Planning Commission

MORGANTOWN PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 6:30 p.m. | April 10, 2025 | City Hall, Council Chambers COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Bill Petros, Darren Taylor, Danielle Trumble, Brennan Williams, Kelly Palmer, Tim Stranko COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Pete DeMasters STAFF PRESENT: Rickie Yeager CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Petros asked to bypass the pre-meeting announcement, all in favor. I. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. II. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS- concerning matters not on the agenda. There were none. III. MATTERS OF BUSINESS: A. Meeting minutes from February 13, 2025 Correct the minutes that Palmer was not present at the meeting. Stranko moved to approve with correction, Trumble seconded. All in favor. B. Meeting minutes from March 26, 2025. Trumble moved to approve as presented, seconded by Palmer, all in favor. IV. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. V. NEW BUSINESS: A. SUB25-24 / Michael Pompili / 367 and 369 Maple Street Request by Mr. Pompili for a minor subdivision (lot consolidation) of Tax District 10 (Second Ward), Tax Map 36, Parcels 387, 388 and 533 into one parcel of land, more commonly known as 367 and 369 Maple Street; R-1A, Single-Family Residential District. Yeager read the staff report. Petros opened the public meeting. Seeing no one the public hearing was closed. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Morgantown Planning Commission Page 1 of 4 April 10, 2025, Minutes DRAFT  After review, staff recommend that the minor subdivision application be approved by the Planning Commission with the following conditions: 1. The applicant submits a letter of service availability to staff from the Morgantown Utility Board regarding water, sewer and stormwater services for the two parcels of land. 2. The applicant seeks and is granted variance relief from the Board of Zoning Appeals for the new accessory structure’s height, which will exceed 18 ft. Variance relief is needed as the existing principal structure on Parcel 387 will become an accessory structure through the lot consolidation. 3. The applicant submits a revised survey (final) plat that shows the property to be subdivided (consolidated), as well as a legal description for the new parcel of land for review by Development Department staff. The plat should note the zoning district, include a vicinity map and include all other requirements of final plat per Section 1319.02 of the City’s Planning and Zoning Code. 4. That the applicant submits at least three (3) original final plat documents, including all access/utility easements, signed, and sealed by a surveyor licensed in the State of West Virginia for the Planning Commission President’s signature. 5. That the final plat is recorded at the Monongalia County Courthouse within thirty (30) days of receiving the executed plat. Stranko moved to approve based on the recommendation, seconded by Palmer. Williams wanted to confirm this is currently two principal structures on three different lots. He asked how the second structure is converted to an accessory structure. Yeager notes that the second structure was only used as storage so will remain the same. Petros asked about the height requirement and the current is approximately 20-22 feet. Petros asked for a vote, five in favor, one against. The motion passed 5-1 and the minor subdivision was granted. B. SUB25-25 / Monongalia County Board of Education / Research Park Road Request by Mr. Robert Shuman, on behalf of the Monongalia County Board of Education for a minor subdivision of City Tax District 13 (Fifth Ward), Tax Map 59, Parcel 1, into two parcels of land, and subsequent consolidation of a portion of Parcel 1 with Morgan Tax District 8, Tax Map 4C, Parcel 18.1; B-5, Shopping Center District. Yeager read the staff report and noted the petitioner was present. Mr. Shuman discussed the proposed minor subdivision. He notes that this area is hoping to be a new school. Stranko asked about the possibility of annexing the Morgan District parcel into the City and Shuman notes this is a definite possibility. Petros opened the public hearing. Seeing no one, the public hearing was closed. Morgantown Planning Commission Page 2 of 4 April 10, 2025, Minutes DRAFT  STAFF RECOMMENDATION: After review, staff recommend that the minor subdivision application be approved by the Planning Commission with the following conditions: 1. The applicant submits a final plat (in accordance with Section 1319.02 of the City’s Planning and Zoning Code), as well as a legal description for the new parcel of land for review by Development Department staff. 2. That the applicant submits at least three (3) original final plat documents, including all access/utility easements, signed, and sealed by a surveyor licensed in the State of West Virginia for the Planning Commission President’s signature. 3. That the final plat is recorded at the Monongalia County Courthouse within thirty (30) days of receiving the executed plat. 4. The applicant provides the Development Services Department with a copy of a Purchase Sale Agreement or some other documentation that shows the Monongalia County School District is working with the WVU Board of Governors to facilitate the proposed subdivision of property. Stranko moved to approve based on staff recommendations, seconded by Palmer. Petros asked for discussion. Trumble had a question regarding page 27 of the packet saying result in 2-3 new parcels of land. She asked if this would be contiguous with parcel one or it’s own island. Yeager confirmed on the map which parcels were included. Trumble has concerns about approving a consolidation of a parcel half in and half out of the City. She is of the belief that we should be cleaning these issues up and not creating more. Yeager notes this is one of the reasons the applicant is considering annexing the remaining property. He further states that we would work closely with the County Planning Division to handle situations such as this. Trumble questions the fire fee charges and which jurisdiction would respond to a call. Stranko notes that we do not have jurisdiction over the fire department and fees regarding the school board. Yeager notes that currently this is a landlocked parcel and will have access after the fact, and again mentioned there is hope that the additional parcel will be annexed in the future. Shuman notes that WVU owns both parcels, the larger one for years, the small purchased from Mon General approximately thirty years ago. Williams asked if the parcel being separated is all outside of the city limits. Yeager notes that the parcel in yellow in the packet is all within the city limits. Stranko notes that the portion of the parcel in question is completely within City limits and that is all that we are discussing. Stranko clarified the motion to reflect that this is a minor subdivision of parcel one only, seconded by Palmer. Vote was unanimous. Morgantown Planning Commission Page 3 of 4 April 10, 2025, Minutes DRAFT VI. FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMISSION Wiliams asked about the minor subdivisions and a timeline when this will switch to staff approval. Yeager notes that at the next meeting there will be a proposal. VII. STAFF COMMENTS: None VIII. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m. MINUTES APPROVED: COMMISSION SECRETARY: _____________________________ Rickie Yeager, AICP Morgantown Planning Commission Page 4 of 4 April 10, 2025, Minutes DRAFT