At the top of the meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved a resolution of appreciation to Paul M. Mahoney for his service as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors in 2022, recognizing his collaborative and steady leadership and the many accomplishments made throughout the year.
Above: (left to right) Jason Peters (Vinton); Chair Martha Hooker (Glenvar); Vice Chair Paul Mahoney (Cave Spring); Phil North (Hollins); David Radford (Windsor Hills)The Board of Supervisors also recognized staff efforts during the historic cold event of December 22 and 23, 2022. The weather system brought high winds, snow showers, and excessively cold temperatures for four days. Wind chills at zero or negative degrees in many parts of Roanoke County resulted in power outages, and other problems for our residents, County facilities, and County operations. Roanoke County staff responded by organizing and staffing a warming shelter at South County Library for citizens and working throughout the weekend’s cold temperatures to make facility repairs, including significant repairs to the County’s Illuminights displays at Explore Park.
Above: The Board of Supervisors recognized the efforts of many Roanoke County staff during the extreme cold weather event of December 22 and 23, 2022.
The Board of Supervisors also recognized Jessica Beemer (Finance), Chad Beheler (Sheriff’s Office), Alexander Jones (Planning), and Jacquelyn Persiani (Sheriff’s Office) for being selected as four of The Roanoker magazine’s 40 under 40 young professionals. This article from The Roanoker magazine provides more information about each young professional selected for this honor.
Above: Roanoke County Sheriff Eric Orange (center) highlighting the accomplishments of Deputy Beheler (left) and Deputy Persiani (right). Planning Director Philip Thompson (left) showcases the achievements of Principal Planner Alex Jones (right). Director of Finance Laurie Gearheart (left) tells the Board of Supervisors about Assistant Director Jessica Beemer's (right) accomplishments and work in Roanoke County's Finance department
Board Actions
In new business, the Board approved a resolution requesting the Commonwealth Transportation Board fund a Demonstration Project Assistance grant in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 for shuttle service to the National Park Service's McAfee Knob Trailhead Parking Lot. The proposed expansion of service offers a creative approach to help improve the utilization and productivity of an existing public transit service with a connection to the Smart Way and Virginia Breeze bus routes at the I-81 Exit 140 Park and Ride. The proposed expansion in 2024 is anticipated to provide a connection to Valley Metro service in the City of Salem, with tentative shuttle stops planned for Longwood Park in Salem, VDOT’s Orange Market Parking Lot, Dragon’s Tooth Trailhead, with an additional potential stop at the Salem Farmer’s Market. This expansion will also help alleviate temporary parking shortages during the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Route 311 at the McAfee Knob Trailhead parking lot slated to begin in 2024.
The Board of Supervisors also approved the first reading of an ordinance accepting and appropriating $250,000 to the fiscal year 2022-2023 Roanoke County Public Schools Capital Fund and re-allocating $65,000 from the Minor Capital Reserves for the Virginia Department of Education Security Equipment Grant. The second reading is set for February 14.
In the Board’s consent agenda, the following items were approved:
- An ordinance accepting and appropriating $800,000 in Federal Lands Access Program funds from the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division of the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration for the Roanoke River Greenway from the Blue Ridge Parkway to Explore Park. (Second Reading)
- An ordinance accepting and appropriating $70,114 in Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program Grant funds from the Virginia Department of Transportation for the East Roanoke River Greenway crossing of the Blue Ridge Parkway along Highland. (Second Reading)
- An ordinance accepting $118,236 from the Commonwealth of Virginia and appropriating such funds for the addition of six full-time equivalents in the Salem/Roanoke County Department of Social Services for the fiscal year 2022-2023. (Second Reading)
- An ordinance accepting $350,000 from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and appropriating such funds, along with a $350,000 local match, for Phase 2 of the steam Restoration of Wolf Creek. (Second Reading)
- Confirmation of appointments to the Court Community Correction Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP), Roanoke Regional Airport Commission, and Virginia's First Regional Industrial Facility Authority.
- A petition by Cellco Partnership DBA Verizon Wireless to amend a proffer condition and obtain a special use permit for a broadcasting tower approximately 124 feet in height on approximately 4.81 acres located at 2918 Peters Creek Road. (First Reading and request for Public Hearing and Second Reading on February 28)
- A petition by Engineering Concepts, Inc. to obtain a special use permit for a water tank approximately 42 feet in height located on approximately 1.82 acres in the 2600 block of Summit Ridge Road. (First Reading and request for Public Hearing and Second Reading on February 28)
At its evening session, the Board of Supervisors held a public hearing and approved a petition by Greg and Amanda Speiran to obtain a special use permit to operate a short-term rental at 3113 Fleetwood Avenue.
Work Session
The Board also held a work session with staff to review the fiscal year 2022-2023 mid-year revenues and expenditures and fiscal year 2023-2024 budget issues.
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.