Shawsville Village PlanShawsville
Village Plan
Montgomery
County,
2025
Adopted: 11 June 2007
Montgomery County 2025: Shawsville Village Plan Adopted 11 June 2007 330
Introduction
The purpose of the village plans is to guide
development in each of the villages, while
maintaining each villages distinct identity. The
village planning process provides citizens in
each of the seven villages (six plans) with a say
in how their respective villages develop over
the next twenty years. This additional input is
important because of the County’s focused
growth approach, which will focus 80% of the
County’s growth between now and 2025 into
the villages, village expansion areas, residential
transition areas, and the urban expansion areas.
Under the guidelines established in
Montgomery County, 2025, villages are defined
as “ larger rural communities where limited
mixed-use development activity has historically
occurred and public utilities are available;...are
separate and distinct from each other and from
nearby towns;... and have served as and will
continue to serve as focal points for surrounding
rural areas.” The village expansion area, on the
other hand, is defined as the areas “adjacent to
existing villages where appropriate new
development can be accommodated while
retaining the viability and character of the
historic village core. It is assumed that the
villages and village expansion areas are either
currently served by public water and sewer and
other public facilities (schools, parks, or fire
and rescue stations) or where public water and
sewer is likely to be provided in the future.
Planning Process and Community Input
Results
The Shawsville Village Plan was developed
through the combined efforts of citizens, Virginia
Tech students and faculty, and staff from the
Montgomery County Department of Planning
and GIS Services.
The public input process for the Shawsville
Village Plan can be divided into three phases:
a door-to-door household survey, two community
visioning sessions, and finally, review by the
Montgomery County Planning Commission and
the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors
and adoption.
Household survey
On January 27, 2007, undergraduate students
from the Virginia Tech Department of Urban
Affairs and Planning distributed 474 surveys to
the households in Shawsville. The survey asked
residents what they do or do not like about
Shawsville, what they would change, and what
they think County government needs to know.
The survey packet included information and an
invitation to attend the community visioning
sessions.
Those residents who responded to the survey
say they love Shawsville’s rural, quiet, small
town atmosphere. Many also like its location:
close to Christiansburg, Roanoke and Salem,
but not near industrial areas.
When asked what they would change or
improve about Shawsville, residents suggested:
•making things such as health care and
restaurants more convenient;
•improving transportation safety and
access to public transportation;
•creating recreational opportunities for
both the young and elderly;
•receiving adequate attention from County
government;
•stopping the proposed inter-modal inland
port;
•upgrading utility availability and reducing
costs, especially for water.
Community visioning sessions.
The first of these meetings was held at the
Meadowbrook Library on February 10, 2007.
This meeting included (a) an overview of the
County comprehensive plan and the role of the
seven villages in that plan; (b) a review of the
household survey results; (c) group discussions
on local needs and concerns; and (d) a vision
and goals for the future of Shawsville.
Participants identified seven areas of interest:
1.Land use and development, and especially
the redevelopment and re-use of older
structures.
2.Housing, with an emphasis on affordable
housing for a diverse population.
3.Transportation, including improved traffic
safety on local roads, the availability of
The Village of Shawsville
Photo by Chris Valluzzo
Photo by Chris Valluzzo
public transit, and the need for
pedestrian/bike/golf cart connections to
public facilities (e.g., schools to
Meadowbrook).
4.Quality services, such as schools, water
and sewer, public safety and emergency
response.
5.Recreation and other community activities
for all ages, but particularly for children
and youth, and the elderly.
6.Wellness and a healthy community
lifestyle, with access to quality health care
services.
7.Business development and support, to
provide better services to the area (e.g.,
grocery store) as well as job opportunities
for local residents.
At the second community meeting on March
17, 2007, participants reviewed and finalized
the goals, the strategies, and the future land use
map. Participants added two areas of interest
(natural environment and community-
government relations), and several new strategies
were incorporated into the original list as well.
Public hearings, plan review and plan adoption.
The Montgomery County Planning
Commission a public hearing for the Shawsville
Village Plan on April 18 2007, at the
Meadowbrook Center and recommended
adoption on May 9, 2007. The Board of
Supervisors held a public hearing on May 29,
2007 and adopted the Shawsville Village Plan
on June 11, 2007.
Historical Development Patterns
Historical evidence regarding the area that
is known as Shawsville can be traced back to
the mid to late 18th century. Fort Vause was
constructed during this time to protect the Vause
family and their surrounding neighbors from the
French and Indian War. The area was one of
the westernmost forts located in the Virginia
Wilderness at the time.
Throughout the nineteenth century,
Shawsville experienced organic growth that was
largely influenced by its proximity to
transportation systems. The area to be known
as Shawsville began experiencing growth after
a toll house from the Alleghany Turnpike was
located there. In 1847, the Southwestern
Turnpike was built through the area, and the
town was then given its name. Shawsville is
derived from Charles B. Shaw, who was the
chief engineer of the state of Virginia at the time.
In addition to roadways, the railroad also
had a major influence on the development of
the town. The growth produced a railroad depot,
a bank, a hotel to accommodate travelers,
churches, and a school house by the late 19th
century. Much of the original business district,
located along Oldtown Road, is part of a National
Historic District, designated in 1991 by the
National Trust.
In the early 20th century, the construction
of Lee Highway shifted some of Shawsville's
growth from the original "downtown" area to
the south, where development occurred along
the road. Over the past couple decades
Shawsville has experienced very little growth,
largely in part due to the construction of Interstate
81, which rerouted traffic and businesses from
Lee Highway.
Current Conditions and Trends
Population
According to the 2000 Census Shawsville's
population included 1,029 individuals, which
was a slight drop of less than 1% from 1990
figures. Shawsville's population reflects the
general characteristics of unincorporated
Montgomery County.
The median age of Shawsville residents is
34 years, which is lower than other areas of the
county, at 40 years old. The largest group is
between the ages of 25 and 34, followed by
ages 35-44. The next largest groups are infants
and youths age 0-9. Children under 18 make up
Montgomery County 2025: Shawsville Village Plan Adopted 11 June 2007 331
Photo by Chris Valluzzo
Photo by Chris Valluzzo
Photo by Chris Valluzzo
a quarter of the town's population, which seems
to confirm the residents' belief that the area is
a good place to raise a family.
The population is split almost evenly
between males and females. Most people live
in family households, with an average household
size of 2.39 persons. Nearly 50% of all
households are married couples, and another
38% of all households are single individuals
with no children. Average family size is 2.79
persons, which is slightly smaller than other
areas of the county.
Shawsville's population is predominantly
white (95%), with few other racial or ethnic
groups represented in the village. This includes
1% African American or Black, and less than
1% each Native American, Asian, or other races.
1.6% are of two or more races. Hispanic or
Latino residents also represent less than 1% of
the population. Interestingly, 72% of all
minorities in the Shawsville area report they
live in Kirk Hollow.
The census data also demonstrate the
relatively transient nature of much of the
population in Shawsville. More than 42% of
all Shawsville residents lived in a different
house in 1995, and 60% lived in another county
at that time. Approximately half (54%) work
in another county and a few (3%) work in
another state; only 11% of the population both
lives and works in Shawsville.
Most residents over the age of 25 have
obtained a high school degree (61.8%) and 14%
have bachelor's degrees.
Shawsville has a healthy labor force and a
low unemployment rate, at 2.9%. Many area
workers travel to Salem, Roanoke, Blacksburg
and Christiansburg to work. The mean travel
time for commuting workers is 25.5 minutes,
which mirrors the average time for the standard
American.
Median income for the area is $31,953.
Seven percent of families live below the poverty
level, while the number of individuals below
the poverty level is 10.2%.
Natural Environment
Shawsville encompasses an area of just over
2 square miles in eastern Montgomery County.
The village lies, as does most of Montgomery
County, on a large tract of Bedrock which
includes residuum, colluvium, and alluvium.
Also included are areas of limestone and
dolomite, which leads to surface concerns over
karst terrain. The elevation of Shawsville is
approximately 1440 feet above sea level.
The topography of Shawsville raises some
important issues with regard to development.
Slopes are severe (greater than 15%) in much
of the area, and these steep slopes significantly
constraint future development. Though flatter
slopes are more suitable for development, many
of these portions of Shawsville are located
within floodplains, as the South Fork of the
Roanoke River passes through the village.
Shawsville has a diversity of soil complexes;
no one soil type dominates the area. Nearly all
of the soils found within Shawsville are
classified as either somewhat or very limited to
development of dwellings with basements. .
The area is also highly limiting for septic
systems, although suitable soils can be found
at the site scale throughout Shawsville. Soil
compatibility should therefore be considered
on a case-by-case basis for development. Public
water and sewer services are available
throughout much of Shawsville , which mitigates
many of the issues related to soil suitability.
Existing Land Use
Rural character and small-town feel are what
people think of when you say "Shawsville."
The rural character of this area is part of its
history and the citizens would like to see the
rural nature be fostered into the future. One
property of particular value to the community
is the horse-farm which encompasses a large
tract and can be seen from US Route 460/11.
The newly established Meadowbrook
Center, which includes a YMCA, library, and
small museum, is the current centerpiece for
the Village. Commercial land use is prominent
along the central artery, US Route 460/11, and
especially in the area of the Meadowbrook
Center. Here is where the motel, bank, and other
businesses find their place within the community.
All of these establishments are small and local
in scale.
Residences are found throughout Shawsville.
Mobile home parks have a presence in the area,
but single family homes are the true essence of
Shawsville. The mobile home parks provide
affordable housing to lower-income residents,
and residents new to the area.
Village land use includes a number of civic
use parcels, including Public Service Authority
facilities, two public schools, the Alleghany
Rescues Squad facilities, and the Meadowbrook
Montgomery County 2025: Shawsville Village Plan Adopted 11 June 2007 332
Photo by Chris Valluzzo
Photo by Chris Valluzzo
Center..
Housing
The Shawsville area includes 460 dwelling
units. Only a small percentage of these units
are vacant. The majority of all homes are owner
occupied. This is true even for the large number
of mobile homes in the village, because units
are the property of individual owners, though
they may sit on land rented from a mobile home
park owner.
Two types of homes predominate the area:
single family detached residential units and
mobile homes. Shawsville includes only a few
duplexes or multifamily residential units.
Nearly 50% of the homes in Shawsville
were constructed between 1970 and 1989.
Approximately 30% were built before 1970,
and 20% were built after 1989. All of the units
built between 1990 and 2000 were mobile
homes; and between 1980 and 1989, 85% of
all new units were mobile homes. Only a few
mobile homes were constructed prior to 1980.
In the 2000 census, most properties are
valued between $50,000 and $99,999, with a
median value of $88,100. None were valued
over $500,000 in the 2000 census. The average
monthly homeowner cost for a unit with a
mortgage was $875, and only 14% of
homeowners spent more than 35% of their
income on housing. This is an indication that
housing in Shawsville is affordable, primarily
as a result of the number of mobile homes.
Rental costs $450 per month, and 72% of
all renters spend between $300 and $499 per
month. Approximately 27% of all renters spend
more than 35% of their monthly income on
rent.
Transportation
US Route 460/11 bisects the village. This
four lane road connects Shawsville to the rest
of Montgomery County, as well as to adjacent
Roanoke County. U.S. 460/11 intersects
Alleghany Springs Road at the center of the
village core. To the north of u.s. 460/11 is Old
Town Road, Shawsville's original thoroughfare
through the "downtown." Old Town Road runs
parallel to u.s. 460/11 and connects to it on the
west and east sides of Shawsville.
A five-mile long connector "smart road" is
planned linking Blacksburg to Interstate-81. Of
importance to this planning area is the location
of the new highway's interchange with Interstate-
81 and whether or not local traffic will be able
to access Interstate-81 and the Blacksburg
connector at this interchange. If access is planned
to be provided, then portions of the planning
area would provide an attractive rural setting
for persons wishing to locate within commuting
distance of Blacksburg/Virginia Tech or
Roanoke/Salem metropolitan area or both. This
would include the Shawsville area.
The Norfolk and Southern Railroad is
located to the north of US 460/11 and runs
parallel to it. Norfolk and Southern provides
freight rail service to the area. There has been
discussion of the return of passenger rail service
with Christiansburg being mentioned as a
potential site for a station.
Lack of public transportation options can
be seen in census statistics regarding travel to
work. Out of 485 workers, 86% drove to work
alone, and 8% carpooled. Approximately 4%
of Shawsville residents work at home. Recently,
the Smart Way bus added a stop in Shawsville
on a trial basis. Smart Way (Valley Metro) is
a regional public transportation service, operated
by the Greater Roanoke Transit Company. This
service links the Roanoke Valley and the New
River Valley.
Public Facilities and Services
Shawsville has two public schools:
Shawsville Elementary School for grades PK-
5, and Shawsville Middle School for grades 6-
8. High school students, grades 9-12, attend
Eastern Montgomery High School in
neighboring Elliston.
Shawsville's library is located at the
Meadowbrook Center, at the intersection of US
Route 460/11 and Allegheny Springs Road.
Shawsville is served by the Montgomery
County Sheriff's office, located in nearby
Christiansburg, and by the Shawsville Rescue
Squad and the Elliston Volunteer Fire
Department. Emergency services are alerted
through the Montgomery County Department
of Emergency Services' 911 dispatch system.
The Montgomery County Public Service
Authority (PSA) provides public water and
sewer throughout most of Shawsville. These
services are concentrated along the corridors
parallel to US Route 460/11 and Alleghany
Spring Road. In certain locations topography,
soils and geology have limited the ability of
the PSA to provide services. Locations not
Montgomery County 2025: Shawsville Village Plan Adopted 11 June 2007 333
Photo by Chris Valluzzo
Photo by Chris Valluzzo
Assumptions:
1)While the acreage of Shawsville, included in the future land use map is 1533, the buildout assumptions are based on the acreage less
the horse farm on the south side of US 406/11 and the steep slopes on the north side of the Norfolk Western Railroad tracks (1143
acres). At full buildout, which is beyond the horizon of this plan, Shawsville will have no more than 2300 dwelling units.
2)At current rate of growth, Shawsville is not expected to reach full buildout without significant redevelopment within the existing
core. Exempting the Mountain Creek development on the eastern edge of the village, , Shawsville has the slowest rate of growth of
any of the villages in Montgomery County. The last major subdivision developed in Shawsville was Fort Vause in 1974. Future growth
in Shawsville will be limited by the capacity of public water and sewer, which has a
an unused capacity of 155 before reaching the 80% threshold.
3)Low density areas are designated for single-family dwellings and are not appropriate
for higher density uses, such as manufactured housing parks or apartment complexes.
This is in part due to limitations imposed by the presence of the railroad dividing
the low density areas of Shawsville from the higher density uses between the tracks
and U.S. 460/11 and along the U.S. 460/11 corridor.
4) Much of the medium density development areas are located within existing
neighborhoods. Any increase in density in those neighborhoods will be from
redevelopment and the construction of accessory dwellings. The density number also
assumes the development of some duplex units/ accessory dwelling units within
existing neighborhoods as the neighborhoods age.
5) Residential development within the mixed use neighborhoods are likely to occur
adjacent to or above commercial development, especially within the historic district
where live/work units are appropriate and follow historic development patterns. In
addition, redevelopment projects may take a TND approach which mixes use types
within the same development (eg: residential, commercial, civic uses).
Shawsville Village Land Use Summary
Overall Assumptions for Total Expansion Area: 1370 acres, approx (1).; Current Infrastructure Capacity: 630 d.u. approx.. (1); Projected Gross
Density: 1.5 du/ac. approx.
Montgomery County 2025: Shawsville Village Plan Draft 18 April 2007 334
Settlement
Type
Acreage Existing
Units
New
Units
Total
Units
Maximum
Density
Low Density Residential 490 90 110 200 1 du/acre
Medium Density Residential 330 135 135 270 2 du/acre
High Density Residential 100 165 100 265 3 du/acre
Mixed Use: Residential 60 81 104 185 4 du/acre
Open Space 390 4 6 10 n/a
Village Totals 1370 475 455 930 1.5 du/ acre
Photo by Chris Valluzzo
served by public water use private wells and
septic systems.
The County Collections division provides
litter control and solid waste services to
Shawsville. This division operates 10 staffed
consolidated recycling and waste collection sites
where all County citizens may deposit household
waste and recyclables, appliances, mattresses,
furniture, etc. The solid waste site for Shawsville
is located in Elliston-Lafayette. To help in this
effort Montgomery County also hosts public
"clean-up" and recycling events, such as
Broomin' and Bloomin', Hazardous Waste
Collection Day, and Paint Exchange.
Private companies provide other utilities,
e.g., cable, internet and phone services.
American Electric Power provides electricity to
the Shawsville area.
Community Organizations
In Shawsville, people value the way that
relationships can strengthen a community,
therefore there are many opportunities for
involvement: the Ruritan Club, the Parent-
Teacher Association, the Mountain Valley
Charitable Foundation, and the Ministerial
Coalition of Churches.
The Ruritan Club is a civic service
organization, meant to foster fellowship,
goodwill and community service. Members meet
monthly to plan events for Shawsville, promote
public welfare, and create economic
opportunities within the community. They raise
money for specific projects and scholarships.
The Ruritan Club is highly connected with
Linking Individual Needs in Community, or
L.I.N.C.
The Parent-Teacher Association is a local
chapter of a nationally recognized organization
meant to cultivate good relationships between
parents and teachers on behalf of the children,
in effect to better the schools. The area schools
have highly active PTAs, based from Shawsville
Middle School.
The Mountain Valley Charitable Foundation
is specific to the needs of this Appalachian
small town. The group provides services to
citizens of Eastern Montgomery County through
scholarships, historic preservation, and
supplemental funding for a community
newsletter. The Ministerial Coalition of
Churches incorporates 12 churches as members
in order to coordinate the sponsorship of the
local food pantry, and also to plan for
community revivals. These four groups
encourage community togetherness, and make
Shawsville a well cared-for place to live.
Planning Assumptions and Land Use
During the village planning process,
participants relied on five key planning
assumptions:
• Population growth will continue during
the next 25 years, in general accord
with the County’s Comprehensive Plan.
(At slightly more than 1% average
annual growth; up to about 25,000 more
people in the County as a whole by
2030, with 6,000- 8,000 in the
unincorporated areas and the remainder
in the two towns;
• Residential development will be
concentrated mainly in the County’s
designated growth areas, including the
Urban Expansion Areas, the Residential
Transition Areas, and the seven Villages
and six Village Expansion Areas;
• Residential development densities in the
Shawsville area will occur in general
accord with the County’s Comprehensive
Plan, with 2 units per gross acre;
• Small amounts of job growth will occur
in the immediate vicinity of Shawsville
mainly village-scale businesses and
telecommuting jobs; and
• Public water and sewer service will be
limited to those areas designated in the
Shawsville Village Plan.
There are a number of assumptions specific to
Shawsville that contributed to the overall future
land use scheme: 1) Shawsville, historically,
has had and will continue to have a thriving,
mixed-use business district; the presence of
natural and manmade obstacles,, including the
presence of a major highway and a parallel rail
line, steep slopes, and floodplains pose
limitations on potential development in
Photo by Planning Staff
Montgomery County 2025: Shawsville Village Plan Adopted 11 June 2007 335
Photo by Chris Valluzzo
Shawsville,; and growth pressure in Shawsville
comes from development from the east in
Roanoke County and Salem rather than from the
western portions of Montgomery County.
Neighborhood Types and Land Uses
Mixed Use Development
Mixed use development has been the rule
rather than the exception in the majority of the
Villages in Montgomery County. Part of this is
due to the nature of small, contained, and
constrained spaces. Unlike their larger
counterparts, which have the luxury of land and
expansive public works and may more clearly
separate uses, villages and village expansion
areas are constrained by limited public facilities,
especially the possible extent and capacity of
public water and sewer. Given the limitations,
all of the land use designations are based on the
assumption of mixed use development.
Mixed use development means that while
certain uses may be deemed most appropriate
for a specific area of the village, the primary use
designation does not preclude other types of
development in, near, or in lieu of the primary
designation. In a sense, this approach means
that portions of the villages and village
expansion areas are treated, in essence, as large
planned unit developments. Indeed, the mixed
use approach to village development encourages
the creation and strengthening of the sense of
community with the village by making goods,
services, and jobs more readily available and
accessible to residents. The approach also
assumes that future development, rather than
destroying or overpowering the historic core,
will be designed to strengthen the historic
development patterns, add to the quality of life
of residents, and provide appropriate levels and
scale of development.
Residential Neighborhoods
The Shawsville Village Plan designates three
residential neighborhood types: Low, Medium,
and High Density. The designations do not
mean that there will be two, three, four, or more
dwelling units on every acre of land, but they
do provide a guide to the number of dwelling
units, overall, that can be developed on a specific
parcel (gross acreage). The designations were
used to match the village plan to the existing
ordinance. Residential development in the low
density neighborhoods is intended to be stick-
built or modular single-family housing. The
Medium Density neighborhoods may include a
wider variety of housing types, including: single-
family dwellings, accessory dwellings, duplexes,
triplexes, and quadplexes as infill. Currently,
high density residential is defined primarily as
manufactured housing parks, but may also
include larger scale multifamily developments
and redevelopments. As with the Medium
Density neighborhoods, the Mixed Use
neighborhoods are appropriate locations for a
wider variety of housing types, including
residential and commercial uses within the same
structure or development.
Montgomery County 2025: Shawsville Village Plan Adopted 11 June 2007 336
The following statement of the preferred future of Shawsville was
created by the citizens at the first meeting and evaluated and refined
at the second meeting. This Vision Statement essentially summarizes
the key goals for the future of the village.
In the Year 2030, Shawsville:
Shawsville is an ideal location for people who value the character of
a small town. Through careful planning it has achieved a reputation as
a place that offers affordable housing, convenient shopping and dining,
recreational opportunities, and quality services, and still has beautiful
farms and forests, and scenic views of the mountains.
The village has preserved its historic structures and traditional farming
areas. Development has frequently focused on the redevelopment or
revitalization of pre-existing commercial properties. One of the most
valued reuse projects resulted in a small grocery/general store and some
additional spaces for cafes and shops. Now, the daily needs of residents
can be accommodated in Shawsville rather than Christiansburg,
Blacksburg, Roanoke or Salem. The relative convenience of these larger
communities draws people to this area of Montgomery County to live,
and public transportation has made links to regional shopping, offices
and restaurants much more accessible.
Shawsville is a close-knit community with people that genuinely care
for one other and share a commitment to the village. The local schools
provide a quality environment where youth grow and learn, and are
ultimately prepared for the job market or for a college education. A
welcoming feeling is tangible in the family owned restaurants and
businesses at the village core. People know one another and feel safe
and secure here, especially with the fine services provided by the
Sheriff's Office and other County departments, and the local volunteer
fire and rescue squads. The community has developed a strong working
relationship with the County and is actively engaged with elected
officials and staff in decisions related to community goals, needs and
opportunities.
Over the last 25 years, Shawsville has dedicated itself to becoming a
community with active and healthy residents. People take advantage
of the variety of recreation opportunities that are available in the village
and nearby. The elderly find multiple options for retirement here,
including the senior living facility, which is connected to other areas
of the village by a walking path that will accommodate golf carts.
Shawsville Village Plan: Statement of Preferred Future
Shawsville Village Plan Adopted 11 June 2007 339
Photo by Chris Valluzzo
Photo by Chris Valluzzo
The following policies were developed in meetings with village citizens.
These policies are to guide the actions of the County, State Agencies,
the Town of Blacksburg and private landowners to achieve the preservation
and development of Shawsville in accord with the Vision of this Plan.
SVP 1.0 Land Use Policies
SVP 1.1 General Policies
SVP 1.1.1 Overall Gross Density for the Village Planning
Area. The overall density of the village planning area
should never exceed two (2) dwellings per gross acre at
full build-out (not expected to occur for at least two or
three decades).
SVP 1.1.2 Compatibility is Fundamental. The density,
type and character of new development must be compatible
with the existing village, the vision of the village’s future,
and be generally consistent with the Land Use Plan Map.
New development must be compatible with the traditional
forms and architectural character of the village.
SVP 1.1.3 Guidelines Are Firm But Flexible. The
policies of this plan are firm guidelines for the County
and for developers. While there is flexibility in how to
achieve these policies, all new development should follow
them in spirit and in action.
SVP 1.1.4 A Variety of Housing Types Should be Built.
The County will encourage a variety of housing types,
costs and net densities, in order to provide high quality
housing for a range of ages and income levels. Most
housing will be single-family detached units, but may
include accessory units, small single-family detached
dwellings, apartments on the second floor levels of
employment or civic buildings, and housing for elderly
citizens.
SVP 1.1.5 Village Gateways. Establish Clear Gateways
at the Major Road Entrances to the Village. Landscaping,
signage, grading and pavement design should be used to
create a sense of transition into the village on US 460/11
from the east and west. These gateways should be
understated, with a traditional, rural village character, with
street design, landscaping and architecture that will naturally
slow traffic as it approaches the village.
SVP 1.1.6 Proffers Are Expected to Mitigate Impacts.
Any rezoning to a higher intensity of land use, particularly
residential land uses, will be expected to provide proffers
of land, infrastructure and/or funding to off set the impacts
of the development, particularly on capital facilities such
as roads, parks, schools and public safety.
SVP 1.1.7 Incorporate Universal Design Features. A
portion of dwelling units within any given residential
project should feature "universal design" in order to provide
for all age groups and to allow people to "age in place"
within the village.
SVP 1.1.8 Maintain the Historic Settlement Pattern of
the Village. This Plan strongly encourages new
development to follow the historic pattern of development
in Shawsville, including small-scale, compact development,
and maintaining a variety of building setbacks, entry
configurations and parking arrangements.
SVP 1.2 Future Land Use Map. Achieve the Vision for future
development as defined in the Future Land Use Map
SVP 1.3 Rural Character. Maintain the rural character of the
Village of Shawsville.
SVP 1.4 Low Density Residential Neighborhoods: Land Use
and Urban Design
SVP 1.4.1 Density. Density in Low Density Residential
Neighborhoods should not exceed two (2) dwelling units
per gross acre.
SVP 1.4.2 Uses. Land uses in Low Density Residential
Neighborhoods should be limited to single-family dwelling,
secondary accessory dwellings, and home occupations.
SVP 1.4.3 Infill Development. Infill development should
Shawsville Village Plan: Policies
Montgomery County 2025: Shawsville Village Plan Adopted 11 June 2007 340
complement and be consistent with existing neighborhood
development styles and patterns.
SVP 1.4.4 New Development. New development should
complement and be consistent with existing neighborhood
development styles and patterns; should have a street
pattern and pedestrian facilities which interconnect with
the existing transportation system within the village; and
should follow traditional neighborhood design (TND)
guidelines established by the County.
SVP 1.5 Medium Density Resident Neighborhoods: Land Use
and Urban Design
SVP 1.5.1 Density. Density in Medium Density Residential
Neighborhoods should not exceed four (4) dwelling units
per gross acre.
SVP 1.5.2 Uses. Land uses in Medium Density Residential
Neighborhoods should be limited to single-family dwelling,
secondary accessory dwellings, limited multifamily
dwelling units (duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes) which
fit with the character of the neighborhood, home
occupations, and appropriate home businesses.
SVP 1.5.3 Infill Development. Infill development should
complement and be consistent with existing neighborhood
development styles and patterns.
SVP 1.5.4 Redevelopment. Redevelopment should
complement and be consistent with village-scale
development styles and patterns and should fit within the
existing transportation framework for the village.
SVP 1.5.5 New Development. New development should
complement and be consistent with existing neighborhood
development styles and patterns; should have a street
pattern and pedestrian facilities which interconnect with
the existing transportation system within the village; and
should follow traditional neighborhood design (TND)
guidelines established by the County.
SVP 1.6 High Density
SVP 1.6.1 Density. Density in High Density Residential
Neighborhoods should not exceed eight (8) dwelling
units per gross acre.
SVP 1.3.2 Uses. Land uses in High Density Residential
Neighborhoods should be limited to multifamily and
manufactured housing developments, which fit with the
character of the neighborhood, home occupations, and
appropriate home businesses.
SVP 1.6.3 Infill Development. Infill development should
complement and be consistent with existing neighborhood
development styles and patterns.
SVP 1.6.4 Redevelopment. Redevelopment should
complement and be consistent with village-scale
development styles and patterns.
SVP 1.6.5 New Development. New development should
complement and be consistent with existing neighborhood
development styles and patterns; should have a street
pattern and pedestrian facilities which interconnect with
the existing transportation system within the village; and
should follow traditional neighborhood design (TND)
guidelines established by the County.
SVP 1.7 Mixed Use Neighborhoods
SVP 1.7.1 Encourage Infill Development. Most of
future growth in the mixed use neighborhood area should
be infill and redevelopment of existing sites. Ensure that
new infill development is compatible with the existing
rural, historic character of the architectural fabric and
siting of structures, especially along Old Town Road.
Such development should be a small-scale mix of shop
fronts and civic buildings interspersed with residential
properties.
SVP 1.7.2 Encourage Mixed-Uses. Land uses along
Mixed Use Neighborhood should be a mix of residential,
commercial, office and institutional uses. Limit new
commercial and employment uses to village -scale,
individual or stand-alone buildings with small building
footprints that are architecturally compatible with the
existing commercial and institutional uses.
SVP 1.7.3 Encourage Live/Work Units. Encourage
“live/work” units, which feature a shop or small-scale
Montgomery County 2025: Shawsville Village Plan Adopted 11 June 2007 341
office use on the ground floor and a residential dwelling
above or behind the shop, not more than two stories above
the street.
SVP 1.7.4 Minimize the Impacts of Road Improvements.
Evaluate and minimize the impact on historic structures
from any publicly or privately funded road or streetscape
improvements within the planning area.
SVP 1.7.5 Design Details. The County and the Shawsville
community will strive to maintain the rural, informal
character of the historic mixed use village neighborhoods
by:
(a) Locating new or expanded parking areas behind or
to the side of the buildings; screening parking
from adjacent uses with landscape buffers and
using alley access where feasible.
(b) Providing a strong pedestrian orientation along
the street frontage, with parking located mainly at
the rear of the buildings
(c) Prohibiting auto-oriented functions like drive-
through windows
(d) Encouraging new buildings to generally match the
setbacks of adjacent buildings while also
maintaining a variety of setbacks and orientations.
(e) Orient building fronts toward main streets, and
service backs of buildings through alleyways,
wherever feasible
(f) Encouraging porches, street trees, street furniture,
sitting areas and other pedestrian-friendly design
elements.
(g) Encouraging adaptive reuse of historic structures.
SVP 1.8 US 460/Rt 11 Road Corridor
SVP 1.8.1 Avoid Reverse-Frontage Development. New
development adjacent to US 460/11 and on Old Town
Road should face toward the respective road.
SVP 1.8.2 Manage Access. Develop and implement an
access management plan along US 460/11 to limit the
number of access points on the road, consistent with the
land use and design policies for this corridor.
SVP 1.8.3 Encourage Connectivity. Encourage inter-
parcel connections between all sites along US 460/11 for
both vehicles and pedestrians, including creating new
connections to existing neighborhoods that need better
and safer access.
SVP 1.8.4 Calm the Traffic. Calm traffic that flows into
adjacent residential areas through the use of traffic-calming
devices and street design, and to provide safe pedestrian
crossings.
SVP 1.9 Reuse and Revitalization. Encourage reuse and
revitalization as a way to accommodate growth strategies.
Action Steps
•Adopt zoning district language, development regulations,
design guidelines, or other tools to enable development
that is compatible with the existing scale and character of
Shawsville, which includes:
- residential clustering
- conservation of open space, farms and forests
- village commercial rather than regional, large-
scale or big box development
- preservation of historic structures and scenic beauty
- density bonuses for meeting or exceeding open
space conservation, affordable housing, or other
goals.
•Protect and enhance tree canopies and tree cover as a
scenic and environmental resources, through tree protection
ordinances, landscaping requirements as part of
development regulations, or other measures.
•Promote sustainable development approaches that protect
watersheds and stream corridors, reduce development in
floodplains, enhance water quality, and minimize the
impact of storm water runoff.
Montgomery County 2025: Shawsville Village Plan Adopted 11 June 2007 342
• Develop comprehensive corridor design guidelines for
new development and redevelopment in the US 460/11
corridor to ensure compatibility with the existing, historic
design context, including signage, lighting, and streetscape.
• Review and amend the County Zoning and Subdivision
Ordinances and other development standards to ensure
that they do not present barriers to achieving the vision
for Shawsville and to implementing the policies of this
plan.
•Redevelop properties along US 460/11 to increase density
and provide opportunities for mixed use development,
e.g., first floor commercial with office uses above.
•When feasible, rehabilitate existing structures, or remove
and replace them with appropriate and compatible new
development.
•Evaluate the potential reuse of the Shawsville Middle
School building and/or site for senior housing.
•Adopt flexible ordinance language to deal with issues
related to rehabilitation, e.g., parking requirements.
SVP 2.0 Government and Planning
SVP 2.1 Communications and Collaboration. Promote
communications and collaboration between County agencies and
the village residents they serve.
SVP 2.1.1 Improve Local Relations and Service
Opportunities. Improve local relations and expand service
opportunities with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office,
the Public Service Authority, and other County departments
and agencies. Where possible, this should include satellite
offices or regular staff office hours at the Meadowbrook
Center.
SVP 2.1.2 County Outreach and Education. Expand
County outreach and development programs so that
community organizations are included in identifying and
responding to community problems and needs. As part of
this process the County should provide technical and staff
support, funding, and opportunities for collaboration on
program development and operations.
SVP 2.1.3 Web Presence and Community Information.
Create a Shawsville village web page and/or link on the
Montgomery County government site, with data specific
to the village and surrounding community, (e.g., statistics
on population, schools, income and poverty), postings on
programs and events; information about possible grants
or other funding opportunities, etc.
SVP 2.1 Collaboration is Key. The County will collaborate
with other government entities to ensure that the policies of this
plan are implemented and the Vision is achieved.
SVP 2.3 Work Closely with VDOT to Achieve the People’s
Vision. The County will work closely VDOT to ensure that the
urban design, mobility and public safety policies of this plan are
implemented. Cooperation between the County, VDOT, and
private developers will be critical to the success of this plan.
SVP 2.5 Encourage a Unified Community. The County will
encourage the people of Shawsville to act as a single, unified
community when working with the County, Town and State in
implementing this Plan. The citizens committee appointed for
this Plan is one step toward that unified approach. The County
encourages the citizens to take a leadership role in implementing
this Plan once it is adopted.
SVP 2.5.1 Citizen Advisors. Continue to work with civic
and community groups in Shawsville on finalizing and
implementing the Shawsville Village Plan.
SVP 2.5.2 2030 Vision. Village residents, businesses and
public officials will keep our eye on the Vision for 2030
to make the long term Vision an "embedded" element in
the collective minds of the community.
SVP 3.0 Cultural Resources
SVP 3.1 Meadowbrook Library and Meadowbrook Center.
Provide ongoing County support for the Meadowbrook Library
and for further development of community facilities and county
services at the Meadowbrook Center.
Montgomery County 2025: Shawsville Village Plan Adopted 11 June 2007 343
SVP 3.2 Encourage Awareness and Knowledge of Local
History. Encourage better understanding and education about
the value of its historic resources and ways that they can be better
preserved.
SVP 3.3 Encourage Historic District Expansion. Encourage
the expansion of the Shawsville State and National Historic
Districts to include all qualifying sites and structures.
SVP 3.3.1 Historic District. Work with property owners
to extend National and State Historic District to include
other historic sites and structures in and around the historic
neighborhoods of the village.
SVP 3.3.2 Technical Assistance. Assist owners of eligible
properties who are interested in applying for the Virginia
Historic Register and the National Register of Historic
Places.
SVP 3.3.3 Code Enforcement. Provide adequate code
enforcement support and a balanced approach to
enforcement that considers issues of rehabilitation,
alternative techniques, and any federal or state regulations
for historic properties.
SVP 3.3.4 Encourage Adaptive Re-Use of Historic
Structures. Encourage the adaptive re-use and
rehabilitation of historic structures throughout the
Shawsville area.
SVP 4.0 Economic Resources
SVP 4.1 Village Scale Economic Development. Foster business
and employment opportunities in Shawsville and Eastern
Montgomery County.
SVP 4.1.1 Grocery Store. Investigate options and
opportunities for bringing a small grocery, food co-op,
natural foods, or general store, and/or a farmer's market
or community supported agriculture program to the
community.
SVP 4.1.2 Wireless Access. Provide wireless access
throughout the village and surrounding areas, in support
of telecommuting, e-commerce, and education; and
possibly as a foundation for research on the community's
health and wellness (see Health goal, below).
SVP 4.1.3 Small Business Support. Improve
opportunities for small business development in the form
of antique shops, professional services, bed and breakfast
inns, cafes, or other family-owned businesses, through
zoning, financial incentives, or technical assistance
programs, e.g., Radford University Small Business Center,
SCORE, etc.
SVP 4.1.4 Tourism. Develop a regional tourism-based
economic development strategy, for example, by creating
an "antiques corridor" to link Shawsville to surrounding
localities.
SVP 5.0 Educational Facilities
SVP 5.1. Schools. Foster community support for education.
SVP 5.2 Adult Education. Investigate the demand and
opportunities for continuing, adult or community college education
in Shawsville.
SVP 5.3 School Campus Approach. Consolidate all Shawsville
schools onto one campus.
SVP 6.0 Environment Resources
SVP 6.1 Agricultural and Scenic Resources. Protect and enhance
the rural agricultural and scenic resources that give Shawsville
its special character.
SVP 6.1 Preserve Floodplains. The County will encourage
preservation of the 100-year floodplains in their natural state to
protect against floods and to function as an integral part of the
County's network of open space.
SVP 6.2 Preserve Buffers Adjacent to Floodplains and Karst
Formations. The County will encourage the preservation of a
natural riparian "buffer strip" adjacent to floodplain areas and
setback buffers from Karst sinkholes, in order to protect and
enhance water quality and to maintain wildlife habitat areas
adjacent to stream corridors.
SVP 6.3 Encourage Pervious Paving Materials. The County
will encourage the use of pervious paving materials for parking
Montgomery County 2025: Shawsville Village Plan Adopted 11 June 2007 344
lots and driveways where feasible to maintain groundwater and
surface water quality, and to reduce sheet flows from paved areas.
SVP 6.4 Discourage Development on Steep Slopes. The County
will discourage development on slopes over 15% and encourage
these areas to be maintained as open space to minimize erosion,
downstream flooding and pollution.
SVP 6.5 Manage Development on Moderate Slopes. The
County should ensure that new development on slopes between
10% and 15% incorporates retaining walls, erosion resistant
plantings and careful site planning in order to minimize land
disturbance and erosion potential in these areas.
SVP 6.6 Promote Regional Stormwater Management. The
County will create guidelines and regulations for coordinating
stormwater management facilities on a regional and sub-regional
basis rather than site by site.
SVP 6.7 Solve Existing Drainage Problems. The County will
work with landowners and VDOT to address existing drainage
problems in existing neighborhoods.
Environment Resources Action Steps
•Promote sustainable development approaches that protect
open space, agricultural land and viewsheds; protect rare and
endangered species; protect watersheds and stream corridors;
reduce the environmental impact of development in
floodplains; enhance water quality; and minimize the impact
of storm water runoff.
•Protect and expand tree canopies and tree cover as scenic
and environmental resources, through tree protection
ordinances, landscaping requirements as part of development
regulations, or other measures.
•Adopt a storm water management plan to mitigate stream
impacts from urban development.
•Identify rare and endangered species in the Shawsville village
area, and take measures to protect and promote these and
other wildlife.
•Develop and disseminate a community education program
on Shawsville's natural environment and the impact of human
development on land, water, vegetation, and animal life.
• Develop standards for regional and sub-regional stormwater
management facilities the County Engineer will develop
guidelines and regulations for developers to coordinate plans
for stormwater management facilities.
• The County will work closely with local rural landowners to
maintain a green buffer of farmland and open space
surrounding the village, through techniques such as agricultural
zoning, agricultural and forestall districts, agri-tourism and
open space land acquisition. The County will work to develop
incentives for landowners to preserve those areas, including
an economic development strategy for agricultural areas.
SVP 7.0 Housing
SVP 7.1 Housing Opportunities. Provide rental and owner-
occupied housing opportunities that are affordable to a wide range
of individuals and families, including seniors.
SVP 7.1.1 Affordable Housing. Adopt regulations or
institute incentives for the creation of affordable home
ownership opportunities, including:
•residential clustering, zipper lots, zero lot line
development, reduced minimum lot sizes, etc.
•construction of townhouses, condominiums, and
accessory residential units
•density bonuses for affordable housing
development
SVP 7.1.2 Homeownership. Investigate opportunities to
transition renters and mobile home owners to
property/home ownership.
SVP 7.1.3. Senior Housing. Evaluate the potential reuse
of the Shawsville Middle School building and/or site for
senior housing.
SVP 7.1.4 Manufactured Housing Parks. Adopt
development regulations and design guidelines that enhance
the quality and character of mobile home parks, e.g.,
related to landscaping and streetscaping, tot lots and
recreation areas, greenways and paths that connect to
schools and community facilities).
Montgomery County 2025: Shawsville Village Plan Adopted 11 June 2007 345
SVP 8.0 Community Resources and Services
SVP 8.1 Adequate Community Resources. Ensure that
Shawsville residents receive the quality services they deserve,
including but not limited to education, public safety, parks and
recreation, social services, and water and sewer.
SVP 8.1.1 Community/Government Relations. Improve
local relations and expand service opportunities with the
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, the Public Service
Authority, and other County departments and agencies.
Where possible, this should include satellite offices or
regular staff office hours at the Meadowbrook Center.
SVP 8.1.2 Emergency Services: Funding & Training.
Promote emergency services in Shawsville by ensuring
appropriate funding and training for the volunteer rescue
squad (located in Shawsville), the volunteer fire department
(located in Elliston), and the Montgomery County Sheriff's
Department.
SVP 8.1.3 Emergency Services: Shared Resources.
Share equipment and resources between the Shawsville
Rescue Squad and the Elliston Fire Department, and ensure
interoperability of communications systems.
SVP 8.1.4 Community Food Pantry. Continue to provide
space and support for the Community Food Pantry.
SVP 9.0 Recreational, Health, and Wellness Resources
SVP 9.1 Greenway Park and Trail System. Support the
development and implementation of the Village Transportation
Links (VITL) plan in Shawsville and Eastern Montgomery County.
SVP 9.2 Pocket and Neighborhood Parks and Green Spaces.
Encourage developers to provide pocket and neighborhood parks
and green spaces in their development designs.
SVP 9.3 Co-Use of School Facilities. Encourage the development
of a joint use agreement between the Montgomery County Public
Schools and the Montgomery County Parks and Recreation
Department for the multi-use of school facilities.
SVP 9.4 Village Park. Increase opportunities for recreation,
through the creation of a river park, and the development of a
system of greenways and trails that allow Shawsville residents
to walk or bike throughout the community, and specifically to
connect the schools and the library/community center.
SVP 9.5 Camp Alta Mons. Take measures to preserve the land
and facilities at Alta Mons for local hiking and camping
opportunities.
SVP 9.6 Community Health and Wellness. Provide opportunities
for healthy living, physical activity, and wellness.
SVP 9.6.1 Health and Wellness Data. Initiate a research
program to gather data on the health and welfare of
Shawsville residents.
SVP 9.6.2 Community Wellness Education Program.
Work with the County, the Meadowbrook YMCA, Virginia
Tech, and the community to develop a community wellness
education program.
SVP 10.0 Transportation Resources
SVP 10.1 Pedestrian and Vehicular Safety. Promote safe
pedestrian and automobile travel along US 460/11 and other roads
in the village.
SVP 10.1.1 US 460/11 Intersection Improvements.
Install traffic safety measures, e.g., a traffic light at US
460/11 and Allegheny Springs Road, Railroad Crossing
signs at that intersection, and improvements to the cross-
over at US 460 and Lilac.
SVP 10.1.2 Alleghany Springs Road Improvement.
Upgrade Allegheny Springs Road to accommodate traffic
in anticipation of new development, including the addition
of bike lanes.
SVP 10.1.3 Newtown Road Railroad Crossing. Create
a safe path for travel from one side of the railroad tracks
to the other, in the village core at Newtown Road.
SVP 10.2 Public Transportation. Provide access to public
transportation and alternative transportation options (bicycling,
hiking/walking, golf carts, etc.)
Montgomery County 2025: Shawsville Village Plan Adopted 11 June 2007 346
SVP 10.2.1 VITL System. Develop a system of greenways,
trails and sidewalks that allow Shawsville residents to
walk or bike throughout the community, and specifically
to connect the schools and the library/community center.
SVP 10.2.2 Park and Ride. Create park-and-ride centers
or other options to promote carpooling.
SVP 10.2.3 Bus Service. Offer public transportation
options through Blacksburg Transit (the Two-Town Trolley)
and the SmartWay bus.
Fund a local public transportation system to connect
community residents to shopping, health care and social
services, e.g., Eastern Montgomery County Service
Provider.
SVP 10.3 Recognize that Roadways Are Public Spaces. This
plan recognizes that public roadways are not just conduits for
transporting people and vehicles. Rather, they are public spaces
with important social and cultural functions, including viewing
the community and meeting neighbors.
SVP 10.4 Make All Travel Modes Safe. Work with VDOT to
ensure that pedestrian and bicycle mobility and safety have equal
priority with motor vehicle mobility and safety on all public
roadways.
SVP 10.5 Manage Access. Limit new access points on the major
through-roads designated in this Plan.
SVP 10.6 Construct Roads in Conjunction with Rezoning
Approvals. Require development applicants to dedicate right-
of-way and build their portion of new roads, in conjunction with
receiving zoning approvals for higher densities.
SVP 11.0 Utilities
SVP 11.1 Extent Public Water and Sewer Service. The County
will provide and manage public water and sewer service for
Shawsville. The County will require that new development
connect to these systems and will prohibit new private wells and
septic systems.
SVP 11.2 Limit of Public Water and Sewer Expansion. The
County will limit water and sewer service to the designated
Service Area set forth in this Plan. Providing public utility service
only to the designated area will ensure that new development is
compatible with the villages historic character, is affordable for
the County to serve, and enhances rather than degrades the quality
of life for local residents. A potential exception to this policy is
the possibility of extending water service to the Brooksfield Road
and Mt. Zion Road area to serve existing residents.
SVP 11.3 Treatment Capacity. The County will monitor available
treatment capacity. The County will approve rezonings to higher
intensity uses only in conjunction with assurances that adequate
water and wastewater treatment capacity will be available.
Treatment capacity will be expanded in accord with the County's
long-range capital improvement plans. Public utility capacity
will be planned to accommodate the orderly growth in the area,
in accord with the County's overall Comprehensive Plan, rather
than to create or "drive" that growth.
SVP 11.4 Capacity for Employment Uses. The County will
reserve a modest amount of capacity (roughly 20% of total
allocated to the planning area) for non-residential
development/expansion.
SVP 11.5 Underground & Buried Utilities. Require developers
to place utilities underground in all new developments.
Utilities Action Steps:
• Review all ordinances, and amend as needed to ensure that
all new development is required to place utilities and wires
underground.
• The County Public Service Authority (PSA) will work with
the Planning Commission to develop a policy for allocating
sewer and water capacity in the area in conjunction with
rezoning approvals so as to ensure that treatment capacity
is reserved for such approved development.
• Place overhead wires underground in the historic area.
Montgomery County 2025: Shawsville Village Plan Adopted 11 June 2007 347