Planning Commission Minutes

10 March 1999

AT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION HELD ON MARCH 10, 1999 IN COURTROOM A, SECOND FLOOR, COUNTY COURTHOUSE, CHRISTIANSBURG, VIRGINIA:

Mr. Wells, Chair, called the meeting to order and Michael Ewing, established the presence of a quorum.

Present:Malvin Wells, Chair

Ed Green, Vice-Chair

Ray Alcorn, Member

Richard Daub, Member

Michael Ewing, Member

Don Linkous, Member

Jim Martin, Member

Harry Neumann, Member

Joe Powers, Staff

Jeff Scott, Staff

Ed Davis, Staff

Phyllis Conner, Planning Department Secretary

Absent:Kitty Brennan, Secretary

Joe Draper, Member

Mary Biggs, Board of Supervisors Liaison

Mr. Wells opened the public hearing on the Edwin & Kathleen Stewart Rezoning & Special Use Permit Request.

Mr. Scott showed a video of the area.

Mr. Tom Roberts, Anderson & Associates, made a presentation and showed a site plan of the proposed Special Use Permit request. He stated that Virginia Department of Transportation had confirmed that all three entrances could be approved. Mr. Roberts asked the Commission for a recommendation of approval to the Board of Supervisors.

Ms. Stewart thanked the Commission for their help in their refiling for Rezoning and Special Use Permit. She stated that they had followed every recommendation and ask for approval of their request.

Mr. Wells asked for comments from the public.

Charlie Bowles, Riner, spoke in opposition to the Stewart Rezoning & Special Use Permit request. He said development needs to be on the other side of the Interstate. He stated that Barn Road needs improvement and the water situation is a problem. He said that Montgomery County needs to say no to this request.

There being no other comments from the public, Mr. Wells closed the public hearing on the Stewart Rezoning & Special Use Permit request.

Mr. Wells read the letter faxed from H. Wagner Young stating his concern for development planned for Barn Road since this road is a dirt and gravel secondary road and in no way would support this type of increased traffic.

Mr. Wells opened the public hearing on the Powers/CFW Special Use Permit Request.

Mr. Scott showed a video of the area.

Mr. Dick Schear, CFW Wireless, made a presentation to the Commission. He stated that they now anticipate co-locating on a water tank at the Radford Arsenal. He said their proposed lease is being reviewed. If this is approved, they will not build the proposed tower on the south side of Route 114.

Mr. Wells asked for comments from the public. There being no one to speak, Mr. Wells closed the public hearing on the Powers/CFW Special Use Permit Request.

Mr. Wells opened the public hearing on the Puckett/Bell Special Use Permit request.

Mr. Scott showed a video of the area.

Betty Bell, applicant, addressed the Commission. She stated that they are in the process of purchasing the Puckett property on Peppers Ferry Road. They wish to operate a woodworking shop/craft business from the basement of the home. It would be the same business they now operate in Floyd County. She stated that the crafts produced are sold at craft shows and occasionally by telephone. Craft business will generate very little traffic and noise will be minimal with only the occasional use of a saw that creates a little noise. She said she and her husband would be the only employees.

Mr. Wells asked for comments from the public. There being no one present to speak, Mr. Wells closed the public hearing on the Puckett/Bell Special Use Permit request.

Mr. Powers stated that the Board of Supervisors referred to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation a proposed amendment to Section 8-152 of the subdivision ordinance, new streets, making it a requirement that bituminous concrete be used to surface in new subdivisions.

Mr. Wells asked for comments from the public. There being no one present to speak, Mr. Wells closed the public hearing on the Proposed Amendment Montgomery County Subdivision Ordinance.

Mr. Wells opened the Public Address session. There being no speakers, Mr. Wells closed the Public Address session.

On motion by Ed Green, seconded by Don Linkous and unanimously carried, the agenda was approved as distributed.

Mr. Scott stated that the City of Radford has not provided their comments on this request. The 177 Corridor Agreement states that the two Planning Commissions should strive to reach a concensus recommendation. Radford could provide their comments by next Wednesday's meeting. Members felt these comments should be received before making a decision on this request. A delay of one week would not slow down the overall processing of the request.

Discussion followed concerning the suitability of the proposed location and the possibility of co-location on the arsenal's water tank.

Discussion followed concerning the storage of lumber and the amount of sawing that would be done outside.

1. This permit authorizes the operation of a craft business. In accordance with the provisions of the zoning ordinance, this permit shall automatically expire if the business ceases to operate for a period of two years or more.
2. The craft business must be operated so as to comply with the requirements for home occupations, as defined in Section 10-1 of the zoning ordinance.

Discussion followed.

Mr. Powers stated that the Board of Supervisors Resolution of February 22, 1999 has given the Planning Commission sixty days to prepare an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan regarding water and sewer. He stated that at the meeting on March 17^th, the Commission would need to schedule a public hearing for mid-April. A draft amendment had been prepared by staff and would be reviewed and discussed in detail at next week's meeting.

Discussion followed concerning this amendment. Members felt that there were a large number of water and sewer projects involved affecting the entire county. Appropriate maps need to accompany the amendment in order that the general public can understand what is being proposed. The public hearing would also need to be adequately publicized since there would not be public meetings held around the county as is typical when the Comprehensive Plan is changed for the entire county.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.