By Debbie Adams
Vinton Town Council adopted an ordinance at their meeting on July 16 approving the petition of
The Advancement Foundation (TAF) for a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a proposed marketplace
to be located at 301 South Pollard Street.
The Planning Commission held its public hearing on the SUP on July 1 and voted unanimously
to approve the petition, followed by a public hearing at the council meeting on this week.
Two conditions were imposed with the adoption of the ordinance: the vendor market shall only
be permitted in the footprint of the structure currently designated as Suite A and all activities will
occur within the enclosed structure and designated footprint, not precluding the outdoor display
of goods or merchandise immediately adjacent to the building and shall not impede the sidewalk
or ADA accessibility.
Historically, the commercial building space has been used for various retail businesses. In 2020,
it was the location of a business incubator establishment (the Innovation Mill), which also
housed a retail establishment which sold hemp products (the Hemp Mill). Currently, the space
contains a retail establishment (The Farm Shoppe), which will be the same operator of The Farm
Shoppe—A Marketplace of Virginia Entrepreneurs.
Brandon Hall opened The Farm Shoppe in a 422 sq. ft. cottage on the hillside behind the Vinton
Farmers’ Market in Dec. 2023 and has been quite successful in that location.
He and property owner Annette Patterson of TAF told council their plans are to develop the
property on Pollard into an entrepreneurial space which will encourage new businesses in
Vinton.
“In our new Marketplace, we seek to create both a central shopping destination for a large
market of consumers, along with a true retail incubator for entrepreneurs to come together and
grow their business right here within our community,” said Hall. “We are anticipating over 20
businesses to be showcased and branded throughout the Marketplace in their own booths and
spaces.” Hall is planning five 8 x 10 booths, seven 6 x 8 booths, and eight 4 x 4 booths.
The hope is that the business incubator will streamline the path for new businesses opening their
own stores in Vinton over time. Mayor Brad Grose said that he hopes some of the new
businesses will participate in TAF’s acclaimed Gauntlet Business Program and Competition,
established by Patterson.
Booths and spaces across the Marketplace may include, but may not be limited to, home decor,
candles, general store items, local and amish pantry goods, self-care, kids’ items, apparel, gifts,
artwork, handmades, food/beverage items, promotional/logo items, and more.
Hours of operation will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mon., Tues, Thurs., Friday, and Saturday.
They will be closed on Wednesdays and Sundays. The shop is located across the street from the
Vinton Library.
Several Roanoke and Vinton-area citizens once again addressed council during the citizens’
comments and petitions portion of the town meeting, expressing their opposition to a reported
abortion clinic opening in Vinton.
Town Council adopted an ordinance approving several proposed amendments to the Vinton
Zoning Ordinance after a briefing by Assistant Director of Planning and Zoning Nathan
McClung.
Council members also adopted a resolution authorizing the Town Manager to file an application
for the allocation of VDOT SMART SCALE funds for a roundabout project at Washington Ave.
and Bypass Road. This grant application is for the conversion of the intersection of Washington
Avenue and Bypass Road from a signalized intersection to a two- lane roundabout with
additional pedestrian accommodations in the immediate area. A redesign of the signalized
intersection was identified and recommended as an improvement project in the Route 24
Bike/Ped Plan adopted as an amendment to the Town of Vinton Comprehensive Plan in Nov.
2022.
VDOT is currently accepting applications for SMART SCALE grant funding, with applications
for the grant due by Aug. 1, 2024. If the town is awarded the grant, construction would not begin
until 2030-2031.
Deputy Town Manager Cody Sexton briefed council on various public works projects:
- Sign replacement continues throughout the town; the Midway community is complete;
the Bali Hai area will be next. - The Mountain View Road Full Depth Reclamation project is substantially done. Paving is
complete, awaiting striping by the contractor. The speed limit is 25 MILES PER HOUR. - Niagara Road is open again. The town is monitoring the settling of the roadway in the
section near Rosie’s and Long John Silver’s, and it will be paved soon. The storm drain at
Niagara and Wyndham has been repaired and that section of roadway is now open. - The Bali Hai neighborhood will be first up on the Fall Paving Schedule. West Lee and
South Pollard are also on the list because the addition of several new businesses in the
downtown area has resulted in many cuts to the roadway. - A citizen’s request to make Lynn Haven Circle a one-way street has been denied after
review.
Town Manager Pete Peters briefed council on two potential projects: improvements downtown
involving a West Lee Avenue Plaza and public alley improvements suggested by a citizen; and fulfilling the town’s desire to find the “highest best use” of the property on Walnut Avenue
which was previously Steve’s Garage.
Council convened in closed session, then returned to Chambers and unanimously adopted a
resolution proposed by Councilman Keith Liles, and seconded by Councilwoman Laurie
Mullins, on the advice of town attorney Jeremy Carroll, concerning modifying zoning ordinances
for medical and dental facilities in the Town of Vinton.
Summit Medical Center of Roanoke, LLC, known for providing abortion services, has applied
for a zoning permit on 3rd Street. Offices and medical clinics are permitted as a “matter of right”
in that zoning district.
Liles’ motion states, “For the public necessity, convenience, general welfare, and good zoning
practice, I move that Vinton Town Council adopt a resolution to initiate the process with town
staff and the Vinton Planning Commission to modify the requirements for approvals for medical
and dental facilities under the town’s zoning ordinance.”
Given the recent United States Supreme Court ruling, abortion is an issue of state law and is
currently legal in the state of Virginia. While town council is unable, without incumbering the
significant cost of potential litigation for taxpayers, to prohibit Summit from opening, changes in
the zoning ordinances may prevent additional purported abortion clinics from locating within the
town.
