Planning Commission

FAIRMONT PLANNING COMMISSION The regular meeting of the Fairmont Planning Commission was held on October 15, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the Public Safety Building located at 500 Quincy Street. President Oliver called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and asked for a roll call of members. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Members Present: Members Absent: President Oliver Vice President Majic Commissioner Richardson Commissioner Pitman Commissioner Weber Commissioner Straight Commissioner Greene Commissioner Parker Commissioner Miller City Staff Present: Director of Planning and Development – Kathy Wyrosdick Recording Secretary – Martha Richards PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR NORMAN KRONJAEGER President Oliver asked for a motion to approve the minutes from September 17, 2014. Commissioner Weber motioned to approve minutes. Commissioner Greene seconded. Vote was 7-0 in favor. PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR OCTOBER 15, 2014 None. 1 PUBLIC HEARINGS TO SET FOR NOVEMBER 19, 2014 None. NEW BUSINESS Discussion and review of the Connectivity Plan and Health Impact Assessment. City Planner Wyrosdick – The Connectivity Plan is a very comprehensive plan that looks at the gaps within our pedestrian/transportation system. It does not speak to existing paths and sidewalks, but it does include rail trail extensions. Fairmont is the gap in the rail trail system. The Connectivity Plan was spearheaded by Main Street Fairmont with the help of public input at the 12:30 Meetings, and Thrasher Engineering, who developed the plan, breaking it down into manageable sections and using a project matrix to rank areas of economic opportunities, which is very helpful. The Plan begs the question, how do we better connect residents to commercial centers, to each other, and to public spaces? The next steps for the Planning Commission are to:  formally adopt the Connectivity Plan by amending the 2015 Comprehensive Plan  expand the project matrix  prioritize sidewalk improvements  request that City Council do a sidewalk assessment The Commissioners discussed new sidewalks and improvement of existing sidewalks, including: 1) where to begin? – we currently do not have an inventory of sidewalks in the City, 2) cost to property owners, enforcement of maintenance of personal property - who pays for improvements?, 3) what are the legal rights to fix City/State owned sidewalks?, 4) how does the Home Rule process play into the Plan?, and 5) how do we maintain a realistic vision for projects and improvements – what can we really do in one to three years? The adoption of Home Rule will free up money that would come from the 1% sales tax increase. The amount of money to go towards projects like sidewalk improvements is predicted to be approximately $250,000 in July 2016. We are still at square one since the last Strategic Plan that was written in 2005. “We need to get started - we need to get these recommendations to City Council.” CITIZENS PETITION None. 2 OTHER BUSINESS Commissioners’ Comments Commissioner Parker spoke of the great loss in our community of Norman Kronjaeger. He was a wealth of knowledge and will be sadly missed. President Oliver inquired about renaming a street in honor of Norm and all he has done for the City of Fairmont. Commissioner Straight said he would look into it. Staff Updates City Planner Wyrosdick:  Norm’s passing.  Announcement that Martha is leaving the Planning Department to further her career at the Fairmont Community Development Partnership.  A rezoning request from Louis Romesburg for his property next to the West Fairmont Middle School, which is currently zoned educational and has a cell tower on it.  Recommendation that the Commissioners expand the role of the Planning Commission by incorporating a Developmental Review Committee to review and discuss large scale proposals from companies such as Extreme Plastics, BB&T, and CVS. There is value to both the applicant and the public by doing so. ADJOURNMENT President Oliver asked for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Straight motioned to adjourn. Commissioner Greene seconded. 3