signed by over 600 citizens in opposition to the proposed rezoning and expressed opposition to the rezoning proposal as a realtor. She expressed the opinion that more commercial space was not needed, noted vacant commercial space in existence, and expressed that the current proposal would not meet the needs of the current housing market and would make it harder on current landlords. Michael Lane, 422 Academy Street, expressed opposition to the Hope Tree rezoning in his capacity as a residential home builder. He expressed the opinion that the topography of Hope Tree was not suitable for building the proposed development. Brian Boggs, 731 Cherrywood Road, noted that his perspective was from 10 years of experience as a commercial real estate appraiser in Florida. He expressed opposition to the proposed project and noted concerns with density. He also noted that there there was not information in regards to setbacks, buffers, green area, and donating land. Caroline Baine, 721 Academy Street, expressed opposition to the Hope Tree proposal. She expressed concern specifically about safety and noted a number of wrecks at a four-way stop. In addition, she shared personal traffic counts for this location she indicated was not included in the traffic counts. She also noted concerns about the routing of the construction traffic and noted that she felt this was not the right location for this proposal. Mike Elmore, 622 Chamberlain Lane, expressed support for the Hope Tree proposed rezoning. He noted that he had been a resident of the Hope Tree, Virginia Baptist Children’s Home himself and was currently a member of the Board and serving on the Property Committee. He expressed the importance for him of the City continuing to value the partnership with Hope Tree and encouraged Council to support this application in order to strengthen Hope Tree’s future to continue to provide programs such as residential care, foster care, adoption services, educational services, Hope Tree Academy, and Adult Developmental Ministries, as well as others. Stella Reinhard, 213 N. Broad Street, requested that the public comment period be allowed to remain open for the citizens to be able to address any changes to the current plan that were submitted for the meeting at which Council would vote. She voiced concerns that the only portion that should be considered for rezoning was the portion that was being considered for sale to the developers. She also expressed concern on the lack of access to I-81, the lack of entrances, and stormwater runoff. She noted that she felt there was a need for further traffic, environmental impact, and services impact studies. In addition, she expressed the opinion that this historic center and greenspace should be preserved. Gretchen Boise, 224 Academy Street, expressed opposition to the Hope Tree rezoning. She expressed concern at the impact of this proposal on the greenspace and history of Hope Tree. Mayor Turk asked if anyone had been missed and wished to speak. Mayor Turk closed the public hearing and noted that no action would take place this evening. She expressed appreciation and respect for everyone that had come forward to speak and share information with Council this evening. She reiterated that no vote would be taken tonight and this this would probably take place at the June 10th meeting to enable Council to have time to ask questions and work with Community Development and the developers. 7. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.