Minutes 09/09/1975 - Laserfiche WebLink

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54 TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 1975 Mr. Worthy, who did not attend the Planning Commission meeting, stated later that Mr. Sapp's definition of open space transitional is not a valid definition. I have no idea how the other members of the Planning Commission defined open space transitional because they did not listen to the tape and the issue was not discussed. In addition, I have not been able to find a valid definition in any of our City ordinances, in any part of the Comprehensive Plan, and Mr. McGhee tells me that there is nothing definite in any of the handbooks he has seen. To further complicate matters, I quote from the May 29, 1973 minutes of the Planning Commission: "In a discussion of Open Space Zoning being proposed by the Consultants (Wiley and Wilson), the Commission was advised that under new State laws the City could adopt an ordinance that would provide for the holding of vacant land as open space for a period of time at a lower tax rate for the owner; however, that at such time as he chose to develop the land, then he would have to pay the remainder of the taxes which normally would have been assessed against the property back to the time of the initial change of zone to Open-Space zoning." I now read from Page 2 of the booklet entitled "Zoning Ordinance Review and Recommendations, Martinsville, Va." written by Wiley and Wilson, and now being considered by the Planning Commission. "Finally, the provision of open space should be considered. A special open-space zone could be beneficial to the City in areas where they did not wish to acquire land. In addition, open space could be a transitional land use, provided an appropriate tax arrangement can be established between the Landowner and the City." These two documents suggest that there are additional reasons for the Open Space Transitional recommended land use that have not been discussed. I point this out because, in my oplnlon, it is apparent that there are members of the Planning Commission and the City Council, including me, who still do not fully understand the meaning of the recommended land use of the property; and, this being the case. it is virtually impossible for me to offer a sound opinion as to whether or not the requested zoning is consistent with the land use plan. I think this points up an obvious deficiency of our Comprehensive Plan, and I suggest that the City Administration, with advice from Wiley and Wilson, begin to immediately draw up definitions for each of the Recommended Land Uses included in the Comprehensive Plan.