Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 17, 1995 TAG: 9505170083
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Approval of the site plan for Christian Village of Western Virginia came after the developer added parking and landscaping.
The commission's vote paves the way for the purchase of 4 acres off King Street from the real estate company Fralin & Waldron. But some residents of the nearby Springtree community, unhappy with the proposed development, said they'd put their homes up for sale.
Christian Village will build a 46-unit, single-story apartment complex that would house retirees age 62 and older. To qualify, residents' annual incomes must be less than half of Roanoke's median household income. Children would not be allowed.
The not-for-profit company is a partnership of Virginia churches and charities which are seeking financing for the apartments through low-interest government loans.
"It sounds like the developers are planning a desirable place that people would be interested in living in," said commission member Barbara Duerk.
The apartments will be built on land between a Kroger supermarket that fronts Orange Avenue, and Springtree, a neighborhood of 75 homes off King Street.
A Planning Commission meeting April 5 drew at least 25 Springtree residents, most of whom objected loudly to both the Christian Village plan and a nearby rezoning to allow construction of an asphalt plant.
City Council approved the asphalt plant rezoning last week. Because the Christian Village property already was zoned for apartments, the Planning Commission had no authority to halt the project, which complies with development regulations.
At the April meeting, the Springtree residents voiced fears that a government-subsidized complex for low-income residents would drive down values of their homes, which have been appreciating 5 percent to 8 percent annually.
Representatives of Fralin & Waldron met with 20 neighborhood homeowners Monday night to outline changes in the Christian Village development plan. On Tuesday, only six Springtree homeowners attended the commission's meeting to voice concerns.
The few who did turn out said the new plan is an improvement over the old one, but they're still unhappy about having apartments near their homes.
More residents would have come, but they were disheartened after after City Council's unanimous approval of the asphalt plant, said Paul Smith.
"I came down here to see another 'done deal' done," Smith said after the meeting.
"Northeast is becoming the dumping ground of the city," Pamela Cunningham said.
Two residents said they would try to sell their homes before the Christian Village property changes hands in August.
by CNB