Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 16, 1995 TAG: 9508160104
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FINCASTLE LENGTH: Medium
Board of Supervisors Chairman Bob Layman announced his appointments to the panel at the board's meeting Tuesday. The group, which has three members so far but eventually may have more, is to make recommendations to the supervisors by October.
Named Tuesday were Gwen Johnson, chairwoman of the Botetourt Committee of the Valley Conservation Council; Donna Henderson, a retired Northside High School principal; and Jimmy Moore, a retired contractor and member of the board of directors of Historic Fincastle Inc.
``Our plan has always been to get citizen input,'' Layman said. ``We want to do what we need to do to preserve the environment and historic sites.''
Layman hopes to bolster those claims by appointing Johnson, who this year spearheaded a group that recommended better landscaping, less intense lighting and smaller signs along the U.S. 220 corridor.
More than 100 people have signed petitions opposing the county's initial plans for the proposed Botetourt Center at Greenfield, a 922-acre tract that would accommodate a school, recreation area and industrial park.
The supervisors last month paid $4.5 million for the land, which is off U.S. 220 just north of Daleville.
Opponents argue that the proposed park would ruin the quiet, rural character surrounding what once was the historic Greenfield plantation, home of Col. William Preston, a peer of George Washington's.
Layman said he hopes to calm those concerns by appointing a panel that is sensitive to those issues.
``I can tell you that the board is concerned and will take action to preserve historical sites,'' Layman said.
All five supervisors said they were unwilling to agree to a two-year moratorium on developing Greenfield that was suggested by opponents.
``That would be wasting taxpayers' money,'' Valley District Supervisor Bill Loope said.
``I don't believe in tying anyone's hands,'' said Blue Ridge District Supervisor Wendy Wingo.
County Administrator Gerald Burgess said most residents support the Greenfield project, as long as proper controls are in place.
Burgess said last week that only about 400 of the park's 922 acres would be developed as industrial sites. Most of the park would be left as greenways that would include trees, trails, lakes and other recreational features.
The county hopes to put 12 to 15 industries in out-of-the-way sites on existing flat land. When fully developed, county officials estimate, the project will provide 1,000 to 2,000 jobs and $4 million in annual tax revenue.
The advisory panel will be asked for recommendations on how the county can best protect air and water quality and historic structures. The panel also will be asked to identify grants and other sources to pay for its recommendations.
``Some people are expecting to see 900 acres of smokestacks,'' Layman said. ``I don't expect to see a smokestack on the property.''
Loope said some people may not be satisfied no matter what the county does. ``One thing at work here is that some people don't want change. I would rather see growth than decline. If we have to take the heat for that, I guess we'll just have to take it.''
Buchanan Supervisor John Shiflett agreed, and said that in making decisions, the supervisors cannot consider only the opinions of neighbors of the proposed project.
``I think the whole county has to be considered here,'' Shiflett said. ``Those people are taxpayers, too.''
by CNB