SPECIAL THANKS to those who made our Midwinter Dance Party a success – DJ Bev who always keeps the dance floor hopping; the crew at The Hamner Theater for playing generous host for us; and most of all, to those who came out to dance with such energy and enthusiasm! Mark your calendar for our next dance on April 3rd. Don’t miss out on the fun! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- UPCOMING: - Thursday, February 25th BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 6:00pm Courthouse (Note: Change from regular meeting time) - Thursday, March 4th ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 3:00pm The Nelson Center --------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLANNING COMMISSION Wednesday, February 24, 2010 Present: Ms. Philippa Proulx, Mr. Mike Harman, Ms. Linda Russell, Mr. Mike Tapager and Mr. Allen Hale (Board Liaison) Absent: Ms. Emily Hunt SITE PLAN/VIRGINIA DISTILLERY COMPANY: Mr. Jim Taggart, representing VDC, presented a site plan for Phase 2 for the Eades Hollow facility. Phase 2 includes the distillery building and welcome center. Mr. Boger noted that the E&S plan has been approved and the well has been drilled. He reported that the applicant is working with the Health Department to design a waste treatment facility for the sanitary and liquid waste from the distillery. The distillery needs to be in operation for the Health Department to analyze the waste and determine the design of the system. The liquid waste from the distillery will be collected on site and shipped out for disposal, with between 4,000 and 8,000 gallons to be shipped off site. During Public Comment, MR. DANNY MERCHANT, an adjoining property owner, asked what would happen to the creek and how often it would be tested. He said that he has a garage where he tests race cars and asked if VDC will be complaining about the noise. MR. COBURN BURNAM, whose grandfather is an adjoining landowner, asked about events planned for the site and whether the distillery business would affect the zoning of adjoining properties. Mr. Taggart said that no waste generated will be directed to the creek and there will be no effluent pipes to the creek. He said that the applicant has worked with the Department of Conservation and Recreation to design the stormwater pond for the project. He said that no stream testing is required but that it is to VDC’s benefit to attract tourists so the facility will not look industrial. Mr. Taggart said that all future events will be in the Events Hall, the Welcome Center or in the large field. He noted that other areas will not include public access. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the site plan contingent on design and installation of a waste treatment facility within six months of approval by the Health Department. SPECIAL USE PERMIT/MS. HELEN PARK: Mr. Hale noted that he would recuse himself from discussion and vote as his survey company had prepared the site plan for the project. Mr. Boger reported that the applicant has applied for a permit for public garage to store automobiles on a long-term basis. The property is 5.28 acres zoned A-1 Agricultural and located at the corner of Rt. 29 and Morse Lane in Arrington. The applicant noted that vehicles would be stored inside and long-term only. With no public comment, Commissioners voted 4-0 (Mr. Hale abstained) to recommend approval of the permit. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT/MR. PAUL S. MAMOKOS: The applicant has applied for a permit to construct a cabin on his 5.548-acre property located on Forest Lane, New Land Subdivision in Faber. The applicant stated that he plans to build a 30-foot diameter fabric dome cabin with water, sewer and electric. Mr. Charles Metro, builder, said that the Health Department has already approved the septic and Building Inspections has plans for the building. Ms. Russell said that she would like more information on the structure and how the utilities are to be provided. Mr. Hale said that Building Inspections will have to approve the design and the Health Department has already approved the septic. He moved to recommend approval of the permit for a 30-foot diameter cabin and subject to verification by the County Planner of the approval of the drainfield. Ms. Russell noted that the Commission has, in the past, required proof that Health Department approval is in process prior to making a recommendation. Commissioners voted 4-1 (Ms. Russell voting no) on the motion. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES 2, 12, 13, 16: Commissioners agreed to table discussion to consider new comments received. They will continue work on these proposed amendments at their March 24th meeting. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE 10. GENERAL FLOODPLAIN DISTRICT: Mr. Boger noted that the Supervisors want to hold a joint Board of Supervisors/Planning Commission public hearing in April to take comment on the new FEMA maps and the proposed amendments to make the county’s ordinance comport to the federal ordinance. He reported that the process and adoption of the new maps must be completed by June 18th. Commissioners directed staff to report to the Supervisors that April 22nd (the second Supervisor meeting of the month) would work for the Commission for a joint public hearing. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE 20. COMMUNICATION TOWER ORDINANCE: Commissioners began their review of the proposed amendments with Ms. Russell noting that the proposed ordinance is a change in that it is a permitting process. If the applicant meets the ordinance requirements, the permit must be approved. She noted that it also has no additional restrictions for viewsheds in Scenic Byways. Ms. Russell said that the philosophy behind the original ordinance was for more shorter towers rather than fewer taller towers. She said that the county is now being pushed toward the latter. Mr. Boger said that the idea behind the ordinance is to make the process for shorter towers easier and more streamlined. Ms. Russell said that in the current ordinance, neighboring property owners are notified of applications for towers over 80 feet while the proposed ordinance requires notification at 95 feet. She said that she thinks it is important that the public have input. Ms. Proulx agreed, noting that in the past companies have often tried to accommodate the concerns of the neighbors. Ms. Proulx said that she likes the old tower heights better. After discussion, Commissioners agreed to change Class I to towers not to exceed 85 feet; Class II to towers 86 to 130 feet; and Class III to greater than 130 feet. Commissioners agreed that the “complete application” requirements need to be incorporated into the proposed amendments. Commissioners also agreed to continue work on the proposed amendments at their March 24th meeting. Meeting adjourned. Copyright 2000-2010 by Rural Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Reports may be reprinted or excerpted with attribution. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- OF INTEREST: - FREE H1N1 Vaccination Clinic by Virginia Department of Health; open to the public and no appointment necessary. Friday, February 26th from 10am-7pm at KMart, 1801 Hydraulics Road, Charlottesville. - Sierra Club showing of “Coal Country”: Wednesday, March 3rd at 7:30pm at the Nelson Library. Light refreshments. - Nelson and Albemarle Counties are conducting a feasibility study for organizing an Artisan Trail. With grant funding from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, the project managers are surveying local artists to assess their interest in a regional trail. The state’s grant funding is also contingent upon collecting census-type information to later assess the economic impact of the Artisan Trail on household revenues and number of jobs created. There will be a public meeting on March 3, 2010 at 6:00 pm in the Board of Supervisors’ room, on the second floor of the Lovingston Courthouse. Please contact the office of Economic Development and Tourism with questions. 434-263-7015 or info@nelsoncounty.org ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- This report, sent to over 600 Nelson County citizens, was made possible by the generous donations of Rural Nelson members and supporters. We need your help to continue this service. Please consider donating. Kim Taylor Cash Field Officer Rural Nelson, Inc. P. O. Box 401 Lovingston, VA 22949 434.263.5000 www.ruralnelson.org