ORDINANCE WOULD MARK TOW ZONES CONSPICUOUSLY

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, January 12, 1993                   TAG: 9301120038
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium
ORDINANCE WOULD MARK TOW ZONES CONSPICUOUSLY
A proposed ordinance that would require "a conspicuous sign" to be placed on every parking place where towing is enforced is the topic of one of six public hearings the Blacksburg Town Council will hold tonight.
The towing ordinance was drafted after a number of citizens complained to Town Council that that AuTow Inc. removed their cars from private parking lots that weren't clearly marked as tow-away zones.
The proposed ordinance would require a sign at least six inches square and at least four feet above the ground stating the days and hours towing is enforced.
Peggy Harrell, owner of AuTow, said she has no objections to the proposed sign ordinance. Harrell, who started AuTow in 1989 with her husband, Morgan, said the towing company provides a service to downtown businesses.
Decals are provided for AuTow customers and the company's tow truck checks its contracted spaces and removes vehicles without a sticker. AuTow takes towed vehicles to its lot at 206 Yellow Sulphur Road. It costs $55 for the owner to get the car back. Richard Kaufman, Blacksburg town attorney, said it would be the property owner's - not the towing company's - responsibility to put up the proper sign.
Also on council's agenda are public hearings on two rezoning requests by J.D. Nicewonder. The developer has asked the town for planned commercial zoning for 17 acres at South Main and Hubbard streets and for 10.5 acres at Price's Fork and Plantation roads.
The Planning Commission last week recommended approval of the South Main request where Nicewonder wants to build a small commercial office park consisting of no more than eight buildings.
Last October, Nicewonder withdrew his request to build a small strip shopping center at the site after neighbors complained and the Planning Commission recommended disapproval of the project.
The Planning Commission last week recommended disapproval of Nicewonder's plans to develop the Price's Fork Road site, which consists of two parcels located on different sides of Plantation Road.
On the smaller half-acre site in front of the Red Lion Inn, Nicewonder wants to build professional office space. He plans to develop the larger lot either as a restaurant, hotel or a combination of both.
Council also will hold a public hearing on a request for James and Alice Noonkester to rezone 65.7 acres of land on the north side of Meadowbrook Drive for a housing subdivision.
After neighbors complained, the Planning Commission last week recommended disapproval of the request.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB