Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 9, 1990 TAG: 9005090482
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
But it probably won't last long.
Council voted 5-2 Tuesday night to repeal an ordinance prohibiting all open burning within town limits.
The issue arose after officials received repeated inquiries and complaints about the ban - mostly from farmers who traditionally burn trees, stumps and other debris from clearing their land.
"It seems to me this ordinance serves no useful purpose," E.O. Essary, owner of a dairy farm off Toms Creek Road, told council.
"Pollution from this type of burning would be minuscule compared to the amount of pollution which occurs in downtown Blacksburg from the exhaust of hundreds of cars," Essary said.
Council member Frances Parsons said the town banned open burning several years ago when smoke from leaf fires during autumn caused breathing difficulties for people.
Another farmer, Larry Linkous, said the ban amounted to a "personal hardship" for farmers. They must haul the waste to the landfill at their own expense, or let it rot in the field - a practice the neighbors don't much appreciate, he said.
Town Attorney Richard Kaufman said that with the repeal of the ban, the town automatically falls under Virginia Air Pollution Control Board regulations.
In short, the state allows residential yard waste, such as leaves and brush, to be burned openly not less than 300 feet from an occupied dwelling. Debris such as trees and tree limbs cannot be burned within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling.
Last month, the same measure to allow open burning failed when council member Lewis Barnett voted against it. A majority of council was necessary to pass the new ordinance, but three members were absent.
Barnett maintained his position Tuesday night in voting against it, joined by Waldon Kerns. "I'm concerned about the environmental impact throughout the town," Barnett said.
His motion to amend the ordinance to limit burning to agricultural or forestry land failed 5-2. Kaufman said adopting such an amendment would probably be illegal because it requires state approval.
However, council generally agreed with Barnett, and directed staff to draft an ordinance limiting open burning to agricultural and forestry lands, get the state's OK - which Kaufman said could take three or four months - and bring it before council later this summer.
On other matters, council revised how building permit fees are assessed, which had not been updated since 1974.
Public Works Director Adele Schirmer said the new fee structure makes the system more equitable. Residential fees are now $3 per $1,000 of the estimated fair market value, but the appraisal is done by the applicants and the estimates have varied greatly, Schirmer said.
The rate will now be 14 cents per square foot. Commercial permits will remain at $3 per $1,000 of market value because commercial values are generally consistent, she said.
Charles Comer with the New River Valley Homebuilders Association said the group supports the changes.
by CNB