Apts at Exit 150 area approved by Supervisors

A new batch of apartment buildings are slated for construction at the current Howard Johnson’s motel sight at Exit 150 on US 220.

The project received approval from the Board of Supervisors on a 3-1 vote at the Tuesday, September 27, 2022 meeting. Amsterdam Supervisor Steve Clinton was the opposing vote, while Blue Ridge Supervisor Billy Martin was absent.

The 240 units would be constructed on 9.261 acres and consist of five apartment buildings with 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units.

The project is close to the Appalachian Trail, and county planning staff said estimated that portions of the project could be as close as 175 feet to the trail.

Studies indicate the project could add about 70 children to the county’s school system. Additionally, the project would be served by emergency services located in Troutville.

This application was the first for the new Gateway Crossing overlay district. The public hearing on this project immediately followed the county’s approval of the overlay district.

The Gateway Crossing Overlay District encourages higher density development in the areas surrounding the Exit 150 interchange of Interstate 81 where services and infrastructure are available to support such growth. The overlay district allows additional permitted land uses throughout the overlay and relaxes certain development standards to achieve a denser form of development.

In addition to allowing multi-family dwelling units within a business use district, the overlay allows for an increase in both density and building height beyond what is normally allowed in the zoning ordinance when approved through the Special Exceptions Permit (SEP) process.

This project required the supervisors to approve a density permit and a height permit, as the project went beyond what was permitted in the new overlay district.

The apartment complex would be constructed to a height of 55 feet 6 inches, along with associated amenities. Architectural renderings included in the application reflected the general design of the structures proposed for the development, including, roof line variations, building design features, building materials that included a mixture of stone, brick, and siding, as well as, an earth tone color palette.

Several people spoke against the project, citing water run-off concerns and asking questions about the benefit to citizens by allowing apartment complexes to be built in the county.

Clinton asked specifically about the LNG plant above the project. The developer had no knowledge of the liquid natural gas facility that houses thousands of pounds of natural gas, and Clinton expressed concern about its proximity to the development.

Clinton also was unhappy that the apartment complex would be the first thing people would see from Interstate 81.

“I have heard tonight that we’ve got enough growth. Let’s slow down. We’re going to create pressure on the schools. This is the opposite of what we want,” he said during discussion after the public hearing. “This is a poorly conceived project.”

Clinton voted no on both SEP requests.

                                                                                          — Anita Firebaugh, Special to The Botetourt Bee