Meg Hibbert
Contributing writer
Members of the Salem High School Boys Lacrosse Team and their coaches were honored Monday night by Salem City Council for winning the State Championship.
The resolution passed by Council noted “The state title victory over Loudoun County culminated an incredible two-year run for the program that saw the Spartans post a 17-3 record this season after going a stout 17-1 in 2024.”
Salem High junior Drew Perez was also honored in absentia for winning the Virginia High School League Class 4 Tennis Singles State Championship. He also had a perfect singles season at SHS.
In other actions, after a second reading Salem City Council voted 4-1 with Vice Mayor AnneMarie Green voting no to approve rezoning from industrial to Residential Multifamily that would allow construction of 171 townhomes on Newman Drive in the Forest Lawn neighborhood.
The 40 green acres where Wheeler Broadcasting AM radio towers are located are off Kessler Mill Road near East Main Street.
Real estate developer Alexander Boone of ABoone Real Estate answered questions from Councilmembers about Ryan Homes that will build the townhomes.
“I have built with Ryan Homes for 25 years and have absolutely no problem with them,” said Boone. “They have built 25,000 houses…700 to 800 in the Charlottesville area the last several years.”
To allay fears about construction oversight from a firm not located in the Salem area, Boone said one of the managers is moving to Roanoke. He added that Ryan Homes has offered to have a community meeting for Forest Lawn neighbors.
Neighbors are opposed to and spoke out at the Aug. 11 Council meeting because of the high density housing, traffic and automobile danger to people walking on narrow Newman Drive, increased runoff, possible destruction of large trees along the creek and other aspects of the proposed change.
Mayor Renee Turk asked Boone about what appear to be three-story buildings in some parts instead of two-story. Boone said that is only in some cases from the rear grade.
Neighbors spoke previously and during the Citizen Comment period about their concerns the offered Conservation Easement along the creek is not part of the development plan.
“We cannot impose that until the application is approved and we do the development plan,” explained Boone, who said the easement would be turned over to the future homeowners association once the plan is approved.
“It would be the HOA’s obligation to maintain proposed trails in the conservation area, and stormwater management,” Boone added.
In other actions, Council:
* Approved on second reading the request of Brad Graham Real Estate to rezone property at 638 Dalewood Ave. from Agricultural to Residential Family;
* Authorized City Manager Chris Dorsey to execute a Virginia Commonwealth’s Development Opportunity Fund performance agreement between Integer Holdings’ parent company Lake Region Medical, the city and the Commonwealth of Virginia Economic Development Partnership, and Salem’s Economic Development Authority.
Salem’s Economic Development Director Tommy Miller explained the agreement gives incentives for Integer to stay in Salem, where it is located on Yorkshire off Apperson Drive and is building a new facility on Electric Road near the former GE plant.
“Once Integer starts production, there will be new revenue back to the city and Integer will repay,” Miller said. Integer manufactures components for medical devices such as stents and pacemakers.
Council also:
* Adopted performance agreements authorizing the city manager to finalize between the city and its EDA and Novozymes Biologicals, and also one with QualiChem, the city and EDA.
“Novozymes is a global company,” said Miller, “and is expanding and staying local.” The company produces biological products derived from enzymes.
QualiChem which is also staying local and expanding, Miller noted. QualiChem has acquired the former Chubb insurance building near the Salem Civic Center and is expanding there. QualiChem has a production facility on Salem Industrial Drive. The company produces metalworking fluids.
Council went into a closed session at 7:36 to consider acquisition or disposal of real property, and also to consult with legal counsel on actual or probable litigation.
The mayor said no action was expected after returning to open session.
