Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 3, 1991 TAG: 9104030423
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE/ NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Planners voted to drop language in the draft Comprehensive Plan that stressed open space preservation.
They also voted to ease restrictions on development in the proposed Central Residential District zoning plan.
Both actions were recommendations to Town Council, which will make the final decision.
The commission decided that the language in the Comprehensive Plan - a 10-year blueprint for growth required of all Virginia localities - was too restrictive.
"I'd hate to see headlines tomorrow - `Commission Opposes Open Space' - because that's certainly not the case," said commission member Joe Jones.
The commission has launched a study to develop an open-space plan over the next year or so.
But the commissioners said there hadn't been enough time to properly study several pages that council member Michael Chandler added to the draft.
Jones also was concerned that property owners who might be affected by the change had not been adequately notified.
The commission also rejected Chandler's suggested changes in the land-use map that would reduce development potential along Prices Fork Road and in other areas.
Commissioner Georgia Anne Snyder-Falkinham said the town should pass the draft plan, which has been in the works for more than two years, and amend it later with an open-space plan.
Two citizens spoke in favor of Chandler's ideas during a public hearing.
"Someday, you're going to find if you take steps now to preserve open space, people are going to thank you for years to come," said Ed Wesely, president of the New River Valley Environmental Coalition.
The commission also recommended nine changes to the Central Residential District plan that it said would contain growth while allowing greater flexibility for developers.
The plan, as proposed by council, would eliminate multiunit construction in most of the district, divide the district into three areas and take in a large undeveloped tract.
Many central-district landowners have criticized council's plan as unfair, ill-conceived and possibly illegal.
Among the commission's recommendations:
That multiunit development should be allowed throughout the district, by special-use permit only.
That the district should remain one area.
That maximum density should be set at 10 units per acre.
That projects in the designated Special Policy Area be allowed with special-use permit only.
Further, the commission agreed that a consultant should be hired to help define an overall vision for the Central Residential District. It voted Tuesday to scratch the phrase, "when funds become available," as originally suggested.
by CNB