Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 19, 1994 TAG: 9411210046
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FINCASTLE LENGTH: Medium
The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors on Friday paved the way for a new 360-acre commercial-residential complex at Daleville.
On a 3-1 vote, they approved rezoning the land from agricultural to residential and commercial.
But several residents at a public hearing told the board that they don't want to see the U.S. 220 corridor cluttered with strip development.
"I'm very much in favor of county development as long as it is done properly," said Bud Brummitt, a Republican challenger to Del. Richard Cranwell last year. "Don't let us look like the ugly urban sprawl of New York, Los Angeles or, even closer to home, Williamson Road."
Brummitt challenged the board to keep a rein on store signs that could become part of the landscape of this historic county, which is the region's hot spot for development because of the availability of reasonably priced, flat land.
"Don't let the ballot box be our only ally," Brummitt warned.
The new complex, to be named Timberbrook, will be about a quarter-mile south of Interstate 81's Exit 150 on land owned by Jim Hancock.
Hancock already had reached agreement with Food Lion to build a 30,000-square-foot shopping center on the land if the rezoning was approved. In addition to 48 acres set aside for commercial use, the proposed project would contain 227 residential lots on 288 acres.
Hancock has estimated the project could be worth $220 million once it is developed.
One snag may be an access road to the back of the property. Hancock must find a way to move traffic across railroad tracks and a flood plain in the middle of the project. He has agreed not to start construction of any housing until the problem can be resolved.
Residents along nearby Virginia 674 say the winding, narrow road is not sufficient to handle the increased traffic that the new development would create. Hancock further agreed not to use Virginia 674 as an access road for the project until a traffic study can be completed.
New Fincastle Supervisor Bonnie Barger Mayo, who was attending her first meeting, cast the dissenting vote Friday.
"I just felt uncomfortable going ahead," Mayo said.
That was just fine with James Crosby, a citizen who addressed the board.
"People are moving up here to get away from what you're creating," he said. "I'm not interested in blacktopping Botetourt."
by CNB