NRV’s 2011 Regional Bikeway, Walkway, Blueway Plan is online!

The New River Valley Planning District Commission has created a web page for the Draft 2011 Bikeway, Walkway, Blueway Plan.  Take a few minutes to visit the site: http://www.nrvpdc.org/Transportation/bwwwbw.html.

Things that you can currently do include:

1. Review the 2011 Draft Plan by chapter or as a whole
2. Review each Area’s Plan: hotlinks provided across the bottom for the Floyd Area, Giles Area, Montgomery Area, Pulaski Area, and the Radford Area.
3. Visit the Interactive Map: hotlink provided on the lower left edge; explore existing facilities and access points for different facilities in the NRV.
4. Provide comments on the materials or site
5. Revisit the 2000 Plan

Things to come include: local endorsements of the plan and helpful resources for planning and design.  This is a work-in-progress, so any feedback that you have will be very valuable to help make improvements.

The important thing to remember is that the plan is still under review by local governments (most are still receiving hard copies).  Because of this, the Hierarchical priorities may change based on additional review.  Also, the Regional section is not complete.  They are asking for input on how to define specific regional projects or criteria that could be used to support regional efforts.

VDOT Invites Comments on Land Development Regulations

VDOT is seeking public input on proposed revisions to its land use regulations.  These regulations involve, among other things, whether or not VDOT will take over maintenance of secondary street system created by developers as part of subdivisions.  In the past, VDOT regularly adopted these roads into the state system, but recent changes encouraged VDOT to do this only when the new street systems included connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods and activity centers, and discouraged them from taking on systems that included cul-de-sacs.  Here is the information from their website:

During the 2011 session, the Virginia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1462, which became Chapter 870 of the 2011 Acts of Assembly, directing the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to solicit and consider public comment in the development of revisions to the Secondary Street Acceptance Requirements (SSAR) and the Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) regulations which are implemented by VDOT.

VDOT will use multiple methods to collect public input in conjunction with this effort.  A general notice has been published in The Virginia Register of Regulations and posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall to solicit public comments related to these regulations.  VDOT will accept Town Hall comments through May 31, 2011.   The Virginia Regulatory Town Hall will also electronically send this notice to anyone who has registered to receive notices concerning transportation issues.

VDOT will also contact individuals who have submitted comments in the past regarding these land development regulations.  Anyone wishing to submit comments on these regulations may use this electronic template or mail comments to the following address by May 31, 2011:  VDOT Transportation and Mobility Planning Division, ATTN:   Land Development Regulation Comments, 1401 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA    23219

VDOT will also conduct at least one public hearing to receive input on the proposed  revisions.  This hearing will be held after the Town Hall input process and will be announced on the Town Hall site and this website.  Using this approach, VDOT and the CTB will offer two separate periods to submit feedback on these regulations.

VDOT and the CTB would like to thank people submitting comments for their time and effort to assist in the revision of these regulations.

Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission to Host Annual Open House

Roanoke, VA., June 17^th, 2010 – The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission will host its annual Open House on Wednesday, June 23rd from noon to 6:00 p.m. in its offices at 313 Luck Ave., SW in downtown Roanoke.  Citizens and officials can use this time to review and comment on various Regional Commission projects and reports.

This is an important opportunity for the public to learn more about the Commission and the role it plays in the region.  Much of the Commission’s work relies on public engagement and input, and the open house is a means of providing additional access to citizens and officials.

The Open House is free and open to the public.  Projects highlighted in this year’s Open House include the Urban and Rural Long Range Transportation Plans, the RIDE Solutions Long Range Transportation Demand Management Plan, and the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

Created in 1968 by the Virginia General Assembly, the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission serves its member governments, citizens and businesses by actively promoting inter-jurisdictional communication, cooperation, and coordination on issues affecting the region, and by providing local technical assistance. It is involved in such activities as land use/environmental planning, transportation planning, grant writing, computer mapping, storm-water management planning, and also serves as support staff to the Roanoke Valley Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.  The Regional Commission serves approximately 314,000 persons in a 2,323 square mile area in southwest Virginia.  Member governments include: the counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, Franklin, and Roanoke; the cities of Covington, Roanoke, and Salem; and the towns of Clifton Forge, Rocky Mount and Vinton.  Information concerning the Commission’s reports, projects, and current work program can be found online at www.rvarc.org

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