At today's Planning Commission meeting, all but two members were present to discuss the four agenda items (Ann Carter and Craig Moore absent).
The first item was relative to a Bed & Breakfast being established in Historic Cambria in a circa 1900's home. The owner uses it as a residence and continues extensive restoration work -- with personal funds. Unaware of possible tax incentives, she was guided to a rezoning request but other options are available. The concern is what B-3 allows by right, versus a conditional use permit. What if the property changed hands and the intended, or stated purpose, of the rezoning request also changed? The applicant has gone through numerous hoops relative to this project, and was presented with more on advice from the Planning Department. This included getting the two adjacent property owners to agree to proffers. Their collusion was necessary to span the distance to another property already zoned B-3 to avoid "spot zoning" which is illegal in Virginia. A public hearing scheduled for Tuesday night gives the applicant little time to absorb the information and get ready to punt -- but the stated intended use would be a positive addition in this area. It is uncertain whether all property owners are aware that the type of zoning applied to a property also affects the applicable real estate assessment.
The discussion then moved to changes in Chapter 3-Advertising of the Town's Code, and several excellent questions or variable scenarios were provided by members. After much discussion, the PC decided they had proposed changes to present to Town Council for adoption. Listening, one hears there is really no way to address every situation but the group seemed focused on aesthetics, equity and, to some degree, public safety.
The next item on the agenda was regarding provisions for a Historic District Overlay, with the chair suggesting community input was needed and that commission members needed to be thinking about particular questions, and how to get these out to stakeholders. Who may want to comment may well extend beyond existing historic districts and an audience member suggested utilizing resources at area university's who are well versed in these processes and can provide student-manpower. This topic initially arose when an apartment development was proposed and approved in one of three Christiansburg historic districts last March, and then tasked to the PC to take action.
Introduction of zoning requirements as regards parking garages came up, and again commission members were advised to review the limited data being provided by the town's Planning Department, and discuss at a future meeting.
The Planning Director also reported an appeal would be sent to the Board of Zoning Appeals regarding a business operating in Cambria. This business had begun operations prior to seeking a conditional use permit (CUP), and although both the PC and Town Council denied the CUP, is still in operation.
The Planning Director also reported that three completed applications for an anticipated vacancy had been received by the deadline. The chair indicated these would be reviewed at an upcoming meeting. The Planning Director indicated this could be done in open or closed session, and applicant names were not disclosed.
The Planning Commission will be back in session at Tuesday's regular Town Council meeting during the public hearing and to present recommendations. The next meeting date was not announced.