HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 13 1995 PC Minutes09
6-13-95
JUNE 13, 1995
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The Albemarle County Planning Commission held a public hearing on Tuesday, June
13, 1995, Room 7, County Office Building, Charlottesville, Virginia. Those members
present were: Ms. Babs Huckle; Mr. Tom Blue, Chair; Mr. Bill Nitchmann; Ms.
Katherine Imhoff, Vice Chair; Mr. Bruce Dotson; and Ms. Monica Vaughan. Other
officials present were: Mr. Ron Keeler, Chief of Planning; Mr. Bill Fritz, Senior Planner;
Mr. Jack Kelsey, Chief of County Engineering; Mr. John Shepherd, Planner; Mr. Wayne
Cilimberg, Director of Planning and Community Development; Ms. Amelia McCulley,
Zoning Administrator; and Mr. Mark Trank, Deputy County Attorney. Absent:
Commissioner Jenkins.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. and a quorum was established. The
minutes of May 30, 1995 were unanimously approved as amended.
SUB-95-040 Gilbert Station Woods Preliminary Plat - Proposal to establish a Rural
Preservation Development consisting of 20 development lots and two preservations
tracts. Property, described as Tax Map 33, Parcel 31, and Tax Map 34, Parcel 22 is
zoned RA, Rural Area and is located on the west side of Route 640 approximately 0.6
miles west of Route 784 in the Rivanna Magisterial District. This site is not located in a
designated growth area (Rural Area 2).
Mr. Shepherd presented the staff report. The report specifically asked the Commission
to address 2 issues: (1) Lots 16, 17, 18 and 20 encroach into areas of critical slope
and floodplain (10.3.3.2e); and (2) Lot 1 does not have access to an internal road
(10.3.3.2b). Staff recommended approval of the proposal subject to conditions.
The applicant was represented by Mr. Katurah Roell. He described the Lot 1 access
as follows: "The Lot 1 access is an on grade access coming off of 640 where there
are some deep ravines, some streams and some severe slopes. So it seemed most
sensible to come off of Rt. 640 as opposed to making a 500-foot cut through some
woods and cutting across a stream and up and down a hill." Regarding lots 16, 17, 18
and 20, he explained: "We have attempted to remedy that situation by putting a
conservation designation for the area that incorporates any floodplain, wetlands, and
steep slopes, so as not to permit any disturbance, construction, etc. We'll incorporate
that into the deed --on the plat that will be recorded for the lot." He explained the
purpose was "not to make some wild, contorted lot, but rather to simplify some
engineering practices, draw some straight lines and end it where the corners get very
narrow and points are tight." [Mr. Blue asked: "You've agreed to that as a condition of
approval then, although it is not listed?" Mr. Roell responded: "Yes, sir. I wrote a letter
to that effect.] He said a timbering plan for the preservation tract had been submitted
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along with the application. The land to be timbered will not be used for any other
purposes.
In response to Ms. Huckle's question as to the location of the pines, Mr. Roell
explained: "The loblolly pines are over the lot areas. There is some Virginia Pine on
the back sections of the preservation tracts and there is some hardwood on the back
portion." Ms. Huckle asked if roads would have to be constructed to make it possible to
get the timber out. Mr. Roell said there are existing logging roads. He also said the
timbering will be a "select cut", i.e. it will not be clear cut.
Ms. Imhoff said she was reluctant to put another entrance onto Rt. 640. She asked if
the applicant had considered combining lots 1 and 2. Mr. Roell answered this question
by pointing out what he described as "a really nice building site there." He again noted
that the access onto Rt. 640 is "on grade level and has a good sight distance."
Ms. Huckle said she had trouble with the entrance onto 640. She quoted from the
Zoning Ordinance: "Development lots shall not encroach into areas of critical slope or
floodplain... and all development lots shall have access restricted to an internal street."
She felt this proposal would allow the applicant to save a lot of money on roads. She
said that these types of restrictions are in the Ordinance for a purpose. She stated she
would like to see lots 1 and 2 combined.
Public comment was invited.
Ms. Leesie Coan, whose property is across from the applicant's proposed entrance,
sought further explanation as to the applicant's proposal. She was uncertain as to the
development which the applicant said exists across from Lot 1. Mr. Roell explained
there are 4 and 5 acre lots across the street, with one or two existing homes.
There being no further comment, the matter was placed before the Commission.
Mr. Dotson asked counsel to explain the Commission's authority for approving an
entrance onto Rt. 640 for Lot 1. Mr. Trank explained this would be modification, i.e.
"The Ordinance says that in accordance with design standards of the Comprehensive
Plan, and where deemed reasonably practical by the Commission. " He explained:
"They are more than advisory but you do have the discretion to modify them in
appropriate cases, for site conditions or other reasons."
Mr. Blue felt those "other reasons" had been explained by the applicant's engineer and
staff had concurred with those reasons. He said: "If you make the assumption that
they are going to have a lot there, it is much better to give them frontage on Rt. 640
than to make them come out on the other road (which) would do more environmental
damage."
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Mr. Keeler added: "In development standards for Rural Preservation Development --
there are actually two sets --and it is recognized that in any design situation you are not
going to be able to satisfy the complete list. That's where the Commission can exercise
discretion --that's primarily design issues. The other regulations --called special
provisions --are not subject to Commission modification and waiver, e.g. requirements
for minimum acreage for the preservation tract. There is a list of 'can do's' and a list of
'can't do's."
Ms. Imhoff said that though, initially, she had been uneasy about the amount of critical
slopes, the applicant's language has made her feel more comfortable. She felt Mr.
Blue's description of the Lot 1 situation was accurate, i.e. if there is going to be a lot
there, then they need this entrance. She said she would have arranged the lots
differently. She said she was not supportive of allowing the entrance onto Rt. 640.
Mr. Blue pointed out that the County tries to encourage this type of development. He
said that when a proposal meets most of the requirements, is recommended by staff,
and there are common sense reasons for the modification, then he was reluctant to put
any other burden on the applicant, because that sends a message that the County may
not really want these Rural Preservation Developments. He did not think the Lot 1
issue was "a big deal" when looking at the whole proposal.
*"' Mr. Nitchmann agreed with Mr. Blue's statements.
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Mr. Dotson asked the applicant if Lot 1 were to be relocated, would the size of the
preservation tract be reduced. Mr. Roell explained that if the property of Lot 1 were
added to another lot, it is likely that the owner would still want to build on the best
building site (as he described previously on Lot 1). This would result in more
environmental degradation because the driveway would have to cross the ravines, etc.,
if not allowed to access onto Rt. 640.
Ms. Huckle thought there was a recommendation in the Subdivision Ordinance that
subdivisions should not be approved on non -tolerable roads. She asked: "How does
that fit into this?" Mr. Keeler responded: "There is nothing in the Ordinance which says
that. If it's a request for a special use permit for more lots than you can do by right,
then one of the considerations is whether or not the roads are tolerable or non -
tolerable."
Mr. Nitchmann felt the applicant's proposal protects the two streams and also makes
the lots more affordable. He said he could live with the Lot 1 access onto Rt. 640.
MOTION: Mr. Nitchmann moved that SUB-95-040 for Gilbert Station Woods
Preliminary Plat be approved subject to the following conditions:
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1. Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) approval of final road plans and
calculations.
2. Virginia Department of Transportation approval of final drainage plans and
calculations.
3. Albemarle County Engineering approval of final public road plans.
4. Albemarle County Engineering approval of final grading and drainage plans.
5. Albemarle County Engineering approval of the erosion control plan.
6. The building and bonding of the required road improvements.
7. Health Department approval of primary and reserve drainfield locations for each lot.
8. Staff and Recreation Facilities Authority approval of rural preservation easements for
both preservation tracts.
9. Staff approval of road names.
" 10. Staff approval of preservation easements on lots 16, 17, 18 and 20 in accord with
content of letter from Katurah Roell, dated June 12, 1995.
Ms. Imhoff seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
SDP-95-34 Pizza Inn Major Site Plan Amendment - Proposal to remove the existing
structures from the site and revise the grading, including drainage improvements.
Property, described as Tax Map 61 M, Block 12, Parcels 1 and 1 H and Tax Map 61 M,
Parcel 1 is located in the southwestern corner of the intersection of Route 29 and
Dominion Drive in the Charlottesville Magisterial District. This site is recommended for
Community Service in Neighborhood 1.
Mr. Fritz presented the staff report. Staff recommended approval subject to conditions.
Mr. Fritz added the following condition: "RWSA approval of activity over their lines."
The applicant was represented by Mr. John Green. He explained that this proposal
would greatly benefit the drainage in this neighborhood. He offered to answer
questions.
Ms. Imhoff asked for an explanation of the intrusion into the residential buffer and a
description of how the channel will look after this is complete. Mr. Green said the
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channel will be wider and lined with rip rap. The rip rap will extend to the property line.
Ms. Imhoff asked if there was any way to landscape the rip rap channel. Mr. Green
indicated there would be a grass slope down to the rip rap and there will be no rip rap in
the 20-foot buffer area. He pointed out that the RWSA will not allow any plantings to
take place on top of the sewer line. (Mr. Fritz pointed out that condition No. 1 will
require landscaping between this property and the residential properties.)
Ms. Huckle asked how deep the channel will be. Mr. Green said the end where the
culverts will be is "20 feet in the ground."
Mr. Green explained that the channel was designed for a 10-year storm, but 100-year
flooding had been studied "to see what effect it would have on the neighbors, to see to
what extent it would lower the flood levels." He confirmed that this project will improve
the 100-year flood conditions.
Ms. Imhoff noted that the rip rap will be visible from Rt. 29. She said she was trying to
think of ways that the view of the rip rap could be "softened." She knew that other
areas had tried plantings among the rip rap, but not typically with streams carrying this
much volume.
Mr. Jack Kelsey, Chief of County Engineering, offered to answer Commission
questions. He confirmed that the water from this drainage area eventually flows to the
Branchlands Channel. Ms. Huckle asked if drainage studies of this area have been
completed. Mr. Kelsey said the Unified Drainage Study covered this entire area, and
was used to determine the existing channel through Branchlands and that study also
took into consideration the additional culvert. He was uncertain whether the study had
been done before or after the house had washed away in Berkeley. Ms. Huckle said: "I
think that is important because if the house washed away after that (sentence
incomplete)." Mr. Kelsey estimated the study had taken place at about the same time
as the incident described by Ms. Huckle.
Mr. Kelsey confirmed that he agreed with Mr. Green, that this will improve the drainage
situation. He said: "It improves the situation on the Pizza Inn site. It brings that site up
so that it is no longer subjected to flooding and, at the same time, it doesn't increase
the 100-year flood surface elevation of that stream at that location, so it won't effect any
upstream properties. It improves that site and though it doesn't improve anything
upstream, it doesn't do any harm." He said it would not effect downstream flows.
Noting that the Branchlands channel is eroding, Ms. Huckle asked Mr. Kelsey if he was
satisfied with the rip rap not coming to the top of the channel. Mr. Kelsey responded
affirmatively, saying he was "very comfortable with it."
There being no public comment, the matter was placed before the Commission.
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Mr. Dotson asked if the landscaping will have to be done now, in connection with this
request, or will it be installed at some future time when there is an actual use proposed
on the site. Mr. Fritz explained that the landscaping must be installed as a part of this
request. The applicant has a time period of two planting seasons in which to install the
landscaping.
MOTION: Ms. Imhoff moved, seconded by Mr. Dotson, that SDP-95-34 for Pizza Inn
Major Site Plan Amendment be approved subject to the following conditions:
1. Planning and Engineering Department approval of a landscape plan to insure the
provision of landscaping in accord with the provisions of Section 32.9.7.8a.
2. RWSA approval of activity over their lines.
The motion passed unanimously.
Jefferson Amphitheater Phase One Final Site Plan - Proposal to construct a 377
square foot prop storage building. Property, described as Tax Map 94, parcels 21
(part) and 25 (part) is located in the southwest corner of the intersection of Route 250
and 794 in the Rivanna Magisterial District. This property is zoned RA, Rural Areas and
'' EC, Entrance Corridor Overlay District and is not located in a designated growth area
(Rural Area 4).
Mr. Blue explained this item could have been approved administratively but for the fact
that a deadline was missed and the item was called up by Ms. Imhoff for Commission
review.
Mr. Fritz explained that the plan had been reviewed by the Site Review Committee and
has been determined to meet all the requirements of the Ordinance. Staff
recommended approval.
Ms. Imhoff explained her concerns about the site plan: "My questions with the site plan
hinge on two areas. I know we are not going to get into the pros and cons of the
special permit this evening. Let me talk about site plans concerns first. When I look at
the conditions of the special permit, it says that the site plan shall not be processed until
Health Department approval for potable water service and sewage disposal has been
obtained. I wanted to first find out if that condition has been met. Then the other
condition with regard to the outline of the special permit in connection to the site plan is
that there is supposed to have been verification, including a certified engineer's report
for the acoustic sound system, and it was required at the time of site plan submittal.
Those are the two things which I am confused as to whether or not they have or have
,%we not happened with regard to the site plan."
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Mr. Fritz replied: "In regard to Health Department approval, there is no water or sewer
demands for this type of building. There is no plumbing proposed for this structure
before you tonight." He deferred the remaining questions to the Zoning Administrator
(Ms. McCulley).
Ms. Imhoff replied: "Maybe that hinges on it. When I looked at the special permit, I
don't see this as a phased site plan. I see a commitment was made to have some
things checked off by either when the site plan was submitted or processed. I'm feeling
like the special permit conditions have not been met for the site plan to be properly
before us. So, how did the phasing get started?"
Mr. Fritz replied: "They contacted us with the question as to whether or not they could
phase this development. We saw no indication that there was any intent to prohibit
phasing. Phasing is typical in many developments; almost all large-scale developments
are phased. We discussed various phasings and what would need to be shown in
various stages to accommodate what is being proposed. This particular component
needs no support facilities to accommodate it."
Ms. Imhoff said: "It seems to me if there is a condition of approval for the special
permit, and it's at time of site plan submittal, it is hard for me to figure out how to defer
that to a second, third or fourth or fifth generation phase. It's like you have walked
" pretty far down the road with the project and yet you haven't signed off on the
conditions of the special permit. On the sound study, I guess the same argument would
be that it is not at the point where it needs a sound system so you don't use an
acoustics engineer."
Ms. McCulley explained: "It's been approved, consistent practice that we have allowed
phasing with a site plan, even though the special permit doesn't show it. Probably in
the future we will try to be more careful because we do need more specific time periods
with the later phases."
Mr. Keeler explained that the applicant would have to actually select the sound
equipment before a study could be done. Mr. Keeler did not anticipate there would be
any problems with meeting sound limitations at adjoining property lines because the
sound can be controlled with a volume control. He also noted that the conditions had
said "Staff approval of site plan, but did not distinguish between a preliminary or final
site plan." At the time the preliminary plan came in the applicant had not selected the
sound system.
Ms. Imhoff said: "The final question I have about this, and the reason, initially, I asked
for it to come up, is it was my feeling, from little knowledge, that the special permit had
run out. Can we please (discuss) how it is a special permit continues to go forward and
1%W doesn't run out in 18 months. The concern I have, and I will put it on the table and
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maybe Ms. McCulley can address it, is that interpretations are made by the Zoning
Administrator as to what vests or does not vest certain special permits. But there isn't a
way for notifying the Board of Supervisors, or anybody else, that such an interpretation
has been made. It is a concern for me, not just with this special permit and site plan,
but with all special permits that might be coming up. I am hoping we can learn what the
process has been and maybe in the future we can have a process whereby somebody
is notified, because it is my understanding that on a Zoning interpretation there is a 30-
day appeal period to the Board of Zoning Appeals. But it is like a Catch-22--if you don't
know there is a decision you don't know you can appeal it. I think that is a little of what
happened here." (Mr. Nitchmann felt discussion on the issue raised by Ms. Imhoff
should take place under New Business, at the end of the meeting.)
Ms. Imhoff said she wanted to know, particularly, how this site plan got vested.
Ms. McCulley explained: "There are two conditions which need to operate here for this
use to go forward. One is that the specific conditions of the special permit are satisfied
and the other is that the requirements in the Zoning Ordinance that relate to the validity
of a special permit are met.... What it does is break a special permit situation into two
different scenarios --one is an activity with no construction of a structure, which is not
occurring here. The second is a use that involves construction of a structure, which is
occurring here. There are two different time lines, depending on which of the two
scenarios you follow. If it is an activity that does not involve construction of a structure,
you have 18 months to commence the activity. If it is a use that does involve the
construction of a structure, you have to begin construction of that structure within two
years and complete it within one year thereafter. The language of the Ordinance talks
about the 18 months and then says: 'For the purposes of this section, the term
commence shall be construed to include the commencement of construction of any
structure necessary to the use of such permit within two years from the date of the
issuance thereof, which is thereafter completed within one year.' What is operative
language there is 'any structure necessary to the use of such permit.' First let's look at
the definition of structure (General Definitions, Section 3.0). 'Structure is anything
constructed or erected, the use of which requires permanent location on the ground or
attachment to something having a permanent location on the ground. This includes,
among other things, dwellings, buildings, etc.' So that is what the Regulations say. It is
a little problematic. It doesn't say if you do have a situation where you have to
construct a structure, when then do you have to begin the use that is related to that
structure? It doesn't say what magnitude of structure you have to commence. It just
says'any structure.' That is the language we are dealing with. So what happened in
this particular case, the structure that they constructed is, primarily, the well. I spent a
lot of time with Jim Moore, with the Lexington office of the State Health Department.
What I wanted to understand is what was it about this well --how far had they gotten in
constructing this well, and what was it about this well that made it necessary to this use-
-something that you would put in for any by -right use in the RA. What he has explained
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to me is that they have their permit for the location of a well site; they have constructed
a well; this well is called the Public Water Supply Source. It is transient because the
users of the well come and go; it is not a daily population usage. It is classified as a 2B
well which is encased and grouted. It is in the ground. They have done quality and
yield/flow tests, and have satisfactorily met those and submitted those to the Health
Department. The next step is the well plat, etc. The other thing they have done is
install a construction entrance. But, primarily the structure is this community well."
Mr. Dotson said: "So that commenced prior to the 2-year time period. Therefore, they
have one year to complete all of the development construction." Ms. McCulley
responded: "They have one year to complete all of the construction related to Phase
One."
Mr. Blue clarified that Phase One was what was shown on the plan before the
Commission at this time.
Ms. McCulley said it was her understanding that the purpose of Phase One is "gearing
up the site in terms of construction and preparation for the actual performances in terms
of having a building here which will hold the props, and beginning to design the rest of
the site." Mr. Fritz added: "It is small, 377 square feet prop storage building. There
was a building shown in this location on the preliminary site plan which was approved in
October or November."
Mr. Blue explained that this plan has not been seen by the Commission because it was
supposed to have been approved administratively by staff. Mr. Blue said he had seen
the plan because it is in his district, as is the procedure with all site plans, with the at -
large Commissioner getting copies of all plans. (Ms. Imhoff said she had not received
this plan.)
Mr. Dotson asked Mr. Fritz to describe Phase One. Pointing to the location on the plan,
Mr. Fritz said the proposal is to "construct a prop storage building in, roughly, the
center of the site." He pointed out the location of the well and also the areas where the
stage, parking, etc. will eventually be located.
Ms. Imhoff asked how many phases are envisioned. Mr. Fritz deferred to the applicant.
(Mr. McRaven answered this question later in the meeting and explained that 4 phases
are planned.) No plans have been submitted for any of the other phases.
Mr. Dotson noted: "It looks like we are building a prop storage building well in advance
of having anything else there that would cause props to be there to store."
Mr. Blue said: "I suspect that is correct, and I suspect it is a technicality, but I also
believe it meets the letter of our Ordinance."
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Mr. Keeler said it is "not a technicality," and that it can be used as a construction
storage building, with it's ultimate use being a prop storage building at such time as that
use is needed.
The applicant was represented by Mr. Charles McRaven. He offered to answer
questions. He was accompanied by his architect and engineer.
Ms. Imhoff asked him to explain his phasing plans. Mr. McRaven said there will be four
phases, with this being the first phase. He said the purpose of this request is to "get
something to work out of." He explained this structure will double as a construction
storage building and will later become a prop storage building. He said the other
phases will deal with the construction of the amphitheater, the septic system, the
parking lots, roads, etc.
There being no public comment, the matter was placed before the Commission.
Ms. Imhoff said she had three concerns, which she would bring up again under New
Business. She explained: "I think we've got a real problem with notification of Zoning
Administrator interpretations that we need to take care of. I think that any structure
should not vest a special permit. To me, it is to the point of ridiculousness that you can
simply dig a well and be vested forever on a special permit. A sign could almost
`%W become a structure based on some of these interpretations. I think we need to tighten
that language up. And this idea of phasing --particularly when you had a site plan that
had very specific conditions to take care of some of the neighborhood concerns, and
now those conditions can be pushed off into some future, undefined phase --bothers
me. I can see that the Zoning Ordinance has not tied down the language, thereby
allowing this to happen, but I think it behooves us, with all the special permits we have
in this county, to get this firmed up in the future. Those are my concerns."
Ms. Huckle said she agreed with Ms. Imhoffs concerns. She said: "I think there is
probably nothing that can be done now, but we do need better definitions for the future
so that these things won't happen again."
Mr. Blue suggested the issues raised by Ms. Imhoff could be addressed at the end of
the meeting.
MOTION: Mr. Nitchmann moved, seconded by Mr. Dotson, that the Jefferson
Amphitheater Phase One Final Site Plan be approved.
The motion passed unanimously.
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Rural Area Transportation Study (RATS)
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Mr. Bill Warner, representing the Thomas Jefferson Planning District led a discussion
about six key transportation issues/problems which the TJPDC has identified in
Albemarle County and the region. He asked for Commission comment and
suggestions.
Commission comments included the following:
--The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors very recently passed a resolution
asking VDOT to look at Rt. 231/Rt. 22 to ban through truck traffic.
--Why are there plans to widen Rt. 250, from Emmet Street to Rt. 637 (Ivy), since
there is no potential growth in this area? Mr. Cilimberg said he thought probably the
only possibility for widening in the foreseeable future would be from Emmet Street to
the bypass. Ms. Huckle thought the Meadow Creek Parkway would be much more
useful than widening 250 west.
--Ms. Imhoff expressed support for the Rt. 640/Rt 600 bike "loop." She said the
problem is where the route crosses Rt. 231 and then the section of Rt. 20 which must
be taken to connect to Rt. 640. She said another problem is the lack of parking for
recreational bikers.
--Please specify on the bike route maps whether a route is shown just for
identification, or for improvement.
Commission suggestions for additions to the study were as follows:
--A new connector road joining Rt. 240 with Rt. 250 (in Crozet).
--Improvements from Rt. 29 north, near the county line, which would cut across
to Rt. 20.
--Overlaying Virginia Byways on the TJPDC maps.
--Improvements to the Rt. 729/Rt. 250 east intersection.
--Improvements to all the roads in Neighborhoods IV and V.
--Rio Road (the section which connects to Park Street) should be a top priority
for improvements.
--The possibility of adding a daily bus run (possibly a private -sector company) to
some of the outlying areas, e.g. Scottsville.
--Possible future extensions of CTS runs as development goes out into the
County.
--Possible use of some of the railroad easements to develop bike trails.
Mr. Warner said it is planned that the Study will be completed and brought back to the
Commission sometime in the Fall.
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Miscellaneous
Discussion of Commercial Stables Wayside Stands and Farmer's Markets - Ms. Imhoff
asked the Commission to request that the Board consider the possible addition of
Commercial Stables, Wayside Stands and Farmer's Markets to the Zoning Ordinance.
(She explained that Mr. Martin had intended to bring up the issue of Commercial
Stables but had not been able to do so.)
MOTION: Ms. Imhoff moved, seconded by Mr. Dotson, that the Board of Supervisors
be asked to consider a Zoning Text Amendment to add Commercial Stables, Wayside
Stands and Farmer's Markets as uses by -right in the Rural Areas, including necessary
regulations related to traffic, etc.
Mr. Cilimberg noted that the Board has already passed a Resolution of Intent related to
Wayside Stands and a Resolution for Farmer's Markets is scheduled to be discussed at
the June 14, 1995 Board meeting.
Ms. Imhoff motion passed unanimously.
Discussion of Special Permit Process
Ms. Imhoff again raised issues which she had identified earlier in the meeting: She
said: "There is no notification of Zoning Administrator interpretations. At a minimum the
Board of Supervisors should be notified so that there will be an awareness of the
appeal process."
Ms. McCulley responded: "Are you talking about just legislative determinations? If you
look at everything that is appealable under the Code, it's every decision, determination,
ruling, and whatever. We do at least 1,000 a year. I'm trying to think of a practical way
to do it."
Ms. Imhoff interjected that she was more concerned about special permits and
rezonings. Referring to the Amphitheater permit in particular she said: "Things that you
thought would be triggered at one point were triggered by something other than you
thought. I just think it would be very helpful on special permits and rezonings, because
they seem to be significant policy decisions that the Board of Supervisors has made."
Ms. Huckle said she was thinking more in terms of some of the definitions, which she
felt were too vague, e.g. "structure."
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Ms. McCulley: "I think Ms. Imhoff points 2 and 3 (stated earlier) related to dealing with
those issues --the Zoning Text Amendment that would handle structure and that would
handle the phasing and timing contradiction --is something that can be discussed. "
Going back to the issue of notification, Ms. McCulley said: "I am trying to figure best
how to notify and whom to notify when a decision is made about a special permit or a
rezoning and I am happy to do that. As you know, after 60 days a decision is locked in,
right or wrong, as of July 1st."
Ms. McCulley explained how the law changes as of July 1: "You still have your 30-day
appeal period, but after 60 days it becomes final unless fraud can be proven on the part
of the person asking for the decision --a change in circumstance or they were not open
with all the facts of the case, or if it can be proven that the Zoning Administrator acted in
malfeasance."
Ms. Imhoff commented: "It opens up the Zoning Administrator for much more scrutiny
and appeal from people who are developing. It doesn't do much in terms of general
citizen notification."
Ms. McCulley suggested that perhaps this could be addressed through the Consent
Agenda.
Ms. Imhoff felt this might be a policy issue to be addressed by the Board. She said she
felt that the minimum solution was that the Board should receive notification. She said
she was not suggesting that all adjacent owners be noticed. She was uncertain of the
Planning Commission's role. She said that some localities publish these interpretations
in the newspaper.
Ms. McCulley concluded: "I hear your concern and I believe you think I should ask the
Board for their recommendation as to how they wish to address the concern."
Ms. Imhoff suggested that the Board's direction could also be sought on the other
issues raised --the definition of structure and the phasing of site plans. She concluded:
"I don't care if it comes back to us first or if it goes to the Board of Supervisors, but that
something get cleaned up."
Mr. Keeler cautioned: "The term structure is used throughout the Zoning Ordinance.
Just changing it for this one purpose may have ramifications elsewhere in the
Ordinance." (Ms. Imhoff suggested: "If the concern is that the word structure is used
throughout the Ordinance, then consider saying more specifically, 'you vest your special
permit when the building permit is issued.' You take out the reference to structure in
that sentence.")
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Mr. Blue suggested that staff might want to study this issue before taking it to the
Board. Mr. Cilimberg suggested that these two items could be included in the staffs
upcoming study of "zoning text amendments for cleaning up the Ordinance
administratively."
Ms. Huckle suggested that the County Attorney might want to look at "ambiguities in the
Ordinance which make interpretation difficult."
Mr. Cilimberg briefly reviewed actions take at the Board of Supervisors meeting of June
7, 1995.
Mr. Dotson reported on a meeting he had attended for the Southeastern Association of
Extension Agents. He said an exercise performed at that meeting had identified hog
farms, and hog farm wastes, as being a "hot issue" in all jurisdictions. He suggested
that staff add to its work plan a study of supplementary regulations for hog farms.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
on
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