The Roanoke City Council tabled plans for a proposed development called Roanoke Ranch after lengthy discussion at its Oct. 27 meeting. The 70.1-acre site, located along State Highway 114 and Briarwyck Parkway, would include pad sites, retail space and two industrial buildings. The council will take up the item again at its Nov. 17 meeting, with proposed changes to be added to the ordinance.
The Roanoke Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval at its Oct. 19 meeting, provided the developer meets 15 conditions. The council trimmed that number to 13. Council Member Brian Darby said the recommendations would become standards in the planned development rather than suggestions. Developer Pelican Industrial is leading the project, which is the third concept plan the council has reviewed.
Mayor Carl E. "Scooter" Gierisch Jr. said he was happy the multifamily portion had been removed from the latest plans after feedback from council members and the Briarwyck Homeowners Association. City documents show the city received 142 letters from 105 residents. Public comments mostly concerned traffic, signage facing a nearby subdivision and the types of businesses allowed.
Austin Pipkin, Pelican Industrial's Texas market leader, said changes include increasing the setback from residents' properties from 50 feet to 65 feet. He said hooded curbs would direct semitruck traffic from the industrial parcels to SH 114. The retail area now covers more than 50 acres, up from 25 acres in the initial concept plan.