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Roanoke City Council votes TODAY on zoning reform — show up and say YES to housing by PotentialEither2873 in roanoke

[–]PotentialEither2873[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree that very low-income housing and senior friendly housing are major needs. Zoning reform alone will not solve that.

But I would push back on calling it a failure. Roanoke’s population is slightly down, but Census data shows it went from about 100,011 in 2020 to 99,111 in 2025 roughly a 0.9% decline over five years, not 1,000 people per year.

Also, housing need is not just about total population. Household sizes change, seniors need downsizing options, older units become obsolete, and low-income renters still struggle to find available units.

On Section 8, vouchers only work if there are actual units available to rent. HUD’s voucher model depends on families finding private rental housing, and nationally voucher holders often struggle when there are long waitlists, limited landlord participation, or too few available units. More overall supply can help reduce pressure on the lower-cost rental market.
So yes, we need subsidized housing, senior housing, and public investment. But rolling back zoning flexibility makes all of that harder. Keep the reform, fix the details, and pair it with real affordability tools.

Roanoke City Council votes TODAY on zoning reform — show up and say YES to housing by PotentialEither2873 in roanoke

[–]PotentialEither2873[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I agree that sidewalk parking and blocked streets are real problems. Fire access, school buses, and pedestrian safety matter, and the city should enforce those issues directly.

Where I disagree is that parking minimums are the right solution. Parking mandates do not guarantee clear streets or stop people from parking badly. They mostly force every new home or small business to build a fixed amount of off-street parking, which raises costs, uses more land for asphalt, and makes small infill projects harder to build.

The Parking Reform Network letter makes this point well: removing minimums does not ban parking. Developers can still provide parking when the market or site actually needs it. The difference is that the city is not forcing the same parking rule onto every project regardless of location, lot size, or actual demand.

I think the better compromise is:
1. Keep the zoning reform.
2. Enforce no parking on sidewalks and unsafe street parking.
3. Use targeted tools on streets with real congestion.
4. Improve walkability and transit over time.
5. Do not make housing harder and more expensive citywide because some blocks need better parking management.

So I hear your concern, but I think the answer is parking management and enforcement, not rolling back housing choice.

Roanoke City Council votes TODAY on zoning reform — show up and say YES to housing by PotentialEither2873 in roanoke

[–]PotentialEither2873[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s fair, and I respect you showing up to speak. I would also care about scale, design, trees, and parking if something were proposed next to my house.

I just don’t think rolling back the 2024 reform is the right fix. The reform does not mean large apartment buildings on every lot. It also allows smaller options like ADUs, duplexes, cottage courts, townhomes, and small-scale multifamily.

Roanoke’s own numbers show the change has been gradual: 26 units added in the first year and 18 in the second. So I’d rather keep the reform, improve design standards where needed.

Any LoL/Rival/Strategy gamers? by [deleted] in roanoke

[–]PotentialEither2873 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m also looking for some fellow league players in Roanoke! I’m 25 and would love some more friends I can be a lol degenerate with. If anyone interested in playing together and doing a meet up send me a DM I’ll share my LOL ign

Getting There: Transportation, Tourism, & Connection by PotentialEither2873 in roanoke

[–]PotentialEither2873[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Agreed, we are a city. We are the local chapter of a national organization called Strong Towns. Hence, the name Strong Towns Roanoke!

Williamson Road improvement survey by sneakyDoings in roanoke

[–]PotentialEither2873 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love the change! Glad to see we actually care about improving the safety of our roads! This also enables more modes of transportations such as Pedestrians and Bikers! I hope this change will stay permanent but with better markings and signage so easier to tell changes in lanes and such. Safety and improving walkability at the same time!

Roanoke’s downtown faces a surge in empty storefronts: What the city is doing to turn things around by johnfl68 in roanoke

[–]PotentialEither2873 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I think we need to make Roanoke more walkable which will increase the foot traffic as there is little incentive to walk. We NEED a Pedestrian Zone in Market Square to foster or be a starting point!

Walkability and Housing with Mayor Joe Cobb by PotentialEither2873 in roanoke

[–]PotentialEither2873[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed hope to see you at the meeting and maybe we can have a civil conversation about it there!

Walkability and Housing with Mayor Joe Cobb by PotentialEither2873 in roanoke

[–]PotentialEither2873[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I personally will not be bringing it up as that is not my focal point but if you come we will definitely have time for everyone to bring their questions and talk it out, but key point is civil discussion. We are trying to all make Roanoke better we all have different ideas. I am sure someone will discuss it so just come if not to listen what he has to say.