Developer, School Board Discuss Sale of Two Small Parcels at Cave Spring Middle School Corner
Summary
A commercial broker asked the Roanoke County School Board to consider selling two small lots on the Brambleton–Ranchcrest corner near Cave Spring Middle School. Board members voiced interest in exploring an offer, emphasizing buffers, traffic safety and the necessary public approvals; no sale or vote occurred.
David Andrews, a commercial broker representing a local property owner, briefed the Roanoke County School Board on June 5 about the owner’s interest in buying two small school-owned parcels that sit at the hard corner of Brambleton and Ranchcrest near Cave Spring Middle School.
Andrews said the two parcels total about 1.39 acres and described the current zoning (C-1, low-intensity commercial), examples of by-right uses and scenarios for development, from a freestanding restaurant to a convenience-store footprint. "It's a 1.39 acres and hard corner here, Brambleton and Ranch Crest," Andrews said as he showed concept sketches and setbacks provided by county planning.
The board and staff discussed the constraints and next steps. Board members stressed protection of the school campus: adding a heavy landscape buffer where the school parking lot abuts the corner; addressing traffic and bus safety with VDOT; and keeping in mind that any high-intensity use such as a drive-through would require additional approvals. Superintendent Dr. Nisely (presenting the item) and Todd Cagle (operations) confirmed that any sale would require an appraisal and that the property sale process would involve the board of supervisors and public hearings.
Andrews said the prospective buyer, Richard Bishop, intends to purchase both parcels and indicated the owner would be willing to pay for an appraisal to begin the valuation process. "That's our first priority — to buy the sites," Andrews said. Board members noted that the county’s C-1 zoning would allow several by-right uses regardless of whether the school sells the lots, but that a sale would permit different site grading and more intensive development options if the owner pursues special permits down the line.
No vote or final decision was taken. Board members signaled they were willing to receive a letter of intent and an appraisal and to continue the discussion at a future meeting. Staff said they would return information on the formal sale process, appraisal requirements and any recommended conditions — for example, a covenant or contract provision requiring a buffer or other protections for the school campus.
Board members and the developer also discussed practical next steps and timeline: the owner can commission an appraisal, the board will follow the county’s disposal and public-notice process, and any proposed special-use permit or rezoning would be subject to public hearings before the county planning commission and board of supervisors. That public-review process, not the school board, would decide specific uses such as drive-through operations.
The conversation ended with agreement to continue exploration: the board will accept an offer or letter of intent to begin the appraisal and valuation work, and staff will report back with formal process steps and recommended conditions if the board chooses to proceed.
