MINUTES OF THE STRASBURG PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2008, AT 7:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE TOWN HALL.

Planning Commission members present:  Chairperson Smith and Commissioners Cromer, Davis, Dean, Kepler, Terndrup, and Council Member Whittle. Absent:  Others Present:  Planner Amos and Council Member Terndrup.

Chairperson Smith asked for the approval of the following minutes:

            November 27, 2007 – Regular Meeting

            December 13, 2007 – Regular Meeting

            January 10, 2008 - Worksession

The minutes were approved as submitted.

Action Items

• Chad See Modular Home Site Plan

Claus Bader, German Engineering:  Said he had prepared the plans and the only two things that were questioned at the Worksession were the “check dams” which he has added and the well and septic permits.  He researched the permits and could not find any record of these at the Shenandoah County Court House.  Commissioner Kepler asked about the location of the “check dams” and Mr. Bader said he put them where the swales would be the greatest.

Council Member Whittle moved to approve Chad See Modular Home Site Plan; second by Commissioner Terndrup.  The motion passed unanimously.

• Strasburg Green Sales Center Entrance Corridor Re-review

The only item discussed at the Worksession was the VDOT approvals.  It had been decided this could be approved contingent on VDOT approval.

Council Member Whittle moved to approve the Strasburg Green Sales Center Entrance Corridor Re-review in regards to the sign and contingent on VDOT approval; second by Commissioner Cromer.  The motion passed unanimously.

• Denny’s Site Plan and Entrance Corridor Review

Denny Dunlap, Triad Engineering:  Stated he felt everyone was familiar with the concept of the plan and so he only reviewed the changes made to the plans since the January 10, Worksession.  Some of the items he addressed were:

• Added a cross-walk across Hite Lane
• Light plan location is shown
• Note concerning glare
• Photometric plan shown
• Storm structure E – the structure is formed with grout
• Added some shrubbery to the front island – will not interfere with visibility
• Revised the right-in entrance – made it more restrictive based on the advisability of VDOT.  A note was added stating the entrance will not be opened until the speed limit is reduced.  They will be using a type 3 barricade.
• Pervious Area – have proposed some pervious pavement along the back edge of the banking parking and also the back of the Denny’s parking.  This will not be on any of the drive isles.

Commissioner Kepler asked if all understood the pervious pavement and said it was asphalt that allowed water to pass through.  He asked if there was some note or spec as to what the asphalt mix would be.  He would like a maintenance program to be given to the owner or leasee to let them know how to care for the pervious pavement.  He would like for this to be included as an attachment to the plan.

Mr. Billy Myers, representing Holtzman Corporation, said Holtzman Corporation does in-house maintenance of the pavement and so this would not be a problem. 

Commissioner Davis asked about the concrete barrier and when it would be removed as he thought it would not be removed until the traffic light was installed; Chairperson Smith said that was not a condition.

Commissioner Cromer moved for the approval of Denny’s Site Plan to include the type 3 barrier and the pervious pavement specs; second by Commissioner Dean.  The motion passed unanimously.

• Entrance Corridor Review – Denny’s

Mr. Myers said there had been two concerns with the one being the red tower.  He went to Denny’s Corporate and they suggested replacing this with a thin brick veneer.  He showed an example of the veneer and said he feels this is a good solution.

The second issue was the free-standing sign and replacing it with a monument sign.  Corporate felt the freestanding sign was of vital importance to the site and would like to keep it as presented.

Commissioner Dean asked if the proposed sign met the ordinance and he was told it did, but Council Member Whittle added he would rather see a monument sign and felt it would ultimately give the Town more “pull” with future businesses.

Commissioner Davis asked about the pictures of the examples of other Denny’s and Mr. Myers said he did not have any examples of the building with the brick efface.  He did discuss the colors used on the building and how it would blend with the surrounding area.  

Council Member Whittle said he felt Holtzman has worked with the Commission and he can “live” with the sign since it does go by the ordinance and because it is close to the interstate. 

Commissioner Davis said the corporate image makes it so the architecture cannot be revised so the dining area can be faced toward the mountain.  Mr. Myers explained the reasoning behind not turning this and Commissioner Dean said if the building is turned, the dumpsters, air conditioning units, etc. would be seen from the highway.  Commissioner Davis thinks all of this could be taken care of with a little innovation.  He thinks it is unfortunate corporations will not “bend” to local ordinances as to viewsheds.  Commissioner Davis also spoke about the red, metal roof.  Commissioner Kepler asked if all four sides of efface would be enclosed with the brick veneer and Mr. Myers said it would be.  Commissioner Kepler asked about the lighting and Mr. Myers explained the lighting. 

Commissioner Cromer moved to accept the Denny’s Entrance Corridor review of Denny’s as presented; second by Commissioner Dean.

Discussion:

Chairperson Smith said he is sorry Denny’s has decided to go with the taller sign, but it does follow the ordinance.  He said the 35’ sign might actually be above eyesight for the drivers coming off the interstate and they might find a monument sign would work better.

The motion passed unanimously.

Chairperson Smith reminded the Commissioners of the meeting on January 24, at 5 p.m.  He also reminded the Commissioners to think about the growth rate and to get comments back to Planner Amos on the Transportation RFP. 

Commissioner Davis asked if there would be a revised outline to look at before the Worksession on January 24; Chairperson Smith said he will bring what they have. 

Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m.