Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 22, 1995 TAG: 9511220066
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
During a joint hearing by the Planning Commission and the board, the county's comprehensive land-use plan was amended to allow businesses and industries on the 922-acre Greenfield Farm site between U.S. 220 and Virginia 672.
The site still needs to be rezoned before the development can be built, however.
County residents and business owners packed the Old General District Courthouse in Fincastle during the public hearing.
Some commended the county's efforts on the project.
"It gives you the opportunity to coordinate with [the state Department of Transportation] on where industry and development is going," said Abney Boxley III, president of the Blue Ridge Stone Corp. "This seems to be an after-the-fact type planning in most cases."
David J. Cox, chairman of the county's Parks and Recreation Commission, said he was glad to see the county set aside 100 acres of the site for recreational use.
"We need help. We need available fields" for recreation leagues, Cox said.
Others, however, asked that county officials take a longer look at the project before taking any action.
"We have to be certain that we are right," said county resident Bob Bagnoli, who suggested an independent study to determine the need for the industrial park and what economic impact it could have on the county.
"I hope it increases our tax base and reduces our taxes," Bagnoli said. "But the opposite could happen as land values go up."
Other residents cited environmental concerns they felt should be addressed before the board's action.
Wayne Weikle said he was concerned about the potential effects on ground water and pressed for a "geological mapping of ground water pollution potential."
He also said the county should develop criteria for the selection of industries coming into the center before it amends the comprehensive land-use plan.
Some county residents who live near the proposed center expressed their opposition to the project.
"I can understand how folks who live in other parts of the county" could support the center, said Robert Patton. "But as a homeowner who will live across the street from an industrial park, I'm opposed."
County Administrator Gerald Burgess said the comprehensive land-use plan is only a guide for the county and is not meant to be concrete.
"This is not site-specific," he said, adding that before the land can be used for industrial purposes, it must be rezoned.
"A lot of the issues brought up tonight will be addressed at the rezoning," Burgess said.
He has estimated that no more than 400 acres of the project would be used for industrial buildings and parking lots.
by CNB