Salem city public meetings in 2024

City Council

The Salem City Council will take a second reading of an ordinance to increase the annual salaries of the Mayor and Council members, effective July 1, 2027. It will also review second‑reading amendments to the zoning code for storage containers, to historic building regulations, and a rezoning request for property on Red Lane and Mount Vernon Lane. Several appropriations of grant and local funds for marketing, victim‑witness services, capital projects, downtown improvement, and opioid abatement will be considered, along with a presentation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

• Second reading of Council Salary Ordinance to raise Mayor and Council salaries effective July 1, 2027
• Second reading amendment to Chapter 106 Zoning (Article IV, section 106-406) concerning storage containers
• Second reading amendment to Chapter 18 Buildings adding sections 18-701 through 18-805 for historic structures, spot blight abatement, and vacant building registration
• Second reading rezoning of 1000 block Red Lane and part of 860 Mount Vernon Lane from RSF Residential Single Family to PUD Planned Unit District for Hopetree Family Services
• Appropriation requests for Microbusiness Marketing Leverage Program grant, Victim Witness grant, capital project funding, Downtown Improvement Reserve, and Opioid Abatement Authority grant

The Salem City Council approved the HopeTree Family Services rezoning on second reading, converting properties on Red Lane and Mount Vernon Lane from RSF to PUD with proffered conditions, despite public opposition and a 3-2 vote. The council also adopted ordinances on council salaries, storage container regulations, and building maintenance, and approved multiple fund appropriations including a $712,500 capital projects package and a $45,000 opioid abatement planning grant.

• Approved HopeTree rezoning to PUD (3-2)
• Adopted council salary ordinance effective July 1, 2027 (3-2)
• Adopted storage container zoning amendment (5-0)
• Adopted building maintenance and vacant building registration ordinance (5-0)
• Appropriated $712,500 for storm water projects (5-0)
• Appropriated $250,000 for Downtown Improvement Reserve (5-0)
• Appropriated $45,000 opioid abatement planning grant with $5,000 match (5-0)
• Appointed members to boards and commissions (5-0)

Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals will hold public hearings regarding two property disputes. The board will consider a request for a side-yard pool and an appeal of a zoning violation citation.

• Variance request for an inground pool in the side yard at 621 North Broad Street
• Appeal of a Zoning Administrator decision regarding construction standards at 1374 Texas Street

The Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance for a property owner to construct an inground pool in a side yard at 621 North Broad Street. Additionally, the Board granted an appeal regarding a zoning violation notice at 1374 Texas Street, overturning the Zoning Administrator's determination that the site constituted new development.

• Approved variance for pool construction at 621 North Broad Street (5-0)
• Granted appeal of zoning violation at 1374 Texas Street (5-0)

City Council

The Salem City Council will hold a public hearing and first reading of an ordinance to raise and set the annual salaries of the Mayor and Council effective July 1, 2027. It will also consider several code amendments, including changes to storage container regulations and historic building maintenance provisions. Additional items include a rezoning request for properties on Red Lane and Mount Vernon Lane, a special exception permit for an accessory apartment at 621 North Broad Street, and a resolution adopting the 2025 legislative package.

• Council Salary Ordinance – first reading to increase mayor and council salaries (effective July 1, 2027)
• Amendment to City Code Chapter 106 – revise storage container provisions
• Amendment to City Code Chapter 18 – add sections on historic structures, blight abatement, vacant building registration
• Rezoning request for 1000 block Red Lane and portion of 860 Mount Vernon Lane from RSF to PUD
• Special Exception Permit for accessory apartment at 621 North Broad Street

The Salem City Council approved on first reading an ordinance amending Chapter 106, Zoning, to regulate storage containers, with a unanimous vote. The council also approved first readings for a historic structures maintenance ordinance and a rezoning for HopeTree Family Services, and approved a special exception permit for an accessory apartment. A motion to table the HopeTree rezoning failed, and a motion to extend public comment periods was rejected.

• Approved first reading of storage container zoning amendment (5-0)
• Approved first reading of Chapter 18 historic structures maintenance ordinance (5-0)
• Approved rezoning of HopeTree properties to PUD (3-2)
• Approved special exception permit for accessory apartment at 621 North Broad Street (5-0)
• Adopted Resolution 1489 for 2025 legislative program (5-0)
• Rejected motion to extend public comment period (2-3)
• Rejected motion to table HopeTree rezoning (2-3)
• Accepted minutes and financial reports

City Council

The City Council and Planning Commission are holding joint public hearings to consider two land-use requests. The body will review a special exception permit for an accessory apartment and a rezoning request for a Planned Unit District.

• Special Exception Permit for an accessory apartment at 621 North Broad Street
• Rezoning request for 1000 block Red Lane and portion of 860 Mount Vernon Lane from RSF to PUD

Salem City Council and the Planning Commission held a joint public hearing on November 13, 2024 (minutes also reference November 12) covering two items: a special exception permit for an accessory apartment at 621 North Broad Street, and a HopeTree Family Services rezoning request for Red Lane and Mount Vernon Lane. Residents spoke both for and against both items. The minutes record no vote or decision by Council or the Commission on either request; the meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m.

• Held joint public hearing on special exception permit for accessory apartment at 621 North Broad Street (no vote recorded)
• Held joint public hearing on HopeTree rezoning of Red Lane/Mount Vernon Lane properties from RSF to PUD (no vote recorded)
• Adjourned City Council meeting at 8:54 p.m.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will hold joint public hearings with City Council regarding a rezoning request and a special exception permit. The body will also consider a subdivision plat for Simms Farm Section 3 and an amendment to the city code regarding storage containers.

• Rezoning request for 1000 block Red Lane and 860 Mount Vernon Lane from RSF to PUD
• Special Exception Permit for an accessory apartment at 621 North Broad Street
• Preliminary and final approval of subdivision plat for 8.4 acre Simms Farm Section 3
• Amendment to City Code Chapter 106 regarding storage containers
• Proposed cancelation of the December 11, 2024, meeting

The Salem Planning Commission held a joint public hearing with the City Council and approved a special exception permit for an accessory apartment at 621 North Broad Street and rezoned the HopeTree properties from single-family residential to a planned unit district. The commission also approved the Simms Farm Section 3 subdivision plat, amended the city code regarding storage containers, and voted to cancel the December 11, 2024 meeting.

• Approved special exception permit for accessory apartment at 621 North Broad Street (5-0)
• Approved rezoning for HopeTree properties from RSF to PUD with proffers (4-1)
• Approved preliminary and final subdivision plat for Simms Farm Section 3 (5-0)
• Approved cancellation of the December 11, 2024 Planning Commission meeting (5-0)
• Approved zoning ordinance amendment pertaining to storage containers (5-0)

City Council

The City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the issuance of general obligation public improvement bonds. The body will also consider resolutions for energy contracts, battery storage services, and school fund budget amendments.

• Public hearing on general obligation public improvement bonds series 2024 not to exceed $3,700,000
• Resolution 1486 for fixed load shape energy product contracts (June 1, 2026 – December 31, 2028)
• Resolution 1487 for Battery Energy Storage Services (BESS) agreement with Delorean Power, LLC dba Lightshift Energy
• Budget amendments for School Operating, Cafeteria, Grants, Capital Projects, and Reserve Funds
• Erosion and sediment control bond for new metal building at 744 Electric Road

The Salem City Council adopted resolutions to execute energy contracts and a battery energy storage services agreement, and approved an ordinance for general obligation public improvement bonds not to exceed $3.7 million for water and wastewater improvements. Council also delegated the approval of site plan performance bonds to the Community Development Department as an administrative function, approved school budget appropriations, and made multiple board and commission appointments.

• Accepted previous meeting minutes with modifications (5-0)
• Adopted Resolution 1486 authorizing EEI Master Service Agreements and a single Confirmation Agreement with the least-cost energy supplier for June 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028 (5-0)
• Adopted Resolution 1487 authorizing a Battery Energy Storage Services agreement with Delorean Power, LLC dba Lightshift Energy (5-0)
• Adopted Resolution 1488 delegating site or subdivision plan performance bond approvals to Community Development (5-0)
• Adopted an ordinance authorizing general obligation public improvement bonds not to exceed $3,700,000 for water and wastewater system capital improvements (5-0)
• Adopted Resolution 1485 authorizing the issuance, sale, and award of Series 2024 General Obligation Public Improvement Bonds (5-0)
• Approved School Board appropriation changes of $2,299,994 (Operating), $178,143 (Cafeteria), and $333,512 (Grants) (5-0)
• Approved School Board appropriation changes totaling $1,887,777 from unallocated capital reserves and the six-year CIP document (5-0)

City Council

The Salem City Council will meet in a special session on November 6, 2024 at 4:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The council will hold a closed session, per Virginia Code §2.2‑3711 A(1), to discuss a personnel matter concerning School Board appointments and to interview candidates.

• Closed session to discuss personnel matter regarding School Board appointment interviews

The Salem City Council convened a special meeting to interview candidates for two School Board positions expiring on December 31, 2024. Council held a closed session for the interviews and certified the session before adjourning. No final appointments or substantive policy decisions were made during the meeting.

• Convened a closed session to interview School Board candidates (5-0)
• Reconvened from closed session and certified discussion compliance (5-0)
• Adjourned the special meeting at 5:00 PM

Board of Building Appeals

The Board of Building Appeals will hold a public hearing to assess whether the accessory structure at 311 7th Street (Tax Map #185-2-4.1) is dangerous to city inhabitants. The board will consider ordering the structure to be brought into compliance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code or ordering its demolition. The meeting also includes routine items such as officer elections and approval of minutes.

• Public hearing to determine safety of accessory structure at 311 7th Street and possible compliance order or demolition