Welcome to Roanoke Valley Field Notes, a collection of news and miscellaneous notes from the past week in the valley and a look ahead at what’s happening next week. Here’s my last edition, if you missed it.
There’s an update this week on the Botetourt County data center project.
As always, email me at samantha@cardinalnews.org to share your thoughts, ideas, questions and concerns.
Google to begin grading for data center campus at Greenfield
Google received a permit to begin grading for its planned data center campus in Botetourt County, according to a press release.
Google announced in March that it planned to break ground sometime within the coming months on its project at the Greenfield Industrial Center in Botetourt County. More information on that project can be found in previous coverage here.
Contractors said that they will start grading after Labor Day, County Administrator Gary Larrowe told Cardinal News on Wednesday.
The company still requires federal and state environmental permits, which will continue to be reviewed by other agencies.
According to a Virginia Department of Environmental Quality webpage, the Virginia Water Protection permit application and the Minor New Source Review Permit applications are under review by the department.
The county release states that the project will not result in disturbances to local wetlands but that temporary access bridges over wetlands may be used during construction.
The required permit for grading required appropriate erosion and sediment control and stormwater management measures to manage runoff and the spread of sediment out of the construction site, the release said.
Blasting may be used during site preparation, with plans that are reviewed by the Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office. The release did not state how often blasting might occur.
The county Sheriff’s Office will remain responsible for enforcing the local noise ordinance, which prohibits construction and excessive noise between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. That ordinance also prohibits “clearly audible noise” at 50 feet from the property line after construction is complete, the release states. It also notes that Google has “committed to” on-site sound monitoring during construction and the operation of the data centers.
The Southwest Virginia Data Center Transparency Alliance, which has been outspoken against the data center campus, “condemned” the grading permit in a press release, stating that Google is “months overdue” in completing its application for the Virginia Stream Protection permit and that there has been no update on a joint permit application from the Army Corps of Engineers.
The Norfolk District Army Corps of Engineers joint permit application process is used for projects involving water, wetlands and projects involving water supply and water withdrawals. The Corps issued a public notice on March 10 soliciting comments on the project. That comment period ended in April, and there are no updates posted on either the Corps site or the Department of Environmental Quality site as of Wednesday.
Updates and available materials can also be found on the county’s webpage for the project.
Bikes to be distributed through Salem program
The faith-based nonprofit Salem Area Ministries announced last week the launch of an initiative to provide bicycles, safety equipment and safety education to elementary-age students in the city.
The effort is focused on those who may not otherwise have access to a bicycle, according to the organization.
Partnering with the Salem Lions Club, the initiative plans to offer 125 new bicycles with sets of bicycle safety equipment throughout the city’s elementary schools.
Other partners include the Salem Police and Sheriff’s Office, Salem Parks and Recreation and the Roanoke College Cycling Club — to provide traffic safety education to any participating students.
Students will own the bikes that are distributed to them, according to the release.
“The Salem Lions Club Wheels of Hope is about much more than providing a child with a new bicycle and helmet — it’s about creating opportunities for independence, confidence, physical activity, and the simple joy that comes with riding a bike,” Garry Lautenschlager, Salem Area Ministries administrator, said in the release. “Every bicycle represents an investment in a child and a reminder that our community believes in them, supports them, and wants them to succeed.”
Upcoming meetings:
On Tuesday, the Roanoke City Council will meet at 9 a.m. for a joint meeting with the Roanoke City School Board. The council also has a 2 p.m. session on Tuesday. The full agenda for Tuesday’s meetings can be found here. Roanoke City Council meetings are livestreamed via YouTube.
On Tuesday evening, the Roanoke City Public School Board will have a scheduled regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. The agenda for that meeting can be found here. School board meetings are livestreamed via YouTube.
