ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke’s Planning Commission met to discuss two major rezoning requests that could reshape the city’s residential and health landscape.
The first proposal involves rezoning 28 acres off Stratford Park Drive SW and Brandon Avenue SW to build a townhome community, referred to as Brandon Station Community. Paige Lester, the applicant of the proposal with CSW Associates Roanoke said, “We are very excited about the project. It is already zoned for multifamily but we believe a townhouse model is better for the community.”
Ben Crew, agent for Brandon Station Townhome Community, said, “We’re excited to bring a new townhouse community to the new Deyerle neighborhood along Brandon Avenue. It’s been a long time in the making and we’re really excited to share it with the city of Roanoke and share it with the planning commission today.”
The Brandon Station Community townhomes were unanimously approved by all four members, but the process to approve is still far from over.
Crew added, “After the zoning amendment process is to design construction documents for the project that will be submitted and reviewed by the city of Roanoke so there’s another 3, 4, 5 month process after this before any construction can start on site so this is kind of step one of two for the planning process with the city of Roanoke.”
The public hearing brought out neighbors of the townhome community to express concerns.
Adam Mastrangelo, president of Greater Deyerle Neighborhood Association, said, “Like most all the other neighborhoods do, the traffic volume and speeding issues in our neighborhood is very important. I’d like to ask the city if they would begin working with Greater Deyerle as soon as possible to help us address these concerns.”
Ben Crew responded, “You know their focus is protecting and being part of their neighborhood so we appreciate them being here and we appreciate them being active in the community and sharing their thoughts and we look forward to sharing this project and being neighbors with them moving forward.”
While the townhomes did get a yes from the planning commission, they are a recommendation committee. It is unknown if the request will be officially approved until the next city council meeting, where another public hearing will be held.
The second request for a treatment has been postponed until the November meeting. This request seeks to rezone about 2 acres off Valley View Boulevard N.W. for a residential substance-use treatment center. The facility plans to offer 80 beds and provide inpatient services for up to 30 days. Two treatment options will be available: a less intensive program and a more intensive detoxification program.
Justin Hayek, representing Mar Roanoke, a Florida-registered limited liability company, is applying to rezone the property from commercial-general district to institutional planned unit development district.