Planning Commission

City of Petersburg Planning Commission Meeting September 2, 2020 Minutes The City of Petersburg Planning Commission meeting held on Wednesday September 2, 2020 virtually and at 101 E Washington Street, Petersburg, VA 23803, was called to order by the Chair, Mrs. Tammy Alexander at 6:07 PM. A roll call was completed by Ms. Michelle Murrills. Members Present: Ms. Tammy Alexander, Chair Ms. Marie Vargo Mr. Thomas Hairston Mr. Michael Edwards Mr. Fenton Bland, Vice Chair Dr. Conrad Gillam Mr. William Irvin Dr. James Norman A Quorum was established by the Chair. Others Present: Mr. Reginald Tabor, Ms. Michelle Murrills, Ms. Sandra Robinson, Mr. Robert Warthan, Mr. Mark Spector, Mr. Tom Heineman, Mr. Avram Fechter, and Ms. Pamela Griner. Adoption of the Agenda: Chair Alexander called for any changes. There were none. Vice Chair Bland moved approval of the Agenda. Mr. Edwards seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 1 Minutes: Commissioner Norman moved for the adoption of the Minutes from the July 1, 2020 meeting; Commissioner Edwards seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Public Information Period: Chair Alexander opened the Public Information Period to anyone who wished to speak on an item not on the agenda. With no one wanting to speak, the Public Information Period was closed. Public Hearing: 2020-SUP-02 Chair Alexander read the notice of a public hearing as follows: 2020-SUP-02: Request of Spector Properties, Inc.,(agent) for David L. Snead (Seller) and Robert H. Warthan (Buyer) for a Special Use Permit pursuant to Article 23, Section 4(22) of the Zoning Ordinance to operate a stand-alone used vehicle sales lot not associated with a new-vehicle dealership, subject to certain terms and conditions at 1300 East Washington St. T.P. 005-09-0002. The property is zoned M-1, Light Industrial District. Ms. Robinson of the Planning Department also asked to combine with 2020-SUP-03: Request of Spector Properties, Inc.,(agent) for David L. Snead (Seller) and Robert H. Warthan (Buyer) for a Special Use Permit pursuant to Article 23, Section 4(23) of the Zoning Ordinance to operate a stand-alone vehicle repair shop not associated with a new-vehicle dealership, subject to certain terms and conditions at 1300 East Washington St. T.P. 005-09-0002. The property is zoned M-1, Light Industrial District. The Planning Department greeted the Commissioners and made the presentation about the properties in question. The properties are beside Youngs Auto. Staff Findings: Because this property had been used for the same activity as previous owner, the Planning Department agreed to the same conditions that the previous owner had, with the exception of the signage. Ms. Robinson found that signage should be a certain square footage; instead of the allowable 350 square feet, these properties would be held to 150 square feet as to be more appropriate with the surrounding properties. Otherwise the staff findings are to allow the same conditions as the previous owner. Chair Alexander then called for the applicant to respond. 2 Mr. Mark Spector, the agent who is representing the seller of the property as well as the purchaser, Robert Warthan, who is asking for the special use permits for these two properties, made the presentation. Mr. Warthan has been in business for over 25 years and is looking to relocate from Chesterfield. This property was originally built as a Cadillac dealership with a repair shop as well. Next door is another repair shop, Youngs automotive, which came to the planning commission a few years ago asking for the exact same special use permit that Mr. Spector is asking for now. They were approved at the time that they applied so Mr. Spector is asking for the same consideration. Throughout the last 50 years these two properties have had the same type of car dealerships and repair shops and each one has been given the same special use permit, even as late as 2014 the previous owner was issued the same permit. In summary they have always been in use this way since the inception of the Cadillac dealership and these gentlemen are simply asking for it to continue that way. Mr. Spector also said that the new conditions about the signage are acceptable to his client. Public Comment: Speakers both in favor and opposition No public comments. Commission Discussion: Commissioner Edwards asked about the number of cars that would be on the lot. He was worried about the car lot would end up looking like other car lots in Petersburg that do not look good. Mr. Spector said that the primary mode of business is the repair shop, but that Mr. Warthan also sells a few cars as well, so there would not be several for sale used cars on the lots because it would interfere with parking and such, which would impact his primary business. Vice Chair Bland made the motion to approve and Commissioner Edwards seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Public Hearing: 2020-REZ-04 2020-REZ-04: Request for the Planning Commission to consider rezoning the property at 1000 Diamond Street, formerly known as Virginia Avenue Elementary School, Parcel ID: 044-08000 from R-2, Single Family Residence District to PUD, Planned Unit Development District to allow for a mixed used development that will include multi-family residential targeted to Senior and Military. Mr. Reginald Tabor, Interim Director of Planning and Community Development for the City of Petersburg greeted the Planning Commissioners and stated: this is a proposal from PB Petersburg Owner LLC for the rezoning of the property from R-2 to PUD. This property is surrounded by a neighborhood. Chair Alexander then called for the applicant to respond 3 Mr. Tom Heinemann and Mr. Avram Fechter made the presentation for rezoning the property from R-2 to PUD. Public Comment: Speakers both in favor and opposition Pamela Griner, calling on behalf of the Alexander Briggs Estate, 1009 Diamond St., wanted to know how the zoning was going to affect the lot across the street from the school—which it does not change for 1009 Diamond St. She also wanted to know how much on-street parking was planning on being utilized. With such a large parking lot, it should not change the on-street parking from the way it is now. Commission Discussion: Commissioner Gilliam asked about veterans and was informed that veterans would be prioritized over other seniors. Vice Chair Bland asked what the beginning and ending dates would be. He was told they expect to take possession of the property in October this year, break ground beginning of next year and have people moving in beginning of 2022. Vice Chair Bland also asked about where the entrance would be and was told that they expected to take possession of the building Oct 2020, break ground beginning 2021, and start having people living there beginning 2022. Commissioner Gilliam asked about the landscaping. Mr. Heinemann explained that the landscaping would be much like it is the presentation because they would want it to look nice and attract people wanting to come rent from them. Commissioned Edwards asked just how soon, after taking possession would the grounds be maintained to code. The answer was that as soon as the property came into possession, they would be responsible for bringing the property up to code immediately. Chairman Alexander asked to hear the staff recommendations again. Staff Findings: Staff recommends that the Planning Commission approves the rezoning request with the following conditions: 1. That the design of the proposed redevelopment of existing structure located at 1000 Diamond St. substantially conforms to the preliminary site plan which will be reviewed through the cities site plan review process. 2. That the applicant agrees in writing to maintain appropriate landscaping around the parking lot and at the entrance of the building along Diamond St. 3. That the applicant employs landscaping measures to maximize coverage and reduce any potential visual impacts. 4. That the applicant will comply with all signage required criteria as outlined in article 21 of the sign regulations of the zoning ordinance. 5. That the applicant agrees to maintain the parking lot in a manner which will minimize its aesthetic and visual impact that applicants shall ensure that the parking lot regardless of the number of spaces must have individual spaces marked. 4  6. Each parking space is properly delineated with paint or plastic striping which shall provide a permanent delineation between spaces. The spaces should be arranged so that any maneuvering directly incidental to entering or leaving a parking space shall not be on any public street, alley, or walkway. Parking requirements are as follows for multifamily one space per one-bedroom unit two spaces per every two or more- bedroom units and the public space would require one space per 200 square feet of floor space. Commissioner Gilliam then moved to accept the recommendations of the Planning Office with an amendment to add security to the building. Commissioner Hairston seconded. Motion passed unanimously. New Business: Commissioner Gillam turned in his resignation letter to the mayor because he has moved outside of Petersburg. Old Business: A. Comprehensive Plan Update. Mr. Tabor quickly went through a schedule for the next Comprehensive Plan, which would include a social services plan, an economic development plan, a housing plan, an education plan, a workforce development plan, a transportation plan, an infrastructure plan, a quality of life plan, and an environmental plan. He proposed that the City Plan would be done by May of 2021. The first half of the of Fiscal Year 20-21 would be devoted to studies and survey and the second half to probable future requirements. He also proposed that that there should be periodic reviews every three months, which would be open to the public, with a final submission to City Council and hopefully a complete adoption in June of 2021. There will be a part that is looking 5 years ahead, 10 years ahead and 20 years ahead. The Planning Department will continue to give these updates at every monthly meeting between now and the month of May. Also, Mr. Tabor is now teaching a city planning class at the University of Virginia, and he will be using his students in helping him prepare the draft update to the City’s Plan. Also, Mr. Tabor will work with Commissioner Norman to engage students from Virginia State University in the update process as well. The City of Petersburg is also developing a strategic plan through the City Manager, and the City is developing a Consolidated Plan, which HUD requires for funding recipients, including Community Development Block Grant program funding recipients. The federal government requires this plan to show how the City of Petersburg will be using the money that makes up the CDBG fund over the next 3-5 years. So the Planning Department will be working hand in hand with the City Manager to symbiotically bring all plans together. 5 Motion to approve schedule moved by Commissioner Edwards and seconded by Vice Chair Bland. Motion passed unanimously. Announcements: There were no announcements. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned 7:29 pm. Next meeting is at 6:00 pm on October 7th. 6