Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 18, 1994 TAG: 9403180229
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
By a 7-2 vote, the planners approved the preliminary plan submitted by David M. Harman for his Heritage Place subdivision. Planning Chairman Jeff London and member Harry Neumann cast the dissenting votes.
Though Harman had asked for a seven-year approval - which would have allowed him to develop 231 lots in nine phases without coming back for further approval - the planners granted him only a two-year OK. That's still longer the usual one-year nod.
After the two years expire, Harman could either apply for an extension, or submit a final subdivision plan and rezoning request, which would go to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
The Planning Commission vote means that Harman, a Lynchburg-area man whose family has owned the open, rolling pasture for decades, can start work this year on the first 11 lots along Mud Pike, just west of the Grandview subdivision.
Plans call for the subdivision eventually to cover 300 acres between Mud Pike and U.S. 11, which would make it one of the biggest developments ever in Montgomery County.
The scope of the plans and Harman's desire to use individual septic systems for each lot sparked concerns that groundwater quality in the area could be affected.
The county Public Service Authority discussed, but then rejected requiring the developer to build an extension to existing sewer lines, saying it was too costly. The county can only compel hookup when a new development is within 200 feet of an existing line.
Earlier this month, the PSA board, which includes five members of the elected Board of Supervisors, recommended the Planning Commission approve only the first three phases of Heritage Place with an option to review it after two years.
Wednesday night, a neighboring landowner questioned approving the subdivision with septic systems, when the area eventually will see more development and likely will be served by a sewer line.
But soil scientist John J. Simon, who is working for Harman, told the commission that he didn't see a major impact on groundwater quality because of the development.
The Planning Commission's approval covers the entire subdivision, not just the first three phases. If Harman wanted to, he could develop all nine phases in the next two years.
Commission member Joe Draper questioned whether the PSA board was exceeding its authority by suggesting requirements that go beyond the county's ordinance.
"As long as we have a developer that's satisfied with the process," said Draper, the head of a major engineering firm with an office in Blacksburg.
by CNB