
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, November 2, 1993                   TAG: 9311020148
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KAREN BARNES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BEDFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

3 READY TO SAY GOODBYE TO BEDFORD PLANNERS - BUT STILL RATHER FOND OF LUGS

Two members of the county Planning Commission have scuttled plans to seek reappointment, and one is expected to turn in his resignation at the next meeting.

Douglas Maynard and Ronald Smith will ask to be replaced at the end of their terms, and Charles Mattox will end his affiliation with the group effective Dec. 31.

The seven-member board should greet three new faces in January, but the Board of Supervisors has not named any possible candidates for the open spots.

The Planning Commission is dealing with a heavy workload: updating the comprehensive plan, naming streets, and considering revisions to the Land Use Guidance System.

Maynard, whose eight years on the commission makes him the longest-serving member, said "I think I have done my civic duty. I think the commission needs some new blood."

Smith, who's been on the commission 6 years, also cited a heavy time commitment but added that growing frustration contributed to his decision. "I'm a little disenchanted," he said of the relationship between the commission and the Board of Supervisors.

Mattox has been a member of the commission since February 1991.

Although they're leaving, both Maynard and Smith have definite ideas of the future of the land-use guidance system, or LUGS - keep it, but change it. "I'd like to see LUGS stay in all areas other than rural service centers and growth areas," Maynard said.

Smith agreed with Maynard's assessment and added that although LUGS is a good transition between no zoning and traditional zoning, recent calls to weaken LUGS are the wrong approach. "I would rather see changes in LUGS than traditional zoning," he said. "I'd like to see less involvement by the supervisors."

Mattox supports LUGS but predicted its demise at the hands of the supervisors. "I'm not sure we should throw LUGS out," he said. "As rural as Bedford County is, LUGS might be best. But there's not a lot of support for it on the Board of Supervisors, and my best bet is that it will go."

by CNB