them are SPO Field Training Officer Christopher Hayth.
By Meg Hibbert, Contributing writer
An application for another smoke shop, this one at 123 Electric Road across the street from Lakeside Shopping Center, was turned down by Salem City Council in a 3-2 split vote July 14. Salem City Planning Commission had recommended denial, as city staff did because of the number of existing smoke shops already in Salem.
Councilman Randy Foley made the motion to deny, saying “I do not believe this is the highest and best use for this property.” The location was formerly a hot tub sales showroom, which relocated.
Property owner Steve Hartman of R & S Investments spoke on behalf of the special exception request, as did prospective manager Amanda Akers of Vinton. Hartman said business owner Antoun Nasser of Vinton has Huff and Puff smoke and vape shops in Vinton, Lynchburg, Roanoke and Daleville near Lord Botetourt High School.
Hartman said he believed the tobacco shop would be a good fit. “These are good people, very trustworthy.” Akers told Council “Not all tobacco shops are the same. I want to carry locally made products, such as hand-blown glass pipes, local honey and high-end coffee. We would not be open late or allow loitering,” she added.
Salem resident Stella Reinhard spoke against the application, saying there are already other vape shops in that area.
Council also passed a resolution to establish a Stormwater Advisory Committee.
During the Citizen Comment portion of the meeting, John Breen, Reinhard, Barbara Bell and Dr. Sam Williams spoke. Breen said there should be studies on economic impact for development of housing on 20 acres or more. “Let’s not repeat the past,” Breen said.
Reinhard said the city needs a cohesive vision in its planning. “I am for revisioning the blighted areas of Salem…bu they need to be in the right places.”
Barbara Bell who formerly lived on North Broad Street and with other citizens helped make North Broad a Historic District, expressed concern over city property where two vacant houses were demolished at the corner of East Main Street and Thompson Memorial Drive. “We appreciate the city is turning – at least for awhile the lots into greenspace,” said Bell, who now lives behind the area on East Burwell Street.
“We know the city is going to want to sell the land to a company that will bring in the most revenue,” she said. “Whatever you put on that corner will be the first view of Salem for people coming off I-81.”
Also during the Citizen Comment period, Dr. Sam Williams of Red Lane across from HopeTree Family Services where planned unit development has been approved told Council housing density should be on more level land adjacent to a major highway.
Four Councilmembers were physically present, with Vice Mayor AnneMarie Green participating remotely because she is out of town.
The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.