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Residents urge caution on Evans Springs wetlands and proposed zoning amendments; data center concerns raised
Summary
Three speakers during public comment urged council to ensure hydrology and environmental impact studies before development discussions on Evans Springs, to protect tree canopy in zoning amendments, and to consider zoning clarifications to address proposed data centers in neighboring jurisdictions.
During the public comment segment on May 18, three residents asked Roanoke City Council to pause or clarify planning work on several matters they said risk environmental or community harm.
A speaker introduced as Director Cathcart urged council to recognize that portions of Evans Springs are protected inland wetlands under state code and said hydrology reports and environmental impact analyses must be completed before any substantive development discussions or votes. Cathcart warned that failing to clarify wetlands protections could mislead developers and the public about developable acreage.
Dan Crawford, chair of the local Sierra Club chapter, urged council to consider conservation ("option 3") for roughly 150 acres under consideration, citing flood resiliency and natural-resource values. He asked council to weigh conservation as a viable path that would serve property owners, the community and nature.
Catherine Haddam (a Roanoke City Schools graduate with an address in Botetourt County) told council that rapid movement on data-center projects in neighboring jurisdictions had alarmed surrounding communities and urged Roanoke to consider zoning edits and best-practice protections (schools, wetlands, water resources) to prevent negative impacts.
Staff response and next steps: the hearing chair thanked speakers and noted that all citizen comments would be referred to the city manager for response, recommendation, or report back, and staff reiterated that public comment items are routinely forwarded for staff review and potential follow-up.
