What’s happening?
The purpose of the analysis is to analyze changes that could be made to the city’s downtown code, which hasn’t been updated since 2009, according to city documents.
“The code has served the city well,” City Manager Cody Petree said. “However, with recent facility updates to the US 377 corridor, higher infill development and new development pressures, an update of the Oak Street code is in order. Updates to the code could encourage higher-quality development, which could produce greater fiscal benefits.”
The contract will be with Catalyst Commercial, which aids communities with economic development strategies.
The analysis will focus on the undeveloped land on Oak Street and will include:
- Assessing Oak Street with city staff to identify strengths, weaknesses, key challenges and opportunities for new development
- Creating a map to show growth scenarios, placemaking strategies and future land use, then determining what changes should be made to the city’s code
- Talking with residents, land owners, developments and businesses to know what they want for the undeveloped space on Oak Street
This process is expected to take 8-10 months and will include a workshop with City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission officials before the codes are adopted, Petree said.
Also of Note
New townhomes are being considered in Roanoke on Marshall Creek Road and US 377.
The item was tabled at the June 16 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting because not enough committee members were present to vote, Roanoke Communications and Marketing Administrator Carissa Katekaru said.
The development will include 154 townhome units, down from 164 units that the developer originally proposed, Katekaru said. The homes will be on nearly 14 acres and will include a pool and a clubhouse, according to city documents.
The proposal will be looked at again by planning and zoning before moving to city council for approval.
