Community Developments

Arnold Covey was celebrated by friends, family and colleagues at a retirement party last month. After being hired as a Civil Engineer in 1981, he spent the next 37 years with Roanoke County in the positions of Development Review Coordinator, Director of Development Review, Director of Development and Inspections, Director of Engineering and Inspections, and Director of Community Development during his tenure. He retired on June 1, 2018.

Mr. Covey was instrumental in improvements including the building and development review and inspection processes, the creation of the Land Development Procedures, the creation and development of the County’s GIS, and amendments to the County’s ordinances dealing with building, zoning, and the subdivision of property.

The County developed several ordinances and programs under Mr. Covey’s leadership dealing with environmental issues, including erosion and sediment control, steep slopes, stormwater management, MS4, stream impairments & TMDLs, floodplain protection, drainage improvements, illicit discharges, and pollution prevention.

Mr. Covey was appreciated for his management style. “He let us run with projects and encouraged our team to eliminate a lot of problems on our own,” said Butch Workman, Stormwater Operations Manager.

Mr. Covey’s leadership was vital to the construction of many transportation improvements throughout the County. He played an integral role in the growth and development of Roanoke County through development projects, significant capital projects and regional initiatives including the Smith Gap Regional Landfill, Western Virginia Water Authority, Center for Research and Technology, South Peak Development, Vinton Business Center, Valley Tech Park, Keagy Village, South County Library, Public Safety Center, Fleet Service Center, Green Ridge Recreation Center, and Explore Park.

Several county-wide planning studies were completed under Mr. Covey's tenure, including the 1985, 1998 and 2005 comprehensive plans, as well as several corridor and area studies for Route 220, Route 221, Mount Pleasant, Hollins, Vinton, Glenvar, and 419.

“Mr. Covey is held in the highest regard by the Planning Commission and Community Development staff, who have valued his leadership, wise counsel, open door policy, and his caring attitude about Roanoke County, its citizens and his fellow employees” stated Philip Thompson, Acting Director of Planning and Zoning.

It was a full house at Mr. Covey's retirement party, as staff from across the departments shared stories and words of thanks. Jill Loope, Director of Economic Development, noted that "from engineering to conflict resolution [Mr. Covey] handled it all with grace and professionalism."

We wish him the best for a happy and productive retirement!