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

DATE: MONDAY, April 2, 1990                   TAG: 9004020161
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CHURCH WANTS TO BUY BIBLE COLLEGE LAND

State law prohibits churches from owning more than 15 acres in cities without the governing body's approval. Churches can own up to 50 acres with the governing body's permission.

The Roanoke Valley Worship Center Church of God has contracted to buy the former Bible college property at 1488 Peters Creek Road. The property covers 22 acres.

The property, which is currently on the city's tax rolls, is assessed at $279,500. The city collects $3,493 in real estate taxes a year on the property because it is owned by Greenbrier Christian Academy.

Several years ago, the property was also used as a shelter for battered women.

The Roanoke Valley Worship Center, a congregation organized under the Church of God, has been renting the property for six months. The church plans to use the property for a chapel, Sunday-school building, cemetery, church administrative offices and a playground.

In a report on council's agenda for today, Herbert said that only about five acres of the property can be developed because the rest is either in the flood plain or has a steep slope.

Also today, council will select six applicants to be interviewed for two School Board seats with new terms beginning July 1.

The seats are now held by William White and Sallye Coleman, whose terms end June 30.

White, who has been on the board for five years, is running for City Council in the May election and won't seek a new term.

Coleman, a board member for six years and current vice chairman, has applied for a new term. She is retired administrator in the city school system.

The other applicants include:

Charles Day, a former principal, teacher and coach in the city school system who is now in real estate sales.

Emanuel Edwards, a lawyer.

John Geary, a retired postal worker who now works in the Lewis-Gale Clinic's security department.

David Lisk, a former School Board member and a former City Council member.

Delvis "Mac" McCadden, a former teacher who is now district sales manager for USAir.

Lewis Peery, a retired Postal Service worker.

Finn Pincus, director of the Electronic Computer Programming Institute.

Denise Reedy, a housewife and PTA leader.

Under a procedure that was adopted several years ago to make the appointment procedure more open, council announces pending vacancies on the board and invites applications.

After reviewing the applications, council holds public interviews with up to three applicants for each seat. Council will interview the applicants on April 12 and make the appointments in May.