MINUTES OF THE STRASBURG PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSESSION HELD ON THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2008, AT 7:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE TOWN HALL.
Planning Commissioners present: Chairperson Smith, Commissioners Cromer, Davis, Dean, Kepler, Terndrup and Council Member Whittle. Others present: Planner Amos.
Ø Shenandoah Green Boundary Line Adjustment Re-review
The applicant did not file/record the original boundary line adjustment, which was approved by the Planning Commission, and so this needs to be approved again. There are no changes from the last review.
This will be added to the Consent Agenda.
Ø Shenandoah Green Commercial Sign Review
Mr. Denny Dunlap was in attendance for the applicant, but did not have any comments to add on the sign.
Commissioners reviewed the ordinance as written now. The sign ordinance height requirement is 15’ and the one presented shows 21’. Mr. Dunlap asked what would be the route to take to be allowed the 21’ height. Planner Amos said he would have to prove a hardship through the BZA.
The total area of the sign was questioned and Planner Amos read from the ordinance and asked for the Commissioners’ interpretation of the ordinance.
Chairperson Smith said the sign as presented is too tall and the total sign area is too much (it can only have 150 sq. ft.). Chairperson Smith added a monument style sign would be preferable.
This will be added to the Consent Agenda.
Ø Proposed Sign Ordinance Amendment review
A lengthy discussion transpired on a definition of a monument sign, minimum and maximum height requirements and how to measure the heights, height of signs in various zoning districts, and how long signs can stay up at sales centers in housing developments. It will be recommended that all signs, except directional signs, be monument style. Other changes recommended are attached here-to. Since the next voting session does not have much business to be voted on, it was decided to use the remainder of the time as a Worksession to continue work on the sign ordinance. Planner Amos and Chairperson Smith will decide which portion of the ordinance will be covered that night.
Other Comments:
Commissioner Davis questioned the proposal with Mr. Herd on the Comprehensive Plan and if Planner Amos had gotten clarification on the portions questioned at the last meeting. Planner Amos has discussed the Comprehensive Plan with Mr. Herd and the agreement has been signed.
Chairperson Smith said Council Member Le Vine has asked the Planning Commission to submit an update on the Comprehensive Plan to Council.
Planner Amos said the Planning Commission has worked hard on getting the Transportation Plan into the budget, but she has met with Mr. Terry Short, a VDOT Planner, and discussed this with him. Mr. Short is a planner and not an engineer and has worked on a transportation plan for the Town of Woodstock. Brent Manuel, Assistant Town Manager of Woodstock, is pleased with the results of the transportation plan he has received from Mr. Short. Planner Amos said the requested amount in the proposed budget is $45,000 for the study and if the Commission would wait for Mr. Short to do it, the study would be free. Mr. Short will not be able to have the study completed by the October deadline of the Comprehensive Plan, but it can be adopted into the Plan when completed. Chairperson Smith said he does not like to spend money when there is no need and it seems as if it is a timing issue since Mr. Short would not be able to complete the plan until 2009 so he is in favor of having VDOT do the plan. Council Member Whittle said he would vote to wait for the VDOT plan and he thinks most of Council would agree with that since there is a shortfall in the proposed budget.
Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.