BOARD DECIDES NOT TO CHANGE ORDINANCE

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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 24, 1993                   TAG: 9302240165
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER SOUTHWEST BUREAU
DATELINE: WYTHEVILLE                                LENGTH: Medium
BOARD DECIDES NOT TO CHANGE ORDINANCE
The Wythe County Board of Supervisors backed away from a subdivision ordinance change Tuesday night that would have required roads in tracts subdivided into 5 acres.
The proposed change that would have removed the 5-acre exemption was voted down 5-2, with Andy Kegley and John Davis voting for it.
The vote followed a public hearing at which people who work in land transactions joined with farmers in expressing concerns over the cost of building roads with 50-foot right-of-ways to state standards.
Supervisor Olin Armentrout, who said he had been leaning toward voting for the change, said he was convinced the roads' cost could keep estates from being able to subdivide.
Roger Blevins, speaking at the hearing, said he bought his home in a subdivision that had been exempt from any road-building requirements. As a result, he said, he gets no school bus, snow removal or other services and finds it difficult to persuade some neighbors to help keep up what road they have.
Debbie Stone said a state-maintained road might cost more at first but would help a home appreciate in value. She cited instances where banks refused to make home loans where no road was available.
The supervisors also tabled a public hearing on a resolution stating that Wythe and Bland counties have no privately owned or privately operated refuse collection services available.
That brought a protest from Ron Molloy whose C&M Carting has been in existence for 21 years. "My company and two others in this area do exist and do provide services," he noted.
County Attorney Willard Lester explained that the resolution was necessary for the two-county Public Service Authority to be able to negotiate for private waste-disposal services. It is required by the state.
"What is it better to do, put a private enterprise out of business or put the PSA out of business?" Molloy asked. James Boyd, an attorney representing him, said he thought the resolution could limit itself to stating that no disposal services were available.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB