By Matt de Simone
There were eight total public hearings that took place at the June 23 meeting of the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors. The board’s action to deny a solar proposal earlier in the evening session contrasted sharply with its reception of a long-planned grocery store and pharmacy proposed for Daleville Town Center.
Following another public hearing, supervisors unanimously approved special exception permits allowing Fralin & Waldron Inc. to construct a nearly 51,000-square-foot grocery store with a drive-thru pharmacy on a 5.89-acre parcel along Glebe Road, Broad Street and Charter Avenue.
Unlike the solar proposal, county planners noted the grocery store has been contemplated since the original Daleville Town Center master plan was adopted in 2005. Planning documents produced nearly two decades ago specifically identified a grocery store as a likely future use for the site, which remains one of the final undeveloped parcels within the mixed-use development.
The project will sit adjacent to the Wawa convenience store currently under construction and is designed without fuel pumps, instead focusing solely on grocery retail and pharmacy services.
County Planning and Development Director Jonathan McCoy presented the proposal, explaining that the development is consistent with both the Daleville Town Center master plan and the county’s Comprehensive Plan. The project also includes roadway improvements identified through a Traffic Impact Analysis, including a future traffic signal at the intersection of Glebe Road and U.S. 220.
Much of the board’s discussion centered on the project’s relationship with neighboring properties, particularly residents of The Glebe retirement community.
Amsterdam District Supervisor Tim Snyder questioned the applicant extensively about the proposed landscape buffer along Glebe Road, asking whether additional vegetation could be added to soften the appearance of the development. He also raised questions about truck turning movements, loading dock operations, parking, lighting, site maintenance and overall aesthetics.
Representatives for Fralin & Waldron said the project had been designed to minimize impacts on surrounding properties while meeting the operational requirements of a modern grocery store. They explained that landscaping would continue to mature over time and that delivery traffic had been carefully evaluated during the design process.
Blue Ridge Supervisor Walter Michael focused on the proposed pharmacy drive-thru, asking whether residents at The Glebe would be able to hear customer conversations through the speaker system.
The applicant responded that drive-thru audio systems operate at limited volumes designed to protect customer privacy and said even vehicles waiting in line typically cannot hear conversations occurring at the service window.
Several residents addressed the board during the public hearing.
Comments urged supervisors to deny the permits, expressing concerns about reduced landscape buffers, additional commercial development, parking, traffic, and what they described as a lack of transparency surrounding multiple development proposals currently under consideration throughout the county.
One speaker questioned whether constructing another large parking lot aligned with Daleville Town Center’s walkable design philosophy, while another argued the county was “cannibalizing” existing grocery stores and gas stations by approving additional commercial projects.
Applicant representatives disputed several of those claims, explaining that the grocery store had always been envisioned as part of the original master plan and emphasizing that the project would undergo additional engineering review before construction.
Snyder acknowledged hearing from residents on both sides of the proposal but said he believed most constituents supported bringing another grocery option to the county.
“I think the majority of the people that I’ve heard from are excited to see another grocery store,” Snyder said.
Fincastle Supervisor Brandon Nicely agreed, noting that additional retail options have long been requested by county residents.
Planning commissioners had previously recommended approval of the project, and supervisors unanimously approved both required special exception permits with staff-recommended conditions.
The board later turned its attention to a proposal to redevelop property at the intersection of Lee Highway and Cloverdale Road as part of the Gateway Crossing Overlay District.
The proposal calls for construction of a 6,400-square-foot convenience store with eight fueling stations, a drive-thru, a 1,750-square-foot service station and electronic message center signage on three parcels near the Interstate 81 interchange.
Planning staff said the project is consistent with the county’s Comprehensive Plan, which identifies the Gateway Crossing area as appropriate for highway-oriented commercial development serving interstate travelers.
Discussion focused primarily on traffic access, signage, and an existing shared access easement involving neighboring property owners.
Buchanan Supervisor Linda Rottman questioned how the applicant, RYT, LLC planned to address concerns raised by the adjacent shopping center owner regarding use of the private access road.
County Attorney Mike Lockaby explained that while private easement disputes are generally matters between property owners rather than the county, the supervisors could consider the practical implications when evaluating a legislative land-use request.
Applicant representatives said discussions with neighboring property owners were ongoing and emphasized that the proposed development would substantially improve the appearance and function of the intersection by replacing older commercial structures with new construction designed to meet the architectural standards of the Gateway Crossing Overlay District.
The applicant also requested permission for two monument signs featuring electronic fuel pricing displays, explaining that only the fuel prices— not full electronic advertising— would utilize LED technology.
Following discussion, supervisors agreed (with Supervisor Michael abstaining) to table the convenience store requests until their August meeting, allowing additional time for the applicant to address issues related to resolving private access easement between property owners and other concerns raised during the public hearing.
