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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-04-05Minutes of the Town Council meeting held October 4, 2005 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Charles L. Wade, Mayor Council: Jeffrey S. Worrell, Dan Talbert, Jr., Bettye H. Steger, Lane R. Penn, John T. Bolen, Joel B. Burchett, Jr. Staff: John J. Hawley, Town Manager Randolph D. Eley, Jr., Town Attorney David Quesenberry, Asst. to the Town Manager Sherry Boyd, Finance Director Dave Hart, Parks and Facilities Director John White, Economic Development Director Gary Roche, Police Chief Gary Martin, Crew Leader for Parks and Facilities Patricia Cruise, Clerk of Council Others: Carol Wade Nancy Strasser R. D. Warburton Debbie Linkous Justin Martin Paul Dellinger, Press Kelly Barker, Press Mayor Wade called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Talbert led the Pledge of Allegiance and Councilwoman Steger gave the Invocation. Following roll call, Mayor Wade awarded Gary W. Martin, Crew Leader for the Parks and Facilities Department, with the September Employee of the Month Award. He read a press release aloud and congratulated Mr. Martin. The next item on the agenda was a request from the Kiwanis Club. Jackee Gianopaulos, representative for the Kiwanis Club, addressed Council. She advised that since the 1980’s the Kiwanis Club had partnered with the Town in multiple outdoor recreation projects. They have sponsored little league teams, participated in festivals and clean up days and worked on the Sixth Street Park, the New River Trail State Park and Dora Highway Park. They secured, donated and maintained the caboose at the Dora Highway Park. In light of the work, time and money donated to the Town, and in honor of their current and in memory of their departed membership, they requested that the Dora Highway Park be named the Kiwanis Park. The members suggest that the James W. “Tad” Steger Memorial Walking Trail continue as a link within the Park. Following discussion, Councilwoman Steger moved to name the Dora Highway Park, the Kiwanis Park, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Mayor Wade moved on to the Public Hearing. Mr. Quesenberry advised that the General Assembly passed a new law that allows localities the power to permit their zoning administrator to issue modifications to the zoning without going through the Board of Zoning Appeals. Prior to the granting of a modification, the zoning administrator would ensure that all adjoining property owners received a written notice of the modification request and an opportunity to respond. Additionally, any decision made by the Zoning administrator could be appealed to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Mr. Quesenberry also advised that the Planning Commission reviewed the issue and recommended that it not be adopted into the zoning regulations at this time. Mr. Eley, the Town Attorney, felt that it would be advisable to wait to vote on this issue until enough information was available and reviewed for a definitive opinion as to whether it would be beneficial for the Town. Following extensive discussion from Council, Mayor Wade opened the Public Hearing at 7:26 p.m. Nancy Strasser addressed Council speaking against adopting the zoning regulations at this time. She stated that she thought that the Zoning Regulations should be tightened up, not made easier. She did not feel that it was good for the Town. She felt there were too many trailers, double wide trailers and steel buildings that had gone up recently. She noticed construction where the builders did not put in curbs and gutters, nor have adequate roads. She did not want to see more flexibility in the system. Additionally, she did not think a single person should make the decisions. There being no further comments, Mayor Wade closed the Hearing at 7:28 p.m. Councilman Penn moved to leave the zoning regulations as they are, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - No Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - No Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - No Mayor Charles L. Wade - Aye Next, Councilman Penn moved to adopt the minutes of the September 6, 2005 Council meeting as written, seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on voice vote. Mayor Wade moved on to the Old Business. Mr. Quesenberry advised that Council had directed staff to prepare an ordinance to allow bed & breakfast establishments as a special exception in the Historic District, where the R-1 and Residential Historic Districts overlap. An amendment was prepared for consideration. However, the Town Attorney recommended that amendment of the map needed to be referred to the Planning Commission. Therefore, he recommended that the zoning ordinance amendment accompany the map amendment for continuity and clarity. Councilman Penn moved to refer a zoning map amendment for Bed & Breakfast in Historic Districts of the R-1 to the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by Councilman Bolen and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye The next item on the agenda was Resolution 2005-37. Councilman Worrell moved to adopt Resolution 2005-37, Appointing Town Representatives and Alternates to the Pepper’s Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority. The motion was seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Abstain Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - No Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Mayor Wade moved on to Resolution 2005-38. Councilman Penn moved to adopt Resolution 2005-38, Authorizing a Lease by and Between the Town of Pulaski and Virginia’s Southwest Blue Ridge Highlands, Inc., D/B/A/, as Blue Ridge Travel Association. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Steger and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye The next item on the agenda was New Business. Mr. Hawley advised that with Council’s permission, he would contact Pauline Mitchell and Betty Quesenberry to see if they would be willing to serve again on the New River Valley Agency on Aging Board. Councilwoman Steger moved to re-appoint Pauline Mitchell to the New River Valley Agency on Aging Board and Betty Quesenberry as Alternate, subject to their acceptance of the nomination. The motion was seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye The next item for discussion was refer to the Planning Commission the rezoning of the Bond Cote property From B-2 to I-2. Mr. Hawley advised that while researching a request from Bond Cote for three lots to be zoned from R-4 to I-2, staff discovered that the Zoning Map shows the Bond Cote Industrial complex as B-2. It should be corrected to I-2. Councilman Penn commented that the set backs for the new apartments near Bond Cote do not look right. He thought that staff might want to look at it. Staff agreed to check it. Following discussion, Councilman Talbert moved to refer to the Planning Commission the rezoning of the Bond Cote property from B-2 to I-2. Additionally, to refer to the Planning Commission as a separate item, the request from Bond Cote for three lots to be zoned R-4 to I-2. The motion was seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Mayor Wade moved on to the artisan, craft and e-business planning grant to ARC. John White, Director of Economic Development requested Council’s approval to apply to the ARC for a grant entitled Maple Shade Artisan, Craft, and E Business Center. The grant would be for $40,000 and would require a one to one match. The grant would allow for the development of a preliminary architectural report, schematics, construction drawings, broad band development and administrative costs for an Artisan Work and Retail Area and Center for E Business at the Maple Shade Business Plaza. The initiative will further the overall concept of the Pulaski Cultural Center. Following discussion, Councilwoman Steger moved to direct staff to pursue the grant for the Maple Shade Artisan, Craft, and E Business Center, seconded by Councilman Burchett and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - No Lane R. Penn - No Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - No Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye Mayor Charles L. Wade – Aye The final item under New Business was AEP easement for Hardie. Mr. Hawley advised that the Business Park land had not yet been transferred to James Hardie Building Products. However, American Electric Power needed to get the power lines extended into the Hardie plant. Staff was advising Council that a Resolution would be drawn up for Council’s consideration at the next Council meeting. At 8:08 p.m., Councilwoman Steger moved to enter into Closed Session under Virginia Code 2.2-3711 (A-7), Consultation with Legal Counsel Retained by the Town Regarding Specific Legal Matters Requiring the Provision of Legal Advice by Council. The motion was seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye At 8:32 p.m., Council returned from Closed Session and adopted the Certification Resolution for the Closed Session on motion by Councilman Penn, seconded by Councilman Talbert and carried on the following recorded vote: Jeffrey S. Worrell - Aye Lane R. Penn - Aye Dan Talbert, Jr. - Aye John T. Bolen - Aye Bettye H. Steger - Aye Joel B. Burchett, Jr. - Aye There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Bolen, seconded by Councilman Penn and carried on voice vote.