Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 27, 1993 TAG: 9311300360
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JEANIE H. O'NEILL
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
True, I do not want a Hardee's on this particular spot in the heart of town with its drive-through speaker blaring seven days a week, and I think few people would choose to have a fast-food chain as a neighbor. But the reality is that, at the present time, anyone can build anything anywhere in this town and county with little regard as to the financial, physical or emotional impact it might have on surrounding neighborhoods, its residents or other businesses. As citizens, we have no legal rights to a public hearing or other forum to learn of business intent or otherwise. An architectural review board, a historic district or controlled-growth zoning would, however, give citizens some say in how a building would look and fit into the existing community. Businesses such as Hardee's could build, but with certain provisions as to architectural structure, sign size and placement, lighting, landscape, noise, food odor, traffic patterns, etc.
All major chains have these architectural blue prints and will adhere to their guidelines upon request by citizen groups and public servants. They see it as a good business practice and realize that controversy is not always conducive to good business.
At the present time, many towns and cities are scrambling to put into place controlled-growth areas and to undo wrongs of the past, because it's a proven fact that to do so is beneficial to residents and business alike. Tourists, who have seen it all, have little desire to come to a small town of plastic and asphalt, and many nonindustrial communities, such as Floyd, are realizing tourism is an attractive option for economic survival and continued growth.
I hear ``Floyd is unique'' all the time in my travels and from people who come by my studio, because it is a place where one can step back in time with its beautiful homes and quaint businesses. My father and I both grew up in this house in this town, and I chose to return so that my children could grow up in this house in this town, so Floyd is more to me than a quick business opportunity. It's a gem of a place that is my family's past, present and, I hope, future. It only takes a single glance in ``Anytown USA'' to see a beautiful neighborhood start to crumble when uncontrolled development moves in and indifference prevails.
I've seen Floyd change over the years, and I welcome change. My desire and hope is that community business leaders, local politicians, county and town residents will be motivated by this current situation, in which we have no say, and wake up to the fact that with the town's elderly homeowner population, vacant lots that are strategically located, and its many Realtor-owned buildings, it's a town vulnerable to enormous change.
This is not about residents against business, nor is it about hysteric historical purist against business growth.
It's about this: If we as Floyd Countians choose to stand back, take for granted Floyd as it is today, close our eyes and ears and hope for the best, then we're literally giving up any rights as residents of the community to have a voice in this town's future growth and development.
In a visual sense, Floyd belongs to all its citizens, so what is seen reflects how we feel about our town. In five, 15 or 20 years, do we want more chains and commercial development with no restraints? Do we want our main streets to be generic? Do we want to see families move out and old homes fall because the land is only good for commercial business? Do we really want ``Another Anytown USA?'' Or do we seize this opportunity to start talking, to come together as a collective caring group of people and shout "enough already"? It's time to start preserving what's left, and let the uniqueness and charm dictate Floyd's future growth.
\ Jeanie H. O'Neill is an artist who lives in Floyd.
by CNB