Roanoke City Council votes on zoning changes for vape shops, housing, and data centers
The Roanoke City Council approved new zoning changes for data centers, permitting them by special exception in IPUD and allowing data processing facilities in both INPUD and IPUD zones. These changes were part of a larger meeting that also addressed zoning for vape shops and housing density.
The Roanoke City Council convened on Monday, July 6, to cast votes on significant zoning amendments concerning vape and tobacco shops, housing density, and data centers. City Manager Valmarie Turner highlighted the planning department's current capacity issues, which influenced a 4-3 vote to return housing zoning amendments for further review.
In a unanimous decision, the council enacted restrictions on new vape and tobacco establishments, prohibiting them from opening within 2,000 feet of schools, religious institutions, childcare centers, public parks, or existing similar businesses.
Crucially for development, the council approved the proposed data center zoning changes. These amendments will now require data center projects to obtain a special exception permit within Industrial Performance Use Districts (IPUD) and permit data processing facilities in both Industrial Performance Use Districts (IPUD) and Industrial Planned Unit Development (INPUD) zones.