The Board of Supervisors started its single December meeting with the County Administrator’s recognition of Assistant Director of Planning Megan Cronise for her exemplary service to Roanoke County. Throughout her career, Cronise has coordinated and submitted many successful transportation grant applications over the years, including over $100 million of funded transportation projects in the Route 419 and Route 460 corridors, multimodal improvements along Plantation Road, Williamson Road, and West Main Street, and greenway projects such as the Glade Creek Greenway at Vinyard Park West. Megan has also coordinated and assisted in the submission of $98 million in grant applications for transportation projects and studies, including the successful funding of CORTRAN and the McAfee Knob Trailhead Shuttle. Megan continues to be a strong and passionate advocate for the County’s and region’s transportation system and its improvement. This recognition by the County Administrator is a reflection of her positive attitude and the commitment she exemplifies in making a difference in the everyday lives of Roanoke County’s citizens.
Above: County Administrator Richard Caywood, Assistant Director of Planning Megan Cronise, and Chairman Paul Mahoney.In a separate briefing, the Board of Supervisors also received a formal introduction to Dani Poe, Roanoke County’s new Assistant Director of Economic Development. Poe comes from the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission where she served as the business manager for nearly three years, managing the day-to-day operations within the organization and overseeing risk management strategies in various projects. She has more than 15 years of experience in various additional roles, including her service as the Economic Development Specialist for Downtown Roanoke, Inc.
Board Actions
In new business, the Board of Supervisors approves a resolution requesting the Commonwealth Transportation Board fund a SMART SCALE application for Interstate 81 Southbound Widening between Exit 137 and Exit 128. Interstate 81 is critical to the economic vitality of the Commonwealth with the highest per capita truck volume in the state, carrying nearly fifty percent (50%) of the State’s value of goods. Interstate 81 also experiences the highest degree of congestion and crash density in the state. When these factors are combined, they result in the highest proportion of incident delay compared to all other Virginia interstates. This resolution by the Board of Supervisors is just one of several formal requests by other localities and organizations requesting funding for this segment of Interstate 81.
The Board of Supervisors also approved the strategic target outcome areas developed by the Board and endorses the staff work plan to support these outcome areas. Earlier in 2022, the Board met with a strategic planning facilitator to discuss the County's priorities and vision for the next three years. The Board developed seven strategic outcome areas they wish to accomplish in the next several years. These included economic development, community development, outdoor recreation, education, housing, public safety, and organizational effectiveness.
The final, audited year-end financial results for June 20, 2022, were also presented and accepted by the Board of Supervisors, along with the allocation of year-end funds.
A resolution was approved by the Board of Supervisors directing the County Attorney to file a petition for no special election upon the retirement of Steven A. McGraw as the Roanoke County Circuit Court Clerk, and that Rhonda D. Perdue be vested with the powers and duties of such office for the remainder of the unexpired term of office until the next election on November 7, 2023.
The Board of Supervisors also approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors and the Roanoke County School Board regarding joint capital funding.
The Board heard first reading of an ordinance appropriating $61,460,835.43 from the Roanoke County Public Schools' fiscal year 2021-2022 year-end funds to the fiscal year 2022-2023 Roanoke County Public Schools' Budget. A second reading and vote are scheduled for January 10, 2023.
The Board of Supervisors heard first reading of an ordinance to amend Article II (Definitions and Use Types), Article III (District Regulations), and Article IV (Use and Design Standards) of the Roanoke County Zoning Ordinance regarding halfway houses. A second reading, public hearing, and vote are scheduled for January 10, 2023.
In its consent agenda, the Board of Supervisors also approved the following items:
- A petition by Greg and Amanda Speiran to obtain a special use permit to operate a short-term rental on approximately 0.1608 acre on land zoned R-1 located at 3113 Fleetwood Avenue, (First Reading of Ordinance and request for Public Hearing).
- An ordinance accepting and appropriating a donation from the Friends of the Roanoke County Public Library in the amount of $25,000 for use by the Roanoke County Library Department (First Reading of Ordinance).
- Confirmation of appointments to the Audit Committee, Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare Board of Directors; Roanoke Valley Resource Authority, South Peak Community Development Authority, Total Action for Progress (TAP) Board of Directors, Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority, and Western Virginia Regional Jail Authority.
Resolution establishing a meeting schedule for the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County for calendar year 2023.
An ordinance authorizing the acquisition of property at 6781 Mount Chestnut Road (Tax Map Number 075.00-02-33.00-0000) for the purpose of expanding Happy Hollow Gardens Park, and authorizing execution of a deed and other documents necessary to accomplish the acquisition of this real estate (Second Reading of Ordinance).
Request to accept and allocate funds in the amount of $19,726 to the Clerk of the Circuit Court from the Commonwealth of Virginia for Technology Trust Funds.
Evening Session and Public Hearings
The Board of Supervisors meeting continued at 7:00 PM with a public hearing regarding a petition by Barnett Properties, LLC, to rezone approximately 9.38 acres to C-2C (High Intensity Commercial District with conditions), for retail sales, located in the 4400 block of Brambleton Avenue, including 4449 and 4457 Brambleton Avenue, and the 4500 and 4600 blocks of Old Cave Spring Road. After a public hearing, the Board of Supervisors approved the petition by Barnett Properties, LLC.
Board of Supervisors Work Session
During a work session, the Board of Supervisors and staff discussed the need for additional Department of Social Services staffing.
For More Information
More information on each of these items, along with the meeting video can be found under the Past Meetings section of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Meetings and Videos page.