Board approves WRV rezoning to I‑1 and special-use permit for construction yard, pool and recreation

Roanoke County supervisors voted Oct. 28 to rezone roughly 25.3 acres at 3233 Catawba Valley Drive from ARS (Agricultural Residential with special use) to I‑1 (Low Intensity Industrial) and to grant a special‑use permit allowing a construction yard and related uses associated with WRV Properties LLC’s redevelopment plan.

Philip Thompson, county planning staff, said the site — a former Moose Lodge property with existing buildings, a pool and ball fields — will be redeveloped with a new 20,000-square-foot warehouse, renovated office building, expanded parking, and upgraded recreational amenities including a potential 50‑meter pool and splash pad. The proposal includes proffered concept-plan conditions that would run with the property.

Representatives for WRV Properties (Balzer & Associates) and National Pools described a phased approach intended to preserve the road-facing recreational character while locating equipment storage, materials and construction-yard activities behind gated and screened areas. Applicant representatives said the construction-yard operations would be separated and gated from customer/retail-facing areas and that existing vegetation and supplemental buffers would be used to limit visibility from Route 311.

The Roanoke Regional Chamber spoke in support, praising the proposed investment and contribution to recreational infrastructure. A supervisor moved to approve the rezoning and special-use permit, citing the proffered concept plan and minimum adverse neighborhood impacts; the motion passed unanimously on roll call.

The project will proceed to the county’s comprehensive site‑plan review, where details such as buffers, chemical storage regulations and pool fencing will be finalized and inspected under applicable building and fire‑marshal requirements.