PLANNING COMMISSION

Wednesday, September 25, 2002

Present: Ms. Proulx, Mr. Hoffman, Ms. Russell, Mr. Harvey, Dr. Walker, Mr. Brush (at 7:50pm)

Absent: Mr. Giles

REZONING REQUEST/JIMMY TAYLOR – The applicants had originally requested a Special Use Permit to allow for placement of a doublewide manufactured home on one of their two parcels, both of which are currently zoned Residential (R-2). Staff had noted that approving the request would require amending the Zoning Ordinance to allow doublewide manufactured homes in R-2 districts with a Special Use Permit. Commissioners had asked that the applicant submit an application to rezone the property to Agricultural (A-1) instead and had asked Staff to contact the owner of the third parcel on Rockfish River Road to see if they would be interested in rezoning their property to A-1. Mr. Boger noted that the owner of the third parcel did not want his land rezoned to A-1 and that Staff was still recommending amending the Zoning Ordinance rather than rezoning. After no Public Comment, Mr. Harvey said that he would favor rezoning over trying to change the rules to make it fit. Ms. Russell said that if all three of the parcels were to be rezoned, she could support the rezoning. She said that she could live with a Special Use Permit in that the county could then control manufactured homes in other areas of the county where they might not fit into the existing R-2 neighborhood. Commissioners voted 4-1 (Ms. Russell voting no) on Mr. Harvey’s motion to rezone the two parcels owned by the applicant to Agricultural (A-1).

SITE PLAN REVIEW/CONCH PEARL, LLC – The site plan included a 50’ x 120’ industrial building to be used for a cabinet shop on property at the current end of Callohill Drive. The applicant indicated a 6,000 square foot building with 3 employees. There will be 12 parking spaces with two spaces for large trucks. Mr. Harvey asked how many vehicle trips per day would be made in and out of the property and the applicant indicated there would be 10-20 per day. Commissioners voted 6-0 to approve with site plan with Mr. Boger authorized to sign the site plan after receipt of the final E&S plan.

COMMUNITY CENTER DEFINITION – At the request of the Planning Commissioners, Mr. Boger presented a draft definition of a Community Center, noting that the existing Zoning Ordinance does not define the term. The draft definition read: “Community Center: A common building, which provides a focus for recreation, neighborhood commercial, educational and cultural activities for the residents of the immediate neighborhood.” The Commissioners are considering the issue because of a request from the Rockfish Valley Community Center, which has noted their desire to include space for a business incubator and a catering business at the Center. Ms. Proulx expressed her concern with including the term “commercial” into the definition, noting the difference between a non-profit gift shop and a commercial for-profit center. Mr. Harvey said that if community centers are going to survive, they would have to find ways to generate funds. Ms. Proulx agreed but said she had a problem with including commercial in the definition and said that a Special Use Permit would be a possibility. Mr. Harvey, noting that both RVCC and the Ruritan Park are currently zoned Residential (R-2), suggested that the county pursue rezoning both parcels to Agricultural (A-1). Mr. Brush said that the county should bend some to help the community centers survive, saying that the worst case would be for the building not to be used at all. Commissioners asked Mr. Boger to search for other draft definitions of a community center and to contact the Ruritan Park to see if they would be interested in a rezoning.

PLANNING COMMISSION BY-LAWS – Commissioners discussed the draft By-laws provided by Mr. Boger and tabled further discussion on the section Practices and Procedures pending the Zoning Ordinance rewrite, which may include some revision of procedures.

ZONING ORDINANCE WORK SESSION – Mr. Boger noted the first Zoning Ordinance Work Session scheduled for Wednesday, October 9 at 7:00pm in the courtroom at the Courthouse.