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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-21-89February 21, 1989 8485 Minutes of the regular meeting of the Pulaski Town Council held February 21, 1989, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. There were present: Mayor Gary C. Hancock, presiding Council Members: James M. Neblett, J. R. Schrader, Jr., Mary Lou Copenhaver, James R. Neighbors, Andrew L. Graham, W. H. Schrader, Jr., Alma H. Holston, Ira S. Crawford Planning Commission: Dr. A. W. Anneski, William T. Smith, Jr., W. H. Schrader, Roy D'Ardenne,Joseph Weddle, Andy McCready Also Present: Frank Terwilliger, Town Attorney Daniel E. McKeever, Town Manager Anne Burgess, Assistant Town Manager Ruth A. Harrell, Clerk Rebekah Corso, Secretary, Planning Commission Visitors: Dee Lindsey, Jessica Clarke, Bob Thomas of the news media J. B. Warner Claud Kirkland Ben Tate Bill Tate Roy Rives Rhea Saltz Jill Sandidge Wally Flinchum Bobby Ward David Wine Dan Grubb Roger Dalton Ferd Harvey Jeff Willis Pamala Webb Donia Eley 53 area citizens The invocation was given by Councilman Neblett. Mayor Hancock advised that a joint public hearing was scheduled with the Planning Commission to gather citizen comments regarding the proposed Residential Historic District Zoning Ordinance. Mayor Hancock read a letter from David Warburton, Planning Commission member, excusing himself from participation in this matter as he owns property in the area. Ben Tate, 212 Northwood Drive, and Roy Rives, 909 N. Washington Ave, representing the Randolph House, spoke in opposition of the .(ABOVE, PUBLIC HEARING RESIDENTIAL HISTORIC DISTRIC ZONING ORDINANCE) 8486 .February 21, 1989 ordinance as the Randolph House would need major renovation in the near future and the repairs would be too costly under the ordinance and the ordinance was very restrictive. It was requested that the Randolph House not be designated a contributing structure in the historic district. Bill Tate, 1009 Prospect Ave., Rhea Saltz, 176 3rd St. NW, Jill Sandidge, 131 11th St., Wally Flinchum, County resident, Bobby Ward, 619 Randolph Avenue., David Wine, 719 N. Washington Ave., Dan Grubb (representing St. Edwards Catholic Church), Roger Dalton, 623 N. Jefferson, Ferd Harvey, property owner, Jeff Willis, (purchasing property in area), and Pamala Webb expressed opposition to the ordinan stating they could not afford to be called a historic district, ordinance one more layer of bureaucracy, very punitive, suggested a referendum, opposed to someone telling them what they could and could not do with their property, no advantage to being in historic district, ordinance too restrictive, however, they might consider a less restrictive ordinance. The citizens were advised that Design Guidelines of the Pulaski Historic Residential District were available for their review and that these guidelines would be mailed to households in the historic district. Letters in support of this ordinance were received from John and Betty Sadler, 720 N. Washington Ave. and Nora S. Pechka, 540 Henry Avenue. Telephone calls opposing the ordinance were received from Claudia McPherson, 904 Randolph Ave. and Elsie Stevenson, 137 7th Street. Mrs. Donia Eley, 746 Prospect Avenue, felt people were not educated as to exactly what the rules and regulations are going to be. She did not feel they would be as stringent as people thought they were. She was in support of adopting some guidelines to protect the historic area that we have. On inquiry from Mr. McCready, Mr. Terwilliger advised that it was not possible to have a referendum for only these property owners on zoning. He did state they could have a straw poll on any matter so desired but it is not binding. The Town is a certified local government which makes us eligible for some grants and the historic guidelines were funded with a grant. The majority of citizens voiced they would like to see a less strict ordinance and a list of incentives as to the benefits of being in the residential historic district. Citizens were informed that guidelines could be utilized to locate materials that could be used at present for refurnish homes. The Planning Commission will met and bring their recommendation to the Council. Citizens will be kept informed as to when this matter comes up on agenda of Council. At 8:06 p.m., Mayor Hancock adjourned the public hearing. On motion made by Councilman Neighbors, seconded by Councilperson Copenhaver, the minutes of the regular meeting of February 7, 1989, and .(Above, REsidential District Historic Zoning Ordinance) February 21, 1989 8487 special meeting of February 9, 1989, were approved as recorded. In hearing from the public, Mr. J. B. Warner addressed Council regarding guidelines for public hearing scheduled for February 28 on rezoning proposal for Memorial Drive. He felt speakers should be allowed to speak for five minutes rather than four. He also felt that by this request to rezone being made yearly three years) on the same parcel of land, the residents were almost being harassed, and requested that Council do something about it as they could not stand to go through this every year. Mr. Claud Kirkland addressed Council and asked if this property is rezoned and the Corker Group decides not to develop, will the action of Council keep the property as commericial or will it automatically revert to what it is now, residential There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Hancock called for Council committee reports. UTILITIES COMMITTEE Chairman Neblett had no report other than progress on water plant looks good. Mr. McKeever stated that very shortly, he would like to have Council "walk through" plant to see improvements. Councilman Crawford brought Council up to date on vibration problem, and the shaft presenting the most problems has been corrected. The second shaft has been sent off and we are waiting for it to come in. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT CONDITIONAL Councilman W. H. Schrader advised that commission had met and were USE presented a site plan for conditional use application from James Murphy APPL.for ten unit apartment to be developed on Craig Street. The Planning Commission approved and requested a joint public hearing. As the development complies with all site plan requirements in the zoning ordinance, Councilman Schrader moved that a joint public hearing with the Planning Commission be set for March 21, 1989, 7:00 p.m., seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried. Councilman Schrader advised that they were reviewing the Comprehensive Plan and hope to have to Council in the near future. Councilman Schrader stated that several members of the Commission would be visiting the Corker shopping mall in Abingdon. ORDINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman W. H. Schrader had no report. PUBLIC & PERSONNEL RELATIONS NOMINATING COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT Chairman Neighbors reported that Mrs. Ruth Kirby had resigned from the New River Valley Agency on Aging, and extended Council's appreciation to her for her many contributions to the Town. Chairman Neighbors stated she had worked very hard and had been extremely conscientious as the Town's representative on this agency. Chairman Neighbors moved that Councilperson Alma Holston be appointed to fill the unexpired term of Mrs. Ruth Kirby on the New River Valley Agency on 8488 FEbruary 21, 1989 Aging with term to expire September 30, 1989. Motion seconded by Councilman W. H. Schrader and carried. Mayor Hancock asked the Personnel Committee to look into the appointing of a 4th of July committee. We will try to repeat our old fashioned 4th of July celebration that we had two years ago. PUBLIC OPERATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Graham had no report. Mayor Hancock requested that the committee review the following: (1) additional lighting on Prospect Ave. and Jefferson Ave.; (2) Henry Hall has reported a potential traffic problem on Magazine Street; and (3) parents of children at Northwood School have requested a sidewalk from Prospect Ave. to the school. FINANCE COMMITTEE PEAK CREEK Chairman Crawford advised that committee had met. Bids have been opened on the cleaning of Sproules Run, from Alum Spring Rd. to Route 99, and so moved that bid be awarded to E & F Plumbing in the amount of $29,500 and authorized the Town Manager to sign the contract. Motion seconded by Councilman Neblett and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Hancock advised he had attended the first annual meeting of the Pulaski Main Street and a plaque was presented to the Town by the Board for their outstanding support and work in bringing the Main Stree Program to Pulaski. TRAIN STATION Mayor Hancock is General Assembly will station which brings $90,000. very hopeful that the $30,000 appropriation by the remain in the budget this session for the train the total the State government has given us to to Mayor Hancock advised that the placement of the New River Trail State Park has been placed on the agenda for the lottery monies. It is #31 on agenda. The park could be completely done within the next couple of years. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Terwilliger requested an Executive Session on a legal matter, 2.1-344 {A6). Mayor Hancock added to this an economic development matter, (A4). TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. McKeever advised that information had been distributed on proposed grant for the Fine Arts Center of the New River Valley. Towns February 21, 1989 8489 GRANT - FINE ARTS CENTER LJ are now eligible to apply for matching grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts. This grant is predicated on the Town funding the Fine Arts Center in its 1989/90 budget. If we do not include them in the 1989/90 budget, the application can be withdrawn. Councilman Neblett so moved that the Town Staff be authorized to complete the application for $3,000 to meet the March 1st deadline. Application to be withdrawn if only Town or County can apply to obtain the larger grant; and also contingent upon the Town's 1989/90 budget. Motion seconded by Councilperson Copenhaver and carried on the following recorded vote: James M. Neblett - Aye Andrew L. Graham - Aye J. R. Schrader, Jr. - Aye W. H. Schrader, Jr. - Aye Mary Lou Copenhaver - Aye Alma H. Holston - Aye James R. Neighbors - Aye Ira S. Crawford - Aye Councilperson Holston questioned Mr. Kirkland's inquiry regarding if Memorial property rezoned, and then not developed, did it go back to residential-office. Mr. Terwilliger stated the rezoning was conditioned upon him meeting the conditions in his application. Not just the start of it, but also the completion of all the conditions in the application. If developer does not start work, it automatically goes back to the original zoning. Coming back one year at a time to apply is State law. The proffered conditions are binding. :1 At 8:35 p.m. Councilman Neblett made a motion that Council go into Executive Session, seconded by Councilman Crawford and carried. At 9:22 p.m. on motion made by and carried. Council returned to regular session and then adjourned Councilman Neblett, seconded by Councilman Neighbors APPROVED: V' .Mayor ATTEST: Clerk of Council