City Council

The “New River ” City 10 Robertson St. January 26, 2015 Radford, Virginia Regular Meeting Number 11 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2014-2015 The regular meeting of the Radford City Council was convened at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, 10 Robertson Street, Radford, VA. The Mayor of the City, Dr. Bruce Brown, was present and presiding. Other members of City Council present were Dr. Richard Harshberger, Mr. Daniel Keith Marshall, Mr. Robert Nicholson and Mr. David Michael Turk. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Ms. Melissa Skelton, City Clerk Mr. Basil Edwards, Economic Developer Mrs. Gail Cook-DeVilbiss, City Attorney Mrs. Jenni Wilder, Public Information Officer Mr. James Hurt, City Engineer Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mayor Brown, an invocation was pronounced by Chaplin Rev. MacCanlish. MINUTE APPROVALS: On a motion by Dr. Harshberger, seconded by Mr. Marshall, that the minutes for January 12, 2015 are approved as presented. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 PUBLIC HEARING SUBJECT: Enterprise Zone SUMMARY: In January, 2014 the City of Radford was selected as an “Enterprise Zone” community by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. This effort was done in partnership with Pulaski County. The current zone contains 1,035 acres. The City has applied to expand the zone by 25 acres to include the businesses and industrial property along Rock Road. The zone is significant for economic development because it offers grants to qualifying businesses that make investments and create jobs. Mayor Brown opened the public input hearing at 7:09 p.m. No Comment Mayor Brown closed the public input hearing at 7:09 p.m. Clerks note: Notice of the public hearing has been duly advertised. SUBJECT: Transfer of Property to Industrial Development Authority of Radford SUMMARY: The City owns just over one acre of land at the intersection of Wadsworth Street and Rock Road. The property was acquired in 2007 when looking at sites for a new public safety building. The City has no plans to use the site for public purpose and proposes to surplus it to the Industrial Development Authority for marketing. The property is zoned B-1, limited business and is vacant. Mayor Brown opened the public input hearing at 7:11 p.m. No Comment Mayor Brown closed the public input hearing at 7:11 p.m. Clerks note: Notice of the public hearing has been duly advertised. RESOLUTION SUBJECT: Enterprise Zone A RESOLUTION INITIATING AN AMENDMENT TO THE ENTERPRISE ZONE BOUNDARY IN THE CITY OF RADFORD TO ENHANCE RADFORD’S ABILITY TO ATTRACT NEW INVESTMENT AND/OR EXPANSION IN ITS BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL ZONES. WHEREAS, an amendment to the boundary would enhance Radford’s ability to attract new investment and or expansion in its business and industrial zones, and WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia is accepting applications for boundary amendments, and WHEREAS, the City of Radford strongly supports the need for an Enterprise Zone, and THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Radford is applying for an amendment to the Enterprise Zone boundary jointly with the County of Pulaski, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County of Pulaski is designated to act as the joint zone program administrator, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Radford authorizes the City Manager to submit all information needed to apply for the Enterprise Zone boundary amendment, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Radford authorizes the Radford City Manager and the Pulaski County Administrator to carry out all program administrative and reporting requirements on its behalf, as defined by the Enterprise Zone Regulations, throughout the life of the Zone. ADOPTED this 26th day of January, 2015, by the City Council of the City of Radford, Virginia. ______________________________ Dr. Bruce Brown, Mayor ATTEST: ________________________________ Melissa Skelton, City Clerk ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion to approve the Resolution as presented, Mr. Marshall seconded the motion. VOTE: Dr. Harshberger: Yes Mr. Marshall: Yes Mr. Nicholson: Yes Mr. Turk: Yes Mayor Brown: Yes OLD BUSINESS SUBJECT: Consider Second Reading of Ordinance #1668 – Electronic Summons SUMMARY: This Ordinance permits Radford to adopt provisions to improve electronic summons and assess a fee not to exceed $5.00 for criminal and traffic related court cases as stated in The Code of Virginia, Section 17.1-279.1. The Commonwealth Attorney, City Attorney and Police Department have reviewed the merits of an Ordinance that would efficiency, reduce paperwork and decrease “radio” traffic. Council approved it on its first reading at their January 12, 2015 meeting. ACTION: Dr. Harshberger made a motion to place Ordinance #1668 on its second and final reading, Mr. Turk seconded the motion VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Special Use Permit Request – Receive Planning Commission Report SUMMARY: The Planning Commission unanimously recommended that the City Council approve Ordinance #1664 to grant a Special Use Permit to Jeff Price to construct townhomes. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion, to receive the Planning Commission Report, Dr. Harshberger, seconded. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Special Use Permit Request – Consider Ordinance #1664 SUMMARY: Collegiate Development has requested a Special Use Permit to develop a twenty- five unit townhome development on East Main Street near the corporate limits. The property is zoned MU (Mixed Use) and requires a Special Use Permit for townhomes. The 3.28 acre tract is identified as tax parcel 4-(1)-2B. Planning Commission held a public hearing on June 16, 2014 and City Council held on August 11, 2014. Mr. Nicholson commented that being representative of Council on the Planning Commission he wanted to share that the zone allows for mixed uses, which allows for both business and multifamily residential with special use permit. He shared that the owner has made efforts for many years to try to find a business for site with no success. He added that the developer did say he has no reason to change his interest. But he did mention that if a business interest did come along prior to building this proposed development that he would consider changing the scope of the project. Mr. Nicholson wanted to make it clear that just because we approve the ordinance, it doesn’t mean he has to build the townhomes. Dr. Harshberger asked that just because it’s a Special Use Permit it does not stop it from changing. Ms. Skelton added that this particular zone allows for B-2 (General Business) and Single Family by right. Any multi-use development has to go through a Special Use Permit and if the developer decided to change his proposal to a business development that would not have to go through a Special Use Permit process since it is a by-right use. Mrs. DeVilbiss added that if the developer does not get his building permit or an extension within a year, the Special Use Permit is null and void. Mr. Marshall asked if the units were going to be sold individually. Mrs. DeVilbiss responded that they were not set up to be sold individually. Mr. Nicholson commented that the effective date on the Ordinance shows 2014 and it will need to be corrected to reflect the current year. Mayor Brown shared that with having Mrs. DeVilbiss on board now, which is something we didn’t prior to her coming on board, when we did approve Special Use Permits they were in perpetuity, now they have a sunset and they either happen or don’t happen. We are trying to cover all bases. Mr. Nicholson added that we are beginning to see some development occur in that section of the City which we haven’t seen in a long time. Dr. Harshberger asked if we see any chance of it to go towards Section 8 apartments. Mrs. DeVilbiss responded she doesn’t believe that it will by the way it’s been presented. ACTION: Mr. Nicholson made a motion, to place Ordinance #1664 on its first reading, Dr. Harshberger, seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger - Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 CITIZEN COMMENTS: John MacCadlish, Radford resident, shared his concerned about the series of crosswalks along Tyler Avenue at Radford University at nighttime. He mentioned that it is very difficult to see when students are crossing when it is dark. He asked if there is some way to evaluate the lighting at the intersections that would illuminate the crosswalks. He also mentioned that a few students where crossing the median there at Subway and not at the crosswalks and have seen barriers in medians in other localities to keep from crossing mid block, and would encourage something like that. Mayor Brown we had made an attempt to try and deter people from crossing at the medians by planting bushes, but that didn’t seem to help. He said that he had received a request to put crosswalks at the post office and at Wades, but generally because it is RT 11 and is a State Highway we are unable to do so. But will have Mr. Ridpath and staff look at the lighting along Tyler Avenue. NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: Consider Ordinance #1669 – Transfer of City Property to the Industrial Development Authority of Radford. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion to place Ordinance #1669 on its first reading, Mr. Turk seconded the motion VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Consider disposition of Right-of-Way Vacation Request from Summit Development. ACTION: Mr. Marshall made a motion, to table this request and schedule a work session at the next meeting, Mr. Nicholson seconded the motion. Mr. Hurt reminded Council where the location of the proposed right-of-way vacation along with an update of the future road alignment from Tyler Avenue to East Main Street, which originally been proposed to go through this property, but has since been determined by VDOT, not to be feasible. Determining the exact alignment of the future road has been what caused the delay in the right-of-way vacation. Dr. Harshberger commented that the original design for the road had a lot of cut and fills and the new design minimizes the cuts and follows more the contours and believes the delay has been worth it. He also shared that there has been a lot of improvement of the land since the request for the vacation was submitted over 4 years ago and the appraisal shows a value of $123,000 on the right-of-way, but thinks should look closely at whether they should penalize the developer for making improvements to the property. Mayor Brown shared for the benefit of the audience; the road they are discussing is the next major road project in the City. He commented that the information provided to them is a lot to digest in short amount of time, does it affect the viability of what we’re trying to accomplish that if we wait until the next meeting on the 9th to digest this. He shared if his memory served him correctly if we are not judicious with the right-of-way on this end on this end, on the tail end when we need right-of-way from the developer on the road that we may want to do some exchange of right-of-way. Mr. Hurt stated that this right-of-way request doesn’t affect the future road project. Mr. Ridpath shared that there is a lot involved and we can hold a work session at the next meeting. Mr. Hurt added that the design for the final line up of the future road isn’t complete so do not know exactly how much right of way would be needed for the future road. Mrs. DeVilbiss shared it important to note that the alignment of the new road is a State project and if that moves forward the State would be involved the condemnation and that’s a huge distinction and it’s been delayed for years which has stifled our inability to allow us to make a decision that we owe the applicant and in her opinion that is crucial we move forward with the vacation because we have been dealing with this for four years. Mr. Nicholson added that one other thing that could occur is we all want both projects to proceed but the road project could be so far out that we could see a change in ownership that it could complicate things even more. It’s difficult to tie a future project to an existing one and agreed with the Mayor that it would be best to wait for a decision. Mr. Marshall recommended that they move to table this and have a worksession at the next meeting, seconded by Mr. Nicholson. Mr. Nicholson added that as much as we are trying to move development forward, not sure where we are in the timeline for needed to make a decision. Mrs. DeVilbiss by statue the application you’re at a point where the application has been brought forward, once board of views came forward with recommendation and an appraisal was done to determined a value not to exceed and in her opinion that should be the topic of the worksession, determining the value which is what she needs to proceed with the ordinance. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGERS COMMENT: Mr. Ridpath shared that we have dodge a couple of weather situations. The contractors are progressing on Second Avenue and all warranties are in place with grass seed. We are going to look at Public Works Building and determine what the cost would be for significant repairs. Mr. Ridpath commented that he will have a report on this past year’s budget here in near future, probably the 2nd meeting in February. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS: Mr. Nicholson said that he would like for the minutes to reflect that prior to tonight’s meeting, we did meet with the Library and was a presentation on where they are as a Library and the services they providing to our the community and appreciate them doing that and in addition was provided a tour of their genealogy and history research center that they established and recommend our citizens to go down and check it out. Dr. Harshberger added that the Radford library scores highest within the State within their budget range. Mayor Brown commented that Council recently engaged in their annual retreat where they revisited their mission, vision and thinks it was very successful session. Mike Chandler came in and facilitated the retreat and help frame the city of where we are going. He asked if staff could follow up and investigate the potential of crosswalks at the Post Office and at Wades. Also, maybe Jenni could put pictures of first bus shelters on the City’s website and social media that it would be good idea. Dr. Harshberger made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m., Mr. Marshall seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Dr. Harshberger, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Turk, Mayor Brown NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Melissa Skelton, City Clerk