
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 12, 1995                   TAG: 9501120059
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: STEPHEN FOSTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

BLACKSBURG COUNCIL DOESN'T GIVE NEIGHBORHOOD HISTORIC STATUS

Town Council, following a survey of residents in the Miller-Southside neighborhood, voted with the majority Tuesday and decided not to denote the area as a historic district that would bring with it certain restrictions for upgrading homes.

Council had tabled discussion of the issue at its Dec. 13 meeting, awaiting the results of a survey sent to the residents of one of the town's oldest neighborhoods, bounded by Miller and South Main streets, Airport Road and Preston Avenue.

Nearly 60 percent of those who responded to the survey said they did not favor the "historic overlay" status, which would have been used to preserve the neighborhood's integrity but which opponents thought could come with too many restrictions. Some thought it would devalue their property. Of 131 surveys sent, 82 were returned for a 62.6 percent response.

Councilwoman Joyce Lewis moved for disapproval of the ordinance, which had been discussed in earnest since August, after a group appointed to document the historic nature of the district formally asked the council for the special zoning.

While the district is recognized by both the state and the National Register of Historic Places, Lewis said, "for us to pass it, there needs to be an overwhelming approval."

Council members Lewis Barnett, Michael Chandler and Mayor Roger Hedgepeth alluded to the efforts of the community to document the neighborhood, but decided to vote to deny the overlay status.

The historic overlay zoning doesn't necessarily preclude the original zoning, but demands that more time and thought be given to proposed changes in the neighborhood. Councilwoman Frances Parsons, also a member of the town's Planning Commission, said the commission thought the writing of the ordinance itself should be reviewed.

In other business:

Council pledged $15,500 to be used as its quarter of matching funds to secure $248,000 in federal funding for increased costs in building the Huckleberry Trail.

In the time it has taken to get the trail built, construction and materials costs have risen. People Advocating the Huckleberry - PATH - is seeking $310,000 in additional money. PATH is also asking Christiansburg, Montgomery County and the private group, Friends of the Huckleberry, to pledge $15,500 apiece.

Council formally appointed Kathleen Dooley as the new town attorney. Dooley served as senior staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of the New River Valley from 1985-1989 and currently serves as assistant city attorney for Chesapeake. She is to report to work by Feb. 1.

by CNB