Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 11, 1990 TAG: 9007110073
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PETER MATHEWS NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The vote Monday night was 3-2, with Supervisors Todd Solberg, Joe Stewart and George Gray in the majority. James Moore and Chairwoman Ann Hess voted against the request; Henry Jablonski and Ira Long were absent.
The approval came against the wishes of the county Planning Commission, which recommended denial on an 8-2 vote June 25. Opponents said fraternity houses were difficult to regulate, should be closer to the Virginia Tech campus and would increase problems at the intersection with U.S. 460 nearby.
But Solberg said temporary use by a fraternal organization was the most logical course because the house is expected to be razed within five years when construction begins on the new Blacksburg-to-Christiansburg bypass.
In the meantime, the move would help Virginia Tech ease a space crunch for fraternal organizations. The university plans to build several fraternity houses on campus - and some are expected to be ready about the time the road work begins.
The owner, First National Bank of Christiansburg, is negotiating with representatives of three groups - Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Delta Rho and Sigma Chi.
After approving the rezoning, the supervisors sent the matter back to the Planning Commission to set conditions for a special use permit to govern operation of the house.
In other business, the supervisors:
Asked the Council on the Environment to study karst terrain, the geologic term for landscape formed by dissolving rock. Because of the sinkholes and underground streams that characterize karst terrain, it is thought to be poorly suited to handle septic systems safely.
The council will recommend how to prevent ground water pollution in karst areas, which are commonly found in Montgomery County.
Heard a plea from Michael Nearing, a resident of Shawsville Mobile Home Park. Nearing urged the board to pass a maintenance code so the county would have the authority to order the park's owners to make repairs.
Heard from residents of Oilwell Road, Spangler Drive and Conrad Road who objected to those new names for their streets.
by CNB