Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 19, 1993 TAG: 9306190081
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Councilman Colbern Linkous introduced both measures during a budget hearing at council's regular meeting last Thursday. However, Town Attorney Tommy Baker recommended that council take both proposals under advisement until it votes on the entire budget next Thursday.
He said the delay also would give council's Finance Committee a chance to determine how the two changes would affect the overall budget.
Last year, council cut the real estate tax rate from 27 cents to 24 cents per $100 valuation. Town residents also pay Montgomery County taxes.
"I believe we made money by doing that," said Linkous, adding that the lower tax rate attracted new businesses.
Now, he'd like to shave another penny off the rate, a move that would cost the town about $5,000 next year. Under the proposed budget, all taxes would have stayed the same.
Councilman David Stanley, who had seconded Linkous' motion to shrink the Police Department, spoke against the tax cut.
"It's a good budget," he said. "We're spending money wisely."
Linkous' motion to cut the number of police officers from seven to six and reduce the budget accordingly came on the heels of last month's controversial firing of Police Chief Jim McKinney by Mayor Benny Keister.
McKinney, who has not been replaced, has said he plans to sue the town.
In other business, council went against the recommendations of the Planning Commission and acted to change the zoning on a vacant lot at U.S. 11 and Giles Avenue from B-1 business (local) to the less restrictive B-2 business (general) category.
The 5-1 vote came following a public hearing on the issue and after property owner Tom Pifer assured council members and those in the audience that he had no plans to build a service station on the site, allowed under B-2 zoning.
The lot is located in the town's National Historic Register District. Councilwoman Elsie Repass voted against the change.
Planning Commission Chairwoman Patsy Akers said the commission was concerned about a traffic bottleneck at the corner and its proximity to the historic district.
Two area property owners also said they opposed the zoning change.
A "very preliminary sketch" on display depicted plans for a mini-mall and parking lot for professional offices and shops, something already allowed under B-1 zoning. Town Administrator Gary Elander said the primary difference between B-1 and B-2 is that the latter would permit a service station.
Pifer claimed he was a victim of "spot zoning," since other properties bordering U.S. 11 are zoned B-2. He said he wanted the less restrictive zoning to preserve the property's future value.
"I have no intention of hurting anybody's property whatsoever," he told council.
Once Pifer submits firm plans to develop the site, which once held a large Victorian house surrounded by tall trees, the Virginia Department of Transportation must determine if it meets traffic-flow standards.
by CNB