Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 8, 1995 TAG: 9509080077
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Dale Teel had applied to have the land rezoned from agriculture to limited business. Because council turned down the request, the land will remain zoned for agriculture.
Up to two dozen Fox Hollow residents turned out for the meeting, and many told council their worries: the building and parking lot would spoil the view and diminish property values; Tower Road is too narrow for the added traffic; the extra vehicles would make the area unsafe for children and pets.
Council and Planning Commission members listened quietly and did not say much. They had heard it all before.
The real discussion came during the commission's subsequent meeting in Town Manager John Lemley's office, out of earshot of the audience.
Planning Commission members, who eventually unanimously voted to not recommend the rezoning, had some things to say that might indicate the future of the town's agricultural land - and the effectiveness of such mass resident voicings.
Commission Chairman Jack Via, who is also a council member, said Christiansburg's agricultural land "is sitting there ripe for change."
"Having the community stay like it was or like it is, is just not realistic," he said.
Later Via said, "I don't go along with people controlling someone else's land just for the view." He also said, "I don't want to encourage a neighborhood show of force."
The possibility that Teel's request could be considered "spot zoning" decided the issue for the commission members. Spot zoning creates an "island" of one type of zoning in the midst of land that is designated for other use.
Council also took care of some routine yearly business Tuesday. The members elected Via to be vice mayor; Harold Linkous remains mayor.
Council decided it would continue meeting on the first and third Tuesday of each month, at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers at the town offices.
Council named the members of its many committees. The only committee that changed is the new Industrial Park and Economic Development Committee., made up of Ray Lester and Truman Daniel.
The other committees, with the chairperson listed first, are: Streets, Daniel and Via; Water, Sewer and Solid Waste, Via and Daniel; Finance, Scott Weaver and Lester; Fire and Rescue, Lester and Weaver.
Others are Building Regulations, Wayne Booth and Ann Carter; Public Health and Welfare, Carter and Booth; Central Business District, Via and Carter. The newly formed Council on Human Relations will be made up of Carter and Police Chief Ron Lemons.
by CNB