Photo courtesy of Botetourt Co.
By Matt de Simone
Botetourt County planners have five items up for review at the upcoming August 14 meeting at the County Administration Center in Daleville.
Gateway Grid, LLC requests a comprehensive map amendment and review changing the future use designation of the subject property (49.9 acres off of Lee Highway) to “Industrial,” rezoning of the parcel from Business (B-2) to Industrial (M-1), and requests a special exception permit (SEP) for any structure that may be subject to and exceeds the 45-foot maximum permitted height in the M-1 Use District.
According to the project’s description, the proposed project is a stand-alone battery energy storage system (BESS), interconnecting to the adjacent Appalachian Power-owned 230kV transmission lines. Gateway Grid is developing this energy storage project near an intersection of high-voltage transmission lines. This allows the energy storage facility to provide large amounts of power when load requires it and to serve a broad region.
Somewhat like an electrical substation, the proposed energy storage facility would be a fenced, unmanned facility which helps to modulate energy on the grid. The facility would pull power off the grid at times of overabundance to store it and would dispatch this power at peak times or whenever needed. Typically, power would be sold in the wholesale energy market or to the local utility. At times, energy storage facilities are acquired and owned by the local utility.
The project’s description goes on to read that once operating, energy storage facilities do not generate traffic. They are remotely controlled and monitored 24-7, and individuals would visit the site periodically for routine maintenance. The energy storage facility would not result in any emissions and would not require potable water or sewer service. During operations, the project will not be lit. There will be security lighting at the facility that complies with local lighting standards, but it will remain off unless lights need to be manually turned on for occasional maintenance visits.
A proposed medical facility at 1645 Roanoke Road in Daleville is another item on the agenda. “1645 Roanoke Road, LLC” requests an SEP to help provide specialized services in Botetourt that would operate a diagnostic facility for an ADHD, depression, and anxiety testing and treatment planning. The property’s current zoning (B-1) needs special exception to allow for a medical facility. The total space utilized by this use is 2,000 square feet, encompassing the entire downstairs portion of the building.
La Rocca Event Design, LLC requests rezoning for a new “Special Events Facility” in the Valley District on 31.04 acres located at 408 Wendover Road. This request is seeking to rezone the property from R-1 to A-1 with an SEP for the events facility. The existing parcel is the former residence of the Wayne Fralin family. According to the project’s description, there are two important notes regarding this proposed event center: (1) the development does not plan to provide parking adequate to serve 250 people onsite and will utilize a shuttle service to reduce the number of vehicle trips, and (2) Valley Road is planned to be the main entrance for the event but Wendover Road will be available and used for staff, service, and private guests.
Founder and Executive Director of the Botetourt Wrestling Club Bobby Stewart is requesting an SEP for the Botetourt Training Center in Troutville. According to Stewart’s request packet, Marlet Group Properties, LLC purchased the Mountain View Plaza shopping center in 2021, renovating a vacant, 18,000-sq.-ft. section between the Dollar General Market and Elite Nails into a fitness center.
Stewart mentions the “numerous apartments being encouraged, approved, and constructed in the Gateway Crossing Overlay district near exit 150,” noting the increase in children living in these new apartments in the near future.
“To this end, our organization must subsidize its costs with solicitations for donations, sponsorships, and fundraising,” Stewart said in his request letter. “However, these alone are not sufficient. For this reason, we formally request an (SEP)… to allow for batting cages and charitable bingo (at the facility).”
The Botetourt County Planning Commission will meet Monday, August 14 at 6 p.m. at the County Administration Center. To read the applications on the meeting’s agenda, visit https://www.botetourtva.gov/AgendaCenter/ and scroll down to Planning Commission items.
