Planning Commission

8 March 2000

AT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION HELD ON MARCH 8, 2000 IN COURTROOM B, THIRD FLOOR, COUNTY COURTHOUSE, CHRISTIANSBURG, VIRGINIA:

Mr. Martin, Chair, called the meeting to order. Don Linkous, Secretary, established the presence of a quorum.

Present:James Martin, Chair

Harry Neumann, Vice-Chair

Don Linkous, Secretary

Kathryn Brennan, Member

Ray Alcorn, Member

Richard Daub, Member

Charlie Elgin, Member

Malvin Wells, Member

John Muffo, Board of Supervisors Liaison

Joe Powers, Staff

Kelly Boyers, Staff

Meghan Dorsett, Staff

Phyllis Conner, Planning Department Secretary

Absent:Michael Ewing, Member

Joe Draper, Member

Mr. Martin opened the public hearing on the Todd & Paige Walters T/A Valley Landscaping, Inc. Special Use Permit request. He stated that Todd & Paige Walters T/A Valley Landscaping, Inc. request for a Special Use Permit (portion of Tax Parcel No. 68-A-9A to allow a Garden Center on 3.45 acres near the intersection of Lusters Gate Road (SR 723) and Den Hill Road (SR 603) in the Mt. Tabor Magisterial District. The property lies in an area designated Rural in the Comprehensive Plan.

Kelly Boyers showed a video of the area. Mr. Powers stated that a number of agricultural uses are permitted in the A-1 district; however a garden center requires a Special Use Permit.

Mr. Todd Walters, applicant, addressed the Commission on his Special Use Permit request. He presented the general layout of the garden center for members to review. He said Virgina Department of Transportation (VDOT) has already approved the commercial entrance.

Mr. Elgin asked if the parking lot is going to be graded flat or remain the same way? Mr. Walters stated that the lot will be graded and he plans to use gravel. Mr. Walters said he had spoken to the Fish and Game Commission concerning the controlling of erosion through the spring on the property. They do not wish any erosion draining into the stream.

Mr. Martin asked for any further comments. There being none, he closed the Public Hearing on the Todd and Paige Walters T/A Valley Landscaping, Inc. Special Use Permit request.

Mr. Martin opened the public hearing on the Johnny Hawley (Bobby J. Hawley, Jr.) Rezoning & Special Use Permit request. He stated that the Johnny Hawley (Bobby J. Hawley, Jr. (Agent: Gay and Keesee, Inc.) request to rezone 1.69 acres (Tax Parcel No. 66-A-89,66-A-93C, 66-A-90) from A-1 (Agriculture) to PMR (Planned Mobile Home Residential) and a Special Use Permit to allow an expansion of an existing mobile home park from 30 lots to 45 lots, located at 601 Merrimac, Forest Park Mobile Home Park in the Price's Fork Magisterial District. The property lies in an area designated Planned Development in the Comprehensive Plan.

Ms. Boyers showed a video of the area.

Dale Huff, Gay & Keesee, showed Commission members a revised plat of the area proposed for Rezoning and Special Use Permit request. Discussion followed concerning the relocation of the fire hydrant. Mr. Elgin expressed the need for a second emergency access and the fire hydrant within the park. The fire hydrant on Merrimac Road is on the far side of the highway. Mr. Wells stated that the fire department does have access to the emergency gate.

Mr. Martin asked for further comments. There being none, Mr. Martin closed the Public Hearing on the Johnny Hawley (Bobby J. Hawley, Jr.) (Agent: Gay and Keesee, Inc.) Rezoning and Special Use Permit request.

Mr. Martin opened the Public Address Session. There being no speakers, Mr. Martin closed the Public Address Session.

Discussion followed concerning paved surface on the property.

1. This permit is to allow construction of a garden center. In accordance with the provisions of the zoning ordinance, this permit will automatically become void if substantial construction does not take place within two years.
2. Construction shall be substantially in accordance with the site plan.
3. Driveways and parking areas shall be gravel or other permeable surface to reduce stormwater runoff into Cedar Run.

Mr. Wells asked if the owner and developer could put the fire hydrant on the existing road in the mobile home park? Mr. Huff stated that they could. Mr. Wells stated that the last expansion to the mobile home park was an improvement and this expansion will be another improvement to the park. Mr. Alcorn stated that an Erosion & Sediment control plan is needed as grading has already begun in the park. Mr. Huff stated that an Erosion & Sediment Control plan would be provided. Mr. Neumann asked where the dumpster would be located. He said since Lot 31 has been moved, this would be a better place to locate the dumpster. Mr. Alcorn stated that the dumpster and ramp should have a concrete pad and screened by a fence or wall 6 feet in height. Mr. Huff stated that this could be placed around the dumpster. Discussion followed concerning set back from the rear end of the lots and requirements from the screening.

1. This Special Use Permit authorizes expansion of the existing Forest Park, based on the concept plan prepared by Gay and Keesee, Inc. (Job No. 869, dated 3/8/00) with the dumpster relocated outside the recreational/open space area. A maximum of 45 mobile home lots are permitted in this park.
2. A new fire hydrant shall be installed beside the existing street in the park in the vicinity of lot #9.
3. The dumpster and approach ramp shall be a concrete pad screened by a fence or wall 6 feet in height.
4. A final site plan shall be approved by the Zoning Administrator.
5. An erosion and sediment control plan shall be approved by the county.
6. Above conditions #2 through #5 shall be completed prior to the issuance of building permits for new lots 32 through 45.

The Planning Commission went out of Work Session at 8:45 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.