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Roanoke council approves deed modification for Fishburn Park caretaker’s cottage amid resident objections
Summary
The Roanoke City Council voted to approve a deed modification for the former Fishburn Park caretakers cottage after hearing public concern that developers had used part of the parcel for a food truck. Council and staff said enforcement and historic‑designation processes remain underway.
Roanoke City Council on March 2 approved an ordinance modifying the special warranty deed conveying roughly 1.1 acres and improvements at the former Fishburn Park caretakers cottage at 2424 Brambleton Ave. SW.
A resident, Owen McGuire, urged the council to delay or reject the deed modification, saying developers had treated a portion of the parcel as commercial and allowed a food truck "in direct violation of their own proposal" to keep the land as recreational open space. McGuire asked the council to investigate what he described as a pattern of amendments and concessions to the developer and said, "it's time for accountability for their lack of being able to fulfill their obligations."
Council members asked staff for a response to McGuire’s allegation. City staff stated that, according to the zoning department, a food truck on the site is considered a temporary use and does not require a zoning permit. Separately, staff and the applicant reported that a nomination for the National Register of Historic Places related to the property was scheduled for review on March 19 and that the related historic‑tax‑credit process remains in progress.
Council voted to adopt the ordinance after discussion. The motion to approve the deed modification passed on a roll call with all members present voting in the affirmative.
The council and city staff emphasized that the deed modification before them concerned the performance obligations and schedule in the property agreement rather than a change in zoning rules. City staff also told the council that final tax‑credit approvals and historic designations are multi‑stage processes and that some construction work had proceeded in coordination with historic reviewers to meet contractual deadlines.
The council did not announce follow-up investigation directives at the meeting. The city clerk will file and publish the adopted ordinance and related agreement documents as required by local practice.
