City Council

The “New River ” City 10 Robertson St. August 24, 2020 Radford, Virginia Meeting Number 6 of Radford City Council, F.Y. 2020-2021 The special organizational 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, Raymond David Horton, was present and presiding. Other members of City Council present were Mr. Onassis Burress, Ms. Jessie Foster, Mr. Forrest Hite, Ms. Naomi Huntington. Others present were as follows: Mr. David Ridpath, City Manager Mrs. Jenni Wilder, City Clerk Mr. Mike Bedsaul, City Attorney MINUTES APPROVAL: On a motion by Mr. Burress seconded by Ms. Huntington the minutes for July 31, 2020 were approved as presented. CITIZEN COMMENTS: Ms. Renie Price came to state her concerns about the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Radford and that the Radford University students are still gathering in large numbers. She is concerned for her own health because she lives among the students. Mr. John McCandlish asked that Council extend the COVID-19 Restriction Ordinances because it is another tool the City can use if needed in the prevention of the spread of COVID-19. Rev. McCandlish stated this is one way for us as a community to look out for our neighbors. COUNCIL RESPONSE: None OLD BUSINESS: SUBJECT: Radford Development Apartments-Special Use Permit SUMMARY: Radford Development is planning to develop apartment units on the second and third floor of the building at 1143 East Main Street. The property is zoned B-3 Central Business and requires a special use permit for apartments on the upper floors. The lower floor would be used as retail, restaurant or office space. A joint public hearing with the Planning Commission was held on August 10, 2020. There were no objections to the request. No action was taken pending Planning Commission making a recommendation at its regular meeting on August 17, 2020. The Planning Commission has reviewed the Special Use Permit and recommended approval as requested. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to accept the Planning Commission’s Recommendation, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to approve the Resolution as amended., Ms. Foster seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Rezoning Radford University Foundation Hotel Project-Ordinance 1736 SUMMARY: The Radford University Foundation is planning to develop a hotel on 2 acres of property on the corner of the 600 block of Tyler Avenue at Calhoun Street. The project will include 125 guest rooms, conference center, restaurant and guest amenities. The property is zoned R-4 Multi-family residential and requires rezoning to B-2 General Business to accommodate the development. The project will require a zoning exception on its setback and height. A joint public hearing with the Planning Commission was held on August 10, 2020. There were no objections, only a concern expressed by phone about closing the existing alleyway through the property. No action was taken pending the Planning Commission making a recommendation at its regular meeting on August 17, 2020. The Planning Commission has reviewed the project and recommended approval of the rezoning as requested. ACTION: Ms. Huntington made a motion to accept the Planning Commission’s Recommendation, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Mr. Burress made a motion to approve Ordinance 1736 on the first reading, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Ordinance 1736, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Ordinance 1737: COVID-19 Response SUMMARY: City Council approval of Ordinance #1734 on August 4, 2020 that limited “gatherings” to no more than 50 people. The measure was taken to address concerns over the growing number of local positive Covid-19 tests, the return of the University students, as well as to help protect public health. The Ordinance is set to expire on August 31, 2020. The proposed Ordinance #1737 would extend the deadline to September 30, 2020. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to approve Ordinance 1737 with a September 18, 2020 expiration date on the first reading, Ms. Huntington seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: ACTION: Ms. Foster made a motion to dispense with the second reading of Ordinance 1737, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 SUBJECT: Right of Way Vacation-Scott Hill SUMMARY: Scott Hill has requested the vacation of an unopened portion of Sixth Street adjacent to property he owns between 604 and 504 Robertson Street. The right-of-way is topographically challenged and would not be opened as a street. It does not contain any utilities. The applicant has paid the $800 application fee and City Staff has received the application. A public hearing was held on February 24, 2020 with no comments or objections. City Council appointed a three-member panel of viewers to review the request and make a recommendation. The amount of payment to the viewers is $50 each. Two more Board of Viewers is requested because two of the three members appointed at the July 13, 2020 meeting have not responded. ACTION: Mayor Horton made a motion to appoint the following members, Michael Turk and Bob Nicholson, Mr. Hite seconded the motion. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Mr. Hite, Ms. Foster, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: Mr. Ridpath stated that more tables are arriving at the Triangle Lot, the Drop Center should be opening soon. The fence is going in and the site should be ready soon. The Tourism office is now open on West Main Street. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Ms. Foster suggested maybe moving to zoom meetings again the audio is better and easier to hear and see the meetings for the community. Ms. Foster is going to send out the July stats from the Dept. of Social Services and what is happening there. Mr. Hite commended Chief Dodson on the caught in the act initiative and what a great example of community policing. Mayor Horton suggested scheduling an additional meeting to award the contract for McHarg Elementary School for Wednesday. August 26, 2020. Mayor Horton concluded by saying we need to be careful when address COVID19 and how to think broader moving forward for what the best approach for our community during the pandemic. Mr. Burress made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. seconded by Ms. Huntington. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Burress, Ms. Foster, Mr. Hite, Ms. Huntington, Mayor Horton NAYES: None-0 ATTEST: _____________________________ Jennifer Wilder, City Clerk