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

DATE: THURSDAY, September 16, 1993                   TAG: 9309160199
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

BLACKSBURG APPROVES HISTORIC ZONE

Town Council unanimously approved an ordinance establishing the new zoning district Tuesday.

Town Planner Dirk Geratz couldn't be more pleased - or relieved.

"I'm excited about it," he said. "I'm just glad it finally happened."

Geratz has been working with a council-appointed historic-district task force, formed in July 1990 at the urging of several members of the Draper-Preston neighborhood, one of Blacksburg's oldest areas.

Jo Wieczynski, who lives on Preston Avenue, told council on Tuesday that she was glad something was finally being done to stop Blacksburg's heritage from being destroyed by new construction.

"Someone's grandchildren someday will thank you," she said.

Wieczynski said some homeowners are ruining old neighborhoods by installing modern exterior features like heat pumps and high-intensity lighting.

Those things are not "suitable for in-town lots," she said.

There are no areas yet zoned historic, but Geratz said the Draper-Preston neighborhood probably will be one of the first neighborhoods to apply. The area already is listed in the register of the Virginia Division of Historic Landmarks and the National Register of Historic Places.

In writing the ordinance, the task force reviewed similar historic-district ordinances used by other communities in Virginia and consulted with the Department of Historic Resources in Richmond.

The ordinance includes a procedure for establishing an architectural review board, the board's powers, the review criteria for changes to historic buildings, and criteria for demolition and structure of historic buildings. The seven-member architectural review board will be appointed by Town Council to review and make recommendations on applications for historic zoning.

The proposal lists seven criteria for the town to consider when an area asks for historic zoning. A few of the highlights are whether the area:

Is listed in the National Register of Historic Places or in the Virginia Landmarks Register.

Is near landmarks or historic areas.

Has significant architectural and landscape design.

Has historical, cultural or archaeological significance.

According to the ordinance, once an area is zoned historic, there would be guidelines for how homes or buildings could be remodeled or altered.