PLANNING COMMISSION
AUGUST 19, 2015
Chairman Jeffery Grotsky called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were members Darell Craig, Morgan Ellis, Rob Fordi, Jane Richman and Paul Showalter, Kees de Mooy, Zoning Administrator, Jennifer Mulligan, Town Clerk, and guests.
MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Mr. Grotsky asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting of June 17, 2015. There Commission did not meet in July 2015. Mr. Showalter moved to accept the minutes as presented, was seconded by Ms. Ellis and carried unanimously.
JUST PLAIN NEWT’S, LLC – 813 HIGH STREET – PRELIMINARY AND FINAL SITE PLAN
Mr. Kevin Shearon of DMS & Associates was present representing Just Plain Newt’s, LLC, owned by Ms. Carla Johnson. He said that this site was a redevelopment of 813 High Street, which was zoned C-3 Neighborhood Commercial. It was not in the critical area or the floodplain. He said that that the property was .329 acres and bounded by High Street to the East, a commercial property to the South, the Gilchrest Rail Trail to the West and a separate parcel owned by Just Plain Newt’s to the South. The existing building to the South (Newt’s) will be demolished. Mr. Shearon stated that the rear property line runs under the existing Newt’s building so the demolition will clear up the non-conformity.
Mr. Shearon stated that there was quite a bit of impervious cover that will be removed. A 30’ right-of-way goes through the northern portion of the property to access the former gas production property behind the Rail Trail.
Mr. Shearon stated that the existing impervious cover was shown on the demolition plan. He said that currently there was .338 acres of impervious surface and it would be reduced to .208 acres. Mr. Shearon stated that because the impervious cover is being reduced, the storm water management on site was minimal. He said that a stone infiltration pit was proposed along the rear property line and whatever did not infiltrate will discharge into the existing inlet located in the right-of-way. Mr. Shearon stated that there would be new water and sewer laterals installed at High Street. Storm water plans were submitted to Soil Conservation Service and he was addressing the minor comments he received back.
Mr. Shearon stated that the proposed two story building was roughly 4,000 square foot and will be the new offices of the Tidewater Trader.
Mr. Shearon stated that they were proposing to use the existing High Street access and ADA-accessible sidewalks were already in place. Mr. Shearon was working with the State Highway Administration for the Access Permit.
Mr. Shearon stated that seven (7) parking spaces were allotted on site plus one (1) handicap space. There would be a garage in the rear of the proposed building. He said that the building was pushed forward about 3 feet in order to provide emergency exit stairs from the second floor (a revision not shown on the drawings submitted to the Commission).
Mr. Shearon stated that the landscape plan included Crape Myrtles and a River Birch, along with a variety of shrubs and low-level plantings. A row of shrubs would be planted at the end of the parking lot.
Mr. Shearon stated that his client was seeking preliminary and final site plan at this meeting as this was a relatively simple site plan and a good redevelopment project. He said that the building had a cottage feeling to it and sample materials were provided. The setback of the building was 35’ from the street and the front door was setback 60’. Mr. Shearon stated that lighting will be on the building and will be night sky compliant.
Ms. Johnson stated that she had four (4) full-time employees and the garage would be used for off-loading papers. Mr. Shearon stated that this was not a business that had people coming and going as much of the business is done via telephone and email.
Mr. de Mooy stated that there were no setback issues on this site, noting that there was a large stand of trees at the back of the site, which shields the building from the Rail Trail. He said that parking requirements were also met on-site.
Mr. Fordi stated that the applicants should be commended on this project as it would make a huge improvement at this end of Town.
Mr. Fordi moved for preliminary and final site plan approval for Just Plain Newt’s at 813 and 815 High Street, contingent upon storm water revision approval from Soil Conservation Services and approval of the Access Permit from the State Highway Administration. The motion was seconded by Ms. Richman and carried unanimously.
405 CANNON STREET, LLC – 405 CANNON STREET – CONCEPT PLAN
Mr. Alden Yetman and Mr. Peter Heller, owners, were present for the concept plan for subdivision of a single lot on Cannon Street into four (4) parcels, on which single family housing would be built.
Mr. Grotsky stated that several years ago, a similar application was before the Planning Commission from a different owner. Mr. Heller stated that the last time this plan was before the Commission it showed the lots being subdivided into five (5) narrower lots. He said that they scaled back to four (4) lots with the thinking that by increasing the lot sizes, they would increase the value of each of the lots.
Mr. Yetman stated that if this proposal moved forward, they would put two (2) of the lots on the market and build on two (2) as soon as possible. He said that they would also like to create off-street parking for each lot.
Mr. Grotsky asked where the parking would be located on the lots. Mr. Yetman stated that the intent was to provide a driveway on each lot, but where they would be located was still to be determined. The vision for the houses that would be set on the lots be similar to the Mizeur house and Terpeluk House which were also located on the 400 block of Cannon Street.
Mr. de Mooy stated that that the Commission would normally see plans for buildings at the concept stage, but it seemed as though this concept was for approval of the arrangement of lots. Mr. Yetman agreed, stating that he had not developed plans yet as they would be based on the lots sizes approved by the Commission.
Mr. de Mooy stated that the applicants would have to go to the Historic District Commission for building approvals before anything was constructed on the site. He added that the required width and depth for lots was met in this proposal for subdivision.
Mr. Fordi stated that he saw no reason why this application could not be approved as submitted leaving staff to manage any other details necessary for the applicant to move forward with plans for building. He said if the Commission agreed to the lot lines, the applicant could move forward and sell each lot individually if they wished. The Commission agreed.
Mr. Fordi moved for approval of the subdivision application and lot line adjustments as proposed for 405 Cannon Street, LLC, was seconded by Mr. Showalter and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, Mr. Showalter moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m., was seconded by Ms. Ellis and carried unanimously.
Submitted by: Approved by:
Jennifer Mulligan Jeffrey Grotsky
Stenographer Chair