Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 21, 1995 TAG: 9509210017
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
And their efforts paid off. Both proposals were struck down.
Planners denied a request to develop a plat of about 10 acres on High Street after about 25 citizens, most living on High Street, said they were concerned that the proposed development would heighten existing runoff problems.
"I do think there is a serious danger of more flooding," said Bob Payne. "I don't know if you remember the 'Great Flood of '95.' It caused me several thousand dollars worth of damage."
"Things got so bad in Salem that people couldn't even get out to go to the ballparks," said another High Street-area resident.
Specifically, some citizens pointed to retention ponds on the proposed subdivision map and claimed they are not large enough to stop a 100-year flood.
"They can handle a 100-year storm, and that's it," said Patricia Miley of Balzer and Associates in Roanoke, who represented Rocco and Sarah Riganti and Gerald Holm, the developers of the land.
But some members of the Planning Commission didn't think that was enough.
"I'm very concerned about runoff in this proposal," said J. David Robbins of the planning commission. "These citizens only have one shot to get their point across. The buck stops here."
The other proposal, to develop about 73 acres off Carrollton Avenue between Goodwin Avenue and Academy Street, was denied after Carrollton Avenue residents raised concerns about runoff water.
The subdivision was proposed by North Salem Estates Development LLC.
In other action:
The Planning Commission denied a zoning request to allow bingo games in a Chestnut Street building used for storage by Olde Salem Furnishings.
Sterling and Jo Ann Minter were going to lease the building to Hersel L. Lawson, who had planned to contract a bingo operation to a non-profit agency. Several Chestnut Street-area residents, however, said they are opposed to bingo games in their neighborhood.
Commonwealth's Attorney Fred King, voicing his concerns, said: "Bingo is gambling. It is regulated by the state, but nonetheless is gambling."
He said that by allowing bingo games, the city gives provides an opportunity for "unscrupulous people to bleed off the proceeds."
The city is also not well-equipped to monitor the bingo games, he said. "Our investigating resources are slim. We really don't have the assets of policing these things."
Lawson said he is aware of the potential problems, and, if approved, he intended "to operate it strictly by the law."
Planners approved an amendment to the city code regarding home child care and referred it to Salem City Council.
Under the current code, a home child-care business can have no more than five children without having a business zoning designation. The proposed amendment has two categories for residential child care: small-family child care home, for 1 to 5 children; and large-family child care home for 6 to 10 children.
City council considered the amendment in August after a home child-care operator, Lisa Burns, was denied a rezoning request. Burns had been caring for 10 children.
by CNB