Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 21, 1993 TAG: 9307210250
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Owners of the Gray House, which was built in 1891, filed a petition Tuesday asking Roanoke County to rezone the front portion of the property for a used-car dealership.
Beverly Michael Hite, whose great-grandmother built the house, said the dealership should not interfere with her family's home.
"We have an interest in the [car] business and the house," she said, "so we're going to make it look as attractive as possible."
The Gray House, in the 6600 block of Peters Creek Road, has been recommended as a possible nominee for the National Register because of its historic significance and its high degree of architectural integrity.
Last year, a consultant retained by Roanoke County found the house was one of the earliest examples of American Foursquare design in the area. Many of the original craftsman features have been preserved because there have been few exterior and interior alterations.
Beverly Hite and her husband, William, want to relocate their automobile business, Plaza Volkswagen, to the front half of the property. They have agreed not to do repair work on the site.
The county Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Sept. 7 to consider a request to reazone 0.85 acres for commercial use.
The property is just under two acres.
"There still will be some front yard to the home place," Beverly Hite said.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***