4835 Poor Mountain Rd, Salem, VA 24153

Agricultural/Village Center District

The purpose of the AV, agricultural/village center district is to establish areas which will serve as the focal point for cultural and commercial activity of the rural service areas of the county, as envisioned in the comprehensive plan land use category of the same name. The density recommended for these areas is intended to average between one and three units per acre. Small country stores, family restaurants, and similar small service and personal service businesses, in addition to public and institutional buildings such as schools, post offices and places of religious assembly, are commonly found at these crossroad locations. These areas bring a sense of community to the surrounding rural areas, with an emphasis on providing the essential goods and services to rural residents, but are not intended as employment destinations for urban residents. New development should therefore be carefully considered for its compatibility with the surrounding development and the purpose and intent of this district. Any expansion of these areas should be contiguous to existing village center areas to avoid leap-frog commercial development. Similarly additional development may warrant additional public services, such as community sewer and water systems.