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

DATE: MONDAY, July 5, 1993                   TAG: 9307050028
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: HOLIDAY 
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

NEIGHBORHOOD TO FIGHT PROPOSED ZONING CHANGES

Len Boone may have gotten much of what he wanted from a parkway committee, but he now faces a Southwest County neighborhood up in arms over his plans to develop a 317-acre farm along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Many Cotton Hill Road residents oppose zoning changes that could lead to two densely developed subdivisions with a potential for 500 new houses in their neighborhood.

"We think that is not in sync with this area," said Jenny Davis Owen. "This is a pristine, rural area."

Cotton Hill Road residents plan to turn out in force Tuesday night when the Roanoke County Planning Commission holds a public hearing on the proposed zoning changes.

Two of the county's largest home builders have targeted the area. Strauss Construction Co. wants to develop the 80-acre Sigmund property and Boone has a contract to buy the neighboring Beasley property.

Boone said the two farms are among the last remaining large, undeveloped properties in Southwest Roanoke County.

"You've got to have economic growth," Boone said. "What you're hearing [from neighbors] is, `Don't do it in my backyard.' The reality is there's no other backyard to do it in."

Boone said his development would be less dense than neighbors fear. An R-1 designation would allow six houses per acre, but Boone said he would be lucky to get two houses per acre.

Cotton Hill Road residents want the Sigmund and Beasley properties to be developed like the rest of the neighborhood, which includes many lots larger than 1 1/2 acres.

A dense development, they say, would overwhelm the narrow road and dump more children into already overcrowded schools.

"We do not want to see SteepleHunt and Branderwood," Owen said, referring to two existing Boone developments. "We will fight it. We are united on this. We will not tolerate high density and loss of green space."

Opponents cite the county's 1985 comprehensive plan, which targeted the area for low density development.

But county officials say the plan is outdated and does not reflect residential growth that has taken place in the Back Creek corridor during the last decade.

Moreover, the plan does not take into account that a main water line from the county's $73 million Spring Hollow Reservoir is slated to come right across the Sigmund and Beasley properties.

Strauss and Boone also plan to construct a sewer line parallel to the water line - giving the area public utilities that would support dense development.

Some opponents fear the subdivisions are a done deal because the county needs to get out from under the debt used to finance Spring Hollow Reservoir. "The hidden agenda is that they have to get connections to pay for it," said Roy Lochner, a member of Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

County Administrator Elmer Hodge denied that debt service is driving county planning.

"We're not looking at this as a way to make money," he said. "I think the Back Creek area will continue to develop with or without water and sewer. It may be unfortunate for some, but I think it's inevitable."

by CNB