A new coffee shop could be in the works for the Old Southwest neighborhood. The Roanoke Planning Commission will consider a required rezoning during their public hearing Tuesday.
The amended application requests a change from Residential Mixed Density zoning to Mixed Use Planned Unit Development zoning, which would allow for more development options on the vacant property at 716 Marshall Ave.
According to the application, this building once housed commercial businesses but the original mixed-use zoning was void after the building was vacant for a number of years. This resulted in the building reverting to the zoning of the area surrounding it — RM1.
Matt Prescott, the developer and applicant for owner Ram Katar LLC, is looking to turn it into a coffee shop.
Since the building was already a commercial space once, its new uses would not be out of context, according to the applicant.
The application points out numerous small commercial buildings in Old Southwest and other neighborhoods in this quadrant of the city, including:
- 551 Marshall Ave. S.W.: Food Fanatics Kitchen
- 1212 Fourth St. S.W.: Evie’s Bistro and Bakery
- 502 Mountain Ave. S.W.: Sunnyside Market
- 1510 Fifth St. S.W.: Store that’s not open at this time
- 604 Fifth St. S.W.: Da Durty Turkey restaurant
Parking will be available on Eighth Street adjacent to the building and on Eighth Street in front of the building, and on adjoining streets around the block.
Prescott cited themes from the OSW Neighborhood Plan that apply to his development plan: healthy community, responsible regionalism and resilient economy.
The staff recommends approval: “The Amended Application No. 1 is consistent with the general principles within the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Old Southwest Neighborhood Plan, and the Zoning Ordinance as the subject property will be developed and used in a manner reflective of its historic past and appropriate to the surrounding area.”
Those looking to address the planning commission on Tuesday must sign up with the secretary to the Planning Commission by emailing planning@roanokeva.gov or by calling 540-853-1730. The meeting is 1:30 p.m. at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, City Council Chamber, Fourth Floor, Room 450.
The agenda package for this meeting is posted on the planning commission’s website.
