Planning Commission

CITY OF COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VIRGINIA Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission Tuesday, February 4, 2014 I. Call to Order Chairman Townes called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. Roll Call/Determination of Quorum Mr. Schanzenbacher, Director of Planning and Community Development, called the roll. Present: Mr. Townes Mrs. Hamilton Mr. Hartson Mrs. Schiff Mr. Kollman Mr. Kohan Absent: Mr. Freeland Mr. Schanzenbacher stated there was a quorum. Also Present: Planning Director George W. Schanzenbacher, Neighborhood Revitalization Planner Jamie Sherry, Assistant Director of Public Works Brian Copple and City Attorney Hugh Fisher. Mr. Townes welcomed Carl J. Kohan as a new member to the Commission. III. Approval of Minutes of January 7, 2014 The minutes were approved on a roll call vote with no changes. IV. Approval of Agenda The agenda was approved with no changes. V. Hearing of Citizens Generally Ms. Ann Hoopsick of 401 Dupuy Avenue addressed the Commission in reference to the food truck January agenda item. She stated that she felt there may be a need for food trucks in the City. As someone who comes from a construction background, she stated that construction workers often don’t have the luxury of leaving a job site to get lunch. She said food trucks can offer them an opportunity hot lunch. She continued by saying that, like any other business, the business owner will want to ensure they have return customers so they will most likely abide by food safety standards. She continued by saying it is not the place of the government to pick which business should have the opportunity to succeed. 1 VI. Public Hearings There were no public hearings. VII. Site Plan/Subdivision There were no site plans or subdivisions. VIII. Old Business There was no old business. IX. New Business VDOT Traffic Impact Analysis Comments The attached letter, dated January 16, 2014 from the Virginia Department of Transportation, includes Traffic Impact Analysis comments for the proposed Kroger Grocery Store on Temple Avenue. The letter was included in the Planning Commission’s Agenda Packet. Mr. Copple stated that Kroger would have to respond to each of these comments. Comprehensive Plan – public meeting draft Ms. Sherry presented a brief overview of the comprehensive plan planning process and the additions to the draft plan since December. She highlighted some of the big concepts recommended by the plan. After describing the existing land use, Ms. Sherry presented the land use plan. She stated that land use patterns in the City were well established and there was little need for significant land use changes. She stated that there were some additions to the Environmental Chapter, including a new Natural Resources Map and policies related to storm water management and 15 mandatory policies on living shoreline management. Ms. Sherry stated that the Community Character chapter, which was almost completely new, included policies on urban design, gateways and image corridors. She stated the Economic Development Chapter specified detail on a strategic plan and market analysis and identified several economic opportunity areas. These areas include the Boulevard Commercial Strategy Area and three mixed use areas in addition to the mixed use area identified in the Appomattox River Corridor Study. She stated that the Neighborhoods and Housing chapter identified 5 Revitalization strategy areas that would require additional planning efforts. She also discussed proposed new public facilities to include a new public safety substation in the Southpark Mall area and two new potential recreation and park facilities areas. She continued by stating the Plan also proposes a multipurpose trail system that would connect major facilities such as schools, parks and commercial shopping by sidewalks and trails. Ms. Sherry stated at the December meeting she said she would be asking for an endorsement from the Commission at the February meeting prior to the plan being released to the public for comment. However, she stated she would be making this request in March and she asked that the Commission submit comments on the comprehensive plan to her in the next two weeks and she will forward those comments to the other commissioners so they can discuss it at the March meeting. 2  If the Commission is able to endorse the plan at the March meeting, there would be a series of 3 open house meetings at the end of March. She stated that depending on the public comments and direction from the Planning Commission, public hearings could be held as early as May or June. X. Reports There were no reports. XI. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m. Respectfully, __________________________ George W. Schanzenbacher Director, Department of Planning and Community Development APPROVAL: ___________________________ Charles E. Townes Chairman 3