CRAIG COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN November 7, 2013 Acknowledgements Craig County Board of Supervisors Honorable Millie Harrison, Chair Honorable Fred Craft, Vice Chair Honorable Carl Bailey Honorable Keith Dunbar Honorable Martha Murphy Craig County Planning Commission Norman Taylor, Chair Barbara Davis, Vice Chair George Field, Member Michelle Klopfer, Member John McClure, Member Craig County Administration Richard C. Flora, County Administrator Roanoke Valley - Alleghany Regional Commission Eddie Wells, AICP, CZA, Senior Planner Craig County Comprehensive Plan August 12, 2013 i Table of Contents Purpose of the Plan ........................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1 History ............................................................................................................... 2 Historic and Cultural Landmarks ............................................................................. 2 Local Natural, Scenic and Historical Areas ............................................................. 3 Chapter 2 Natural Environment .......................................................................................... 4 Topography ............................................................................................................ 4 Geology .................................................................................................................. 4 Soils ....................................................................................................................... 5 Climate ................................................................................................................. 10 Groundwater......................................................................................................... 10 Surface Water ...................................................................................................... 11 Flood Hazard ........................................................................................................ 11 Forests ................................................................................................................. 14 Chapter 3 Demographics ................................................................................................. 17 Population Trends ................................................................................................ 17 Population Projections .......................................................................................... 17 Migration and Natural Increase ............................................................................. 18 Age Distribution .................................................................................................... 20 Household Characteristics .................................................................................... 20 Income ................................................................................................................. 21 Per Capita Personal Income ................................................................................. 21 Poverty statistics .................................................................................................. 22 Chapter 4 Housing ........................................................................................................... 23 Housing Units ....................................................................................................... 23 Occupied Units ..................................................................................................... 23 Housing Type ....................................................................................................... 24 General Housing Characteristics .......................................................................... 24 Residential Building Permits ................................................................................. 25 Affordable Housing ............................................................................................... 26 Chapter 5 Recreation and Tourism .................................................................................. 28 Craig County Tourism Commission ...................................................................... 28 Regional Tourism Marketing ................................................................................. 28 Virginia Western Highlands Artisan Trail ............................................................... 28 Tourism’s Economic Impact .................................................................................. 30 Festivals ............................................................................................................... 30 Historic Landmarks ............................................................................................... 31 Lodging ................................................................................................................ 32 Campgrounds ....................................................................................................... 33 USFS Recreation Resources ................................................................................ 33 Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trails ........................................................................ 34 Scenic Byways ..................................................................................................... 34 Overlooks, Turnouts and Waysides ...................................................................... 34 Trails and Greenways ........................................................................................... 36 Fishing.................................................................................................................. 38 Craig County Comprehensive Plan August 12, 2013 ii Hunting ................................................................................................................. 38 Public Water Access ............................................................................................. 38 Private Recreation Facilities ................................................................................. 38 Chapter 6 Community Facilities ....................................................................................... 40 Water and Sewer Systems ................................................................................... 40 Solid Waste and Recycling ................................................................................... 40 Law Enforcement ................................................................................................. 40 Emergency Services ............................................................................................. 41 Health Care Facilities ........................................................................................... 41 Craig County Public Library .................................................................................. 42 Electric Utilities ..................................................................................................... 43 Communication Services ...................................................................................... 43 Chapter 7 Education ........................................................................................................ 44 Craig County Public Schools ................................................................................ 44 Public School Statistics ........................................................................................ 45 Child Care ............................................................................................................ 46 Chapter 8 Transportation ................................................................................................. 47 Highway Network ................................................................................................. 47 Federal Functional Classification .......................................................................... 49 2035 rural Long Range Transportation Plan ......................................................... 51 Virginia Six-Year Improvement Program ............................................................... 53 Secondary Six-Year Plan...................................................................................... 54 Public Transit ........................................................................................................ 55 Rural Bikeway Plan .............................................................................................. 57 Greenways ........................................................................................................... 58 Commuting Patterns ............................................................................................. 60 Rail Service .......................................................................................................... 61 Private Bus Service .............................................................................................. 61 Air Service ............................................................................................................ 61 Future Transportation Needs ................................................................................ 62 Transportation Project Priorities............................................................................ 62 Chapter 9 Existing Land Use ...........................................................................................