Planning Commission/Wetlands Board

CITY OF HOPEWELL, VIRGINIA MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 300 NORTH MAIN STREET THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2024 6:00 p.m. MINUTES I. Call to Order Chairman Reynolds called the session to order at 6:03 p.m. II. Roll Call Members Present: Paul Reynolds, Chairman Carlos Roman, Vice-Chairman Rip Ballou Patience Bennett Todd Butterworth Members Absent: None Staff Member present: Christopher Ward, Director III. Determination of Quorum A quorum was determined. IV. Invocation by designated Commission Member Prayer rendered by Commissioner Butterworth. V. Administrative Matters 1. Withdrawals/Deferrals/Amendments to the Agenda None 2. Review and take action on previous meeting minutes Commissioner Butterworth motioned to approve the meeting minutes from the Planning Commission’s regular meeting held on July 11, 2024. Vice-Chairman Roman seconded. The motion passed 5-0. Planning Commission Minutes August 8, 2024 Page | 1  Public Hearings 1. Conditional Use Permit (CUP) – 3000 Davison Ave. – JRM Contractor, LLC Case #2024.0758: JRM Contractor, LLC, requests a Conditional Use Permit to construct a single-family dwelling on non-conforming Parcel #092-0665, also identified as 3000 Davison Avenue, in the R-2 District. The subject property previously contained a single-family dwelling, approximately 736 square feet, which was demolished earlier this year. The applicant proposes constructing a new, one-story, three-bedroom, two-full-bath, 1,605-square-foot house to replace the former two-bedroom, one-bath house. The applicant claims he will bring new life and value to the neighborhood. Director Ward gave a presentation on the case. A survey of the properties on this block reveals a homogenous collection of 1-story homes ranging in size from 840 square feet to 1,200 square feet with mostly vinyl siding and a couple of larger 2-story homes. A large majority of the lots meet the minimum lot size and width requirements; however, the two closest lots to the subject lot are similar in size and non-conforming to the district. The proposed house exceeds the average size of the existing homes and doubles the size of the previous house on this lot. Staff supports the approval of this application with the following conditions: a. The new single-family dwelling will have 12-inch minimum eaves along all roof edges. b. The new single-family dwelling will include 4-inch wide trim around all windows on the front of the house. c. The lot will have a minimum coverage of 20% tree canopy at full maturity. d. A driveway of asphalt or concrete will be installed in accordance with the City’s driveway policy. e. The new single-family dwelling will have a brick foundation on all four sides. f. The new single-family dwelling will have foundation plantings along the front foundation. g. The new single-family dwelling will be in substantial conformance with the house plans submitted with the application and dated 6/24/2024. Chairman Reynolds noticed there is a concrete drain ditch that runs through all the front yards and culverts under the driveways, and then there is a big pipe at the end bordering this property. He asked if the property drains well and if we knew of any drainage issues. Director Ward responded that we do not know any history of the property and it is the responsibility of the builder to do the proper soil testing and any E&S control that is required during construction. The builder will work closely with stormwater. Jose Raymundo Mejia, the applicant with JRM Contractor LLC, came to the podium. Planning Commission Minutes August 8, 2024 Page | 2  The applicant stated he purchased the property two months ago and is following the exact design of the previous house, just enlarging its footprint. He is working with a licensed surveyor who will combine the two parcels into one. Chairman Reynolds opened the Public Hearing at 6:15 p.m. There being no one else to speak, Chairman Reynolds closed the Public Hearing at 6:15 p.m. On motion by Commissioner Butterworth, seconded by Commissioner Bennett to approve the Conditional Use Permit submitted by JRM Contractor, LLC, to construct a single-family dwelling on non-conforming Parcel #092-0665, also identified as 3000 Davison Avenue, in the R-2 District with the following conditions: a. The new single-family dwelling will have 12-inch minimum eaves along all roof edges. b. The new single-family dwelling will include 4-inch wide trim around all windows on the front of the house. c. The lot will have a minimum coverage of 20% tree canopy at full maturity. d. A driveway of asphalt or concrete will be installed in accordance with the City’s driveway policy. e. The new single-family dwelling will have a brick foundation on all four sides. f. The new single-family dwelling will have foundation plantings along the front foundation. g. The new single-family dwelling will be in substantial conformance with the house plans submitted with the application and dated 6/24/2024. Vote: 5-0 Yes: Chairman Reynolds Vice-Chairman Roman Commissioner Butterworth Commissioner Ballou Commissioner Bennett No: Motion: Unanimous Pass VI. Old Business of the Planning Commission 1. Update to CUP application request from Joseph Williams Chairman Reynolds reminded the commissioners about the CUP application they heard from Mr. Joseph Williams at the July meeting. Mr. Williams did not attend that public Planning Commission Minutes August 8, 2024 Page | 3  hearing. Director Ward informed Chairman Reynolds that Mr. Williams could not attend this meeting. The Commission passed a motion to delay acting on this for 60 days. The next chance the Commission will have to act on this case is the September 5, 2024 meeting. If the Planning Commission meeting is delayed a week, it would not be within that 60 days. Director Ward recommended that the Planning Commission make a new motion to hear Joseph Willams's presentation at the September 2024 meeting. On motion by Commissioner Bennett, seconded by Vice-Chairman Roman to hear Joseph Williams's presentation at the September 2024 Planning Commission Meeting. Vote: 5-0 Yes: Chairman Reynolds Vice-Chairman Roman Commissioner Butterworth Commissioner Ballou Commissioner Bennett No: Motion: Unanimous Pass Commission Ballou regretted the previous approval of similar applications and opposed any more CUPs in the middle section of Oaklawn Blvd. He does not intend to approve any other in that area. This shows concerns about the impact on commercial development and the difficulty of sunset provisions on residential properties. Commissioner Ballou wants to change his vote from the previous meeting on 3421 Oaklawn Blvd. Director Ward stated it had gone to the City Council work session. Director Ward stated nothing could be done at this meeting because it was not on the agenda. Director Ward would check with the City Attorney to see how to change his vote from a previous meeting. 2. Update to Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Technical Review Director Ward stated that due to unforeseen staff shortages, Kelly Davis was not able to complete the written updates on the technical memo. Director Ward stated that the department will have a staff-level meeting with the resiliency group (RAFT Group) out of ODU next week. We are still waiting on the Crater PDC on the multimodal and regional housing study. Director Ward stated that one of the projects is grant-funded. They are confident they’re going to get the money. The draft update of the Comprehensive Plan technical memo has been reviewed. The draft is shaping up as anticipated and reads well. Staff will continue working on the draft Planning Commission Minutes August 8, 2024 Page | 4  and address any recommendations or additional information. VII. New Business of the Planning Commission None VIII. Old Business of the Wetlands Board None IX. New Business of the Wetlands Board None X. Reports from Planning Commission Members & Staff Director Ward stated he is looking for a date for a joint work session between the Planning Commission and the City Council. He is looking at September 10th or the 11th. Earlier in the day before the meeting, we will be hosting the consultants, taking them around town, and showing them the areas of concern from the staff's perspective. He invited the Planning Commission and the City Council to join them. Chairman Reynolds wanted to remind everyone that elections are held once a year for the Chairman and Vice-Chairman. This is coming up at the October meeting. He asked all to consider nominations for the September meeting, and the elections will be at the October meeting. XI. Adjournment Commissioner Butterworth made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ______________________________ Paul Reynolds, Chairman ______________________________ Christopher J. Ward, Director Department of Planning & Development DATE: _______________________ Planning Commission Minutes August 8, 2024 Page | 5