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

DATE: FRIDAY, March 16, 1990                   TAG: 9003162914
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

TECH HIRED TO REVIEW CITY ZONING PROCEDURES

The study is expected to produce recommendations that will help prevent disputes and controversies about whether commercial and residential developments comply with regulations.

Herbert said the Institute for Public Management at Tech will be paid $9,850 to assess the "efficiency and effectiveness" of the city's administration and enforcement of zoning and development restrictions.

In a report on City Council's agenda for Monday, Herbert said the study will analyze the procedures used by the city's building, engineering and planning departments to review projects.

The study will also review the working relationship of the building and planning staffs with citizen review boards, such as the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.

Herbert said the Tech officials will also examine the city's procedures for informing developers about zoning regulations. And they will review the city's planning operations to determine if organizational changes are needed.

"The review will be comprehensive and objective," he said. "I believe the report will help me take whatever actions may be needed."

Herbert said the study is expected to be finished by April 15.

Some members of the Planning Commission complained recently that the city appears be lax in enforcing zoning rules.

Councilman James Trout also called recently for a review of planning and zoning operations to help prevent what he described as "embarrassing situations" for the city.

Trout said there have been several disputes over zoning problems that were apparently caused either by city officials' oversight or weak regulations.

He cited the dispute over a pizza shop at a Southwest Plaza, construction of a subdivision without a site plan and construction of an office building in South Roanoke without adequate parking.

In an effort to tighten enforcement, council recently raised the maximum fine for violations of city zoning laws from $100 to $1,000, the maximum penalty that state law will allow.

John Marlles, chief of community planning, said the larger fine was part of the city's effort to enforce laws more stringently. Neighborhood organizations have urged strict enforcement.