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Last Updated: Nov 14, 2008 - 12:49:26 PM |
The Chesterfield County Planning Commission will consider a number of ordinances and rezonings next week. The commission’s public hearings begin at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18.
Here’s the church, how high the steeple?
Chesterfield County is seeking to amend its code as it relates to the height of church steeples. Currently steeples, spires, cupolas, and domes are restricted to less than 50 feet in height and must conform to a complicated formula to calculate just how tall the structures can reach.
Existing steeples typically soar as high as 150 feet, but in order for a church to build a steeple that high today, an expensive county review and conditional use permitting process would have to be negotiated. This public hearing will be held during the 6:30 p.m. session.
You can’t park there
The planning staff is presenting a proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment pertaining to vehicle parking in residential front yards. The proposed amendment Continued from page 1.
would require parking in front and corner side yards on lots in residential zoning districts to be located on hard paved surfaces.
After receiving numerous complaints about residents parking vehicles in their front yards, Planning Commission Chairman Russell Gulley requested that the county staff prepare for discussion a draft amendment that would prohibit vehicle parking in front yards.
The draft ordinance states that vehicle parking in residential districts between a house and the street would be prohibited unless the parking area was hardscaped. This draft ordinance will be discussed during the commission’s work session at noon in the Community Development Building public meeting room.
Electronic signs
During its work session, the commission will also hear a presentation from a Chesterfield sign company related to electronic message centers. The planning commission is considering a change to the county’s sign ordinance, which would allow businesses applying for electronic signs that allow for changing messages to gain permission through staff instead of getting planning commission approval on each electronic sign.
In October, the commission rescheduled presentations by sign industry representatives until this month.
During last month’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Matoaca-area resident Brenda Stewart cautioned the county about allowing such signs. She said the sign that was approved near her home for Matoaca High School was inappropriate for a residential area. She said the Matoaca sign would set a precedent.
“That’s how these signs will become commonplace,” Stewart said. “I urge one or more of you to intervene in this process and save this county from billboard-sized electronic sign blight.”
The CVS Drugstore on Jefferson Davis Hwy and Weir Rd. is seeking approval of its application for a variable message sign. That case will be considered during the evening session.
The commission is expected to set a public hearing date for the sign ordinance during its work session.
The Centralia Station saga continues
In September, the planning commission deferred considering Wilton Development Corp.’s tentative subdivision request of a proposed 151-home development in the Centralia area. After allowing a neighboring development to close access to the proposed Centralia Station subdivision, Wilton took a 60-day deferral to regroup. The company is again seeking the approval of its site plan but with additional hurdles to jump.
The planning staff recommends denial of the tentative request because it does not comply with the subdivision ordinance, including needing two access roads for a subdivision of more than 50 lots, and it has been discovered that some land within the area of the proposed development would need to be rezoned. The case may be deferred once again on the 83.5-acre project due to its growing complexity – 31 conditions are now attached to the application, and staff has stated that advertising of additional information on the case has not been timely.
Expanding the Bensley Park
The Parks and Recreation Department is asking the planning commission to allow an expansion of Bensley Park on Drewry’s Bluff Rd. The park will take in .9 acres of what is known as the Woodward property. Parks and Recreation is planning to use a portion of the requested property for additional parking for planned expansions to the senior/community center building and for a new gym. Use of the property is not limited to parking. Other recreational uses would be permitted.
Chesterfield planners have stated that the substantial-accord determination (meaning meeting definitions of county requirements) would allow additional park land and will lessen the deficit in community parkland and increase the amount of land available for Bensley Park.
Adding Chester Park
Another substantial-accord determination and amendment to zoning would allow for a 5.3-acre park on land that was once home to the Chester Hotel. The Kiwanis Club of Chester donated the land to Chesterfield County for the park. The park would front on the east line of Gill St. and is in the northwest quadrant of the intersection of Richmond and Curtis streets.
Rezoning
Brookstone Builders is requesting rezoning Agricultural (A) and Residential (R-12) to Residential (R-15). The 188 acres in the Dale District fronts in two places on the north line of Jacobs Rd. and on the west line of Fordham Rd. at the end of Double Tree Ln., Land Grant Dr., Barefoot Tl., and Quail Ridge Rd.
In Bermuda Magisterial District, Chestnut LLC requests rezoning from Agricultural (A) to Community Business (C-3). The property consists of 21.9 acres fronting on the east line of North Enon Church and Burgess roads, approximately 480 feet north of East Hundred Rd.
VDOT is requesting that the developer build a roundabout or install a traffic signal at Enon Church and Enon Station roads. It is also possible that a crossover on Rt. 10 to Burgess Rd. be closed. Rezoning cases are heard during the 6:30 p.m. session.
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