The overview
The development was tabled July 8 so city staff could discuss more details on the plan, City Manager Cody Petree said.
“We’d like to do a little more due diligence, so we’re asking council to table it,” Petree said. “Depending on the timing and the amendments that are agreed upon, hopefully it will be in August [when the plan is brought back to council.]”
The proposed development includes two buildings. One building will be adjacent to US 377 and include a 5,500-square-foot liquor store named Liquor King on the first floor and a 4,750-square-foot bar and lounge on the second floor, according to city documents.
The second building will have a 4,800-square-foot restaurant with patio space on the first floor. The second floor will have 4,000 square feet of future leasing, though the developer is unsure if it will be office or retail space for lease, Roanoke Development Services Administrator JR Hames said.
If the project is approved, it could take 60 days to start construction for the project, Hames said. However, nothing is set in stone until the pre-construction meeting, where the developer and city officials discuss the timeline.
Also of note
City Council approved a 90-day suspension of the Oncor rate increase that was proposed June 26 by the company, according to city documents.
Oncor asked the city to approve a 13% increase for system-wide transmission rates, which adds $834 million to the city’s present bill, per city documents.
The company also asked for a 12.3% increase in residential rates and a 51% increase in street lighting rates. This would add $7.90 a month to an average residential customer’s electric bill.
During the 90-day suspension, the city will determine if the electricity rate increase is lawful and what strategy to pursue, including settlement, once the investigation concludes.
