Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 13, 1993 TAG: 9307130104
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
First drafted last January, the ordinance - aimed at reducing noise in single-family neighborhoods - has been rewritten four times in six months.
If passed, the law could mean thousands of lost dollars for some owners who rent apartments in their houses.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of the ordinance at its June meeting.
A public hearing on the ordinance will held during council's meeting today that begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building.
There are hundreds of single-family homes with attached apartments scattered in neighborhoods throughout Blacksburg, most built decades ago when off-campus housing was needed for Virginia Tech students.
No new accessory apartments have been allowed on single-family homes since 1976 when the zoning ordinance was revised, but those already existing could continue to be rented.
In the last few years an increasing number of the homes with accessory apartments are being used entirely as rental units. The owner moves, rents the main house to up to three unrelated individuals and then rents the adjoining apartment to someone else. The ordinance was drafted after Town Council heard numerous complaints from neighbors about the noise and traffic caused by renters. The ordinance says that if renting an accessory apartment causes "a change in character" from its present use, then the owner would lose the right to rent the apartment.
Supporters of the ordinance said they are tired of noisy parties and run-down houses in their neighborhoods, while opponents say the ordinance would penalize every house with an accessory apartment when only a few cause problems.
Also on council's agenda:
A special-use permit request from First Wesleyan Church to allow improvements to the church's parking area.
An ordinance regulating and restricting the height of structures in the vicinity of the Virginia Tech airport.
An ordinance creating an office and institutional zoning district.
by CNB