On September 16, the Roanoke City Council is going to vote on zoning changes

Roanoke, Virginia – A contentious topic that has the potential to increase the housing supply in Star City is receiving greater attention.

On Monday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. inside the municipal building, the Roanoke City Council planned on convening for a public hearing concerning zoning amendments, which might bring townhomes and duplexes to neighborhoods.

The city’s planning commission presented a set of zoning adjustments to the council in March, and the council approved them.

However, the following month, numerous persons filed a complaint against the city, claiming they were not notified about the proposed changes and didn’t have enough time to make their voices heard. Subsequent to this, Roanoke City Council opted to revisit a set of key modifications in June in a 4-1 vote.

But only last month, the Roanoke Planning Commission voted to not recommend the revisions to city council. Ultimately, the amendments would remove “single-family district” and replace the zoning language to “residential districts,” allowing a duplex or apartment to be erected in a single-family district neighborhood.

It’s crucial to note that, the zoning adjustments were not overturned, meaning the amendments that were voted in March are still in full effect, according to Director of Planning, building and development Chris Chittum. However, the meeting on Monday will determine whether to rescind or move forward with the planned revisions.

So, the council asked them to start the procedure over again.

“We have gone back through a process of study, and we have gone through a planning commission public hearing. We’ve had five community meetings to explore the background and our existing situation and the expected results that we would obtain from the zoning amendments.”

Chittum added that if they vote ‘no’ the ordinance would remain the same as it was earlier this year but the lawsuit remains in limbo.

Roanoke City Mayor Sherman Lea regarding the topic, said t: “I am inclined at this time to believe that Council is ready to make a decision that I feel will be in the best interest of Roanoke for the future. As far as being more detailed, I will wait until Monday’s meeting.”