A revised special zoning district for Explore Park, apparently fulfilling the requests of developer Larry Vander Maten, will be discussed in a special work session Tuesday of the Roanoke County Planning Commission.

The proposed district would "permit current Park uses while facilitating, through adequate public review, the development of the Park as a family destination resort which incorporates significant natural areas within its boundaries," the document reads.

Unlike the current code, the new regulations outline a series of specific permitted uses that range from stables to religious assemblies to restaurants and hotels to gas stations and convenience stores.

The document also requires that "at least 30 percent of the Park consists of open space, forested space, trails, buffers or natural areas." No more than 70 percent can be devoted to the assorted permitted uses.

When he came before the commission on Sept. 20, Vander Maten asked the board for a specific list of permitted uses before he could give his consultants the go-ahead to begin creative planning for the park.

Knowing zoning specifics also is essential to working with the investors and concessionaires who will help him come up with the $20 million or more needed for the initial work on the park -- which could eventually draw $80 million or more in development money, he said.

"If you say something is out of bounds, that you absolutely will not permit that kind of use whatsoever, we need to know that at the outset," said Vander Maten, a St. Louis-based entrepreneur known there for his operation of nursing homes.

While the revised code includes a long list of permitted uses, it apparently cuts back some of the requirements for notification for plans for the park's use.

For instance, the new ordinance calls only for an "inventory of historic resources." The existing code's reference to the "description and analysis of existing site conditions" includes "archeological and historic resources." It further requires the developer to describe "the management and preservation of those features."

The new regulations would require "Generalized statements pertaining to architectural and community design guidelines" but leaves out current language that continues, "shall be submitted in sufficient detail to provide information on building designs, orientations, styles, heights, lighting plans, treatment of outside storage areas, etc."

In a memo to the planning commission accompanying the proposed revisions, senior planner David Holladay said "other design standards, such as buffer yards, lighting, noise, would be addressed through proffers," or promises made by the developer at the time any proposals are made.

The work session will be held at 4 p.m. in conference room 420 on the fourth floor of the Roanoke County Administrative Building, 5204 Bernard Dr. S.W.

Proposed Revisions to Explore Park's Zoning District

Proposed revisions to the Explore Park zoning district include a section on Permitted Uses. It reads in part:

(A) The following uses are permitted by right subject to all other applicable requirements contained in this Ordinance. uses followed by an asterisk (*) are permitted so long as the uses are restricted to Park patrons and tenants.

1. Agricultural and Forestry Uses
Agriculture
Stables, Private
Stable, Commercial

2. Civic Uses
Administrative Services
Camps
Cultural Services
Public Assembly
Post Office
Public Maintenance and Service Facilities * Public Parks and  Recreational Areas Safety Services Religious Assembly * Utility Services, Minor

3. Office Uses
Financial Institutions
General Office

4. Commercial Uses
Automobile Repair Services, Minor * Automobile Rental/Leasing * Antique Shops Bed and Breakfast Business Support Services Campgrounds Commercial Indoor Amusement Commercial Indoor Entertainment Commercial Indoor Sports and Recreation Commercial Outdoor Entertainment Commercial Outdoor Sports and Recreation Communication Services Convenience Store * Gasoline Station * Golf Course Hotel/Motel/Motor Lodge Recreational Vehicle Sales and Service * Restaurant/General Restaurant/Family Restaurant/Drive-in or Fast Food Retail Sales Studio
Fine Arts Surplus Sales

5. Industrial Uses
Transportation terminal (which would include marina uses.)