The amended HopeTree Family Services rezoning must be read and voted on twice by the Salem City Council before being approved or rejected. The first reading will take place on Monday.

On November 13, the planning commission recommended approval by a 4-1 vote after a joint public hearing with the council. Twenty-nine residents spoke on the issue, with the majority opposing the rezoning.

HopeTree resubmitted its zoning application, which is essentially similar to the first, in August after filing litigation in response to earlier council action on the property. On June 24, the Salem City Council approved a rezoning from single-family residential to planned unit development – ​​allowing construction of up to 28 additional commercial uses on 62 acres of HopeTree land. HopeTree is seeking to retain approximately 22 acres of that land and sell the remainder.

Five plaintiffs sued the city over this rezoning, primarily due to the improper procedure followed in approving the rezoning.

Also on the agenda…fundraisers for the council and the mayor

The council will also hold a public hearing and consider increasing the annual salaries of the mayor and council beginning July 1, 2027.

Current salaries are based on limits established by the General Assembly in 1996 at $13,000 per year for the mayor and $12,000 for council members.

Under new legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2023, maximum salaries were increased to $24,000 for the mayor and $22,000 for council members.

THE The Roanoke City Council passed similar legislation in July, vote to increase salaries by $5,000 per year starting July 1, 2025, until they reach the maximum allowable salary.

The council is also considering amending the city code to adopt additional sections relating to structural maintenance, spot blight control and vacant building registration.

City documents indicate this code amendment stems from a set of goals the council set at its 2023 retreat. “The following three proposed code additions are intended to improve neighborhood vitality, combat property blight and ensure the maintenance of occupied and vacant properties within the community,” the agenda documentation states.

The full agenda is available here. A citizen comment period will be held at the start of the meeting to discuss items that are not the subject of a separate public hearing. Those who wish to speak can register here.

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