[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6046549,"mediaKeyId","3542435-7a5d1dc0b38c817a01c9b1068597f7d1","parentId",3542435,"title","Council upholds ARB denial of roof-material change at 1018 Second St. SW, 4–3","audioSeconds",1472,"startMs",3328000,"endMs",4800000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3542435-7a5d1dc0b38c817a01c9b1068597f7d1&start=3328&end=4800","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3542435-7a5d1dc0b38c817a01c9b1068597f7d1/thumbnail_3328000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6046549/Roanoke-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Council-upholds-ARB-denial-of-roof-material-change-at-1018-Second-St-SW-43","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6046549-a8184148ced4a6b68751b04e558435d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179610&Signature=PMSPlKBIzz5OW1Io66iIFQATPwmvusi7pl16r6BItpjr9bydYDK4fCldOdduCIHLgQdj0qaHQwNcdbgz0czXOeEOMrstI7VOHmwQvQ1OHOLifO2SJCoUu253GgNtvb6pJHo-drqzBt-SYJpwtNs3vmnnnvWRTY9iX6z2g1qd2sbLO~L-0AkFt~vOWP8RqlMXNQ89BksG7KeH5ZNh2WCTRFisn0ueGbbL4PiF~ocaMLn66MgbVpRvBNwRWRZSvESOkQ-TVzxflVVXtkm1-rXhIs5Ukub5yHAh-TO8K9t~BKTaiZ2qmtroTmnB72V1k6xjk0RYxdneZ8l-AmHPxiiteQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Roanoke City Council","date","2025-04-21T00:00:00Z","article","Roanoke City Council on April 21 voted 4–3 to affirm the Architectural Review Board’s denial of an application to replace a historic patterned slate roof at 1018 Second Street Southwest with an asphalt product.

The owner, attorney Chris Kowalczyk, asked the council to overturn the ARB denial and allow asphalt architectural shingles that he said would make the building weather‑tight and keep two upstairs apartments insurable and habitable. Kowalczyk said the cost difference was substantial: he presented bids of roughly $53,000 and $59,000 for slate‑look asphalt shingles from two contractors, compared with an estimate of about $24,699 to use a standard architectural shingle; he also said a traditional slate replacement likely would exceed $100,000.

Why it matters: The decision highlights a recurring tension in historic‑district regulation — balancing preservation of a building’s defining architectural features against the practical and financial burdens property owners face when maintaining older roofs.

What the ARB and council said

- Drew Kepley, chair of the Architectural Review Board, told council the H‑2 design guidelines (local historic‑district rules) were updated last year to clarify acceptable substitute roofing materials. The board concluded the owner’s proposal did not retain the original roof’s distinctive pattern and texture, and the board unanimously denied the certificate of appropriateness.

- Catherine Horn, representing the Old Southwest neighborhood board on historic preservation, urged council to uphold the ARB decision, warning that waiving pattern or material requirements because of cost would create precedent that could erode the neighborhood’s historic character.

Owner’s account and council questions

Kowalczyk said his building’s slate roof is about 100 years old and that the upstairs apartments remain difficult to insure until the roof is replaced. He said one prior leak had been repaired, but he described the roof system as aged and in need of replacement to avoid catastrophic failure. Kowalczyk said he had sought multiple contractor quotes and that high costs for in‑kind slate or for slate‑replicating shingles made the project financially challenging.

Council vote

A motion to affirm the ARB denial carried 4–3. Council members recorded as voting to affirm the ARB were Vice Mayor McGuire, Councilman Boleson, Councilwoman Powers and Mayor Cobb. Council members recorded as voting against the motion (thus in favor of allowing the owner’s requested change) were Councilwoman Sanchez Jones, Councilman Nash and Councilman Hagan.

Ending: The ARB denial stands; the owner may pursue other options but the council’s action preserves the ARB’s determination that the proposed material and pattern did not retain the roof’s visual character under the H‑2 guidelines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Roanoke City Council Meeting on April 21 2025 at 2:00pm","oneSentenceSummary","Roanoke City Council on April 21 affirmed the Architectural Review Board’s denial of a request to change the material and pattern of a distinctive slate roof at 1018 Second Street SW, voting 4–3.","taxTitle","Roanoke City (Independent City), Virginia","taxId",7053,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6046562,"Council adopts trail maps, HUD homelessness grants and small-business funding in unanimous votes",128,4112000,4240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3542435-7a5d1dc0b38c817a01c9b1068597f7d1&start=4112&end=4240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3542435-7a5d1dc0b38c817a01c9b1068597f7d1/thumbnail_4112000.jpg","/articles/6046562/Roanoke-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Council-adopts-trail-maps-HUD-homelessness-grants-and-small-business-funding-in-unanimous-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6046562-6e6a75941c953cce3a638ba9d7a366b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179610&Signature=gOQIiNmIK4SWQnE6QVnDUAAKOc3f6DvatcW~uFPsArSTFLq8vNRMue-1hPVX5bpHNNqyRAutV8PAoHKNSuXAH9DfuE1vp3E1te2qzvBu7Dzk81QJ6yLRHFMFMNqLV2CubsmiZwJbNZFa7r6n24PR68Ss4htgsrdNTkbt6ynVFEOKj9EgAfzu9R9E~7JBlt876TRQNKt3u5Pj3DZE6GrwDWdfBNkZFdyvK-ySRkErquKNN3Uv2S30KdiR0l6xfXU3meyt8G5HCKSPI7OBqPIPL6S6lX1JRka91Q~M-SMf24in7pioFHtBEka8beDTOS~Qib4XqYLtuq9MY51hK2p~-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Roanoke City Council on April 21 unanimously approved a package of ordinances on the consent agenda that accepted grants and established accounts for several city programs.

The measures included acceptance and appropriation of a Roanoke Outside Foundation grant to update Mill Mountain trail maps; two U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care grant awards that fund the city's coordinated assessment and homeless outreach programs; and three separate actions establishing and accepting funds for the Greater Roanoke & New River Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

Why it matters: The grants fund everyday city operations and partner services — from better trail signage for residents and visitors to staff positions and outreach resources that the city uses to prevent and respond to homelessness and to sustain small-business supports.

What the council approved

- An ordinance authorizing acceptance of a Roanoke Outside Foundation grant to update and install Mill Mountain trail maps and kiosks. Staff said the current maps date to April 2017 and new maps will reflect reroutes and new trails under construction.

- An ordinance to accept a FY2024 HUD Continuum of Care coordinated assessment system grant of $52,505 to help cover salary for a full‑time intake specialist in the city's central intake program.

- An ordinance to accept a FY2024 HUD Continuum of Care grant of $150,059 to support the Homeless Assistance Team's street outreach work (the grant funds three full‑time outreach workers and supportive services).

- Three ordinances to accept and appropriate general, operational and program funds for the Greater Roanoke & New River Valley Small Business Development Center, including funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration, George Mason University, local host organizations and private sponsors.

All measures on the consent agenda were adopted by a roll-call vote; the clerk recorded unanimous “Aye” votes on each ordinance. Council members recorded as voting in favor were Councilwoman Sanchez Jones, Vice Mayor McGuire, Councilman Nash, Councilman Lisonbee, Councilwoman Powers, Councilman Hagan, Councilman Boleson and Mayor Cobb.

Background and next steps: City staff said the HUD awards fund positions and services the city uses to screen and connect households at risk of homelessness to community resources, and that the Mill Mountain grant will fund new map design and kiosks to reflect trail changes. Funding to the SBDC will be used to support programming, workshops and sponsorships for local businesses.","Roanoke City Council on April 21 unanimously approved a set of ordinances accepting grants and establishing funds for trail maps, HUD homelessness programs and the regional Small Business Development Center.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6046557,"Care Forward asks Roanoke to expand volunteer urgent‑needs platform, says small fixes avert costly services",370,1805000,2175000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3542435-7a5d1dc0b38c817a01c9b1068597f7d1&start=1805&end=2175","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3542435-7a5d1dc0b38c817a01c9b1068597f7d1/thumbnail_1805000.jpg","/articles/6046557/Roanoke-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Care-Forward-asks-Roanoke-to-expand-volunteer-urgentneeds-platform-says-small-fixes-avert-costly-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6046557-7b2722cafb48e9531629f41edf4f862e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179610&Signature=Di4u4LZ3s3NzjirT0oq7ByODsJPPlmaN2G7qox5eUtbzrCZtwgj0qRlt02DCg48pwiHPIYfzkP6yaxTqhyKMwe3cgdvkj02gsN-wtq4S5LPhkL6T2oO9nNp83052bR8BaQgvRV5xG7qLUqZrDWS5C8et4T3psMM4lggD4RAqYdlNFER1lMatMe2-taMrGGLU~bFSZUr-5yntF3dSaWCvqPvorQBhAq7Vn6vnOubiYuno1uprwPY2d2WkXdovYzX3Br4nEGayfEeBl8avSem6BMbTlDqtHu9ZZoVA5FBu~XzJDKsNow2ea2q5Rkbt4FKvBJbHi7qClMAc1F~8k6LfIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Natalie Handy, executive director of Care Forward, told Roanoke City Council on April 21 that the Roanoke‑based nonprofit’s volunteer platform has been meeting urgent needs for vulnerable residents during a beta with the city and Roanoke County, and she requested a vendor contract to expand the program into city departments.

Handy described Care Forward as a “public benefit corporation” that routes urgent requests from caseworkers — items or services that, if not met in 7–10 days, risk negative health outcomes — to volunteers and partner organizations. In a five‑month beta running from October 2024 through March 2025, the presenter said the platform fulfilled most requests within 48 hours and that volunteer time, talent and resources contributed roughly $16,000 in direct value.

Why it matters: City staff and presenters framed Care Forward as a preventive, low‑cost tool to reduce high‑cost public services such as hospitalizations, emergency shelter use and police interactions by meeting short‑term needs that otherwise push residents into crisis.

Examples and impact claimed by the presenter

- A young adult with intellectual disability received firewood within five hours ahead of a storm.

- A recently homeless woman received a tire repair that allowed her to keep an Instacart delivery job and continue paying rent.

- An elderly resident without hot water is scheduled to receive a replacement water heater through community donations and volunteer labor; Handy said that single intervention increased Care Forward’s calculated cost deflection for the beta to about $1.9 million.

Handy said Care Forward tracks 34 categories of potential “deflections” (high‑cost services avoided) and reported hitting 18 categories during the beta, including prevention of homelessness and avoidance of hospitalizations.

Council questions and program details

Council members asked about scale and staffing. Handy said the core technology platform pushes requests posted by caseworkers; a community development manager staffs partner relations and coordinates volunteers. For background‑sensitive tasks Care Forward can require volunteers to complete background checks; the presenter said those checks can be completed within about 11 minutes via the platform and that costs are not borne by volunteers. Handy said the model is designed to scale by adding community development managers and through partnerships and that Care Forward already partners with multiple health plans, nonprofit agencies, higher education and faith communities.

Handy asked the city to enter a vendor contract that would allow designated city staff — public safety and Department of Social Services caseworkers were mentioned specifically — to submit urgent requests on behalf of residents and to include the city’s departments in performance reporting and ROI metrics.

No formal vote or contract action was recorded during the April 21 session; council members thanked the presenter and asked for follow up information.

Ending: Council members expressed appreciation for the program’s early results and asked staff to continue evaluating how the Care Forward platform could integrate with city intake and outreach operations.","Care Forward asked Roanoke City Council on April 21 to approve a vendor contract expanding a volunteer platform that routes urgent needs reported by caseworkers to community volunteers, saying quick fixes avoid costly public services.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6046552,"Renovation Alliance seeks donations and volunteers as funding tightens; plans May 3 community event",305,2915000,3220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3542435-7a5d1dc0b38c817a01c9b1068597f7d1&start=2915&end=3220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3542435-7a5d1dc0b38c817a01c9b1068597f7d1/thumbnail_2915000.jpg","/articles/6046552/Roanoke-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Renovation-Alliance-seeks-donations-and-volunteers-as-funding-tightens-plans-May-3-community-event","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6046552-6dc9641c2fc08eb871465b5dcc34b2d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179610&Signature=G0nG1FRgIm9U0v2TuRotm9tBiVyvxUSypbgGgYWSwoOfuQIJRn0DwSXO-jp~vTwk0XjZqfbzg-sDWL387FeTUMemhALYxtjlgQ5R9DbbkdVQOK8Ymaza-sBrlG8jOlLuFOLElC8DiRkJhkhll88LABmOF2pV-CiELSRxoYiY7uLcUBFOVbaByriFbXMNh4unriWEHIFZWbI41eBKi3TIrg5q3RQxbY5IKgI5pdA-RAg23dli-9P61gX09hE1Hr5pOVJ5dTda5kDUEl~RAMF7TxJ1InEDHpoFyBsELngKzIp6VS6M5tqRmgAekMnInl~4b1FZpgHuPWV~2RjHr88Hyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bridal (Kendall) Claytor, executive director of Renovation Alliance, and board member Kathy Stockburger briefed Roanoke City Council on April 21 about the nonprofit’s home‑repair work, recent program impact and an upcoming community fundraising and volunteer event on May 3.

Claytor said Renovation Alliance focuses on critical repairs for low‑income homeowners, with projects that include roof and heating repairs, plumbing and accessibility work such as ramps. For Roanoke City specifically, Claytor said the organization served 58 households in the prior year and impacted approximately 90–95 individuals; the average household income for clients was stated to be about $21,000 and the organization’s average investment per project was roughly $8,000.

Why it matters: Council members and presenters framed Renovation Alliance’s work as preserving aging housing stock, preventing displacement and helping low‑income homeowners remain in safe, habitable homes — outcomes that council members said also help residents preserve home equity.

Key points and event details

- Since its founding in 1999, Renovation Alliance reported it has completed repairs on more than 1,800 homes across the Roanoke Valley.

- The nonprofit said it receives more than 300 applications annually but, with current resources, can serve about 90–100 homeowners a year; decreased federal funding and reduced donor capacity could lower that number.

- The organization asked the public to attend and support “Renovation Celebration” on Saturday, May 3. The volunteer service portion begins at 9 a.m. at Renovation Alliance’s office at 530 Eighth Street SW, followed by lunch and a community celebration with music and family activities; Mayor Cobb is scheduled to speak at the lunch.

Council members praised the organization’s work. They asked about outreach to residents without internet access and about the intake and home‑review process; Claytor said referrals commonly come from word‑of‑mouth, faith leaders, Department of Social Services and 2‑1‑1, and that program managers and construction teams perform eligibility reviews and on‑site assessments before scheduling projects.

Ending: Renovation Alliance requested community attendance, volunteers and donations to sustain service levels in the face of rising construction and operational costs.","Renovation Alliance told Roanoke City Council it served about 58 households in the city last year, invested roughly $8,000 per project on average, and has repaired more than 1,800 homes in the Roanoke Valley since 1999. Leaders warned funding pressure could reduce service capacity and invited council and the public to a May 3 \"Renovation ","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council upholds ARB denial of roof-material change at 1018 Second St. SW, 4–3

Council adopts trail maps, HUD homelessness grants and small-business funding in unanimous votes

Care Forward asks Roanoke to expand volunteer urgent‑needs platform, says small fixes avert costly services

Renovation Alliance seeks donations and volunteers as funding tightens; plans May 3 community event