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PC Minutes 01 07 2020 PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, January 7, 2020 MINUTES VIRGINIA: The Pittsylvania County Planning Commission met on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, in the General District Courtroom, Chatham, Virginia. Mrs. Hayes, Deputy Director of Community Development, called the meeting to order at approximately 7:00 p.m. Mrs. Hayes called the roll. PRESENT Richard Motley Chatham-Blairs District Morris Stowe Tunstall District Janet Mease Callands-Gretna District Colette Henderson Banister District H. F. Haymore, Jr. Westover District Brian Horne Dan River District Timothy Dudley Board of Supervisors Representative Karen N. Hayes Deputy Director of Community Development J. Vaden Hunt County Attorney ABSENT Representative Staunton River District APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN FOR THE YEAR 2020 Upon motion of Mr. Dudley, seconded by Mr. Stowe, and by a 7 to 0 vote (one (1) member, the Staunton River District representative, was absent), Mr. Motley was elected Chairman. Upon motion of Mr. Horne, seconded by Mr. Dudley, and by a 7 to 0 vote (one (1) member, the Staunton River District representative, was absent), Mr. Haymore was elected Vice Chairman for the year 2020. Mr. Motley thanked everyone for their continued support and congratulated Mr. Haymore. HEARING OF THE CITIZENS No citizens came forward to speak. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA A motion was made by Mr. Horne, seconded by Mr. Stowe, and by a 7 to 0 vote (one (1) member, the Staunton River District representative, was absent), the agenda was approved as presented with the addition of Moment of Silence and Pledge of Allegiance which was erroneously omitted from the agenda. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES A motion was made by Mr. Haymore, seconded by Mr. Stowe, and by a 7 to 0 vote, (one (1) member, the Staunton River District representative, was absent), the December 3, 2019, minutes were approved as presented. Planning Commission January 7, 2020 Page 2 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Mr. Motley welcomed Mr. Leon Griffith, Board of Zoning Appeals representative for the Tunstall Election District, to the meeting. THE ZONING PRECEPTS WERE READ by Mr. Motley TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING at approximately 7:06 p.m. Case S-20-001, Rock Solid Hardscapes, LLC – Mr. Motley opened the public hearing at 7:06 p.m. Mrs. Hayes, Deputy Director of Community Development, reported that Rock Solid Hardscapes, LLC, had petitioned for a Special Use Permit on a total of 86.53 acres, located on Huntington Trail, in the Tunstall Election District for a campground containing 36 sites. Mr. Burt Lewis was present to represent the petition. He stated the petitioned site is located in the vicinity of the Berry Hill Mega Park and the Michaux Solar Facility, and he felt the campground would give the construction workers a place to live. The individuals who spoke in opposition to the petition were as follows: Lynwood Lunsford and Patti Rodriguez (Ms. Rodriguez presented a petition containing a total of 28 signatures in opposition to the petition). Their concerns included, but were not limited to, the following: did not feel this would have a positive effect on the community; decrease in the water table; disturbance of natural resources and wildlife; depreciation of property value, the potential increase in crime; and concerns about the roadway and its ability to sustain higher volumes of traffic. Mr. Lewis offered a rebuttal and stated he has no plans to expand the campground; he plans to keep it in operation; and his personal residence is located nearby. Following questioning from several of the Board members, Mr. Lewis stated if the Special Use Permit was granted with the stipulation for 36 sites, he would agree to this. He then stated overhead electrical service is already at the site, and a total of three (3) 200-amp services underground are also at the site; the road will be graveled; and there is currently an existing well at the site; however, he has not yet had the septic system installed. Mr. Motley closed the public hearing at 7:22 p.m. During the discussion, it was stated this will bring revenue to the community. A motion was made by Mr. Stowe, seconded by Mr. Dudley, to recommend to the Board of Zoning Appeals that the Special Use Permit request be granted. Motion passed by a 7 to 0 vote (one (1) member, the Staunton River District representative, was absent). This concludes the Special Use Permit case. OLD BUSINESS Mrs. Hayes requested that a motion be made regarding approval of the 2019 Annual Report. A motion was made by Mr. Stowe, seconded by Mrs. Mease, that the 2019 Annual Report be approved as presented. Motion passed by a 7 to 0 vote (one (1) member, the Staunton River District representative, was absent). NEW BUSINESS Mrs. Hayes reported on a proposed revision to the Zoning Ordinance to remove Amusement Centers, Game Rooms, Electronic Games, Game Machines, Machine Arcades and Amusement Shops from Section 35-365, Permitted Uses, and add to Section 35-366, Special Use Permits. She also stated the USBC, Building Code regulates assembly and number of occupants allowed per square footage of a building or space. The building also requires handicapped bathrooms, exit signs, certain widths of entrances, etc., and zoning regulates adequate parking. She then explained this proposed change would help in making sure these regulations are addressed and a change of use permit is issued. She then requested should the Planning Commission desire to pursue this matter, a motion be made to advertise and hold a public hearing for citizen input and to make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. A motion was made by Mr. Dudley, seconded by Mr. Haymore, to advertise for a Planning Commission January 7, 2020 Page 3 public hearing to be held for citizen input and a recommendation be made to the Board of Supervisors for their review. Motion passed by a 7 to 0 vote (one (1) member, the Staunton River District representative, was absent). CONSERVATION EASEMENT: OAK GROVE FARMS, LLC Mrs. Hayes introduced Chris Holdren with the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy to the Board members. Mr. Holdren presented a brief summary of the conservation easement containing a total of 314 acres, three (3) connected parcels of land, bordering the Staunton River. Mrs. Hayes then requested a motion be made in support of the conservation easement as presented and that it is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. A motion was made by Mr. Haymore, seconded by Mr. Stowe, that these properties support conservation and are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Motion passed by a 7 to 0 vote (one (1) member, the Staunton River District representative, was absent). The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:32 p.m.