Planning Commission

MORGANTOWN PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 6:30 p.m. October 12, 2017 Council Chambers COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Peter DeMasters, William Blosser, Tim Stranko, Sam Loretta, Ron Dulaney, Jr. and Michael Shuman COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Carol Pyles and Bill Petros STAFF PRESENT: Christopher M. Fletcher, AICP NOTE – Due to technical difficulties, a video or audio record of this meeting was not generated. 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 14, 2017 meeting minutes. Dulaney noted a correction that he was present during and voted to approve the July 13, 2017 meeting meetings. Stranko moved to approve as corrected; seconded by Shuman. Motion carried unanimously. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. V. NEW BUSINESS: A. S17-08-III / Book Exchange Holdings, Inc. / 5000 Greenbag Road: Request by Jonathan Fleming of Book Exchange Holdings, Inc. for a Type III Development of Significant Impact Site Plan approval at 5000 Greenbag Road; Tax Map 48A, Parcel 2; B-5, Shopping Center District. Fletcher presented the Staff Report. DeMasters recognized Jonathan Fleming, owner of Book Exchange Holdings, Inc., who stated they started this side of their business about five (5) years ago and have been selling online more and more. They started with 6,000 square feet, grew to 11,000 square feet, and now need up to 19,000 feet. The Mountaineer Mall location will allow the business to continue to grow without having to relocate again due to space needs. Fleming noted the former Elder-Beerman space is the only space in Morgantown available to meet their growing needs. Morgantown Planning Commission Page 1 of 3 October 12, 2017 Minutes Stranko thanked Mr. Fleming for his investment in Morgantown. Fletcher noted the recommended condition concerning bicycle storage is identical to that used by the Commission when approving similar site plan approval for Mylan Pharmaceuticals in August 2017 within the Mountaineer Mall. 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 portion closed and asked for Staff recommendations, which were read by Fletcher. Stranko moved to approve S17-08-III with the Staff recommended condition; seconded by Shuman. Motion carried unanimously. B. MNS17-13 / Tucker / 1127 Munsey Avenue: Request by Susan Tucker, for minor subdivision approval of property located at 1127 Munsey Avenue; Tax Map 55, Parcel 58; R-1, Single-Family Residential District. Fletcher presented the Staff Report. DeMasters recognized Susan Tucker who stated she needs subdivision approval for the lender to finance the construction of a single-family dwelling on the larger proposed parcel. DeMasters asked if Tucker understood Staff’s alternate subdivision approach. Tucker asked for clarification. Fletcher described the alternate approach in greater detail, which Tucker agreed to. Stranko thanked Staff for developing an alternate approach that did not require variance or modification approval by the Commission. 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 portion closed and asked for Staff recommendations, which were read by Fletcher. Stranko moved to approve MNS17-13 with Staff recommended conditions; seconded by Shuman. Motion carried unanimously. C. TX17-11 / Administrative / Hostels: Administratively requested Zoning Text Amendments to Article 1329 concerning Hostel uses. Fletcher presented the Staff Report. Dulaney asked what other communities Staff reviewed when developing the recommended approach. Dulaney asked for clarification about why “hostel” uses would not be included under the current “hotel” definition. Morgantown Planning Commission Page 2 of 3 October 12, 2017 Minutes DeMasters asked why the provision of “for compensation” was not included in the proposed “hostel” definition. Loretta asked how long “transient” meant and expressed concern with determining the difference between a “hostel” use and a “lodging or rooming house” use. Following a brief discussion concerning two (2) potential approaches of addressing “hostel” uses in the Planning and Zoning Code, Stranko suggested the matter be tabled for further study. Fletcher noted Staff would prepare two (2) alternate approaches incorporating points raised for the Commission to consider at its 09 NOV meeting Stranko moved to table TX17-11; seconded by Blosser. Motion carried unanimously. VI. OTHER BUSINESS A. Committee Reports • Collaborative Planning Advisory Committee: Stranko noted the committee has agreed to work on legislation to amend the State’s growth boundary provisions to allow more municipalities and counties to plan for growth together. Stranko noted litigating annexation requests does not serve local government or the citizens who support collaborative municipal boundary growth solutions. • Traffic Report: Blosser noted passage of “Amendment No. 1 – Roads to Prosperity Amendment of 2017” and that the greater Morgantown area would greatly benefit in roadway improvements. • Green Team: No report. • Staff Comments: Fletcher reminded the Commission that a workshop would immediately follow the Commission’s business meeting. The purpose of the workshop is to study zoning provisions concerning mixed and multi-use development. VII. FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMISSION: None. VIII. ADJOURNMENT: 7:29 p.m. MINUTES APPROVED: November 9, 2017 COMMISSION SECRETARY: _____________________________ Christopher M. Fletcher, AICP Morgantown Planning Commission Page 3 of 3 October 12, 2017 Minutes