Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 22, 1994 TAG: 9407200037
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ADRIENNE PETTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
On Tuesday, the Franklin County Board of Supervisors tabled, for six months, a request to rezone 780 acres from residential use back to agricultural, buying developers more time to secure financing.
Lakenheath, named for a wartime airfield in England, would be in Penhook, straddling the Franklin and Pittsylvania county lines. It would feature an 18-hole golf couse, clubhouse, marina and private airport.
Developers received zoning approval for Lakenheath in January 1989. The first phase of the project - building the airstrip and taxiways leading to single-family homes - was originally to be completed by summer 1991.
But dust has collected on the project for three years. First, managers at CorEast Savings Bank changed their minds and decided not to finance Lakenheath in 1990. Last June, the Board of Supervisors rezoned two large parcels back to agricultural use at the request of Harold Booth, one of the landowners. Prospects for financing looked bleak, and taxes are lower on land zoned for agricultural use.
The board also decided last June to consider rezoning the entire project. Removal of Booth's two parcels made it impossible for the development to be built as planned.
At Tuesday's public hearing, Edward Lantz, chairman of Lakenheath Inc., assured the board that he would be able to secure a commitment from a lender within six months. He also said that Booth has agreed to have the two parcels restored to residential zoning to preserve the project.
The board agreed to delay action until after Jan. 1.
by CNB