Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 5, 1991 TAG: 9104050488
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK LAYMAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Planners projected that by the end of the century, Bonsack's population would grow to 2,690.
They were 10 years behind.
Last year's census showed Bonsack's population already had reached 2,847. "It's grown faster than anyone expected," said county planner Lyn Donihe.
The number of houses in Bonsack grew by 70 percent between 1983 and 1990, as subdivisions such as The Orchards and Little Tree Acres blossomed on what once was farm land. Tweeds Inc. built a mail-order center in a new industrial park on the Roanoke-Botetourt county line. And other large tracts on the south side of 460 were rezoned for industry.
The residential and industrial development in Bonsack has brought problems, such as traffic congestion on 460 and Alternate U.S. 220. For example, in 1982 there were 5.5 accidents per mile on 460 between the Roanoke city limits and Alternate 220, then called Virginia 604. In 1989, that had jumped to 12 accidents per mile.
The growth also has resulted in demands for public services, such as water and sewer lines, better fire protection and parks.
On the other side of the county, the Back Creek community along U.S. 221 has experienced faster-than-expected growth, too.
That's why the county Planning Commission decided recently that Bonsack and Back Creek should get a second look when the comprehensive plan is updated this year.
Three-dozen people - many of whom knew one another by their first names - showed up at a meeting Thursday at the Bonsack United Methodist Church to talk to county planners about the future of their community.
One problem that came up right away: There aren't any large meeting spaces, such as a school cafeteria or auditorium, in Bonsack. "If you want to get this community together in one place, you can't," said Don Terp, the erstwhile anti-consolidation leader, who lives in The Orchards.
"This is the biggest building we could find," planner Janet Scheid agreed.
Those who attended the meeting seemed pleased that the new Read Mountain Fire Station is to be completed by September.
But they weren't pleased about:
Traffic, particularly the trucks that use Alternate 220 as a detour to avoid the weigh station on Interstate 81.
The redistricting plan that the Board of Supervisors prefers, which splits Bonsack along 460 between the Hollins and Vinton magisterial districts. In trying to solve one problem - by putting all of North Lakes into the Catawba magisterial district - the Board of Supervisors would be creating another, Terp warned.
The Blue Ridge Library, which doesn't have enough reference books.
The lack of parks.
The county's slow pace in building an elementary school on land it owns near The Orchards.
The possibility of more industrial development.
And the possibility of multifamily residential development on land owned by Fralin & Waldron near The Orchards.
Planning Director Terry Harrington said a follow-up meeting might be held in Bonsack later this spring, to give residents a chance to comment on possible changes in the future land-use map.
A similar meeting is to be held in Back Creek this spring.
by CNB