Planning Commission

MORGANTOWN PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 6:30 p.m. November 10, 2016 Council Chambers COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Peter DeMasters, Tim Stranko, Carol Pyles, William Blosser, Sam Loretta, and Bill Kawecki COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Bill Petros and Michael Shuman STAFF PRESENT: Christopher Fletcher, AICP I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: DeMasters called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and read the standard explanation of the how the Planning Commission conducts business and rules for public comments. II. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS: None III. MATTERS OF BUSINESS: A. Approval of the September 8, 2016 meeting minutes. Stranko moved to approve as presented; seconded by Kawecki. Motion carried unanimously. B. Approval of the October 13, 2016 meeting minutes. Kawecki moved to approve as presented; seconded by Blosser. Motion carried unanimously with Stranko and DeMasters abstaining due to their absence. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. V. NEW BUSINESS: A. S16-01-III / Seneca Village, LLC / 709 Beechurst Avenue: Request by William E. Turner, Jr. of Pison Development, on behalf of Seneca Village, LLC, for Type III Development of Significant Impact Site Plan approval for a site at 709 Beechurst Avenue; Tax Map 15, Parcel 196; B-2, Service Business District. Fletcher presented the Staff Report. DeMasters recognized Matthew Breakey, on behalf of the Seneca Center Inc., who presented a PowerPoint presentation to further explain the proposed project at 709 Beechurst Avenue. Stranko asked if a sidewalk will continue along the front of the Seneca Center. Breakey explained that the frontage of project will face Eighth Street and noted that a sidewalk will be constructed along Eighth Street. Fletcher stated that a bus shelter will be placed across the street from the project and an access agreement will be created as it may be located on the property of the WVU PRT Maintenance Morgantown Planning Commission Page 1 of 5 November 10, 2016 Minutes Facility. Fletcher noted that the City will work on obtaining funding to create access to the trail from the sidewalk constructed by the petitioner. Stranko asked if sidewalks could be considered along Beechurst Avenue. Fletcher noted that a variance will be required to develop sidewalks along Eighth Street and referred to the presentation slide to explain why sidewalks would not work along Beechurst Avenue. Fletcher noted that the City will be working with the property owner across the street to establish another sister bus shelter. Kawecki asked for further clarification on the variance for the sidewalks along Eighth Street. Fletcher explained that a six-foot wide sidewalk is required from property pin to property pin along Eighth Street and the proposed sidewalk facility would require a variance in order to connect to the bus shelter. Stanko asked if the public would be able to access the sidewalk to the rail trail. Breakey confirmed and explained the sidewalk would be located in the public right-of-way. DeMasters asked if leased parking would be available at the Seneca Center for visitors and overflow parking. Bill Turner, on behalf of the Seneca Center Inc., explained that overflow parking would park in the Seneca Center lot and those spaces would not be reserved and would not cost anything. Loretta expressed concerns with parking. Turner explained that density is decreased for parking according to the use as an age-restricted and income-restricted multi-family development and his prior experience with these types of developments do not usually have problems with overflow parking. Loretta asked if the indoor parking would be assigned. Turner explained that parking would not be assigned and would be on a first come, first serve basis for the residents that live in the building. Pyles asked if accessible parking spaces will be provided in the overflow parking area. Turner confirmed and noted those accessible spaces would be located by the entrance off Beechurst Avenue. Loretta asked how many spaces are used in the overflow parking area currently. Turner referred the question to the owner of the property, Barton Loar. DeMasters recognized Barton Loar, secretary of the Seneca Center, Inc., who stated there are 129 parking spaces on the property and 38 of those spaces are assigned to the businesses vacating the property. Loar stated the remainder of the parking is available to everyone in all of the buildings. Breakey referred to the PowerPoint presentation to show the height of building when completed. Stranko expressed that the aesthetics should tie in with the rest of the Seneca Center as it is a gateway to downtown. Fletcher explained there are not many architectural standards for the B-2 District. Discussion ensued on possible materials that will be used for the outside of the building. Stranko asked for the history of the building. Breakey stated the piece of building proposed was constructed in 1947 and is not of historical significance and that related information was provided to the Planning Office. Stranko noted this project would be considered “in-fill development” and is what the Comprehensive Plan focuses on. Morgantown Planning Commission Page 2 of 5 November 10, 2016 Minutes Stranko asked if the target age group was a requirement. Turner confirmed and noted it is required for financing purposes. Stranko expressed housing for the targeted age group is a missing piece in our market and is needed in the area. Loretta asked if there would be a loading area near the elevator. Turner confirmed. Kawecki asked for the occupancy requirements of the building. Turner explained there is an age restriction of 55 years and older as well as income requirements. Kawecki asked how tenants will be recruited. Turner explained they will use different marketing techniques and expressed that it will not be difficult to attract eligible occupants. Kawecki asked if the developer had other projects throughout the state. Turner confirmed and stated the company is based out of Charleston and stated they have multi-family developments, strip malls, and elderly housing developments throughout West Virginia. Stranko asked where occupants would go if they wanted to enjoy sunshine. Turner explained 30 percent of the development site is improved green space and noted the occupants could go out back and take walks on the trail and there will be a courtyard at the bottom of the property. Turner further explained the footprint of the development and where greenspace will be located. Stranko asked if the project will be contracted with local trades. Turner stated that all trades will be contracted from West Virginia. There being no further comments or questions by the Commission, DeMasters asked if anyone was present to speak in favor of or in opposition to petition. There being none, DeMasters declared the public hearing closed and asked for Staff recommendations, which were read by Fletcher. Stranko suggested including a condition that the existing cladding be consistent with the historical structure. Fletcher suggested the following condition be included along with the conditions recommended in the Staff Report. “That, to the greatest extent practicable and to the satisfaction of the Planning Division, the architectural design of the building must complement the predominant historical industrial warehouse style of the Seneca Center buildings.” Stranko moved to approve Case No. S16-01-III with Staff’s revised recommended conditions; seconded by Loretta. Motion carried unanimously. B. MNS16-15 / Seneca Center, Inc. / 709 Beechurst Avenue: Request by William E. Turner, Jr. of Pison Development, on behalf of Seneca Center, Inc., for minor subdivision approval of property located at 709 Beechurst Avenue; Tax Map 15, Parcel 196; B-2, Service Business District. Fletcher presented the Staff Report. DeMasters recognized William Turner of Seneca Center, Inc., who concurred with the Staff Report. Morgantown Planning Commission Page 3 of 5 November 10, 2016 Minutes There being no comments or questions by the Commission, DeMasters asked if anyone was present to speak in favor of or in opposition to petition. There being none, DeMasters declared the public hearing closed and asked for Staff recommendations, which were read by Fletcher. Stranko moved to approve Case No. MNS16-15 with Staff recommended conditions; seconded by Blosser. Motion carried unanimously. C. MNS16-13 / NHC I, LLC / 1341 Sabraton Avenue: Request by Michael Anderson, on behalf of NHC I, LLC, for minor subdivisi on approval of property located at 1341 Sabraton Avenue; Tax Map 24, Parcel 198; R-1A, Single-Family Residential District. Fletcher noted the petitioner asked Staff to represent the petition and presented the Staff Report. There being no comments or questions by the Commission, DeMasters asked if anyone was present to speak in favor of or in opposition to petition. There being none, DeMasters declared the public hearing closed and asked for Staff recommendations, which were read by Fletcher. Stranko moved to approve Case No. MNS16-13 with Staff recommended conditions; seconded by Loretta. Motion carried unanimously. D. MNS16-14 / Viglianco / 3120 Krepps Street: Request by Timothy M. Rice of Potesta & Associates, on behalf of Laura Viglianco, for minor subdivision approval of property located at 3120 Krepps Street; Tax Map 7, Parcel 251; R-1, Single- Family Residential District. Fletcher noted the petitioner asked Staff to represent the petition and presented the Staff Report. There being no comments or questions by the Commission, DeMasters asked if anyone was present to speak in favor of or in opposition to petition. There being none, DeMasters declared the public hearing closed and asked for Staff recommendations, which were read by Fletcher. Stranko moved to approve Case No. MNS16-14 with Staff recommended conditions; seconded by Blosser. Motion carried unanimously. Kawecki asked if any setback encroachments would occur with the minor subdivision. Fletcher explained no encroachments would occur with the minor subdivision. VI. OTHER BUSINESS A. Committee Reports  Traffic Commission: No report.  Green Team: No report. B. Staff Comments: None. Morgantown Planning Commission Page 4 of 5 November 10, 2016 Minutes VII. FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMISSION: Fletcher stated that the County has appointed two members as representatives to the Joint City/County Planning Commission Advisory Committee. Fletcher stated the County requests the Committee schedule its first meeting in January 2017 and that two (2) members of the Morgantown Planning Commission be selected to serve on the Committee. Fletcher suggested “Collaborative Planning Advisory Committee” as a fitting committee appellation. Stranko and DeMasters volunteered to serve on the Collaborative Planning Advisory Committee. Kawecki volunteered to serve as an alternate. VIII. ADJOURNMENT: 7:35 P.M. MINUTES APPROVED: December 8, 2016 COMMISSION SECRETARY: _____________________________ Christopher M. Fletcher, AICP Morgantown Planning Commission Page 5 of 5 November 10, 2016 Minutes