Council approves amendment to NPUD at 1809 Franklin Road; planning commission previously unanimous

Roanoke City Council adopted an ordinance Dec. 15 to amend the institutional planned unit development plan for property at 1809 Franklin Road SW (tax map number 1040102), clearing a two‑phase development plan that includes a two‑story branch bank and a future commercial building.

Council opened a public hearing and heard from the applicant's representative (identified in the record as Wollwein) who said the amendment updates a rezoning adopted in 2014 and will follow South Jefferson design guidelines. He described phase one as a bank building fronting Franklin Road and said phase two is an unspecified commercial building; the design positions buildings close to the street and provides public viewing access to the river and greenway but does not create new greenway access points.

Council asked staff about the comprehensive plan designation (listed in the city plan as open space/recreation) and was told the future land‑use maps carried forward older neighborhood plan designations from before the NPUD and would be revisited with future neighborhood planning. Vice Mayor McGuire asked about floodplain and stormwater mitigation; the applicant said stormwater quantity and quality would be addressed during comprehensive review and design review processes.

After no public speakers, council called the roll and recorded unanimous approval; the planning commission previously reviewed the application and recommended approval by a 6–0 vote.