By Matt de Simone
The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the rezoning for a proposed 89-acre traditional neighborhood mixed-use development on Cloverdale Road in the Blue Ridge District during its continued public hearing on Monday night from the June 29 regular meeting. The development, “The Harvest at Blue Ridge,” would be built on the site of the former Murray Cider Farm property, bringing approximately 400 new homes to the area. The development would consist of a mixture of residential housing types, commercial businesses, civic and open space throughout the development, according to the project summary provided by the county.
Additionally, the board unanimously approved a Special Exception Permit (SEP) allowing private streets for the property and a commission permit on the basis that the proposed streets and public utilities are in accord with the county’s comprehensive plan.
The board and developers heard comments from six citizens with questions concerning stormwater run-off, traffic issues, road conditions, the types of housing, and the use of the land. One of the project’s developers, David Spigle, community engineer Bobby Wampler, and traffic engineer Joe Wallace addressed some of the questions.
Spigle said that the volume of water in the “farm pond” on the property shouldn’t be of concern and that they are planning to work around the pond to ensure there aren’t any issues. One comment referred to developers leaving the area once a project is completed to which Spigle emphatically stated, “That’s not who we are. We’re residents here. We intend to stay here and back these things up with our reputations.”
Graphic courtesy of Botetourt Co.
Each type of residential use found in the zoning ordinance is proposed within the neighborhood, including 122 single-family detached units, 24 duplex units, 30 cottage units, 99 single-family attached (townhome) units and 162 multi-family (apartment) units. Commercial uses are limited to no more than 60,000 square feet and will be comprised of uses that are permitted by right from the Business (B-1 & B-2) Use Districts.
No specific commercial use has been proposed yet and no SEP commercial uses are proposed with the establishment of the Traditional Neighborhood District. An additional public hearing would be required for any SEP commercial use proposed later. The “master plan” (www.harvestatblueridge.com/masterplan) includes a plan sheet for the residential and commercial use types that shows the typical arrangement of the uses on parcels and other sheets provide representative building elevations for the structures that will house the different types of uses and contain design guidelines that contain criteria on required building materials, architectural, and other building elements.
Access is provided from Cloverdale Road (US Alt. 220) via two proposed public street intersections. The primary access is proposed across from Cortland Road, which is proposed as a signalized intersection, and the other is planned as a right-in/right-out that is located on the northern most connection of the property with Cloverdale Road.
To watch the livestream of Monday’s public hearing, visit the Botetourt County’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nr68p0jUlM.