Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 21, 1993 TAG: 9307210239
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
Town Council went along with a Planning Commission recommendation Tuesday and unanimously turned down a rezoning request that would have allowed construction of the drive-in eatery on Memorial Drive.
The proposed location is across the road from property occupied by the Memorial Drive Shopping Center, which council agreed to rezone several years ago after months of heated controversy.
It's also next door to the Presbyterian Church of America sanctuary. At the earlier Planning Commission hearing, the church's pastor, the Rev. Stan Armes, said he was concerned about noise and litter.
Polly Mitchell, a former council member, expressed similar views at Tuesday's meeting. "I don't think the public needs this sort of business in this area," she said.
Charles M. Allison, administrator of the Walter W. Allison estate, which owns the tract in question, had sought a zoning change from R-0, a residential category that allows offices, to B-2, general business.
"We didn't do too good with the Planning Commission," he told council during a public hearing before the vote. "Give me a little latitude," he pleaded.
Sonic representative Dana Spraker said the restaurant chain typically located in residential areas and had "a strong commitment to the community." She said the Pulaski drive-in would employ 16 people.
"They are very keen on keeping things happy in the neighborhoods where they locate," she said.
After Councilman Roy D'Ardenne's motion to accept the Planning Commission's recommendation to leave the zoning unchanged, Mayor Gary Hancock encouraged Spraker to seek another Pulaski location.
"I think every member of council would like to see a Sonic restaurant come to Pulaski," he said.
"The question for council is the location of the restaurant."
For his part, Allison told Hancock he'd be back. "I'm sorry we don't see eye to eye on this," he said.
Under the town's zoning ordinance, Allison could reapply for the zoning change in one year.
by CNB