Roanoke County supervisors this afternoon approved the creation of a community development authority for the South Peak project at U.S. 220 and Virginia 419.

On a 3-2 vote, the board took the first step in what will likely be a months-long process before the authority can sell up to $16 million in bonds to help fund roads, water, sewer and a parking garage for the controversial site.

The vote drew a standing-room only crowd and numerous speakers, for and against the creation of the authority, the first of its kind in the region.