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

DATE: SATURDAY, July 22, 1995                   TAG: 9507240038
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

INDUSTRIAL PARK NOT GOOD NEWS FOR SOME BOTETOURT RESIDENTS

Botetourt County has closed on the $4.6 million purchase of more than 900 acres that it proposes for an industrial park, fire and rescue building and school for the rapidly developing Daleville area. But the plan is drawing criticism from nearby residents.

Court records say the county on Tuesday shelled out $4,568,008.50 for 922.83 acres - nearly $5,000 an acre - formerly owned by the estate of the late Mary Blount. The tract is along U.S. 220 in the Greenfield section.

The county Board of Supervisors last month announced plans for Botetourt Center at Greenfield, the name proposed for development of the property. About 150 acres would be used for a park, while 30 acres would be set aside for an elementary school.

County officials estimate 600 to 700 acres would be set aside for a business and office park, the largest of its type in the Roanoke Valley.

To accommodate that plan, however, the Blount land will have to be rezoned from its agricultural classification.

Public hearings are required prior to the rezoning, and some residents neighboring the tract have expressed concern about the development and its environmental impact on the community.

County officials say they are planning a project with a low environmental impact, while providing a potential for 2,000 new jobs during the next decade.

by CNB