Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 27, 1995 TAG: 9509270070
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It's been at least three years since developer Len Boone first proposed building a subdivision along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Roanoke County.
The idea struck some as blasphemy, plunking a bunch of homes down in one of the county's last open views along the national scenic highway. They rallied to save the parkway.
The county, the National Park Service, citizen groups and Boone and other developers soon were embroiled in lawsuits and emotional debates about private-property rights, the role of local government and the loss of our national heritage.
A lot has happened in three years.
This month, with the quiet blessing of county and parkway officials, Boone submitted his plans for Wilshire, a planned community of 1,102 residences spread over 315 acres.
The design protects the most scenic views that travelers would see from the parkway, and preserves 59 acres in open space. And while some homes would be visible, the plan commits Boone or future developers to architectural designs for those portions of the subdivision, specifying building materials and colors that blend with the rural flavor of the landscape.
Boone's plan is the second one submitted under the county's 3-year-old "planned residential development" zoning, which gives developers more flexibility in designing a subdivision in exchange for submitting detailed plans.
The first plan was Steve Musselwhite's, called Wolf Creek, also located along the parkway. Musselwhite submitted his plan in June, and hopes to start building next year.
Both developers participated in workshops in January that brought together the county; parkway officials; the Coalition for the Blue Ridge Parkway, a bistate advisory group; and several architects, including Carlton Abbott, whose father helped design the parkway years ago.
"We're basically pleased," said Jim Fox, land resources expert with the park service.
"It's been very cooperative," agreed Terry Harrington, the county's planning director. Both plans generally appear to meet the county's goal of preserving the rural character of views along the parkway, although some details still need to be negotiated.
For instance, where the developers have said they "intend" or "desire" to use certain architectural guidelines, the county wants to see the word "shall," Harrington said. He wants to make sure the plans are clear, with no wiggle room for misunderstandings or misinterpretations in the future.
Community meetings have been scheduled to give the public a chance to see the plans, talk with those involved, and offer suggestions if they choose, Harrington said. The Planning Commission will hold separate public hearings, and the Board of Supervisors will have to approve the plans.
People can view Musselwhite's plan today from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Vinton War Memorial. Boone's will be available Oct. 2, starting at 7 p.m., at Back Creek Elementary School. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Musselwhite's plan Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Other details about Wilshire include:
A mix of single-family homes, apartments, town houses, condominiums and cluster homes, built over 25 years.
80 acres on the parkway's west side, called the "knoll," are currently being developed as The Groves. Boone has included that as part of Wilshire.
Scenic view areas will be conveyed to the park service, and the remainder of the open space will belong to a homeowners' association. Pedestrian trails will wind throughout the project and link the north and south side using an existing culvert under the parkway.
5.5 acres off Cotton Hill Road will be designated for commercial use, such as convenience store, gas station, bed and breakfast, retail, fast food.
Other details about Wolf Creek include:
Its 38 acres will have 106 homes, a mixture of single-family, cluster homes and town houses, to be built over 10 years.
Some neighborhoods will be arranged in a traditional "village" fashion reminiscent of European and Colonial American communities, with homes close together along narrow, pebble roads.
More than nine acres will be devoted to open space, part of which will be donated to a nonprofit group to maintain in accordance with parkway standards.
by CNB