Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 19, 1994 TAG: 9410190043
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The Planning Commission proposed changes to the subdivision ordinance that it hoped would help control burgeoning growth in Montgomery's rural communities, such as Riner and Mount Tabor. The amendment would have required homes in agricultural districts be built on lots no smaller than 20 acres.
At least one supervisor, Ira Long of rural Prices Fork, criticized the Planning Commission for even bringing up the subdivision ordinance issue.
"You've opened up a can of worms," Long said. "You haven't done what the board directed you to do."
But Supervisor Jim Moore of Blacksburg, who supports drafting a plan for future development, expressed disappointment about the tabling of the subdivision ordinance amendments.
"I don't get a sense the balance of the board is worried about the future," Moore said. "I think they're more concerned with today. I think the Planning Commission was totally frustrated last night."
The Planning Commission will discuss its next steps at 7 p.m. tonight.
After the supervisors couldn't reach a consensus on the subdivision ordinance, they turned their attention to the issue of access and connection requirements for water and sewage systems.
The current regulations require subdivisions within 200 feet of a public water or sewage system to connect to the service. Two years ago the ordinance required subdivisions to connect to water and sewage if it was "reasonably available."
The supervisors expressed an interest in developing an ordinance that falls between the two requirements.
Moore says reasonably available "would be impossible to manage if it doesn't have numbers in it because each case would be different."
Moore favors a plan based on density and distance - higher density subdivisions might be required to bring water and sewer farther than smaller developments.
Officials said public water and sewer systems will play a bigger role in the future when existing wells and septic fields fail. Moore advised that citizens would regret not hooking up to water and sewer if they have a chance early in the process.
"It's not pay now or pay later, it's pay now and pay later."
Nick Rush, vice chairman of the Board of Supervisors, said he couldn't support the proposed 20-acre minimum lot size, but he could agree with applying water and sewage ordinances in areas where the services are reasonably available.
"We have to make sure that through our ordinances we don't price people out of buying homes," Rush said. Rush's concerns stem from the often high cost of extending water and sewer lines to subdivisions. One developer would have had to spend nearly $2 million to run utility lines under a major highway, adding that amount to development expenses passed on to homebuyers, he said.
Other supervisors proposed alternative funding of water and sewer lines to sites outside of town. Developers could be offered a rebate after other citizens connected to the sewage system. In some cases, the county might pay the difference between 6-inch pipe and 12-inch pipe to ensure efficient service of the entire basin in the future.
Though Moore regrets the board's decision not to consider the subdivision ordinance, he says he won't bring up rural development again until after next year's elections because it would be a waste of time. However, with four seats up for grabs next year, he said the board could change fundamentally and the subdivision ordinance might receive a warmer welcome.
by CNB