Council approves Appalachian Power easement across two city parcels near Franklin Road

Roanoke City Council on Feb. 18 authorized above‑ground utility easements across two city parcels adjacent to Franklin Road to allow Appalachian Power Company to secure existing poles and guy wires for a span crossing Franklin Road.

Mark Nelson, the city’s director of economic development, explained the easement request as a narrow, routine item tied to existing utility infrastructure. The easement covers four poles in an existing right‑of‑way that spans Franklin Road and connects northward near Wylie Drive; the work includes placement of guy wires to stabilize poles serving a broader span of lines.

There were no public speakers on the easement; council approved the ordinance by unanimous roll call.

The ordinance’s title paragraph read: “An ordinance authorizing the conveyance of above ground utility easements across a city owned property bearing Roanoke official tax map numbers 1040302 and 1040401 located adjacent to Franklin Road Southwest to Appalachian Power Company upon certain terms and conditions.” Council dispensed with the second reading by title and adopted the ordinance at the meeting.

The approval allows Appalachian Power to complete the existing connection and to place necessary stabilization anchors (guy wires); any work that requires permits or impacts public right‑of‑way will proceed under standard city permitting or coordination with public works and utilities.