ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 12, 1997 TAG: 9702120057
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN AND LESLIE HAGER-SMITH
*The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors on Monday approved a special-use permit for Joseph and Barbara Straub to operate an appraisal office at 3105 Happy Hollow Road outside Blacksburg. No more than three employees will be allowed at the office. The Planning Commission had recommended approval of the request by a 7-to-1 vote, saying the office would have a minor impact on the surrounding area, which is zoned residential. Commission member Harry Neumann voted against the recommendation, saying office use is inappropriate in the community.
Zoning administrator Jeff Scott said the property is currently being used partly as a dwelling and as an appraisal office. Professional offices are allowed in the residential zoning, but require a special-use permit. Scott received a complaint about the business. The special-use permit brings the business into compliance with the zoning.
*Radford City Council on Monday night approved reducing the amount of wholesale power the city purchases from American Electric Power Co. to 50 percent in three years. The city will issue a request for proposals from AEP and competing suppliers in an effort to acquire lower priced electrical service for the city. Bristol and Bedford have had significant success in renegotiating their wholesale power supply contracts.
Council also created a new license tax for people engaged in selling food or goods at festivals, celebrations and parades, at a fee of $5.75 per day for up to seven days. "Juneteenth" organizer Paul Hendricks had requested council's intervention last month, when he was asked to pay the $50.75 itinerant merchant's tax for each of the celebration's vendors. Council responded with creation of the lower license tax.
City Council also set public hearing dates for discussion of proposed Central Business District improvements for Feb. 24 and March 10, at 7:30 p.m., in council chambers at the Municipal Building. Some of the improvements rely on the city's striking a purchase or lease agreement with Jeff Price, owner of the old First and Merchants Bank building at Norwood and Virginia streets. Council will meet in closed session prior to its next meeting to move those negotiations forward.
Upcoming:
*The Montgomery County Planning Commission will meet at 7 tonight in Room 327 at the county courthouse, Franklin and Main streets. Topics of the meeting, which is a work session, include the proposed Auburn Hills golf course development in Riner and the revision of the zoning ordinance.
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