Roanoke’s planning commission on Monday will vote on a master plan for the city’s largest undeveloped swath of property that would create a mix of residential and commercial spaces but preserve 50 acres of open space.
The Evans Spring Master Plan has been in the works for more than two years, and it has provoked significant backlash from residents who have decried the potential loss of green space and have raised concerns that commercial development could ruin the character of the surrounding neighborhoods, which predominantly have Black residents.
The 150-acre property near Valley View Mall is mostly privately owned. All of the parcels, although unimproved at this point, are already zoned for various uses; the plan being presented Monday is designed to bring some cohesion to the site.
The proposal, which was overseen by Land Planning & Design Associates of Charlottesville, would rezone six distinct portions, totaling a little more than 100 acres, for a variety of uses. The plan introduces a variety of potential housing options, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments. Other areas would be zoned for commercial, retail and other services.