Planning Commission

MORGANTOWN PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 6:30 p.m. September 12, 2019 Council Chambers COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Peter DeMasters, Carol Pyles, William Blosser, Ron Dulaney, Sam Loretta, Bill Petros, and Tim Stranko COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Michael Shuman and Gigi Villarreal 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 July 11, 2019 meeting minutes. Stranko moved to approve as presented; seconded by Blosser. Motion carried unanimously with Dulaney abstaining due to his absence. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. V. NEW BUSINESS: A. MNS19-13 / Libby LLC / 230 Quay Street: Request by David Liberatore on behalf of Libby LLC for minor subdivision approval of property located at 230 Quay Street. Fourth Ward Tax District, Tax Map 20, Parcels 215 and 216; R-3, Multi-Family Residential District & SCOD, Sunnyside Central Overlay District. Fletcher presented the Staff Report, noted the petitioner was out of town and asked staff to represent the petition. There being no comments or questions by the Planning Commission, DeMasters asked if anyone was present to speak in favor of or in opposition to the petition. There being none, DeMasters closed the public hearing and asked for staff’s recommendation, which was read by Fletcher. Stranko moved to approve MNS19-13 with Staff recommended conditions; seconded by Dulaney. Motion carried unanimously. Morgantown Planning Commission Page 1 of 4 September 12, 2019 Minutes  B. RZ19-04 / Administrative / Zoning Map Replacement: Administratively requested replacement of current “Official Zoning Map” with updated zoning map to reflect Monongalia County Assessor’s digitized cadastral data and to remedy cartographic errors in the current zoning map. Fletcher presented the Staff Report concerning the administratively requested replacement of current “Official Zoning Map” with updated zoning map to reflect Monongalia County Assessor’s digitized cadastral data and to remedy cartographic errors in the current zoning map. Stranko asked for clarification on the term “cadastral.” Fletcher explained the term refers to tax mapping and the database of information behind the mapping. Fletcher noted the City’s current zoning map was adopted in whole in 2006 as a part of the major zoning ordinance update project. The digital data of the zoning district boundaries has been maintained to included map amendments passed by City Council since 2006. The 2006 zoning map is based on a digital shapefile of tax parcel mapping constructed through a state-wide project in the 1990’s with the assistance of the West Virginia GIS Technical Center at West Virginia University. Fletcher noted Monongalia County Assessor Mark Musick and his staff have been extremely helpful in providing its digital castral spatial data to the City as a foundation for City advancement of its GIS capabilities. Fletcher also explained the labor-intensive nature of getting the city’s zoning spatial data to this point and that remaining anomalies where a parcel is bifurcated by two or more zoning district will be reviewed separately in the future. Fletcher noted that the proposed zoning map replacement includes the reclassification of a portion of Marilla Park from I-1, Industrial District to R-1A, Single-Family Residential District so that the entire Park is zoned R-1A. Dulaney asked for clarification on the differences between the proposed zoning and the existing zoning illustrated for property along State Route 705 near the intersection to Suncrest Towne Centre and WVU’s Research Park. Fletcher explained the city annexed that site, established zoning, but forgot to adjust the official zoning map to reflect that change. Blosser asked for clarification on zoning districts for the Monongahela River. Fletcher explained the city’s municipal boundary extends to the highwater mark on the west side of the river. Dulaney asked for clarification on why there are discrepancies in some areas between the municipal boundary and the zoning district boundaries. Fletcher explained the Engineering Department has been working with the Wards and Boundaries Commission to make corrections to the municipal boundaries. Fletcher noted there may be a need to make very minor modifications to the zoning boundaries as the municipal boundary spatial data is improved, but the focus of the zoning district mapping was parcel boundaries. Stranko asked for clarification for the zoning reclassification for that portion of Marilla Park and whether City Council would be briefed separately. Fletcher answered in the affirmative and also noted staff has suggested to address the Marilla Park cartography issue now because the City owns the property. However, if there are any concerns or opposition, staff would recommend removing that component so the larger zoning map replacement project can continue to move forward. Stranko noted he agreed with the approach. Morgantown Planning Commission Page 2 of 4 September 12, 2019 Minutes Fletcher provided a briefing on the status of the City’s GIS implementation and how helpful the County Assessor’s Office has been. There being no further comments or questions by the Planning Commission, DeMasters asked if anyone was present to speak in favor of or in opposition to the petition. There being none, DeMasters closed the public hearing and asked for staff’s recommendation, which was read by Fletcher. Stranko moved to recommend to City Council that it move forward with replacing the city’s zoning map in its entirety as presented; seconded by Pyles. Motion carried unanimously. VI. OTHER BUSINESS A. Committee Reports • Traffic Commission Report: No report. • Other Committees: No reports. • Staff Comments: Fletcher shared the postcard sent inviting the public to the second and final community forum for the Future Study Area No. 5 planning project that will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at the Wiles Hill Community Center. Fletcher provided a summary of the planning project’s progress including working with a working group of neighborhood residents. The new target of bringing the recommendations report to the Planning Commission is the October meeting. Fletcher reminded the Commission that its October meeting date was moved from Thursday, October 10 to Tue, October 8 to avoid conflicts with the Morgantown High School home football game. Fletcher noted that Future Study Area No. 2, that included a request to the MPO to study the Willey Street and Richwood Avenue intersection and possibly opening up East Prospect Street, continues to move forward. Fletcher noted a meeting that occurred on September 4, 2019 with WVDOH, WVU, the City, the County, and the MPO to discuss pedestrian improvements at the East Prospect Street. Fletcher noted that once it is known whether improving and opening East Prospect Street is a viable transportation solution, then the work of planning future land uses within the immediate area can move forward. Loretta asked if WVU’s Arnold Hall and its future is a part of what is being reviewed. Fletcher answered in the affirmative. VII. FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMISSION Stranko asked for Fletcher to report on staff changes. Fletcher briefed the Commission on the recruiting process to replace Stacy Hollar. A candidate has been selected and is expected to start on Monday, September 23, 2019. Stranko asked if DeMasters would consider sending Ms. Hollar a letter thanking her for her service. Loretta asked if Gigi Villarreal is still on the Planning Commission. Fletcher said that she is but her absences have been brought to the City Manager’s attention Morgantown Planning Commission Page 3 of 4 September 12, 2019 Minutes Stranko moved to adjoin; seconded by Loretta. The meeting was adjoined by acclimation. VIII. ADJOURNMENT: 7:05 p.m. MINUTES APPROVED: October 8, 2019 COMMISSION SECRETARY: _____________________________ Christopher M. Fletcher, AICP Morgantown Planning Commission Page 4 of 4 September 12, 2019 Minutes