Members Attending: Chairman Ray Rosenberger, Jane Wolffe, Ellen Richardson,
Chuck Ward, Mollie Cherrix, Tripp Muth
Member(s) Absent: Bob Behr
Staff Attending: Jared Anderson, Town Planner and Commission Secretary; and
Robert Ritter, Town Manager
Public Attendance: Seven members of the public
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Chairman Rosenberger convened the meeting at 7:03 p.m in Council Chambers.
Public Participation.
Ruth Lane rose and spoke about encouraging “open space” in Chincoteague by creating “open space easements”. Her major points included:
• Keeping Chincoteague Island as the natural community it has always been by saving some of it’s small, but important, neighborhood open spaces. She provided the example of Cleveland Street that has several vacant lots exemplifying her concept of open space.
• Virginia state law allows towns to encourage open space by holding easements drawn up by private property owners to protect existing neighborhoods. Towns would vote to “accept” properties with certain easements. The City of Chesapeake has such a program.
• The initiative is entirely with property owners. There is no cost to the town. The loss of some tax revenue would be offset by the fact that no town services would be needed for the open space.
• The town’s support of open space encourages citizens to participate in saving traditional values.
• A Piney Island property owner would volunteer to get such a program started. Ms. Lane asked the Commissioners to comment on her proposal prior to presenting it to the Town Council. Commission members appeared generally favorable to the proposal. Mr. Ward suggested leaving the space(s) as “natural heritage areas” rather than developing as a park, for example. Several members suggested that native plants be encouraged to preserve natural habitat. Ms. Lane cautioned that if the initiative was
framed as a conservation effort some homeowners could perceive it as creating a jungle-like atmosphere in their communities and, therefore, become alarmed.
No additional members of the public rose to speak.
Agenda Adoption
Chairman Rosenberger asked the Commission members if the agenda, as proposed, should be accepted. Mr. Ward made a motion, that was seconded, that the agenda be adopted; all approved.
Adoption of May 27, 2008, Minutes.
Mr. Ward made a motion, seconded, to accept the minutes;, they were unanimously adopted.
Subdivision Ordinance.
Chairman Rosenberger asked if there was any public input regarding the changes to the Subdivision Ordinance. Hearing none he closed the public portion of the discussion and opened up discussion among Commission members.
Mr. Anderson stated that the Commission should address four areas: a letter from the Zoning Administrator, the fee schedule, the SWOT Analysis, and the State code. Mr.Anderson then presented a letter from Mr. Kenny Lewis, the Zoning Administrator. The letter presented the following concerns regarding the number of lots that would create a subdivision:
1. When a person subdivides a parcel into two lots they would be required to comply with the town’s subdivision ordinance. This may include a full set of plans, top drawings, sidewalks, water mains, soil and erosion plans, etc. Was this the intent of the change?
2. The proposed change in the number of lots in a subdivision does not address the fee schedule for such a change.
Mr. Anderson reiterated Mr. Lewis’ concern that most property divisions (into two parcels) will have a problem, e.g., setback requirements, but do not require following full subdivision procedures. Mr. Ward disagreed believing that not all subdivisions would result in building on the subdivided property.
Chairman Rosenberger indicated that the intent was not to put the full burden of the Ordinance on a two parcel division, even though a division would likely mean subsequent building on the second lot. At this point the Chairman suggested that the Ordinance wording could be modified. Mr. Anderson offered a three tiered approach that would provide another (lower) level: dividing a single lot into two with zoning approval only.
Ms. Wolffe then asked how condominium units on a single lot would be addressed. Mr. Anderson affirmed that Section 13.01, Definitions, covers condo units, but he would clarify this point in the upcoming revision to the document.
Mr. Ward again wondered if a three tiered approach that would break out two unit subdivisions into its own category was needed. He stated that the existing language would adequately deal with any concerns of undue burden. When Mr. Anderson asked if the Commission was, indeed, ready to adopt a three-tiered approach, Chairman Rosenberger indicated that the decision was premature.
Mr. Ward next made a motion that Mr. Anderson continue to refine the document, Ms. Wolffe seconded and the Commission unanimously agreed to address the Subdivision Ordinance changes at a later date.
Parking Lot Maintenance
Mr. Anderson noted that he had added parking lot maintenance to the Zoning Ordinance per a Commission request. However, he indicated that there is a natural incentive for businesses to maintain viable parking lots. Mr. Wolffe replied that the concern is with parking for subdivisions,not businesses. Some subdivisioins will have very large parking areas. The town continues to address
poorly maintained private roads and she does not want to see that pattern carried over into parking lot maintenance.
Chairman Rosenberger reminded the group that condominiums have recently included language in their covenants about parking lot maintenance. However, these private covenants may not be adequate for the future. Mr. Ward recommended that parking area maintenance be added to the Subdivision Ordinance, Section 14.09, Improvements required to be provided by the developer......
Possible Green Space Requirement
Mr. Anderson provided a document, Green Requirements for the city of Rockville, Maryland, to the members. Mr. Anderson asked for the Commissioner’s opinions on the following questions:
1. Is it the intent of the Planning Commission to prescribe certain types of vegetation, if there was to be an open space requirement? Mr. Ward offered that the restriction should be “no invasive species” only. Ms. Wolffe stated that Manteo, North Carolina, has a list of plants that “do well”.
2. Do we want to have lot coverage limitations? Chairman Rosenberger replied “yes”.
3. What would be our definition of “open space”? The Chairman responded that the Rockville document has a good definition.
4. Do we focus on certain zoning districts(s)? The Chairman offered that the Comprehensive Plan may provide direction, specifically, one zone at a time. Mr. Ward added that the commercial zone versus commercial use must be differentiated.
5. What is the primary purpose of a green space requirement? Commissioners offered a number of purposes including esthetics and water quality.
6. Do we want a landscaping requirement? If so then we would need to specifically outline what types of landscaping are acceptable. Mr. Ward stated that the initial focus should be on pervious/impervious surfaces with later focus on landscaping. He added that the Green Space Requirement must have a good purpose/intent established early on.
Ms. Wolffe offered that Manteo, North Carolina, has also addressed green requirements. She wondered if the Rockville document might be too complex for Chincoteague and suggested that the town requirements be kept simple.
Building Permits.
The Commissioners reviewed the list of recently issued building permits. There was brief comment about the proposed shopping center at the Maddox Boulevard circle.
Planning Director’s Update. Mr. Anderson provided the following updates:
• Mobile Advertising. There is still no update from Virginia Beach on their mobile advertising problems.
• No BZA next month.
• Virginia Outdoors Plan CD. Mr. Anderson provided each Commissioner with a Plan CD.
Commission Members Announcements or Comments.
Ms. Wolffe stated that there was no ordinance addressing directional signs. She checked into the cost of the directional signs used in Snow Hill and found it prohibitive for Chincoteague. She will continue to explore sign cost with Cat Edwards and determine if grant money can be found to build on the sign style the town currently uses. She indicated that this is an important initiative that must be pursued.
Mr. Ward related a suggestion made to him by a former law enforcement officer about alternative transportation given escalating fuel prices. Specifically, he asked if the town could issue safety stickers for vehicles such as golf carts. A second commissioner stated that golf carts must be licensed and insured per a recent town council discussion.
Chairman Rosenberger made a point of thanking Mayor Tarr, the Town Council, and Mr.Anderson for their efforts in resolving the recent sign issue.
Ms. Richardson made a motion, seconded by Mr. Ward, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed and the meeting ended at 9:25.
Notes prepared by Nancy Lane
N.B. These notes do not constitute the public record of this meeting. The information
contained herein is offered in good faith, is presented as accurately as possible, is
thought to be a complete account of the proceedings. These notes are intended to be a
public service devoid of political commentary for those who are interested in following
the civic affairs of Chincoteague Island. Notes of the meeting are recorded, transcribed
and distributed by volunteers who receive no financial compensation for their efforts.
