Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 7, 1991 TAG: 9103070152
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE/ NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
During Tuesday night's meeting, the commission scheduled the tour for March 14, starting at town hall at 3 p.m. At 7:30 that evening, the commission will hold its second work session on proposed zoning changes in the district.
The commission is reviewing a draft ordinance prepared by Town Council that would sharply limit growth in the district. Multifamily development would be allowed only by special-use permit in a third of the so-called CRD, and not at all in the remainder of the district.
Town officials and citizens have pondered and studied for several years how to control growth in the district and preserve its neighborhoods.
Many citizens have opposed the plan, introduced a little over a year ago. They say it's too restrictive, and that it would unfairly, perhaps illegally, strip their development rights and devalue their property.
Opponents further say that the CRD is the best place for apartment buildings, being close to downtown and Virginia Tech.
The commission has asked the planning staff to diagram the effects of different levels of development, including new parking and landscaping regulations.
Commission Chairman William Claus also has asked the other members to think about pros and cons of some fundamental proposed changes, such as whether to divide the district into three areas with different standards, and whether the town should hire a consultant.
A public hearing has been scheduled April 2 at 7:30 p.m., when the commission is expected to forward its recommendations to Town Council.
Also at Tuesday night's meeting, the commission voted unanimously to serve strictly as an observer on a proposed joint commission that would study planning issues in the U.S. 460 and Virginia 114 crossroads area.
The Route 460/114 Corridor Advisory Planning Council asked that planning commissions of Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Montgomery County "invite each other" to form the planning group.
The request stems from recent rezoning of 9.56 acres of the former Tech horticulture farm for a shopping center, and, in the distant future, construction of a 460 bypass behind the Market Place.
"It's commendable we've been asked," Claus said. But he, with other commissioners agreeing, said Blacksburg should participate solely as an observer.
A planning staff memo said that the area, although of interest to the town, is not near its borders. Also, the town has called for a joint planning commission that would discuss issues in a one-mile wide strip around the town, which would include the crossroads area.
by CNB