Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 5, 1990 TAG: 9007060481
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK MORRISON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CLOVERDALE LENGTH: Long
In fact, it's the last thing on his mind.
The same goes for J. Randolph Richardson and the Cloverdale Community Civic League.
"We're not looking to create problems," explained Blough. "We're looking for ways to solve problems."
What problems?
The list of neighborhood concerns includes everything from zoning issues and development to road improvements and adequate sewer service.
And in a booming area like Cloverdale, one of Roanoke's fastest-growing bedroom communities, those concerns are becoming more and more important to the people who live there.
That's why Blough and Richardson have organized the Cloverdale Community Civic League.
"We want to continue to make this a community we're proud to live in," Blough said. "We're proud now, but we want to make it better."
Formed in February, the civic league already boasts about 100 members, and interest is growing, Blough said.
Potentially, the group could tap into more than 1,000 homes in the Cloverdale section of Botetourt County.
The area includes the Apple Tree Village, Botetourt East, Runaway Village, Rosamae Gardens and British Woods subdivisions and the community of Cloverdale.
Meetings are at 7 p.m. on the last Thursday of every month at Cloverdale Elementary School.
So far, the civic league has targeted two zoning requests for residential subdivisions as its main concerns. Both of the proposed developments went before the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors in June.
The civic league opposed a 113-lot subdivision on Read Mountain Road, formerly Virginia 654, across from Apple Tree Village and it endorsed a 102-lot subdivision between the Apple Tree Village and Runaway Village subdivisions.
It was the first real test of the civic league's new muscle in the county.
However, the supervisors approved both developments. They said the projects were so alike that it would not have been fair to approve one and reject the other.
Initially, the civic league had opposed the subdivision across from Apple Tree Village because the developer had asked for smaller lots.
The civic league argued that the lots would have been incompatible with other subdivisions in Cloverdale that have larger lots. The developer eventually changed his zoning request to a lesser density.
Still, the civic league opposed the subdivision, citing increased traffic problems along Read Mountain Road and potential water drainage problems caused by the new development.
The group did not, however, oppose the other project because it had been proposed to them first. They contended that the area can handle only one of the projects, but not both.
Despite its opposition to the development, Blough stressed that the civic league isn't looking to do battle with the county or local developers.
"We're not trying to take over. We are not a group of rabble-rousers. We want to work with the county, but look out for our rights at the same time," he said.
Richardson added that the civic league should act as a watchdog over government and growth.
"I think it's the responsibility of the residents in this area to keep a close watch on development and not let it go in the wrong direction," he said.
Richardson, 70, represents one end of the new civic league - longtime residents who were there before the subdivisions.
"This is home," said Richardson, whose great-great-grandfather was Cloverdale's first postmaster.
"We've seen Botetourt County develop from the horse and buggy days. There's a lot here to be proud of and a lot more in the future to look forward to."
Richardson was happy with the way developer David Hale approached the civic league about his proposed subdivision between Apple Tree Village and Runaway Village. He took the plan to them before going to the county.
"I think you need to be up front with these people," Hale said. "You're always a whole lot better off to get along with the neighbors."
That helped Hale gain civic league support, Richardson said.
"I feel like when a developer comes into the area and he is not a resident or a local person, he should certainly take into consideration the feelings of the people who have lived here all their lives," he said.
Shannon Hines, 28, represents the other end of the civic league - the new breed of young, active homeowners flooding into the Cloverdale area.
She and her husband, Kevin, also feel that Botetourt is home.
They moved to the Roanoke Valley from Dallas last summer and settled into the Botetourt East subdivision in December.
They say they are just as dedicated to maintaining the quality of life in Cloverdale, and that the civic league will only help to ensure that goal.
"I think we're going to have a very strong voice in the future of the area," Hines said. "Fincastle will have to take note."
Added Blough: "As growth develops, it will become more apparent that the civic league is a vital organization in this area."
Maybe so, but for now county officials have mixed emotions about the Cloverdale group, the only organized civic league in Botetourt.
Supervisor Harold Wilhelm, who represents the district that includes Cloverdale, is taking a wait-and-see attitude. He thinks the civic league can be useful, but he doesn't want it to get out of hand.
"The board has to think about all of Botetourt County and not just one portion. Here we have one little group down there and I hope they understand that," Wilhelm said.
County Administrator John Williamson said, "We work with different citizens groups all the time. This is more formalized and organized, which is fine, but I really don't see them as any different than any other group that has a special interest.
"I don't see it as a hindrance or a threat. We'll work with tham like we do with any other group," he said.
According to Blough, that's all the civic league is asking.
"We don't want to dictate what the county does, but I would hope we would have enough influence to encourage them to look to us for help," he said.
by CNB