ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, March 27, 1996 TAG: 9603270069
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER
One of the most controversial developments in Roanoke County's history was rezoned Tuesday night with little opposition.
The Board of Supervisors rezoned Len Boone's planned development along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Back Creek from residential and agricultural to planned residential development - more than three years after he first introduced his plans.
The designation gives the developer more flexibility in exchange for allowing the county to control much of the design.
Only one board member, Cave Spring Supervisor Fuzzy Minnix, voted against the rezoning. And no audience members spoke out against the plan.
But one matter still stands in Boone's way.
The National Park Service must give him a right of way to build water and sewer lines under the parkway. The rezoning will not go into effect until that right of way is granted.
County Planner Janet Scheid said the park service will present an environmental assessment draft in April and expects to grant the right of way at the end of May.
Boone already has built houses north of the parkway under the current residential zoning. He said he will not begin to build south of the parkway for about five years, and the development will not be complete for 15 to 20 years after that.
The 315-acre development, named Wilshire, eventually will have 1,007 residential units, 5 acres of commercial development and about 59 acres of open space to preserve the parkway's vistas. A playground and walking paths are included in the plans.
When Boone first shared his plan in 1992 to build a subdivision along the scenic highway, it caused an uproar among parkway lovers and officials who said the development would spoil the parkway's vistas.
A string of lawsuits was filed, and heated debates over personal property rights followed.
In January 1994, an ad hoc committee met for 21/2 days, designing ways the vistas could be preserved while not infringing on property rights.
That committee included parkway and county officials, landscape architects and developers.
The result was a system of strict architectural guidelines, especially for the houses most visible from the parkway, and the designation of green space.
In return, Boone was allowed some features - such as commercial development - that would not have been allowed under residential zoning. The commercial buildings also must conform to architectural guidelines similar to those for the houses. And only certain types of businesses - including banks, a child-care center or a country store - may locate there.
Since that plan was drafted, parkway groups have shown little opposition.
"I think we're headed in positive directions," said Lynn Davis, a representative of Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway who was originally opposed to Boone's development.
The developers have realized there are ways to profit while preserving the parkway's views, she said.
"It's a lesson that's finally hitting home."
Developer Steve Strauss said those opposed to the development didn't want to risk losing the protection that has been gained. Strauss is a member of the Coalition for the Blue Ridge Parkway, a group of planners, preservationists and government officials whose goal is to protect the parkway through voluntary guidelines and uniform zoning.
"One of the driving forces behind the whole rezoning was for the Blue Ridge Parkway and Roanoke County to gain control over design criteria," Strauss said.
Although little opposition was shown Tuesday, some concerns remained.
Cotton Hill Road, the only access to the development, is narrow with no pavement markings.
And only part of the road - from U.S. 221 to the parkway - is budgeted for improvements within the next six years.
In the past, residents along Cotton Hill have publicly opposed the development for that reason. However, no residents spoke at Tuesday's meeting.
Minnix, who represents the district where the development lies, said he voted against the rezoning because he opposed the commercial development, not the residential development.
It could lead to additional businesses along Cotton Hill Road, Minnix said, which would be unfair to those already living along the road.
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